A Statement And Description Of Required Behaviours, Responsibilities, And Actions Expected Of Employees Of An Organization Or Of Members Of A Professional Body. A Code Of Conduct Usually Focuses On Ethical And Socially Responsible Issues And Applies To Individuals, Providing Guidance On How To Act In Cases Of Doubt Or Confusion.
The following is an example of conduct, although it is not organisation orientated, it aims to give you an idea of a personal Code of conduct, on the internet, which a lot of people abuse. If one can stay code-orientated in such circumstances, then doing so in the organisation should be a lot easier.
By Phil Butler • June 26, 2008
What exactly is a “blogger code of conduct” or any code after all? We all talked about it some time back when things got out of line with the “Kathy Sierra incident”. Beyond simple humane activities, any code of conduct has to take into account that proper conduct is simply about being civil. Ok, what is civil? You see, here is where all the trouble starts in these discussions, with definitions. There seem to be a never ending line of definitions when measuring anything aren’t there? Well, as complex beings we are supposed to be able to process all this easily.
To one person being “civil” can simply mean not choking the hell out of someone when you are mad at them, while to another person being civil means actually respecting the other person. Wow, now we are into even more terms to define – what exactly is respect? If you stop right here, perhaps you might see how this can be confusing to some people.
Those with limited resources to rely on can easily get hung up on definitions. Okay, this is the “civil” or nice way of saying that some people are either stupid or course or both. Well, there you have it, a civil person like me crossing over into the world of bluntness and coarseness. Well this code of conduct thing can get “fuzzy” sometimes as you can see.
Face it, all of us are capable of being downright rude at times, and the only determining factor between a gentleman and a cur sometimes is a hair’s breadth of timing over frustration.
I think the point here is that people who adhere for the most part to a good ethic or conduct try really hard not to cross the line, however loosely defined it may be. Of course there are those who simply do not have any upbringing and who define the line all together differently. We know many of these types and most of them hang out at Digg. But perhaps the most frustrating group of “code breakers” are those who know better and still choose to act inappropriately. Ahaa! you are saying. You know some people in this category?
Well, let’s talk about some people who do not fall into this category. Sometimes powerful or popular folks see themselves as above common decency. This is particularly true on the Internet as everything is so removed from physical constraints. A good for instance here might be my friend Jimmy Wales , who though super busy and stressed by much, always responds to friendship and things of import.
Though he will hate the mention, he does actually pay attention to what goes on even on the most remote blog if it has import or a friend points it out. So you see, even the mighty can always seem to exhibit traits and respect befitting all people, even under the most unusual circumstances. We had a similar situation just the other day when Mihaela approached Guy Kawasaki about an issue.
Guy did not have to respond, but characteristically of this type person he gave a polite and genuine answer to an honest request. To the point, genuine and actually going above and beyond relatively, Guy is always a gentleman and a professional. As it turned out, he did not have the time or the inclination to stretch so far as to “dive into” the issue, but he did honestly pay “respect” to the request and to Mihaela. This is indicative of the way we should all interact with one another – respectfully, honestly and with a smidgen more cordiality than we might think we are capable of.
Ok, you are saying – who made you the “defender of the faithful?” No one. This is not rocket science to anyone who’s parents taught them respect. I am just mirroring everything most of you were ever told about proper action by your own parents. So what is the problem? The problem is that all our biggest issues come about because of a lack of respect for one another.
I can give you some examples of other situations in which myself, Mihaela or friends exhibited the very best intentions and qualities, and only received silence or disdain for our efforts. This is a sad reality that none of us talk about very much, the real world of human interaction. The Guy Kawasaki’s or Jimmy Wale’s of the world as something of a rarity these days.
Doing our bit to make the world a little bit better (or at least trying) we have hammered some startups or even individuals in an effort the make them better. Sometimes this comes off the wrong was and we are seen as antagonists, but quite honestly we just want everyone to do good.
There are those who feel they are above all this though. I cannot tell you how many times I have honestly tried to help or extend a hand of friendship to people who evidently just think they are better than the rest of us. This is some form of lunacy in my view!
Who’s time on this Earth is worth more than your’s or mine? Just because someone has a position does not add one day to their span here or detract from it either. This is an age old dilemma though. If the people on top who act inappropriately could equate themselves with those who are uneducated and ignorant on the other end of the spectrum then perhaps things might be much better for all of us. Power and influence would seem to be given for a purpose other than self aggrandizement.
This, of course, is the long way around the barn in saying that some people are just rude, crude and socially unacceptable. Disappointment is what we all have to swallow in the end. Even our most adamant support for people and movements can be dashed in a moment’s improper behavior as we all know. Extending ourselves is what we are all here to do it would seem. So, why can’t we all do this more? Extend ourselves to other people and issues just a tad beyond what we think we can endure? Jimmy and Guy do this, I do it, I know you do it, so why can’t so many others?
Perhaps they are and we are only seeing our end of the equation, but if I email Michael Arrington 20 times with a sincere gesture, why can’t there be an equitable answer? Not picking on Michael singularly, as there are so many non-responsive ones. Are they that busy?
A code of conduct for bloggers or anyone else should be to respond in kind I suppose. A better code might be to respond or act just a slight bit more appropriately than we think is comfortable. I really want to applaud all those who try and respect other people, especially when their own time has so many demands on it. I wrote to Jimmy just the other day; “What if one hour were worth a million kids having food?” How many opportunities have we all missed out of apparent expedience? I think we should all weigh what we lose in improper behavior as opposed to what we might gain at the other end of the spectrum.
I feel as if this were a post about nothing so to speak, but we all need to think and that is what I started this blog for, just to make my friends think. Think about extending our time and effort towards one another. My greatest disappointments have come when I put energy and faith in people and they act as if it were nothing. I know you all identify.
The Code of Business Conduct covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all employees and officers of the Company (Company includes Company A. and all its subsidiaries). All of your employees and officers must conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behaviour.
The Code should also be provided to and followed by the Company’s agents and representatives. In addition, Company policies apply to various Company operations and you need to know and follow those policies that apply to your Company work.
If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law. Also, if a local custom or policy conflicts with this Code, you must comply with the Code. If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor how to handle the situation. Employees and officers are responsible for understanding the legal and policy requirements that apply to their jobs and reporting any suspected violations of law, this Code or Company policy.
It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary:
If we see you wearing R500 Prada sneakers and carrying a R600 Gucci Bag, we assume you are doing well financially and therefore you do not need a raise.
If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes and therefore you do not need a raise.
If you dress in-between, you are right where you need to be and therefore do not need a raise.
We will no longer accept a doctor’s note as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.
Each employee will receive 104 holidays a year. They are called Saturday & Sunday.
Too much time is being spent in the toilet. There is now a strict 3 minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open and a picture will be taken.
After your second offence, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the “Chronic Offenders” category.
Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy. Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure. Fat people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that’s all the time needed to drink a Slim Fast.
We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation, and input should be directed elsewhere.
Have a nice week!
The Management