Building an ethical culture from the top.

• Author: Sears, Brian
• Position: ETHICS CORNER - Lockheed Martin Corp. - Company overview

The NDIA ethics code encourages companies always to aspire to and implement best practices in all dealings with the government and other businesses.

Lockheed Martin Corp. has approached its goal of advancing its ethics program beyond the basics--such as a code of ethics, a hotline, training, and published policies--with the intent to maintain an ethical culture within the company and its workforce.

In the 1990s, following many mergers and acquisitions, the company faced the challenge of integrating myriad cultures from multiple merged entities. Company leaders sought to integrate this diverse set of heritage cultures to form "one company, one team."

This values-based ethics program underscores three basic values: Do what's right, respect others and perform with excellence.

Doing what's right is more than mere compliance with the "letter of the law." It requires understanding and respecting the "spirit of the law." Respecting others is fundamental to creating a positive, inclusive, and ethical work environment, where employees are motivated to perform with excellence. The entire ethics program aligns with and reinforces these values.

In addition to integrating these values, the practical program components comport with the U. S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which call for standards and procedures to prevent and detect criminal conduct; responsibility at all levels; adequate resources and authority for the program; personnel screening related to program goals; training at all levels; auditing, monitoring, and evaluating program effectiveness; non-retaliatory internal reporting systems; incentives and discipline to promote compliance; and reasonable steps to respond to and prevent future similar offenses once a violation is detected.

These guidelines are essential minimum criteria for any program. Government contractors, however, should aspire to do more than simply satisfy these minimum criteria. Consistent with NDIA's ethics code for industry, firms should aspire to the highest possible standards of business ethics and conduct, and should embody those standards into their written code of ethics and business conduct. All employees should be trained on their respective responsibilities, encouraged to report code violations to supervisors and through a helpline, and ensured of a corporate no-retaliation policy. Finally, accountability to the public should be a corporate cornerstone.

A company's culture is greatly affected by the "tone at the...