It's often said that you can't teach ethics. But that's not the same as saying that ethical values can't be passed on. The problem with ethics awareness programs is that it's different from learning about other aspects of workplace culture. The best programs I have come across don't fixate on right and wrong answers but on the consequences of decision-making.

With that in mind, one can point to eight reasons to have ethics awareness programs.

1. They provide explicit rules for employees and managers to be held accountable for their actions.

2. They offset power inequalities by creating a level playing field where all members of the organization are committed to supporting ethical standards and where employees can raise issues when that commitment goes missing.

3. It becomes the basis for a high performance workplace culture because the rules are aligned to the organization's reward system.

4. They safeguard individual dignity which means people can treat each other fairly and with respect.

5. They enhance the company's reputation by reassuring the public that ethical standards are valued.

6. They help maintain the company's reputation when there is an ethics breach by reassuring customers, investors and regulators. Better to have it there than not.

7. They differentiate the company from its competitors, providing it with a strategic advantage in a crowded marketplace.

8. They leverage off wider society values which keeps the company in touch with the community and market.