What is the ethics of business relations?between man and woman? This is not just a standard set of dry rules of conduct in the business area. The basic principles of the ethics of business relations of this kind are built on the research of many years of experience of joint work of representatives of both sexes, on the mistakes of their behavior towards each other and on the conclusions drawn from these failures. It was these conclusions that became the basis for creating a business etiquette, which, to avoid various misunderstandings in the team, should both men and women, and as diligently as possible. What is this etiquette, the so-called business culture of behavior? Let's look at some of the nuances of working relationships that exist today in many firms. 
The Essence of Business Ethics in Mixed Collectives
The essence of this phenomenon is based on the principlecoordination and harmonization of the interests of the whole team. The professional ethics of business relations regulates the interaction of employees in the business sphere. This culture is the basis on which to build the actions that are carried out by people who work in a particular organization. Especially important is business etiquette in mixed, consisting of persons of both sex collectives. It is in such collectives, where there are both men and women, most often there are misunderstandings, often going to the detriment of not only the concrete employees, but the whole firm. To understand the essence of the ethics of business relations between men and women, one should have at least some idea of the general psychology of business. The law of culture of behavior implies knowledge of the most common problems arising in the business communication of men and women. And the difficulties begin even when you try to get a woman to work for a fairer sex. By submitting your resume to the employer, the applicant for a job needs to be prepared for the fact that if a man with a similar resume is applying for this position at the moment, then the employer (if this is not a woman) will certainly give preference to him. Of course, this choice of the director of the company does not correspond to the ethics of business relations. However, most often this is the case, and nothing can be done about it. To be in this case, out of competition, a woman must have an advantage over a man, consisting in the work experience, and in professional achievements, and in the level of intelligence. But even the presence of all these qualities does not give any guarantee that she will not be offered a post that is not sufficiently appropriate for the degree of qualification of the applicant. This is a normal practice, and today is the most common way to start a woman in a company. And in order to make a career in the company, the business lady will have to adjust for the time being to others and behave in accordance with the principles of seniority in business relations. 
Elements of the ethics of business relations between men and women
It is regrettable to realize, but in modernThe business sphere is still dominated by gender sentiments. They contribute to a somewhat disparaging attitude on the part of men towards their colleagues from the fair sex, unless the latter, of course, are part of the leadership and do not stand a step higher on the ladder of the hierarchy. Therefore, some elements of business ethics in firms can be ignored. This should be taken into account and ready to softly, but persistently defend their rights. A common example: an ordinary employee submits some idea, a male boss, listening to her attentively, as a result, the proposal does not approve. And after a while the leader begins to use in practice the expressed thoughts of his subordinate, giving them out for his ideas. Of course, such an act can not be called ethical, but similar in mixed groups happens quite often. How to act in this case, a woman, so as not to violate the ethics of business relations? In any case, do not try to expose the authorities, reproaching him for stealing someone else's idea. Just to understand for yourself for the future, that you need to be wiser and do not lay out your plans in all details. And then, if the leader accepts the proposal, he will not be able to realize it until the end and will have to turn to her for advice, thus recognizing the authorship of the idea as subordinate. But if you still do not recognize and really want to say publicly about who the true author is, you can just delicately tell the authorities about the following: "Thank you, dear Petr Petrovich, for accepting my proposals and appreciating them! However, I considered this idea from a different angle and now I'm thinking about how it can be improved by applying it in practice. " Hardly the next time a "respected Peter Petrovich" will have a desire to take advantage of others' works, as his property. There are in many firms and the custom when men gather in a smoking room during lunch or in a meeting room, discussing some important projects. It is understood that women in this discussion should not be present. This view is nothing more than a manifestation of a kind of male chauvinism towards female collaborators. The ethics of business relations say that the fair sex can quite join the men, while showing perseverance. On the side of important discussions, you can not stay. 
