Question

Describe HR’s contribution to business ethics. Include reasons and ways that the HR function acts in a professional and fair manner.

Assessment criteria 1.3 Evaluate the business case for managing HR in a professional, ethical and just manner.

Guidance

Here, you need to explain how HR is involved in/or responsible for ensuring ethical business practice. Also, consider how and why HR should be professional and fair at all times. You could support this with a workplace example.

Answer 1

HR's contribution to business ethics is to ensure the implementation of ethical guidelines and values proposed by the organisation. HR function acts in a professional and fair manner as it can have an important role in ensuring fairness and equality at workplace. HR functions can work for improving diversity at work place. HR has a key role in framing of policies and guidelines at workplaces. It helps to ensure that proper ethics are being followed in the processes at work. It can help in training of the employees and workers so that they are aware of the importance of ethics and understand them.

It is important to manage HR in a professional, ethical and just manner as HR has an important role to ensure a fair and equal workplace. HR needs to be professional and ethical in their functions like hiring, recruitment, training, appraisal and compensation. It has impact on the culture of the organisation and the motivation of the employees. If the HR acts professionally and ethically, it can create a positive environment at work. HR can help in leadership development and recognising values that are aligned to organisational goals. For example, if an employee or manager practices equality and diversity at workplace, HR can recognise it as an example and emphasize on the right culture and values to be followed in the organisation. HR has an important role in conflict resolution process that has to be done as per defined rules and regulations to ensure compliance with procedures.