Learn why a code of conduct should be based on values rather than rules and regulations according to the SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification exam. Get a detailed expert answer to help advance your HR career.
Table of Contents
Question
On what is a code of conduct based?
Answer
Values. A code of conduct should be a values-based ethical decision-making tool rather than a list of rules and regulations.
Explanation
A code of conduct should be based on an organization’s core values rather than a rigid set of rules and regulations. The purpose of a code of conduct is to provide an ethical decision-making framework to guide employee behavior, not to prescriptively dictate every action in every situation.
By grounding the code of conduct in the company’s values, it connects those stated values to expected behaviors in a meaningful way. A values-based code articulates principles to follow and provides latitude for personal judgment, whereas a rules-based code requires blind obedience to a strict set of dos and don’ts.
A values-oriented code of conduct is more flexible and adaptable to novel situations. It empowers employees to exercise moral reasoning, drawing upon the organization’s values for guidance. Rules cannot cover every possible scenario, but values can inform any situation that arises.
Furthermore, a code of conduct centered on shared values fosters a culture of integrity and ethics. It inspires employees to truly embrace and embody the organization’s values in their day-to-day conduct. Rules are followed to avoid punishment; values are internalized and lived out through employees’ choices and actions.
In summary, the SHRM-SCP exam emphasizes that a code of conduct should serve as a values-based ethical decision-making tool. Anchoring the code in core values, rather than a list of rules and regulations, provides a dynamic framework for employees to navigate the gray areas and make judgments that uphold the organization’s ethical principles.
SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the SHRM-SCP exam and earn SHRM-SCP certification.