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When debating ethics in politics, culture, or business, you will probably hear the statement, "We can't legislate morality!" It makes pretty good sense because no one wants to see society regulating the personal moral choices of its citizens. A common misconception is that people associate morality with religion but in reality everything has some moral value to it. In order to get a firm grasp of ethics in our workplace, we must understand how to live in a world where some morality is legislated and some is not and where our ethical values fit in.

Our society is governed by the rule of law yet we manage to survive day-to-day, by and large, doing our own thing. There are laws against perjury and dishonest business practices, but not against the majority of fibs that we tell each day. There are rules regulating speech on the job but no rules against hurting someone's feelings. Even the morality of theft is up for debate. So, how can we tell what is right or wrong and what our moral obligations are when the ethical line seems unclear?

First, we need to understand that the saying, "We can't legislate morality!" is not really true. "Morality" (defined as right and wrong behavior) is the whole focus of our legal system. Our legal system legislates all kinds of morality. The laws regarding stealing, killing, defrauding, and misrepresenting all reflect "moral" values. If you're caught breaking these laws then you will be punished despite your personal values. Thankfully society legislates morality in ways that are generally advantageous to your safety and well-being.

On the other side, there's that whole other category of morality that can't be legislated. We all have a different sense of ethical responsibility related to our own personal moral values. Personal moral rules are not as clear-cut as legal moral rules. My personal ethical rules may not be the same as yours. An ethical crisis for one person may be inconsequential to another.

As hard as a company tries, it can never get everyone on the same page with ethics. The company can pass rules about honesty but what happens when employees have different interpretations of "honesty?" One person may feel that sick days should be used only if one is completely incapable of coming to work, while another sees nothing wrong with taking "mental health" days to relax or relieve stress. One employee interprets honesty as bluntly speaking her mind while another sugarcoats answers to protect other's feelings. One employee bends the rules out of compassion for a troubled client while another goes by the book without regard for extenuating circumstances. In these cases, all parties would insist that they are doing the right thing yet each one might call the other unethical.

Personal moral behavior is harder to define as legal behavior. There are some basic principles of behavior upon which we can all agree.

First, obey the laws. To most people this is obvious. But legal rules only represent the very minimum standards of moral conduct. You should not stop there and be satisfied with only having ethics "on paper." Take it to the next level.

Second, you should do more than the legal minimum. Ethical people have standards that are above the lowest ethical common denominator. They should push themselves to higher standards in all areas of life. An achieving student doesn't settle for a "C" but shoots for an "A." Parents don't raise children merely hoping they will stay out of jail. They raise them to succeed in life and be esteemed by all. In the same way, your attitude about your behavior at work should not settle for the moral minimum but shoot for the most honest option possible.

If you do, the worst thing that can happen is that you will be accused of being "too ethical." Considering the recent business ethics scandals there's nothing more attractive to customers than someone who is "too honest." The cynic who says that being too honest is a bad thing in today's cutthroat business environment is both shortsighted and naïve. Going above and beyond what is minimally required benefits both business and the individual. There's nothing wrong with strengthening your character, building ethical habits, and developing a good reputation.

You are your own person and you bring your own unique perspective to the countless ethical problems at work. Society can legislate what it wants but your moral standards should be a cut above the rest. Take some time to ponder your character and where your personal and professional values lie...just don't use sick days to do it.