E16: Business Ethics

Business colleagues engaged in a serious discussion around a conference table.

Course Overview

CE Hours

3 CE Credits

Course Description

Business Ethics examines the ethical dimensions of professional and organizational life, with a focus on conflicts of interest, work ethics, harassment, and whistle-blowing. This course defines conflict of interest and explores real-world cases in academic and research settings, reviews the principles of ethical business operations, covers the legal and ethical dimensions of sexual and racial harassment, and examines the constitutional protections and challenges faced by whistle-blowers. Learners will gain practical tools for identifying ethical issues in the workplace and applying ethical standards in their professional roles.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Define conflict of interest and distinguish between actual, apparent, and potential conflicts of interest
  2. Identify real-world examples of conflicts of interest in academic, research, and organizational settings
  3. Describe the four principles of highly ethical organizations as outlined by Mark Pastin
  4. Apply a simple Code of Ethics to professional workplace conduct
  5. Identify the five types of sexual harassment and describe the legal and ethical obligations of institutions to address it
  6. Explain the role and rights of whistle-blowers including the constitutional protections and limitations they face
  7. Describe evidence-based guidelines for building and maintaining ethical business operations
  8. Explain why ethical habits and personal responsibility are more central to business ethics than legal compliance alone

Course Format and Faculty

Course Format:

Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.

Course Developers and Instructors:

R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.

Course Time:

Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.