A system of inquiry is essential in any business setting to help companies with ethical issues. Many companies do have codes of ethics for management and employees to follow. However, many ethics codes address only certain behaviors by which employees are expected to abide. There are times when the current ethics codes may not completely address a situation. Having a system of inquiry will better help a company deal with those issues against, and within, the company. The system will also help companies to have a quarterly or yearly review of the process; this helps determine if revisions are needed in the process.
The basic component of the inquiry process would be in putting together a review or ethics panel of employees and managers. This panel would be comprised of people from different departments within the company. Some companies have a three-person panel, while others have up to seven persons on the panel. Many times, having the higher number to comprise a panel helps with a quorum in making decisions. Theses same employees will be well versed in all policies and procedures of the company. The panel members have more credibility by being knowledgeable in company procedures and policies.
There will be an air of fairness and impartiality from the board by having the panel comprised of various personnel. In addition, by having a mix of supervisors and employees, other employees will not have the impression that management is always against employees. Employees in the company do not need to know of whom the panel is comprised. By keeping the panel anonymous, this further ensures the impartiality and fairness of a decision given by the panel. This also helps to avoid anyone showing favoritism.
When an allegation of an et ...