Communications
The Ethics of Hilton Hotels
The Hilton Hotels Corporation Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is a comprehensive code that covers everything from "candid conduct" to "fair dealing" and "company assets." As with most company ethic codes, it cites high ideals and moral conduct for all of its employees, especially the corporate offices and board of directors. However, it also applies to all the employees of the company, who are expected to act on the code and adhere to it, along with a separate Code of Conduct.
The Code is explicit in areas of conflict of interest, disclosure, and compliance with rules. It holds up high ideals for its employees, and expects them to act morally, responsibly, and ethically at all times and when representing the company. These ethics make corporate sense, and place the company in a good light. However, they seem to be excessive in some areas, at least as far as carrying them out effectively, because some of them are vague. For example, section X. reads in part: "All directors, officers, and employees should protect the Company's assets and ensure their efficient use" (Code). This seems quite vague, as it could be up to each person to define how to protect and ensure the assets are used efficiently. It seems as if the company is simply attempting to protect itself legally in some areas of this Code, and that the Code is deliberately vague to help cover employees who might abuse the Code.
In everyday life, many of these codes just seem to be common sense. It is a given that most people will act with honesty and integrity in their everyday lives in most areas, and that they will put their own interests first, and use their assets efficiently. So, much of the Code apply to everyday life, any rely on common sense to create and define them. There will always be dishonesty in the workplace and in everyday life, but for most people these types of codes simply define ideas they already have and utilize.
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