Ethics of business relationships and flirting at work
In general, the politics and culture of communicationis established by the company management. At the same time, many of the executives of the companies adhere to the same rules that determine the relationships in the teams. For example, most of the bosses do not approve of flirting in the workplace and try to suppress it. Therefore, not to get into trouble, women, and men, should refrain from all flirting with each other, otherwise you can pay for it even by dismissal from the company. The prohibition of flirting in the workplace is one of the elements of the ethics of business relations. This is explained by the fact that its underlying motive may be mercantile interests on one or the other side. For example, women, flirting with someone from colleagues or with a boss, may seek to be promoted, and men - to get through their colleague some important information. Often, flirting is a very effective means of achieving goals in business. This is an excellent tool for manipulation, with which you can achieve a lot: use it to increase sales, to compete with competitors, to promote some projects, and so on. And the image of a flirting man in the firm suffers much less than the image of a flirting woman. If a businessman decides to flirt with a woman in negotiations, it is perceived by others as a tactical move and even approved. But when a woman starts flirting with someone, her rating among colleagues immediately goes down. Therefore, servants of the weak need to be able to manage the situation and not take on the part of male colleagues frank signs of attention during work. This is especially true for important meetings, negotiations and major transactions. Do not favorably treat attempts to flirt with the authorities. In order not to lose credibility with the company's employees, one must always adhere to the principles of seniority in business relations. A flirtation with the boss does not correspond to these principles. However, it often happens that co-workers do not frivolously flirt, but are seriously carried away by each other. After all, work takes the lion's share of our time and is one of those places where you can easily find a life partner. And if it was found and expresses sincere sympathy, then it is, of course, possible to reciprocate it. But at the same time one should not show his relations to the whole team - this is inappropriate both from the standpoint of reputation and career, and from the position of strengthening these relations. In addition, bosses of firms usually do not encourage service novels and, for security reasons, are categorically against the relations of their employees with representatives of competing firms. An employee who has decided on a love affair with such a representative risks not only her career, but also her workplace. Of course, according to labor legislation, her rights are not to be dismissed - such elements of business ethics are not included in it. However, it is unlikely that she will be able to continue working in this company - hardly anybody will be able to withstand a severe attitude of a superior for a long time. Therefore, seriously falling in love with an employee from a competing firm, one must either be very cautious or leave without waiting for a conflict with the boss. There is also no clause in the labor legislation obliging to appear at corporate events - parties, seminars, trainings and so on. They have recently become very popular: the management of firms believes that such events increase the loyalty and efficiency of their employees. And for many employees, such pastime, which falls on non-working hours, seems a rather dubious pleasure. But the culture of business relations suggests that attendance for corporate parties is mandatory. Such events are a gift from the company, and therefore should not be abandoned. Otherwise, you can spoil relations with your superiors, and this, of course, will create serious problems. And if a corporate party is to be held, it is necessary to go to it without fail, but even on it it is not recommended to flirt with co-workers with colleagues. Such behavior will be regarded as a challenge and, for a long time imprinted in the consciousness of colleagues, will become a significant minus to the reputation. And really to appear at a party with a lover working in a competing company should not be at all - such an act will ruin both the party and the further career.
Ethics of business relationships and mobile phones
Strangely enough, but such a convenient inventionLast years, like mobile phones, also today have become one of the elements of the ethics of business relations. Bosses in companies very quickly took this invention into account, because a mobile phone gives the opportunity to disturb employees anywhere and anytime. There are firms in which the rules prohibit disconnecting phones during non-working hours, even if the employee is on leave or on a sick leave sheet, or are not allowed to turn them on during work. When settling in a company, such rules should be stipulated with the employer, so that the ethics of business relations in the company are not inadvertently disrupted by ignorance. However, the ban on switching off the phones during non-working hours, and the taboo on their inclusion during the period of work are nothing more than an encroachment on the person's personal life. Many women, turning off the phone while in the service, lose the opportunity to communicate with their loved ones, and answering the calls of the authorities in their spare time - the opportunity for a full rest. Employees of the company - not its affiliation, and undividedly own their time the company does not have the right. Therefore, in such situations, men and women should not be shy and delicately hint to their superiors that in addition to work, people also have a personal life, and one should not interfere with one another. This is fully consistent with the ethics of business relations. If the boss still continues to call during non-working hours, and to disconnect the phone during this period there is no possibility, you can get two numbers, personal and working, and the latter in his spare time to disconnect. Perhaps the boss, trying in vain to get through on the weekend, will understand that to disturb his employees when they rest or get sick is at least incorrect. 
