HR Essay Sample on the Ethic Training Programs

The increasing human activities such as mining, manufacturing, waste products from our industries have impacted negatively on our environment. Such activities have led to the slow disruption or rather led to the gradual destruction of the ozone layer. As a result, it has birthed problems that have increased the cost of living among individuals globally. Among these problems are increased cases of health disorders; increased cases of famine hence leading to food shortage; increased cases of crime activities in our neighborhoods. First: this essay will concentrate on the emerging global risk: food crisis and at least discuss several countries that might be associated with the risk. Second: it will discuss ethical issues as one of the causes of the food crisis in the context of businesses. Third: it will analyze the impact of business ethics on stakeholder's relationship; explain the reasons why it was necessary to create an ethic program, conduct training, and engage in compliance auditing. Finally, at the end of the essay there will be a designed training plan for ethical reflections and social responsibility as it relates to the key risk areas and the countries that are discussed in this essay. Before going dip in the real business of this essay, it is important to understand or rather grasp the clear meaning of the term food crisis. In definition, food crisis refers to a situation where all people at all times cannot have both economic and physical access to sufficient, nutritious and safe food. Hence, they cannot meet their needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

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As such, the food crisis has become one of the major headlines in our media today. According to the reports presented by the World Economic Forum (2008), the issue of the food supply has become a major point of interest. Food security has become a major problem in this 21st century (World Economic Forum, 2008). The report continues to reveal that in the year 2007, the prices for many staple foods such as prices of corn were recorded at 50% higher than 12 months previously. The price of wheat was not an exemption; the price of wheat was doubled by then. The global food reserves are indicating their lowest level of food in 25 years and as a result world food supply is susceptible to a natural disaster (World Economic Forum, 2008). This global risk has forced individuals and countries to search for answers and ensure food security within their households and the country at large. Previously, the issue of food security only concerned the least developed countries, especially those in wars and those facing undetermined weather patterns (World Economic Forum, 2008). But, not long ago, concerns about sustainable food security have unfurled to developed countries that have not predominantly considered themselves unprotected to the food crisis. For instance, the United Kingdom has historically depended on the scope of international markets to ensure food supplies at a reasonable price. But this model may be put under stress in the future (World Economic Forum, 2008).

As stated earlier, the problem of food security has turned to a global risk, and there are no exemptions for some countries. Apart from the United Kingdom, China and India are as well uncovered to pressures on global risk, and their domestic participation may have global economic repercussions (World Economic Forum, 2008). In China, per capita income of individuals has rarely increased while the overall food prices have risen to a greater level of 17.6%. Other product prices that are also high include pork prices by 70%, vegetables by 30%, and cooking oil by 34%. It is noted that due to the high rising dollar price of oil and high food prices in China; this might trigger global inflation (World Economic Forum, 2008). Besides, food security has caused terror among the citizens of various countries which has later forced them to demonstrate against increasing prices of food. For instance, the World Economic Forum (2008), reports in March that thousands of Mexican demonstrated against the increased prices of flat corn. Italians also organized a one-day strike rising prices of pasta (World Economic Forum, 2008). Regarding this global risk, it is clearly evident that several factors have led to it. Among these factors is the behavior of individuals as they engage in their day to day activities.

Ethics and compliance auditing

Acting in an ethical way by individuals in the supply chain is very important. Since cases of food insecurity will reduce significantly with respect to the ethical behaviors of individuals. Jagyasi defines ethics on the basis of medical tourism as the behaviors upheld by individuals who tend to travel from developed countries to developing countries in search of medical care (Jagyasi, 2012). In either way, ethics refers to the accepted code of behavior with relation to the respective environment. The respective government expects business operators to adhere and follow the rules and regulations so as to safeguard the interests of the Nation. The governmental has set ethical procedures that companies or rather an organization ought to follow. For instance, in the manufacturing industry that has to pollute the environment in the course of their business; the government has introduced certain levels of compensation equal to the amount of pollution caused by the company. Other scenario, the issue of food crisis has been caused by unethical behaviors of individuals in the supply chain (Food Ethic Council, 2008). They tend to pile up stocks of food to their advantage as they wait the demand to rise hence they later supply the food at a higher price. According to the food ethic council, there are individuals who speculate the demand and supply of food so as to take advantage of the market (Food Ethic Council, 2008).

