Evaluation of a business code of ethics

Ethical behavior from employees is the foundation for a successful business. Trevino and Nelson define ethical behavior as being, "consistent with the principles, norms, and standards of business practice that have been agreed upon by society (2007, p. 16, para. 1). A code of ethics is an example of the way a company would have employees act; an instruction manual for ethical behavior. Simply possessing a code of ethics does not guarantee ethical behavior from employees.

Therefore, a code of ethics must outline consequences for violations.

Employers must enforce the code as well. A code of ethics ensures that, if followed, employees will work diligently with integrity and expertise, safeguard confidential information, and do so in a professional manner.

Implementing and maintaining a code of conduct and ethics creates stakeholder confidence in a multinational financial services company. MetLife is one of the largest financial services companies in the world as well as the number one life insurance company in the United States; providing services worldwide in the following areas: investments, financial planning, banking, and insurance.

Get quality help now

Marrie pro writer

Verified writer

Proficient in: Business Ethics

5 (204)

“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

MetLife was formed as a mutual insurance company in 1864 in the wake of the American Civil War.

The company would insure Civil War veterans against disabilities because of wartime injuries and sickness. After a rough start in the first four years and several reorganizations, the company started to focus primarily on the life insurance industry; a move that would establish MetLife as one of the largest companies in the United States. Over the span of 143 years MetLife grew significantly through acquisitions and continuing to provide superior service and support to clients.

Most recently MetLife acquired American Life Insurance Company (ALICO), and provides people financial services, life insurance, health insurance, and investments, in the following counties: Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, and Pakistan. This acquisition has given MetLife a dominant spot in the global financial services market making MetLife the largest insurance company in the world. With more than 50,000 employees worldwide, management accentuates an ethical corporate culture with a compliance department that goes above any state or federal regulations with strict compliance monitoring.

Management also creates a positive working environment free of harassment in any form and develops employees with goals of creating professional relationships that last a lifetime as well as achieving high levels of sales and pay. In addition to MetLife's code of ethics all officers, managers, and employees are must follow and obey all applicable states and federal laws, company policies, and industry regulations where they hold a license to avoid any perception of impropriety. MetLife's Chief Executive Officer Robert Henrickson states, "For 140 years, MetLife has helped individuals and institutions build and protect their most valuable assets" (MetLife, 2005, p. 2).

In accordance with this reputation, MetLife has a code of ethics in place to support these efforts with the core values integrity and honesty as the foundation of the ethical culture within the company. These core values are vital to the company achieving the MetLife vision; to build financial freedom for everyone. The code of ethics at MetLife is a voluntary code of conduct that emphasizes a duty-based ethical system.

The foundation for the code is broad and encompasses the following corporate values: integrity, expertise, suitability, full disclosure, fair competition, service, brand, confidentiality, professionalism, and reputation. However, a code of ethics does not guarantee ethical behavior. Managers enforce the code of ethics with employees as well as administer legal or disciplinary action that results from a deviation from the code of ethics.

In the financial services industry deviations from compliance may result in a producer and manager getting in serious trouble. Trouble can be anything from fines to arbitration hearings and loss of licenses and registration. Therefore, many employees genuinely try to make a living and build a successful career following the code of ethics.

This is a result of the organizational culture at MetLife. Employees and managers must make minimum sales number each year and failing to hit target numbers results in termination. Any major deviation from MetLife's code of ethics that results a fine or legal action against the company will have the same end. There is a strong acceptance and adherence to the code of ethics.

For example during quarterly compliance meetings employees get refresher training on important state and federal tax laws that change often. The effect this has on the organization is a positive one. However, there are exceptions to this as some employees and competitor's employees just have bad personal ethics and draw negative attention to the industry for bad business practices.

A recent example is the Ponzi scheme committed by Bernard Madoff. In one of the worst periods of economic uncertainty Madoff defrauded thousands of investors out of billions of dollars and at the same time planted the seeds of consumer mistrust against individuals working in the financial services industry. Management expects employees to "do the right thing" for clients. The primary focus for employees is to achieve MetLife's vision through fair sales practices, excellent customer service, and making suitable recommendations to clients.

Employees must adhere to strict corporate compliance monitoring that goes above state and federal regulations. For example an independent insurance agent, non-MetLife, must complete 16 hours of state mandated continuing education classes each year whereas a MetLife agent must comply with state regulations as well as MetLife's annual continuing education courses. MetLife's courses are intentionally more in-depth than the material that the state courses cover and emphasize ethics in all business practices.

MetLife is proud of the reputation the company has established in the financial services industry and expects employees to operate their personal business with "the highest standards of conduct in all business endeavors" (MetLife, 2010, p. 7). Managers also follow the same code of conduct and ethics. And can be held accountable for employee violation of the code of ethics. Management must adhere to strict company guidelines and complete many more continuing education classes that cover a variety of topics; some that employees take as well as many others that focus on corporate compliance regulations.

State and federal laws to abide by so MetLife has its own regulations that cover all states and goes beyond any individual state's laws or regulations. Each employee, manager or producer must complete an annual compliance review and demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and practices covered by the code of ethics. Corporate ethics and compliance managers hold quarterly and annual compliance meetings with all employees to discuss industry incidents and violations that cost other companies and producer's money, court proceedings, and careers.

In the code of ethics there is little space for change to make monitoring employees easier or any individual employee more compliant. In the financial services industry state and federal laws change or are undergo tweaks a little each year. To that end MetLife releases a code of ethics each year that outlines any new practices or changes in the way employees are to do business, always keeping standards consistent with MetLife's vision.

In short, a code of ethics is a necessary tool for management in an organization such as MetLife. All directors, managers, and employees are expected to read the code of ethics and refer to it when making critical decisions. The company keeps employees up to date with compliance meetings and maintains a high standard of compliance monitoring and reviews.

However, ethical behavior is not guaranteed simply because these systems are in place or available for review. Managers set the example for employees and set the standard for the employees they supervise. Under the duty-based system in place employees are expected to do the right thing for clients. The company hires from within only the best employees into management positions. This ethical system keeps organization simple while maintaining a strong compliance keeps financial transactions ethical and in line with MetLife's vision; to build financial freedom for everyone.

References

Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. (2009). Keeping Our Promises. Retrieved February 6, 2011 from www.metlife.com/assets/investments/products/annuities/CLVA6037-3.pdf

Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. (2010). Representative Compliance Manual. How We Do Business. Retrieved February 5, 2011 from https://imetlife.metlife.com/wps/myportal/rpp/content?

contentId=8ac6c697baa72210VgnVCM1000000ae818acRCRD

Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2007). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.