ABSTRACT
All managers must be aware of the ethical issues and conflicts in their respective spheres of influence in the workplace, because the enterprise depends on their abilities to resolve such issues. Some ethical conflicts may arise when work duties clash with the beliefs of conscience of individual employees. Managing potential conflicts of interest generally requires full disclosure of financial or personal interests. Conflicts may be avoided in several ways: recusing oneself from decision-making, placing assets in blind trusts, obtaining employer permission for outside business activity. Beyond ethics-based policies written in the employees’ handbook, managers in public institutions have an enhanced obligation to project an ethical vision to the public: “We are worthy of the public’s trust. Modeling ethical behavior creates a firm foundation for individual and shared accountability. It is the basis of thoughtful decision-making.
