Code of Ethics: Amazon Inc. (ANSWERED)

QUESTION

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook: Chapter 2
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source

Initial Post Instructions

Developing a code of ethics is a way for a company to share its core values and practice ethical business. For example, the National Association for Healthcare Quality has formulated a code of ethics that can be found at https://nahq.org/about/code-of-ethicsLinks to an external site..

Think about a company or organization you currently work for or do business with. Find the code of ethics for the company or organization and post the link for the class.

Using the code of ethics you found, give an example that you are familiar with in which the company has stayed true to the code of ethics and demonstrated ethical business practices.

ANSWER

Code of Ethics: Amazon Inc.

Codes of ethics are now the mirror of an organization’s commitment to being ethical. They are defined as statements of an organization’s norms and beliefs or how senior personnel want other people in the organization to think (Wood and Rimmer, 2003).

Given the e-commerce platform Amazon Inc. offers to its clients, we have chosen to use the company to extend our e-commercial capabilities. Like any other company, Amazon has its code of ethics. Primarily, Amazon seeks to promote a safe and healthy workplace for its employees as well as consider the interests of its customers and suppliers.

According to Amazon, employees should act lawfully, ethically, and in the best interest of the company when performing their job duties. At the same time, the company does not allow retaliation against an employee who reports misconduct of fellow employees in good faith. Otherwise, employees must be cooperative towards internal investigations regarding potential or alleged misconduct.

Amazon’s code of ethics spans through twelve clauses, including compliance with laws, rules, and regulations, conflicts of interest, insider trading policy, discrimination and harassment, price fixing, health and safety, bribery, and payments to government personnel. Financial integrity, questions and reporting violations, waivers, and periodic certification.

The company has stayed true to the code of ethics, especially in the investigation aspect, where they investigate instances of harassment and discrimination. While people consider the investigation not fair, objective, or transparent, Amazon takes time to ascertain employee concerns to promote an inclusive culture. The lack of tolerance for discrimination has seen Amazon investigate gender, race, and other cultural discrimination in the workplace. As discrimination claims are on the rise, Amazon has reinforced its efforts to combat poor treatment of workers from various races. The company is issuing corrective action plans and monitoring employee welfare.

References

Wood, G., & Rimmer, M. (2003). Codes Of Ethics: What Are They Really And What Should They Be? International Journal of Value-Based Management, 16(2), 181-195. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024089509424

N.a. (n.d.). Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Amazon. https://ir.aboutamazon.com/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters/code-of-business-conduct-and-ethics/default.aspx