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Unethical is something that is morally wrong and goes against what the right thing to do is.

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Unethical is something that is morally wrong and goes against what the right thing to do is.

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There is a point at which the law becomes immoral and unethical. That point is reached when it becomes a cloak for the cowardice that dares not stand up against blatant violations of justice.

Kurt Huber

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Ethics is something you were taught to do and right from wrong. Ethics come from a person's behavior.

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Between the cutthroat competition and questionable actions taken in order to extend profit margins, it's pretty easy to paint the corporate world in a negative light. However, there are plenty of companies out there that hold themselves to a higher standard and show respect for the world around them. From having the best employee benefits to the championing of education and the environment, this list honors the companies with stellar moral practices.

10. Salesforce.com
For years, Salesforce.com ( NYSE:CRM) has been honored for its philanthropy and good practices. Through its Salesforce.com Foundation, the company has donated millions of dollars toward education grants and technology, and even discounts its services to non-profit organizations. The company also encourages its employees to get into the action by giving them six days off per year to do any type of charitable work they choose. Saleforce.com frequently ranks highly on lists of companies offering the best salaries and hourly rates for employees.

9. Starbucks
While some may argue that Starbucks ( NASDAQ:SBUX) has no place on this list due to its competition-crushing business practices, the company's bad press shouldn't outshine what it does for society. While it isn't perfect, the company is often quick to fix its environmental problems, from greatly reducing the water it uses for its dipper well to using recycled paper in its cups. The company also encourages consumers to be environmentally conscious by offering a 10-cent discount to those who bring their own reusuable cups and giving free coffee grounds to consumers who want to use them for compost. Starbucks is also dedicated to its baristas, offering them full health insurance benefits and stock awards. In addition, like another controversial company on this list, the company is also a vocal advocate of same-sex marriage.

7. Ultimate Software
Another company that enjoys hero status for its treatment of its employees is Ultimate Software ( NASDAQ:ULTI). Every year the company rises in the ranks as one of the best companies to work for because of perks like the 100% free health care it offers its employees, including complete coverage for all their dependents. The company also gives its employees an all-expenses paid vacation every two years. Ultimate Software is enjoys a great deal of diversity in its hiring practices -- at least 46% of its staff are women, and 33% are minorities.

6. NuStar Energy
It's not often that oil companies are thought of as ethical, but NuStar's Energy ( NYSE:NS) treatment of its employees regularly lands it on lists of the best companies to work for. The company pays 100% of its workers' health insurance premium, and even matches 401(k) contributions up to 6%. In addition, the company has a strict no-layoffs policy, and lends its employees the corporate jet in times of crisis. Although it would have placed higher if it was a little greener, NuStar's commitment to its people is truly an example of its ethical policies.

5. SAS Institute
SAS Institute is another software company that is renowned for its employee benefits. Employees at SAS receive subsidized Montessori child care, unlimited sick time, and access to a free health center. The company also fosters a strong sense of community; its staff has intramural sports leagues, and the company has never had a layoff. SAS also supports education philanthropy, particularly programs that are dedicated to promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs for children. The company also encourages its employees to volunteer at various charities and even makes cash contributions to non-profit programs where the employees volunteer.

4. Patagonia
While most winter and outdoor clothing companies advocate environmentalism to some degree, Patagonia is dedicated enough to the cause to let it seriously affect its bottom line. In 1985, the company started the 1% for the Planet pledge and has consistently asked other companies to join it in donating 1% of its sales to help save the environment. Even more impressive is the fact that Patagonia, aware of the impact its business has on the environment, has frequently asked its consumers to refrain from buying its products if they don't really need them

3. Intel
Since 1988, the computer chip manufacturer Intel ( NASDAQ:INTC) has been trying to bolster its reputation through its efforts to strengthen technological education. Through the Intel Foundation, the company hosts the Intel Science Talent Search and the international Science and Engineering Fair to help encourage STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education for young people. Intel is also interested in making these areas more diverse; the company has many donation funds and programs to encourage girls and underprivileged minorities to study in these fields. Employees of Intel also experience the company's dedication to education through a very strange corporate perk -- the company promotes or reassigns them to different fields and areas every 16 to 24 months, in the interest of making sure that workers never become bored with their roles, and encouraging them to explore new fields. Accepted employees are often told, "Welcome to your next five jobs."

2. Microsoft
Given the fact that it was started by Bill Gates, one of America's most generous philanthropists, it follows that Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT) would do well in following his example. The tech company and its employees donate over $1 billion yearly to charities and non-profit organizations. If that wasn't enough, Microsoft's management and employee's have also decided to tackle America's IT professionals shortage through its TEALS program. Through the TEALS program, Microsoft employees are encouraged to volunteer at local schools to instruct students in computer science, in the hopes that it will inspire them to enter the technology industry. It's only natural that Microsoft employees would be generous people; in addition to being among the highest paid employees in America, they also enjoy a plethora of perks, including 100% coverage on their health care premiums.

