Ethics can: build trust; create pleasant, productive workplaces that are characterised by high levels of fairness, respect, accountability and responsibility; foster sound relationships with internal and external stakeholders; position the organisation as an employee of choice, attracting and retaining the best talent; boost the organisation’s reputation and brand equity; create a high degree of customer and investor confidence; can and should be a key differentiator that accords ethical organisations a unique source of competitive advantage. In short, ethics can make all the difference.

Ethics can build trust; create pleasant, productive workplaces that are characterised by high levels of fairness, respect, accountability and responsibility; foster sound relationships with internal and external stakeholders; position the organisation as an employee of choice, attracting and retaining the best talent; boost the organisation’s reputation and brand equity; create a high degree of customer and investor confidence; and it can and should be a key differentiator that accords ethical organisations a unique source of competitive advantage. In short, I believe that ethics can make all the difference. The book covers six themes: Understanding workplace ethics beyond just what is right and wrong. Does ethics make good business sense? Can you motivate an ethical business focus well enough? Establishing whose role is ethics, which explores the role of leadership, the social and ethics committee and HR. Managing workplace ethics, which outlines a comprehensive ethics management system and includes a detailed focus on topical workplace issues. The crucial tasks of measuring, monitoring and reporting on ethics and ethical performance. Ethical decisions and dilemmas, which examines how to make those really tough ethical decisions.

The book includes various practical exercises, checklists and guidelines, suggested workplace discussions, case studies and commentaries, and further reading.

Next time someone tells you that ethics doesn’t makes good business sense or that competitive pressure doesn’t allow for an ethical approach, tell them to think again. Not only in South Africa but in companies and institutions across the world, misconduct of all kinds is increasingly revealed to be a destroyer of profits and reputations. This book considers the many different aspects of ethics in the workplace, and shows its role as a vital and necessary ingredient of long-term success. It offers practical advice and guidelines that address key ethical questions: Does ethics make good business sense? Does ethics pay? Why is it hard to do what’s right? How ethical is your organization? How can you improve your ethical status? Ethics: Giving a Damn, Making a Difference is essential reading for executives, managers, public sector officials, employees, students of ethics, and everyone who is genuinely committed to finding out more about ethics and how it works in practice.