Principles of business ethics for appearance
Of course, not a single boss of a large firmwill treat favorably or indifferently to the slovenly appearance of their employees. The culture of business presupposes a number of rules concerning the appearance and the need for the purity of hair, skin, shoes, clothing, moderation in the use of cosmetics and perfumes, and modesty in the use of jewelry. From the point of view of the ethics of business relations, the clothing of the firm's employees should be in line with the direction of the firm's activities. For example, business suits of female model workers are different from the dress code of bank employees, and the look of a woman selling cosmetics is from the images of those who represent some legal agency. Usually the management of large companies refers to the appearance of their subordinates is very demanding. As for small firms, in them to the clothes of employees requirements are more democratic. Nevertheless, if a woman intends to make a good career, she should not, when going to the office, wear overly short skirts and too dyed blouses - a strict culture should still be present. If someone is going to a conference or business meeting on the road with a stop at the hotel, a strict business suit can be replaced with freestyle clothing: a blouse with trousers, knitted things and so on. At evening receptions fit is not very open evening dress. Clothing in all these cases should not be so fashionable as prestigious and stylish.
Elements of business ethics: rules of courtesy
The essence of business ethics in the field ofcourtesy is the principle of equality of employees of both sexes. This means that both men and women should adhere to the same rules of conduct at work. Both of them in the service exchange handshakes, stand up, greeting the visitor, in turn they wash coffee makers and teapots - this is the culture of behavior. In business ethics, there are no gender priorities: the door is opened by those who are closer to them, from the elevator, too, the first person who stands near the door. In respectable firms it is considered impolite to approach a colleague, calling him a diminutive name or some nickname. At work, there should not be any "suns", "darlings", "bunnies", Natashenek and Sashenek. This, of course, does not mean that all men and women are obliged to address each other only by name and patronymic, (although such treatment in some firms is included in the rules of business etiquette) - it is enough just to adhere to some officialdom. All "doves", "bunnies", "masiki" - this later, after work. At the same time, it is necessary to conduct service conversations politely, without command tone and pressure on colleagues. The culture of communication allows the assertion of one's opinion by every employee of the firm, but it must be done delicately, without excessive emotionality. Criticizing superiors, colleagues or competitors in their absence is unacceptable. To express the same critical remarks in the face of a man to a man and a woman can only if they contain elements of constructiveness. In general, the principles of business ethics are:
- The employee's behavior should correspond to the company's procedures and contribute to its progress.
- Behavior at work is considered ethical, if it corresponds to the moral standards, foundations and traditions existing in the firm.
- The culture of communication at work must meet the requirements of universal ethics.
- There is no gender division in business relations. The main thing in them is the collective interests.
- Service conversations are not conducted in an orderly tone.
- Communication with colleagues should be as conflict-free as possible.
- Criticism of other employees of the company or competitors should be open and constructive.
- The conduct of the company's employees should not restrict the freedom of others.
- Employees of the company are obliged to suppress violations of ethical norms, regardless of who they were admitted to.
In conclusion, I want to give one more piece of advice,concerning the ethics of business relations. Many employers are very sensitive to the fact that their employees are somehow making money even in their spare time. This is a kind of professional jealousy, because of which the boss can present unjustified claims to the employee, resort to penal sanctions, demote, even fire. From the legal point of view, all these actions are illegal, but to put the employer-owner into place with the help of the law are not all solved - sooner or later he will still find a way to punish the obstinate employee. Therefore, before deciding on part-time work, it is advisable to have a proper conversation with the management, focusing on the principle of business ethics: "Do not limit the freedom of others." If such a conversation does not work out, it is necessary to make it clear to the employer that our personal space has borders that can not be crossed. Do not be afraid to defend your own interests. This applies to all aspects of business etiquette. A good employer must treat the employee's life position with understanding. And if the leader is inclined to tyranny, one must think about whether there is any sense in working under his rule at all. Remember that the culture of business communication should primarily work for you. We advise you to read:
