We explain what professional ethics is and what it is for. In addition, the different types of professional ethics and business ethics.
What is professional ethics?
Professional ethics refers to the set of norms and values that improve the development of professional activities. It is responsible for determining the ethical guidelines that must govern within the work environment. These guidelines are based on universal values that human beings possess.
Ethics is the science in charge of studying the behaviors of human beings under standards that contribute to social harmony. Work ethic is essential for anyone who wants to work, since it involves the practice of values such as responsibility, punctuality, honesty, perseverance, character, justice, and discretion.
Responsibility is an essential part when we talk about professional ethics, since it will allow each person to carry out your work fairly and professionally.
Conflicts usually appear when there are discrepancies between professional ethics and personal ethics. In these cases, people must take action, such as conscientious objection, if they believe that they are not acting correctly.
See also: Professionalism
What is professional ethics for?
Professional ethics determines how a professional should act in a given situation. The professional faces different situations daily, and professional ethics foresees errors and determines what is right and what is not, both morally and ethically in a certain professional field. Professional ethics seeks to privilege the common good over the particular interests of each worker.
Many organizations and professions have a code of ethics which details the values that must be reflected in the actions of professionals. These values are translated into standards that must be known by everyone. Professional ethics are based on many of the values that govern life in society: honesty, respect, justice, responsibility.
All employees of an organization or company must know the values that govern the institution. Professional ethics seeks for professionals to carry out actions that are aligned with these values.
Characteristics of professional ethics
- It reflects the values of a profession or organization. Professional ethics are based on a set of values. It assumes that professionals guide their actions through these values and that their actions benefit the profession and the entire society. Ethical acts imply responsibility.
- In some cases it is specified in codes of ethics. Many professions and organizations or companies have a code of ethics that specifies the expected and unexpected behaviors of members and professionals.
- It does not imply coercion. Non-compliance with the rules established based on professional ethics is free of physical punishment, sanctions or fines, this differentiates them from legal rules. However, when these regulations are specified in the code of ethics, they can be subject to sanctions.
- It is based on duties and rights. Professional ethics govern the behavior of those who practice a certain profession or of the members of a company or organization. Professional ethics implies duties that must be fulfilled by professionals. Rights are also important in professional ethics, since if a professional maintains that there is something that does not correspond to what he considers correct in his ethical thinking, he should not under any circumstances be obliged to do so.
Importance of professional ethics
Professional ethics seeks to prioritize certain values within a community of professionals. Respect for professional ethics is very important, since by respecting it you comply with certain social and moral norms that promote social harmony. Respect for ethical and moral values and conduct contributes to the development of more just and egalitarian societies.
Professional ethics It is vital in trades or professions whose decisions impact the lives of other people like doctors or journalists. In these codes of professional ethics, truth, honesty and justice must prevail.
Within a company or organization professional ethics contributes to harmony in the relationships between its members and with the environment that surrounds it. An organization benefits when all its members know and act according to certain values and norms since this builds trust in customers and the community.
Types of professional ethics
- Professional ethics of the lawyer. Fundamental values are put into practice in the legal profession, such as justice, honesty, loyalty, diligence and professional secrecy.
- Professional ethics of a teacher. For all teachers, it is of utmost importance to develop ethical principles, since they have a great social responsibility to transmit them to others.
- Professional ethics of a psychologist. These professionals have their own ethical codes when handling their work. Some values inherent to their work are confidentiality, responsibility and honesty between both parties, that is, professional-patient.
- Professional ethics of an administrator. In business administration there are codes that are considered within an ethical framework. Loyalty, legality, diligence and honesty are the fundamental ethical values to carry out these jobs.
- Professional ethics of a journalist. Journalists have a code of ethics that determines certain values and behaviors that must govern their conduct. Communication professionals must work based on values such as truth, precision when providing information, respect for the principles of democracy, pluralism and tolerance.
- Professional ethics of a doctor. Medical deontology is governed by a series of values and behaviors that every health professional must respect.
Practical examples of professional ethics
- A psychologist who does not reveal the information personnel provided by his patient fulfills a duty of professional ethics.
- A lawyer who protect the evidence of a court case fulfills his professional duty.
- A bank employee who arrive on time to his job he complies with the values of professional ethics.
- A security worker who does not accept bribes respects the values of professional ethics.
Professional characteristics
A profession is that activity that is chosen personally and is offered to others for their benefit and for their own benefit. The conditions for carrying out these activities are diverse, and the main one is applying professional ethics.
The strict sense of the word “profession” It refers only to university careers, but it can also talk about trades since they are a vocation that is also at the service of other people.
All workers must apply professional ethics in every activity within their reach, since That set of rules will make that work something worthy.
An individual can establish his or her professional ethics through two fundamental points:
- Individual values They are all those values that a person possesses through their experiences, experiences and their own will.
- Official code of ethics. This type of code governs the ethical behavior of a professional.
The people must be responsible for their own actions since they act with freedom, will and intelligence, and not in a forced manner. Choosing a career has to do with freedom and will, therefore, the person must be respectful of the obligations and rights that this profession entails.
Ethics in companies
Professional ethics comes from the concept of business ethics, which establishes what the conditions in which a human being relates to his or her environment should be. It is important that the professional offers a fair service and does a good job: what corresponds and works well for customers
Business ethics has three branches:
- Limited economicism. Its objective is to maximize profits, but respecting legal regulations.
- Rationalist dualism. Seek benefits, but respecting the principles established by some rationalist ethical theory.
- Moderate realism. Understands that human beings can identify the needs of their environment and establish an equitable relationship with this environment.
Continue with: Values of a company
References
- “Code of ethics” in FOPEA.
- “International code of medical ethics” in World Medical Association.
- “Professional ethics” in FLAI.
- “Deontology (professional)” on Wikipedia.
