5 ways to encourage ethical behaviour in your organisation

Despite the high-profile lessons of Enron, Tesco, and countless other scandals, building an ethical workplace often gets pushed aside for more urgent business priorities. But encouraging ethical behaviour is essential — and achievable. Here are 5 ways to foster an ethical culture in your organisation.

1. Embed ethical practices into your organisational culture

Corporate culture is made up of shared values, unspoken norms, and internal systems — all of which shape ethical (or unethical) behaviour. Make ethics visible in your company’s mission, policies, and daily operations. Clearly define ethical codes in your corporate objectives and ensure they're reinforced through policies, training, and leadership communication. An ethical culture starts with clarity and consistency.

2. Managers should lead by example

Employees take cues from leadership. If senior staff are seen upholding strong ethical standards, others will follow. Leadership must demonstrate honesty, transparency, and accountability — not just in big decisions, but in day-to-day interactions. Avoid setting unrealistic deadlines or targets that might tempt teams to cut corners. Stretch goals are great — as long as they’re achievable.

3. Promote open, effective communication

In larger or more hierarchical organisations, communication gaps can lead to disengagement or silence around unethical practices. When leaders are out of touch with day-to-day operations, issues are more likely to be hidden. Foster a workplace where employees can speak openly without fear — especially when something isn’t right. Psychological safety is critical for ethical integrity.

4. Establish a clear, supportive whistleblowing process

Whistleblowing is one of the most effective tools for surfacing unethical behaviour — but only if employees trust the system. Provide both formal and informal reporting pathways, and ensure anonymity and protection where needed. A transparent, well-communicated whistleblowing policy helps create an environment where honesty, fairness, and accountability are the norm.

5. Use policies and auditing to reinforce values

Internal audit and management reviews play a vital role in upholding ethical standards. Establish a robust ethical policy and review practices regularly through audits. Ethics training should support these efforts, alongside awareness campaigns and leadership buy-in. Involving multiple stakeholders in your reviews increases objectivity and accountability.

Ultimately, ethics isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist — it’s a continuous process shaped by your organisation’s structure, values, and people. By putting systems in place that support openness and integrity, you can build a culture where doing the right thing is second nature.