Existing research suggests that human resource (HR) practices and corporate ethics, both of which are orchestrated through human resource development (HRD), enhance employees' work attitudes. Consequently, this study examined the degree to which employees' perception of organizational ethics mediates the relationship between their perceptions of quality‐related HR practices and work attitudes. Results obtained from structural equation modeling of data acquired from 187 professionals in a financial services firm showed full mediation. Stronger perceptions of quality‐related HR practices were associated with increased perceptions of organizational ethics, and stronger perceptions of organizational ethics were associated with more positive work attitudes. The results suggest that quality‐based HR practices can be used in companies to advance an ethical context, ultimately yielding more favorable work attitudes.