Tag Archives: ethics

When Begging Doesn’t Help You

Do you remember when you were little and you had told a lie and your parents knew it? It was probably about something small: Did you eat the cookie? Did you leave the back door open? Did you duct tape your brother to the drywall? It was stupid to lie but when you’re little sitting in the corner really feels like a terrible punishment. All of this changes when you are an adult (and should actually act like one). I’ve written about taking responsibility before but today I’m going to write about what happens when you don’t take responsibility. I’m … Continue reading →

Are We Apathetic About Student Ethics?

A lot of our focus on ethics in education has to do with the environment for our students, what they are being taught, how they are being taught and who is teaching it to them. But how often do we focus on the ethics of the students themselves, before they even enter the classroom? A new survey given to high school students says that 64 percent of high school students have cheated on a test. A whopping 30 percent have stolen from a store within the past year. The survey was conducted by Josephson Institute, a Los Angeles-based ethics institute. … Continue reading →

The Ethics of Samples

Free samples can be wonderful. Trying out a product can save you from costly mistakes in buying it, if you find that you don’t like it. You can be adventurous and try out something new that you might not otherwise have experienced. For some, the super sample people, it is an opportunity to reduce your budget by taking advantage of getting things for free. I know one lady who never buys perfume, because she is stocked with samples from the fragrance counter. And the samples may even come in handy when you your supplies are running low. For example, let’s … Continue reading →

Watch the Stereotypes in Business

Just because you are a small, one-person business doesn’t mean you can get away with “personnel issues” that large companies can’t. Without policy and checks and balances to serve as guidelines, you might actually be more prone to stereotypes and prejudice in your home business. So, what’s the problem with stereotyping? Well, you could easily offend or drive away customers and clients if you share broad assumptions about people based on race, age, gender, income level, etc. Not to mention, it does not represent you or your business well. Even the most innocent seeming comments can display stereotypes. Saying things … Continue reading →

The Ethics of Free Stuff

Okay, put on your steel-toed boots. I’m about to step on some toes here. Recently I had a college-aged friend confide to me that she and her roommate had a standing date for lunch at Costco‘s on Saturday morning. I told her how much I liked their pizza and she snickered. “Not the pizza, silly, the samples.” Now, I know this person well and the only thing in her dorm room is Cup O’ Noodles and orange juice. I doubt that she’s ever bought any of the products being demo-ed on those Saturday mornings. Even once. Her attitude is that … Continue reading →

Overcoming Injustice

I’m on to part 5 in my Values that Last series and am looking at moving past injustice in our world. Seems like once I get hung up on the “life’s not fair” attitude, I stop progressing, and rather appear depressing. Here are some statistics that I’ve learned in this series: Jesus talks more in the Bible about wealth and poverty than heaven and hell, violence, and sexual immorality. Between the four gospels, 1 in 10 verses contain teaching on economic issues in relation to wealth and/or concern for the poor. Thirty-three percent of children under age five in developing … Continue reading →

Standing for Something — Gordon B. Hinckley

Gordon B. Hinckley is the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is revered by members of that church, myself included, as a prophet. But even if you aren’t a Mormon, there is a goodness in him that you can’t deny, a kindness that transcends differences in spiritual belief. Leaders of the other denominations in Salt Lake City who have worked with President Hinckley on various projects hold him in high regard, even though they do not believe as he does. In the year 2000, President Hinckley released a book that would quickly become a New … Continue reading →

Job Professionalism: What Exactly Is It?

There are some purists out there who might say that if you have to ask the question there’s not a chance in that very warm place below that you will ever understand the answer. Still, I am more broad-minded, and believe that even the comatose can learn to live and understand again! The following thoughts apply to any job, at least to my demented mind. They reflect an appropriate attitude and that is the point (or the rub if you prefer Shakespearean terms.). Seriously folks, it doesn’t matter what you do for a living; professionalism refers to HOW you do … Continue reading →

Family Home Evening: Honesty

The next topic in the “For the Strength of Youth” pamphlet is “Honesty.” This is a great family home evening topic to cover. It is one topic that is always good to review with your family. Little children often need concrete examples of lying and telling the truth. As they grasp this concept it really comes to life for them. You can open family home evening by reading Exodus 20:15-16. This scripture shares the two commandments involving honesty. You can ask your children what you think they mean, and have them give examples of both keeping them and breaking them. … Continue reading →