Organizational code of ethics and system inquiry evaluation

Walmart's System Of Inquiry

A system of inquiry is used to evaluate decision-making, ethical conduct, and problem solving in a business setting (Systems of Inquiry and business ethics). Essentially, the system of inquiry is a structure of questions which the managers of Walmart (in this instance) can use in order to assess that the employees are following Walmart's ethical guidelines.

The questions would include an assessment of the employees and their interactions; the different levels of hierarchy and their interactions one with the other; the employees and their relationships with customers; the employees and their relationship to service providers; and the organization as a whole on a national and international basis with local and governmental communities. Being as complex as it is, the system of inquiry should, accordingly, be broken down into several sectors. The system of inquiry could then be monitored to see if it were followed.

Walmart's system of inquiry could readily be implemented and easily accepted, if not welcomed, depending on the way it was implemented. If employees were told about the idea beforehand and informed as to its rationale as well as given clear understanding as to when and how it would be implemented, the idea might well become a popular one, particularly since people welcome regimen and rules, and this code of ethics is institutionalizing a system of justice and fairness that aims to exist in all levels of the organization.

Acceptance, if not commendation, of the document will be all the more guaranteed if employees were to see that strictures were objectively monitored through all levels of the organization regardless of hierarchical status; in other words, that upper level managers are held as accountable to breaches of ethics as are lower-level employees.

A personal recommendation is that monitoring of all levels of the organization be conducted according to the system of inquiry once a month, and that once a month, too, the organization be reported its results so that not only will employees be aware that the system is, indeed, being regularly conducted, but that a system of positive reinforcement will ensure its implementation in a positive manner. The investigation can be conducted in a survey manner where employees will be surveyed confidentially via written questionnaires. Focus groups can be held to assess whether, as a group, any other concerns can be discovered and need too be addressed. A system, of rewards and incentives can be instituted, and deviations checked in a covert and dignified manner where employees, violating one or other of the ethical requirements, will be informed so in a respectful yet firm manner.

Part II: The System of Inquiry

Our three basic Ethical beliefs

Respect for the individual

Service to our customers

Striving for excellence (Walmart: Global Ethics Office)

Leading with integrity in our workplace

1. How many incidents of physical harassment have been reported on this premise within the last month?

2. Has any employee reported an allegation and felt that they were punished for doing so?

3. Has anyone reported a claim via the Helpline and felt that this claim was later inadequately addressed?

4. Has any employee felt unjustifiably victimized against, or discriminated, by another member of staff?

5. Do any employees have valid concerns about their wage-and-hour- situation / policies?

6. Do relations between Walmart employees and Walmart supplier seem objective and above-board?

7. Does the in-country Ethics Committee report any conflict of interest amongst one or more employees that may potentially breach the morale of the work environment?