In my professional work community, I work within a John Lewis department store, and I am employed by the brand Clinique. In essence I am apart of two different communities in my professional practice. Both communities share similar ideas on ethical values and codes of practice which you must abide by in the workplace.
However, as I work within a John lewis store, I am considered as a concession, as I work for Clinique, rather than a Partner of the John Lewis business. John Lewis Partners share the profit of the company between one another, where concessions don't.
As a benefit of working within John Lewis I am entitled to a 25% discount, and the same value is shared with Clinique where I receive an online discount of 55%. These discounts are both considered as a prestigious allowance, and if they are used against the terms and conditions a sanction would occur. Integrity is valued in this business and using your discount honestly is considered ethical in my professional work and community.
In both communities confidentiality is imperative in securing customer's credible details. For example, in Clinique we have an online system where customer's details are recorded to determine what products they have previously purchased. In no circumstance can the customer stand next to the till to view any client's details, they have to stand in front of the till so they are obscured from any information. The same applies for John Lewis; each new employee with the company attends training sessions where multiple choice questions are required on the importance of confidentiality to a client, and also the business.
It goes without saying that personal ethics cannot become involved with professional ethics and employer expectations. It can open a can of worms if you withhold a strong personal view that disagrees with what the customer is saying. It can be perceived as very unprofessional and can lead to a dismissal (which I have witnessed with a former colleague). The majority of the time in this particular working environment, the 'customer is always right', however damning that may be. So you just have to bite your tongue and keep your moral and ethical values to yourself. This type of scenario is in relation to behavioural ethics that apply to my professional community.
Social media can be a grey area when you are employed by John Lewis. If you mention the John Lewis partnership on any social media site it immediately flags up to the company, and would be detrimental to your own career and that of the business. Again it is common sense, if it isn't positive, don't post it!
However, as I work within a John lewis store, I am considered as a concession, as I work for Clinique, rather than a Partner of the John Lewis business. John Lewis Partners share the profit of the company between one another, where concessions don't.
As a benefit of working within John Lewis I am entitled to a 25% discount, and the same value is shared with Clinique where I receive an online discount of 55%. These discounts are both considered as a prestigious allowance, and if they are used against the terms and conditions a sanction would occur. Integrity is valued in this business and using your discount honestly is considered ethical in my professional work and community.
In both communities confidentiality is imperative in securing customer's credible details. For example, in Clinique we have an online system where customer's details are recorded to determine what products they have previously purchased. In no circumstance can the customer stand next to the till to view any client's details, they have to stand in front of the till so they are obscured from any information. The same applies for John Lewis; each new employee with the company attends training sessions where multiple choice questions are required on the importance of confidentiality to a client, and also the business.
It goes without saying that personal ethics cannot become involved with professional ethics and employer expectations. It can open a can of worms if you withhold a strong personal view that disagrees with what the customer is saying. It can be perceived as very unprofessional and can lead to a dismissal (which I have witnessed with a former colleague). The majority of the time in this particular working environment, the 'customer is always right', however damning that may be. So you just have to bite your tongue and keep your moral and ethical values to yourself. This type of scenario is in relation to behavioural ethics that apply to my professional community.
Social media can be a grey area when you are employed by John Lewis. If you mention the John Lewis partnership on any social media site it immediately flags up to the company, and would be detrimental to your own career and that of the business. Again it is common sense, if it isn't positive, don't post it!
No comments:
Post a Comment