UNIT 14. ETHICAL BUSINESS

 

STARTING POINT

Task 1▐ Discuss the questions.

·          What effect (positive or negative) can companies have on the environment and the local community?

·          Do you know of any companies that are well known for their social responsibility?

·          Do you know of any companies that have a public image problem because of their activities?

·          Discussion: What are the characteristics of an “ethical business”?

 

READING

Task 2▐ Read the article about the main characterisctics of ethical business. State how does the text define an ethical business and what does it suggest is necessary to achieve this status?

 

Six Characteristics of an Ethical Business

ByCindy Phillips, Chron

Striving to earn a reputation as an ethical business is noble, but it requires commitment. Most businesses are financially driven, and it is possible to be both ethical and successful. But there is a fine line between making choices for financial gain and making choices that will not adversely affect others. The ethical business knows the difference.

Strong, Ethical Leadership

The culture of an ethical business is defined starting from the very top of the organizational chart. For a business to be ethical, its leaders must demonstrate ethical practices in any situation. The true test of this leadership is in the decision-making process when there is a choice between what is ethically responsible and what will result in profit or gain.

Leaders who can consciously choose the path that is ethically correct, as opposed to one that is purely financially driven, have successfully created an ethical culture in the business. When the culture is solid at the top of the organization, it trickles down to all areas and employees.

Core Value Statement

An ethical business has a core value statement that describes its mission. Any business can create a value statement, but an ethical business lives by it. It communicates this mission to every employee within the structure and ensures that it is followed. The ethical business will institute a code of conduct that supports its mission. This code of conduct is the guideline for each employee to follow as he carries out the company’s mission.

Integrity and Fairness

Integrity is an all-encompassing characteristic of an ethical business. The ethical business adheres to laws and regulations at the local, state and federal levels. It treats its employees fairly, communicating with them honestly and openly. It demonstrates fair dealings with customers and vendors including competitive pricing, timely payments and the highest quality standards in the manufacture of its products.

Respect for Employees and Customers

Ethics and respect go hand in hand. An ethical business demonstrates respect for its employees by valuing opinions and treating each employee as an equal. The business shows respect for its customers by listening to feedback and assessing needs.

An ethical business respects its vendors, paying on time and utilizing fair buying practices. And an ethical business respects its community by being environmentally responsible, showing concern and giving back as it sees fit.

Loyal Relationships with Employees and Customers

Solid relationships are a cornerstone of an ethical business. Loyal relationships are mutually beneficial and both parties reap benefits. Employees who work for a loyal employer want to maintain the relationship and will work harder toward that end.

Vendors and customers will remain loyal to a business that is reliable and dependable in all situations. An ethical business stays loyal to its partnerships even in challenging times. The result is a stronger relationship when emerging from the challenge.

Concern for People and Environment

An ethical business has concern for anyone and anything impacted by the business. This includes customers, employees, vendors and the public. Every decision made by the business is based on the effect it may have on any one of these groups of people, or the environment surrounding it.

 

Task 3▐ Read the text again and choose the correct answer.

1.       What is a key characteristic of strong, ethical leadership in a business?

a) Focusing solely on profit

b) Demonstrating ethical practices in all situations

c) Ignoring the needs of employees

d) Prioritizing financial gain over ethical decisions

2.       What distinguishes an ethical business’s core value statement?

a) It is created but not followed

b) It is a mission statement that everyone in the company lives by

c) It only applies to top management

d) It is rarely communicated to employees

3.       How does an ethical business demonstrate integrity and fairness?

a) By focusing on profit margins

b) By adhering to local, state, and federal laws

c) By treating customers better than employees

d) By ignoring regulations

4.       How does an ethical business show respect for its employees and customers?

a) By listening to feedback and assessing needs

b) By disregarding employee opinions

c) By focusing only on customer satisfaction

d) By delaying payments to vendors

5.       Why are loyal relationships important in an ethical business?

a) They are mutually beneficial and encourage hard work

b) They are based on short-term gains

c) They focus only on employee satisfaction

d) They are easily broken during challenging times

6.       What is a primary concern of an ethical business regarding people and the environment?

a) Making decisions based solely on financial gain

b) Considering the impact of decisions on all stakeholders and the environment

c) Prioritizing profit over environmental concerns

d) Ignoring public opinion

 

VOCABULARY

Task 4▐ Match the words with their corresponding definitions.

Definitions:

a. when a company falsely claims to be environmentally friendly in order to attract customers.

b. natural materials that can be replaced naturally or through sustainable practices.

c. the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activities, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

d. the ability to continue at a particular level for a long time without causing damage to the environment.

e. products or practices that do not harm the environment.

f. actions that are morally right and fair towards people, animals, and the environment.

g. a system of buying and selling goods that ensures fair prices are paid to producers in developing countries.

h. a company’s commitment to behave ethically and contribute positively to society while minimising any negative impacts on the environment.

i. being open and honest about actions, decisions, and processes.

j. the effect that an organisation's actions have on the well-being of society.

 

Words:

1. sustainability

2. carbon footprint

3. social impact

4. fair trade

5. ethical practices

6. greenwashing

7. transparency

8. renewable resources

9. eco-friendly

10. corporate social responsibility (CSR)

 

GRAMMAR USE ▐ Obligation

In business English, expressing obligation is crucial for communicating requirements, duties, and responsibilities clearly. Common modal verbs and phrases used to express obligation include:

·            Must: Indicates a strong obligation or necessity (e.g., Employees must wear ID badges at all times).

·            Have to: Similar to "must," often used for external obligations (e.g., You have to submit the report by 5 PM).

·            Need to: Indicates a necessity or requirement (e.g., We need to complete the project by the deadline).

·            Should: Suggests a recommendation or advice, less strong than "must" or "have to" (e.g., You should review the contract before signing).

·            Ought to: Similar to "should," used to give advice (e.g., He ought to attend the meeting).

 

Task 5▐ Fill in the blanks with the correct form of must, have to, need to, should, or ought to.

1.        All employees ______ attend the mandatory training session next Monday.

2.        You ______ submit your expense reports by the end of the month.

3.        We ______ complete the annual financial audit by the end of this quarter.

4.        The marketing team ______ create a new campaign strategy for the upcoming product launch.

5.        Managers ______ provide feedback to their team members regularly.

6.        You ______ reply to client emails within 24 hours.

7.        He ______ finish the project before he leaves for vacation.

8.        The company ______ comply with all industry regulations to avoid penalties.

9.        You ______ consider attending the networking event to make new contacts.

10.   She ______ update her LinkedIn profile to reflect her new position.

 

VIDEO Task 6▐ Watch the video about the impact of ethics on business [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OkcG7M8YIxVIOwliksQx9e78lNCm12Km/view?usp=sharing] and answer the questions.

1. What does business ethics entail?

2. How can a business treat its employees ethically?

3. Why is it important for businesses to pay their employees a fair wage?

4. What are some financial incentives that companies can provide to benefit employees?

5. How does Google prioritize employee satisfaction in the workplace?

6. In what ways can a business act ethically towards their suppliers?

7. Why is paying fair prices and making payments on time important when dealing with suppliers?

 

COMMUNICATION PRACTICE

Task 7▐ Work in groups and discuss the following topics.

·     Think about a company you admire and respect, and write down the reasons why you believe that company is ethical.

·     Reflect on the importance of sustainability and ethical practices in business.

·     Discuss the challenges businesses might face when implementing these practices.

·     Consider how consumers can support sustainable and ethical businesses.

 

WRITING

Task 8▐ Create a social media post promoting a business that focuses on sustainability and ethical practices.