1. Google
Although some may criticize the company, Google ( NASDAQ:GOOG) regularly makes good on its motto: "Don't be evil." Through its Google Green Program, the company has donated over $1 billion to renewable energy projects, and has decreased its own footprint by using energy efficient buildings and public transportation. The company is also a staunch advocate of free speech, which can be observed from its frequent conflicts with the Chinese government. Google is also an open supporter of gay rights. Yet all this pales in comparison to Google's status as a paragon for employee benefits. Just to name a few, Google employees have access to free health care and treatment from on-site doctors, free legal advice with discounted legal services, a fully stock snack pantry and onsite cafeteria (staffed by world-class chefs, no less), and a free on-site nursery. With such a stellar record of social awareness and positive employee relations, Google is easily the best example of ethics in the corporate world today.

See also: Pride at Work: Best Companies for Gay Rights in Canada and the US.

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good business: corporations with great ethical policies

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Good Business: 10 Companies With Ethical Corporate Policies

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Between the cutthroat competition and questionable actions taken in order to extend profit margins, it's pretty easy to paint the corporate world in a negative light. However, there are plenty of companies out there that hold themselves to a higher standard and show respect for the world around them.

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Nestlé

Monsanto.

Amazon.

Shell.

Tesco.

Barclays.

Exxon.

Wal Mart

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In their simplest form, ethics are the moral standards you rely on when you make a decision. They define what's right and wrong, and outline the kind of behavior that businesses should not engage in. For responsible decision making in a business environment, a good set of ethics is key. If you're new to management, try this course on decision making and equip yourself for success. Building on this when you maintain a high set of ethics as you conduct your business it provides benefits to everyone. Ethics are not only a guide to making decisions, but also the criteria the public judge you on. In business, this is critical, because how people see you and your company is the basis of building trust. If you're taking unethical actions, you lose credibility, and your business will suffer.

Personally, your ethics form as you are influenced by the people and the environment around you. There are ethical views that apply to people all around the world, while others are more personal, and apply only to you. Over time, your ethical views can change over time as you're exposed to different situations and environments. In a business, ethics has very positive benefits, and you can learn more about them in this course. The reasons for having high ethical standards include:

A higher moral within your employees and the organization

It helps to attract new customers

It builds higher customer loyalty

It reduces the risk of negative press or backlash caused by doing "the wrong" things

It helps to make a positive impact on the community

If you want to run a sustainable business having a high set of ethics is critical, and there can be serious consequences if poor ethical decisions are made. Regardless of whether you believe good business ethics contribute to profits or not, poor ethics will have a major impact on your bottom line. Without standards you have misinformed, misguided and bad decisions being made, which can cause financial loss or injury to other people, or the business. Many legal cases are raised because of people seeking compensation for their losses as a result of business people making unethical decisions.

You need to get every member of your organization committed to a set of high ethical standards. As a manager or the business owner, you need to clearly define and communicate to your employees the consequences of being unethical, and the set of standards you want them to adhere to. You can study what it takes to create an ethical organization in this course. Huge organizations like Enron have been destroyed by unethical decisions, and others seriously damaged like Fannie Mae. Without a set of ethical standards combining ambition and the intelligence of senior executives is a recipe for disaster. Competitiveness, innovation and ambition are critical for a business to succeed, but they need to be kept in check with a strong moral compass, and business done in the right way.

Here are 12 principles that form the basis of business ethics, and are what you need to hold yourself accountable to:

Honesty

You need to be honest in all of your actions, and every communication you make. When people see you making honest decisions, they start to trust your company because you're not only being truthful, you're being upfront and candid. People appreciate the fact they can take you at your word, as customers only ever do business with those they trust. Being an ethical executive means you do not deceive others by misrepresenting the facts, overstating and exaggerating or only giving partial truths. If you've inadvertently given the wrong impression, provide the relevant information to your customers and correct their misunderstanding as soon as possible.

Integrity

Being ethical in business means maintaining a high level of personal integrity. This is how you earn the trust of others, whether they are your customers, team or your superiors. In this definition integrity means having a consistent character that is demonstrated by an alignment of your thoughts, words and action. Sometimes it requires you to have moral courage to do the right thing, and it takes inner strength to live up to mistakes and admit when a fault has been made. Despite a great pressure to do otherwise, ethical business managers live by a moral code they believe in, principles to maintain and they fight for their beliefs - without sacrificing their honor for the sake of just getting a job done.

