Introduction
Throughout the world, business organizations and various professions conduct daily activities that require standards of ethical behavior. To convey a company’s ideals, principles, and goals most companies develop a document called a code of ethics that defines the behavior that others can expect from them. A business code of ethics is a valuable tool used within a profession or business to evaluate its performance in the business world.
Business Codes of Ethics
Each day in the workplace, people encounter ethical situations to which they must react. A code of ethics formed by a profession or a business is very clear and helpful in providing guidance in the ethical decision making process. The purpose behind a code of
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In another example, Kenneth Lay and Jeffery Skilling, along with several other senior management individuals, regularly lied to Enron stockholders and employees about the company’s financial situation. It was as if a code of ethics did not exist at Enron. While the company was sinking financially, they all raped and pillaged Enron’s coffers while displaying no remorse for their actions. Ultimately, the company crumbled and the perpetrators received punishment. Unfortunately, 20,000 people lost their jobs because of the unethical behavior of the Enron executives.
Within my future field of the IT industry, the standard code of ethics revolves around three main areas. These three areas are as follows:
“I will strive to know myself and be honest about my capability, I will conduct my business in a manner that assures the IT profession is considered one of integrity and professionalism, I will respect privacy and confidentiality”. (SANS: IT Code of Ethics, 2004, p. 1)
Below each of these headings, a plethora of other sub points of ethical expectations reside. For example, I will not steal property, time, or resources. Another stated code is; I will not use availability and access to information for personal gains through corporate espionage. These codes of ethics are very powerful guideposts for IT professionals to
A code of ethics is a vital for any business, because if breaches of ethics accrue it can put companies in serious trouble with consumers, other organizations or government authorities. Making a code of ethics helps decision-making easier at all levels of an organization by reducing doubt and considerations of individual viewpoint in ethical standards.
As any other organization, we have established organizational codes of ethics. Many of these codes Ferrell described are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. (Ferrell pg. 226) Principles and values that we have in our organization are very important to the organization to set the boundaries for behaviors that
6. All employees will be open in attitude and action toward all persons regardless of race, creed, social class, religious beliefs, lifestyle, or position or influence within the organization and community.
The competency codes of ethics in ACS and Clients and Employer codes of ethics in IEEE/ACM is the same as Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest.
As we know, a code of ethics must address the company’s ethical standards, what is expected of from every employee of Widget Tech Inc. Topics covered within the company’s code of ethics should include:
Ethical code guidance initiates with one’s individual standards, views, and integrity. I must live our lives balanced with what I’ve been shown to be correct. The Principles are the ideologies of what I consider to be ethical or unethical that are revealed through my decisions, actions and interpretations of what is right or wrong. The Florida Code of Ethics involves one’s values and beliefs to indicate a set of policies that standardize the bearing of entities or groups of people (FLDOE, 2005).
The first part of the Association of Information Technology Professionals document, lists six major stockholders that IT professionals are obligated towards. These include: management, fellow members, society, employers, college or university and country. The Standards of Conduct then further break down four of these areas (management, fellow members, society and employers). First; however, it reminds the reader that these are rules above and beyond “the appropriate laws of country and community.” Some common bullet points within each section are as follows. Firstly, most talk about having an obligation to have up-to-date knowledge. Secondly, almost all talk about either taking responsibility for your work or at the very least not taking credit for the work of others. Thirdly, honesty is a big player whether that be through misinforming employers or society to interactions with fellow members. Along with honesty is the command to protect confidential information that is placed in our authority. Lastly, in every section there is a focus on not taking advantage of the knowledge or inexperience of others for personal gain.
A code of ethics highlights the responsibility and accountability standards of each and every employee within the organization. These codes are also motivating factors that guide the employees’ behavior, set the standard regarding ethical conduct, and build an organizations trustworthiness within
In the workplace as well as one’s personal life is essential for ethics to be maintained; often taking the right action is not always the most popular choice. It is important for maintaining an upstanding ethical code of conduct to be a productive individual as well as function as an employee in the workplace.
The Code of Ethics “offers a set of values, principles and standards to guide decision making and conduct when ethical issue arise…specific applications of the Code must take into account the context in which it is
The code of ethics and conduct is a written set of rules and regulations that provides guidance to employees of an organization on how to conduct themselves and carry out their duties in line with the organization’s principles. The code of ethics and conduct is also be backed up by suitable disciplinary actions. A code of ethics and conducts helps employees deal with ethical issues and other gray areas that they face as they execute their daily activities. An effective code of ethics and conduct is required for an organization to run smoothly and maintain a positive image. Having an ineffective code of ethics and conduct is almost like having none.
A code of ethics is a set of written principles regarding conduct and behavior created by the organization to serve as a guide. The purpose of ethical codes is to give its employees, management, and any interested party a reference point that adheres to company policy, standards, and ethical beliefs. The code is made visible to the public to ensure professional integrity, quality, and to prevent misguided conduct. Regardless of the organization or governing body a code serves as a go-to guide because ethical issues can stem from anywhere at any given time. The Code of Ethics for Nurses is so dynamic because as technology changes, so does the code to ensure that updated knowledge is provided to healthcare workers as they address new ethical
Within the IT profession, is the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Code of Ethics which is
In their personal and professional lives, people can and, unfortunately, sometimes do go against their moral and ethical standards. Ethical standards are what it means to be a good person, the social rules that govern our behavior. Ethics in business is essentially the study of what constitutes the right and wrong or the good or bad behavior in the workplace environment. A business is an organization whose objective is to provide goods or services for profit. The organization has a group of people that work together to achieve a common purpose. The moral challenges that these men and women face each day along with a whole range of problems that could occur, are why ethics plays such an important
Codes of conduct are policies including rules such as maintaining honesty, attitude, and respect (Traveler, 2009) for co-workers, the organization and customers. Only by separation of personal ethical choices in the work place, will an organization succeed and flourish. It is never appropriate for any employee, management or otherwise, to conduct business for personal gain. The people who become harmed lose trust, confidence, and the expectation of themselves and of the people who chose to put their personal ethical choice before the needs of the customer and business.