All Categories Articles- Finance -- credit -- Wealth-Building -- Investing -- Real-Estate -- Debt-Consolidation -- Debt-Relief -- Structured-Settlements -- Mortgage-Refinance -- Loans -- Insurance -- Stocks-Mutual-Funds -- Leases-Leasing -- Taxes -- Personal-Finance -- Currency-Trading - Business -- Marketing -- Sales -- Sales-Training -- Sales-Management -- Sales-Teleselling -- Advertising -- Branding -- Press Release -- Customer-Service -- Management -- Team-Building -- Strategic-Planning -- Careers-Employment -- Presentation -- Negotiation -- Networking -- Top7-or-10-Tips -- Small-Business -- Ethics -- Entrepreneurialism - Internet/Online Businesses -- Blogging-RSS -- Email-Marketing -- Ezine-Publishing -- Ezine-Marketing -- Spam-Blocker -- E-Books -- Ecommerce -- Web-Design -- Web-Development -- Web-Hosting -- Site-Promotion -- Affiliate-Revenue -- Auctions -- Security -- Domain-Names -- Audio-Streaming -- Podcasting -- Video-Streaming -- SEO -- Traffic-Building -- PPC-Advertising -- Forums -- Internet-Marketing - Health and Fitness -- Weight-Loss -- Build-Muscle -- Exercise -- Aerobics-Cardio -- Fitness-Equipment -- Yoga -- Meditation -- Nutrition -- Supplements -- Medicine -- Alternative -- Diabetes -- Men's-Issues -- Hair-Loss -- Women's-Issues -- Beauty -- Depression -- Acne - Self-Improvement -- Success -- Leadership -- Attraction -- Innovation -- Time-Management -- Motivation -- Inspirational -- Spirituality -- Coaching -- Goal-Setting -- Creativity -- Stress-Management -- Happiness -- Organizing -- Positive-Attitude -- Grief-Loss - Home-and-Family -- Home-Improvement -- Interior-Decorating -- Home-Security -- Landscaping-Gardening -- Elder-Care -- Parenting -- Babies-Toddler -- Pets -- Holidays -- Pregnancy -- Crafts-Hobbies -- Log Furniture - Writing-and-Speaking -- Writing -- Copywriting -- Public-Speaking -- Writing-Articles -- Teleseminars -- Book-Marketing - Arts-and-Entertainment -- Music -- Humanities -- Humor -- Poetry -- Photography -- games -- Language -- Philosophy - Reference-and-Education -- Psychology -- Science -- College-University - Computers-and-Technology -- Hardware -- Software -- Personal-Tech -- Data-Recovery -- Games 1 - Communications -- Broadband-Internet -- Mobile-Cell-Phone -- Satellite-TV -- Satellite-Radio -- VOIP -- GPS -- Video-Conferencing - Food-and-Drink -- Recipes -- Cooking-Tips -- Wine-Spirits -- Coffee - Cancer -- Breast-Cancer -- Ovarian-Cervical-Uterine-Cancer -- Colon-Rectal-Cancer -- Prostate-Cancer -- Lung-Mesothelioma-Asbestos -- Leukemia-Lymphoma-Cancer -- Skin-Cancer - Travel-and-Leisure -- Vacation-Rentals -- Outdoors -- Cruising-Sailing -- Aviation - News-and-Society -- Relationships -- Dating -- Marriage-Wedding -- Divorce -- Sexuality -- Politics -- Religion - Automotive -- Motorcycles -- Cars/Trucks - Recreation-and-Sports -- Golf -- Golf 1 -- Martial-Arts -- Football -- Baseball -- Basketball -- Soccer -- Skiing Reviews- Tech Gadgets -- Cell Phones -- iPod -- Voip 1 -- Bluetooth -- PDA’s/Handheld PC’s -- Video Games -- Digital Cameras -- DVR/PVR -- Consoles -- MP3 -- Metal Detector Reviews - Books -- Novels -- Educational -- Kids Books -- Biography -- Text Books -- Fiction -- Non-Fiction - Hotels and Lodging - Restaurants Press Releasesfinance

Advanced Search

What does integrity mean to you? There are many definitions for integrity and the importance of integrity varies from person to person. Webster’s dictionary states that it is “A firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values, and unimpaired condition, and the quality or state of being complete or undivided.” The United States Air Force sums up the definition of integrity by stating, that it is “Doing what is right, even when no one is looking.” As I reflect on myself and where I stand when it comes to this topic, I feel that integrity is a very important part of my life. I believe that by being ethical or unethical reflects not just on yourself but your loved ones as well. Some pay no mind to integrity and simply believe that integrity is not an important trait to possess. I would like to discuss where does someone gain or fail to gain integrity, when integrity is needed or not, how employers could promote integrity in the workplace, and the advantages and how a company could encourage whistle-blowing.

I don’t believe that integrity is something that someone is born with. I feel it is something that is implemented in you, throughout the course of your life. Your parents and family members are the first people who impact your integrity or lack of integrity. When growing up, you learn from them and the morals and values that they possess, becomes yours. If some ones parent and family members fail to value integrity, so will you. Fortunately, integrity is something that you can gain over time regardless of what you were taught in your early years. Many, whom I have come across, gained their morals and values of integrity through encouraged discipline such as the military. The United States Air Force in particular, has a motto of “Integrity first.”
Now many may say that there is a certain limit as to when you have to be forthright with your employer or not. A certain amount of trust is needed in a work environment in order for things to run smoothly. There are certain things in your life that I feel does not have to be discussed with your employer, such as your lifestyle outside of work. If it does not affect you or your job performance, there is no reason for them to know. However, some things that do affect you as a person and your job performance, such as drugs and alcohol should be known to your employer.

Promoting honesty in the workplace is the key to success in a business. I feel that employers should lead by example. If your employee observes that honesty is a big part of the company, they are more likely to do the same. Communication is also an essential in the work environment. If it is not regularly practiced, this could lead up to creating a “grapevine” that is not true or misleading, therefore causing conflict in the work environment. As discussed by Valerie Pascua in the article she had written, on “Integrity and Trust in the Workplace.” She states that you can build an environment of trust by, “Having leaders who demonstrate integrity,” “Screen for integrity when selecting new employees,” and “Model integrity in your HR systems.” I feel that these are great ways that employers can promote integrity in the workplace.

Although there are many barriers to prevent a company from successfully implementing a whistle blowing environment, such as being called a “snitch”, alienation from others in the workplace, or even retaliation from others. I feel it is still necessary to encourage whistle blowing. In order to do this, a company must include a section in their code of conducts or ethics statement for whistle blowing. The procedure for whistle blowing and rules on retaliation should also be included. If done correctly, a company will be able to implement a whistle blowing environment successfully.

In summary, I feel that integrity is a very important part of my life, as it should be for everyone. Integrity is not something that we are born with but gain over time. Some gain integrity thru family while we are growing up, and others gain it later in life thru their surroundings or encouraged discipline. Morals and the value of integrity can be implemented in the work environment with the consistent encouragement by employers.







References


Claudio-Pascua, V. (2007). Integrity and Trust in the Workplace. Retrieved June 28, 2007, from http://www.ddiworld.com/pdf/ddi_ph_pmap_integrity_ar.pdf

Cunningham, T. (2002). Leadership 101: Integrity. Retrieved June 27, 2007, from Emergency Services Information Site http://www.withthecommand.com/2002-Aug/MD-TMC-leader-integ101.html

Ravishanker, L. Encouraging Internal Whistle blowing in organizations. Retrieved July, 08, 2007, from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/submitted/whistleblowing.html