Page 44 - Banking Finance October 2023

ARTICLE

Work ethics and the workplace No direct or indirect hints to customers to meet the
employees outside the workplace for any favour for
An acceptable ethical behaviour involves an employee's guidance to get a benefit
general set of beliefs, values and behaviour that he/she
shapes up for the regular day-to-day method of service No expectations or acceptance of gifts/favours
delivery dealing with all categories of customers and to other (irrespective of the amount)
co-employees of the own organisation. An ethical workplace Fair and appropriate treatment given to all co-
can be identified easily by even ordinary persons who may employees
not have any expertise in fields like organisation theories, A prominent display of the names of all the major
philosophy, law communications etc. Following are some of officials of the organisation's branch who are
the ways and means to recognize an ethical workplace - responsible for core activities for the benefit of the
Respectful treatment of all categories of customers by customers
the front office personnel Employees' awareness of the
business processes and quick and to the point clear The major causes for unethical behaviour at
answer to the queries
workplace are as follows
Giving correct and authentic information to customers Non-availability of Code of Ethics manual
on matters like interest rates/ premature withdrawal Lack of fear of action
of term deposits etc.
Unrealistic targets
Guiding a person on a short visit for multi currency
Influence of Co-employees
travel card and weather to take fixed exchange rate or
go in for real time exchange rate Unprincipled leadership
Means are not appreciated
Strict adherence to minimal prescribed documentation
as prescribed by the regulator/ internal management
and not insisting for additional documents from the Ethics of a Banker
borrower A banker can be evaluated for ethical commitment at three
stages of his/her career
Appropriate attire befitting the profession of the i. at the initial stages up to first 5 to 7 years of taking up
employee and it should provide comfort to all the banking as a career
customers who need to speak to the employee
ii. at the middle management stage, typically after 7 to
Acceptable body language of the employees at the 15 years into banking sector , and
workplace
iii. at the senior management level, normally after 15 years
High degree of energy level and commitment to work into banking service
and going the extra mile to help customers
Confining to work related talks and avoiding all other The following are some of the major ethical qualities
matters not relating to the work directly expected of a banker throughout his/her career
1. Honesty and Integrity
2. Commitment to customers
3. Confidentiality
4. Fair treatment
5. Transparency
6. Duty mindedness

Institutionalizing ethics in bank

Institutionalising ethics in bank refers to creating a Code of
Ethics and implementing the code in letter and spirit. It
includes all activities of banks like sales and marketing,

44 | 2023 | OCTOBER | BANKING FINANCE