EthicScan Canada Limited | Products & Services

Ethics Empowerment & Assurance Programs

Adherence to ethical standards and practices not only enhances individual and corporate quality of life but also supports an improved bottom line, higher productivity and morale, and positive image and reputation among stakeholders.

This EE&A initiative is an attempt to diagnose and, if possible, resolve workplace ethics issues before they become a problem. The program has two objectives:

(A) to develop an independent mechanism to uncover and analyze ethical concerns and dilemmas of staff, some of which may find expression in ombuds, human resources and other workplace advisory programs.

(B) to provide assistance to employees and managers in resolving ethical questions or dilemmas arising out of business practices, working relationships, policies and procedures

An Ethics Empowerment & Assurance program has the following characteristics:

(A) Provide consultation to the corporation on ethical issues, policy and procedural change, as well as ethics training and reinforcement

(B) Monitor and report on comparative usage of advisory programs, including the Ethics Empowerment & Assessment program, through a yearly Ethics Report Card

(C) Advise senior management and/or the ombuds through an Ethics Committee or appropriate Ethics Officer when a formal investigation is required and to provide access to appropriate resources

(D) Provide ethical consultation and advice to managers and supervisors

(E) Provide services of experienced expert investigators in the areas of human resources, human rights, conflict of interest, and related fields when required

(F) Access to trained tele-staff who could support individual employees who want confidential, appropriate answers to workplace ethics dilemmas

(G) To experience both organizationally and individually the benefits of improved ethical business relationships, practices, policies and procedures.

The proposed EE&A program could work in companies whether or not they have a chief ethics officer or an ethics ombuds or advisor. The deliverables associated with such an initiative include:

(A) an independent, comparative diagnostic report of corporate ethical issues and vulnerabilities using sources such as staff concerns, benchmarking, and analyses of existing ethics codes, policies and communication mechanisms:

(B) a service to assist organizations, ombuds and employees in resolving workplace ethical dilemmas and enhancing ethical decision-making

The components of this service include the following:

(A) Review of a Company's Ethics Codes and Related Policies

(B) Conduct a Number of Personal Employee Interviews

(D) Prepare an Ethics Report Card

(E) Recommend Ethics Guidance, Training and Reinforcement Enhancements

(F) Offer a Direct Tele-Support Workplace Advice Service