Everyone deals with stuff differently. Some detach themselves from the asset so they don't care about it or they attach themselves too much so they feel like the rightful owners. In the first situation, learning to care about company stuff is accomplished through thoughtful consideration. Who paid for this and how would I feel about writing the check that pays for it? What are the boundaries for appropriate use?
This is an attitude that doesn't necessarily change from work to home. An ethical person doesn't put a dollar amount on respecting the property of others. He or she always makes a moral connection between property, ownership, and responsibility.
In the second case, becoming too attached or familiar with company property creates a problem as well. If you use something every day, you may become desensitized to its appropriate professional use. Do you balance company financial accounts like your own? Do you find yourself hitting the computer or kicking the copier (even if it deserves it)? Do you treat records and private information in a casual manner? It might be time to take a more serious approach to company property.
Beware of "messing with the money or the stuff" because ethical situations involving company assets, no matter how small, are rarely smoothed over with an apology. There's always a smoking gun that does not leave gray areas for rationalization or explanation. Most industries deal with asset abuse or misuse with disciplinary action or termination on the first offence.
Again, business ethics boils down to the day-to-day choices you make no matter who you are or what responsibilities you have. From the minute you step from the parking lot into your workplace, see the things around you in proper context. Although Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage," don't treat the "stuff" like props.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Please join me in welcoming guest writer, Mark S. Putnam, The Business Ethics Advisor. You can reach Mark at Character Training Inc. or call 1-877-77ETHIC. (c)2003 CTI