Keeping Your Promises

Your word is one of the most important tools in your arsenal as a business manager. Keep every promise that you make, and always fulfill a commitment. The trust you build as an ethical executive means people like doing business with you, as you take every reasonable effort to fulfill not only the letter, but the spirit of the promises and commitments you have made. You can learn more about building trust in a business in this course. Don't every twist your words to rationalize or get out of contracts, or justify why it's okay to not comply to a commitment. Just do what you said you were going to do.

Loyalty

You need to be loyal to both your company, your team and yourself, while operating within a strong moral compass. If you demonstrate your loyalty it builds trust, and shows that you place a high value on advancing the interests of both the company and your colleagues. You should not ever place loyalty above your other principles, or use it as an excuse for unethical behavior. Demonstrate your loyalty but always make an independent judgment, and never use information that you have gained in confidence for your own personal advancement. Steer clear of conflicts of interest, and if you ever decide to leave your company do it on the best of terms. Give reasonable notice, respect any information that was gained in your former employer, and never engage in activities that take advantage of a previous position that was held.

Fair

In all of your actions, you must strive to be fair and just. An ethical executive is committed to fairness in all that they do, and do not seek to exercise their power for an unfair advantage or use indecent methods to gain a competitive edge. They also never take undue advantage of another person's difficulties and mistakes. Being an ethical executive means that you are committed to being fair, employ justice in your decisions and treat all people equally, with tolerance and acceptance of diversity. Being fair also means being open minded, admitting when they have made a mistake, and adjusting their beliefs and positions when it is appropriate.

Caring

This involves having a genuine concern for others, as well as a sense of compassion. An ethical business manager is caring, benevolent and kind to both customers and staff, and seeks to reach their goals while causing the least amount of harm and the greatest amount of good. Being caring means understanding that there will be an impact on every stakeholder following a decision, and they always consider the financial, emotional and long term business consequences of an action. They don't simply discount the needs of others.

Respect

Being ethical means treating everyone with respect, demonstrating this by being courteous and having an equal treatment of people regardless of who they are. Respect is given because everyone deserves dignity, privacy and rights, and they adhere to the rule that you must strive to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Obeying the law

An ethical executive always obeys the law, and never breaks the rules, regulations or laws surrounding their business activities.

Excellence

Being ethical in business is also about pursuing excellence in everything that you do. Delivering the highest quality of service or products makes business sense, especially if there is a constant endeavor to always improve.

Being a Leader

You need to demonstrate the principles and ethics you want your team to live by, and take an active role as a leader to be a positive role model. The best way you can enforce an ethical mentality is to lead by example, and creating an environment within your business that values decisions made on principles and standards of ethics. You can learn more about the ways you can approach being a leader in this recent post.

Morale

Ethical business managers enhance the good reputation of a company, which at the same time boosts the morale if its employees. The company reputation is very important, as well as the pride and morale of their employees. As an ethical business manager you need to avoid taking actions that undermine this respect, and they take action to correct any inappropriate behavior of others.

Accountable

Being ethical means holding yourself accountable, and acknowledging and accepting personal accountability for their decisions, and any consequences. Not just personally, but an ethical manager will stand up and take accountability in front of their colleagues, their company, and the community.

Holding yourself and your business to these standards will ensure you're not only covered against any wrongdoings, (if you follow these principles you can't do anything wrong), but you'll impress customers and staff alike, and build a strong sense of trust with all of your stakeholders. This is the foundation that takes your company to the success that it deserves to reach!

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12 Business Ethics Examples | Udemy Blog

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In their simplest form, ethics are the moral standards you rely on when you make a decision. They define what's right and wrong, and outline the kind of behavior that businesses should not engage in. For responsible decision making in a business environment, a good set of ethics is key.

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Misusing company time. ...

Abusive behavior. ...

Employee theft. ...

Lying to employees. ...

Violating company internet policies.

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Professional special educators are guided by the CEC professional ethical principles, practice standards, and professional policies in ways that respect the diverse characteristics and needs of individuals with exceptionalism and their families.

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Moral authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity, treating people with respect." --Stephen Covey.

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Salesforce.com

Starbucks

Goldman Sachs

Ultimate Software

NuStar Energy

SAS Institute

Patagonia

Intel

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'Silicon Valley' star says tech companies don't care about ethics

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Commentary: Kumail Nanjiani, the hit HBO's show's Dinesh, scorns Facebook and Twitter for their attitudes toward fake news.

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Code of ethics exists to help guide people to do the right thing. To keep them on track so they know the difference between right and wrong.

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Teachers need code of ethics as a designed way to protect the student's rights. It isn't ethical for a teacher to try and push their personal beliefs onto someone else. There has to be ethics around.

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Nurses have codes of ethics was created as a guide to carry out the responsibilities that nurses have on a day to day basis. They have to have the ethics to know in their heart that they have to take care of the patients.

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When is comes to social workers, you to follow ethics in order to be able to find an amazing home for the kids. The kids are the number one priority.