Acting ethically towards fellow stakeholders will increase or boost your business efficiency as well as revenues at a greater level. A stakeholder refers to a person who is directly or indirectly related to your business. Individuals in a business have to ensure that their relationship with stakeholders is maintained or upheld; the only one way to attain this is by acting in an ethical manner towards them. It is important to understand that the relationship between a firm and a customer only exist because of the presence of mutual expectations. This expectation is built on good faith, fair dealing, and trust when they are interacting. In fact, there exist an implied bond of fair dealing and good faith, and performance cannot simply be a matter of the discretion of the firm. Therefore, we are in knowledge of the legal consequences that may arise if a firm conducts itself inappropriately. With all of the above reasons, we are left with no option but to explain the reasons why it was necessary to create an ethic program, conduct training, and engage in compliance auditing.

An ethic program refers to a designed program by an employer or a firm as an attempt to keep formalized structures to ensure that the firm is perceived as honest, fair, just, and responsible. The ethic programs are designed in consideration of several factors. These factors include;

Considering the organization and oneself as part of the larger social framework

Considering the welfare and the development of other stakeholders

Respecting the rituals or traditions of other people

Evaluating an objective as well as the consequences of the program

An ethic program is necessary in the running of organization activities in that it will ensure the reduction in cases of misconduct within and outside the organization. Also, the program will ensure additional defense to the organization against complaints that may arise from the employees and other stakeholders. However, for the success of this ethic program, there should be unlimited managerial support as well as role modeling. Besides, the organization should ensure continuous research to ensure that the personnel align themselves to ethics. Implementation of the program within an organization indicates that the organization is very clear in the communication of what they expect from the employee interactions. Many firms have incorporated innovative ways of continuously reminding the employees of what is expected.

However, to ensure that the employees are constantly operating as required by the organization, the management need to conduct a compliance auditing. Today, compliance programs are common to many organizations. The compliance audit is performed by professions who are certified. The professions who conduct compliance auditing ensure that the organization is strictly observing the industry formalities, licensing demands and an array of standards and ethical concerns (Usnick & Usnick, 2013).

Training program

Months

Activities Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Selection and choosing of the key affected areas and venue Presentation of the ethical issues affecting the areas Countries values and ethics code of conduct

Ethical issues of the countries and organization Evaluation of the training program Feedback Implementation of the program

The implementation of the program will incorporate the following steps;

Company values and ethics code of conduct

For the effectiveness of the program, it will be necessary to discuss the company values as well as the code of conduct comprehensively among the employees. The employees will reflect on the company's value and identify areas where improvement is required.

Involving the executive team and secure enough funding

By encouraging the managers to take training themselves will lead to the success of the training program. It is evident that, when the senior management takes part in the training program, the employees will be motivated. Besides, the senior managers are regarded as competent and to have knowledge of the company's values and code of conduct.

Developing materials

Developing materials such as posters, the multi-media presentation, and pamphlets is very important since they will act as reference materials. Also, it is important not only for reinforcement but because different employees have different levels for absorbing information.

Considering innovative delivery strategies

Implementing effective programs will in turn involve employees in active learning. These effective programs are engaging employees through case studies and group discussion.

Tailor to specific requirements

Employees differ in their responsibilities in the organizations. Some employees may be exposed to a more ethical lapse environment than others. For effectiveness of the program, these employees should be group according to their job specification and trained following the degree of ethical measures.

Integrate important ethics concepts in other training programs.

This step involves the combination of ethics with managerial activities and new employee orientation and to communicate to them on ethics as the root of the company.

Evaluation of the program

Following up on the training with continuous evaluation will assist the employees to retain and act on what they have learned. Evaluation will also assist the management to identify and improve weaknesses that they may note during the process.

Key considerations which must be in place

For the training to be successful the organization will ensure that there are enough funds allocated for the training and all the required materials are available. The training should also incorporate a comprehensive plan that will not be interrupted by any other event. The management should also group the employees with respect to their positions or job responsibilities. This will ensure the employees understand the ethical concepts, and if an employee is not satisfied then he or she may seek...