Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct

Whether you are a working professional, a government employee or a businessman, you are bound to adhere to certain professional ethics and morals. Ethics are the governing principles that elucidate upon what is going right and what is wrong while the code of conduct is driven by accountability and transparency that increases the trustworthiness and moral essence among people. This blog brings you an exclusive guide on professional ethics and code of conduct and their applications. 

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Professional Ethics 

To begin with, Professional Ethics corresponds to a set of rules that administer the conduct of an individual or a group in a business environment. These ethics emphasises on following a certain behaviour and maintaining the integrity and administer how an individual should act towards other people and adhere to a moral code of conduct in particular establishments.

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Ethical Principles 

In a workplace, ethical principles require professionals to adhere to a set of implicit rules which inculcate moral standards among the prospective employees. For instance, professional ethics in terms of a clinical context will vary from those that identify with legal counsellors or realtors. Some of the major ethical universal principles are formulated with the aim to ensure equality among employees regardless of there colour, caste, and creed and these principles apply across all professions. Further, the major objective of ethical principles to bring a common code of conduct for every individual in the workplace. Here are some of the key ethical universal principles that are generally inculcated in different professions:

• Refraining from doing any harm to anyone
• Trustworthiness and Honesty
• Having immense respect for others
• Adherence to the law
• Accountability
• Loyalty and compliance 

What is a Code of Conduct?

A code of conduct refers to a particular set of rules, norms or practices that determine the duties and responsibilities of either an individual or an organization. 

A code of conduct pertains to a set of practices and norms, that define the responsibilities or proper practices of an individual person or an organization. The main purpose of this set of rules or norms is to identify the essential principles guiding our professional conduct and also professionals in solving disputes and issues in the workplace. It also plays an integral role in ensuring ethical decision-making in an organisation while also working as a communication tool that provides internal or external stakeholders with the values of a specific organisation and the professional code of conduct for their employees and management.

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Elements to Include in a Code of Conduct

Here are the key elements that should be included to formulate code of conduct for a certain workplace or any professional environment:

• Ethical Principles: To provide a set of norms and rules for regulating workplace behaviour and respect for everyone
• Disciplinary Actions: To handle complaints or any penalties for any violation of the code
• Accountability: To facilitate everyone to take responsibility for their actions thus to ensure the avoidance of conflicts of interest as well as ensuring proper implementation of obligations and use of diligence
• Standard of Conduct: To ensure compliance with the job roles and responsibilities for every employee, commitment to the organization’s goals and objectives, amongst others.
• Values: To create an unbiased, unprejudiced and fair work environment for every employee
• Standard of Practice: To formulate organizational policies and procedures as well as an operational manual

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Code of Conduct: Things to Ensure

Here are the major pointers one must keep in mind while designing the code of conduct for a workplace:

• Regardless of any biases, there should not be any inclusion of rules or norms that refuse any employee of their rights.
• It should be created in a manner that it motivates employees to faithfully execute their duties to the best of their performance and ability.
• The code of conduct must dispose of the set of beliefs without regard to age, race, creed, sex, political belief, or national origin. The public interest must be their primary concern and their conduct in official matters should be beyond any objection.
• The standards of ethical conduct set forth in the Code of Ethics shall be applicable without any exception under the law. In every step with regard to these measures, the primary due process shall be implemented.

Hopefully, this blog helped you to attain all the necessary information regarding professional Ethics and conduct. Want to study Business Ethics in detail? Sign up for an e-meeting with our Leverage Edu experts and we will assist you in exploring the varied courses in Business Ethics along with guiding you in picking an ideal programme and university that fits your career preferences and aspirations!