1. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8 - 1 Chapter Eight Laws and Codes of Ethics

2. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 2 Ethics and the Law A society is a group of people who are bound by common laws, which are based upon social conventions and attitudes. When attitudes change, accepted social conventions are questioned. When enough people question a social convention, the law that is based on it is changed. When a law is changed, in time social attitudes adopt a new social convention or expectation. (Continued)

3. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 3 Ethics and the Law The law reflects society’s required standards of conduct. Ethics includes standards of conduct that go beyond what is required by law. The overlap is where our ethics is in accordance with the law. ethics law

4. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 4 Purpose of a Code of Ethics A code of ethics is a formal record of which behaviours are morally acceptable and which are not, based on the values and principles that are important to the organization or the individual whose code it is. It is comprised of conscious, deliberate and fully-considered ethical choices.

5. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 5 Personal Code of Ethics A Personal Code of Ethics… Defines who you want to be. Converts your values and beliefs into actions. Sets a guideline for future ethical decisions. Provides a personal benchmark of moral behaviour.

6. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 6 Writing a Code of Ethics 1.Ensure that it is relevant and acceptable to those expected to follow it. 2.Identify the values and principles on which the code is to be based. 3.Transform those values and principles into written ethical behaviours. 4.Decide how to logically organize the ethics. 5.Review and revise the code regularly.

7. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 7 Identifying Values and Principles What values do you think should be reflected in a code of ethics? What principles do you think are important to live up to individually and professionally? What laws, school and workplace policies are relevant to your code? What professional standards do or will apply to you? What basic human rights should be upheld in your code?

8. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 8 Transforming Values and Principles into Behaviours Values and principles = broad, general statements about what is important. Ethics = action statements. Ethical behaviours are clear, specific action statements which are based on values and principles and are relevant to individual roles and relationships.

9. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 9 Writing Ethical Behaviours Transform “honesty” into an ethical behaviour relating to your teacher. Example: Tell your teacher the true reason for missing an assignment deadline. Transform “honesty” into an ethical behaviour relating to your employer. Example: Don’t call in sick to get a paid day off for personal reasons. Transform “honesty” into an ethical behaviour relating to your friend or partner. Example: Tell your friend where you really were last night even if he/she will be upset. (Continued)

10. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 10 Writing Ethical Behaviours Values/ Principles ParentsEmployerFriendsPartner

11. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 11 Organizing a Code of Ethics Organize the ethical behaviours by… 1.Grouping values and principles together under broad subheadings. 2.Writing ethical behaviours for each area of responsibility. 3.Writing ethical behaviours for each personal / professional relationship.

12. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 12 Organizing by Grouping Values and Principles Professional attitude and demeanor - include values such as promptness, reliability, professional appearance. Laws, professional standards, company policies - include reference to applicable laws, standards and policies and where to locate them. Maintaining good personal relations - include values such as courtesy, respect, honesty, helpfulness, loyalty.

13. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 13 Organizing by Areas of Responsibility Quality job performance - include behaviours such as coming to work rested and substance-free and not doing personal tasks on work time. Keeping skills up-to-date - include behaviours such as reading work-related material and attending conferences or training sessions to maintain/upgrade your skills. Relationship practices - include behaviours such as listening, supporting, helping, encouraging and making time for others.

14. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 14 Organizing by Personal / Professional Relationships Supervisors - include behaviours such as being honest, getting work done on time, following instructions. Fellow employees - include behaviours such as being helpful, being polite and friendly, not criticizing them behind their back. Clients - include behaviours such as promptly filling orders, giving good service, listening to complaints. Friends and family members - include behaviours such as listening, supporting, helping, encouraging and making time for them.

15. Copyright  2010 Pearson Education Canada / J A McLachlan 8- 15 Reviewing and Revising a Code of Ethics Why should you regularly review your code of ethics? Why might you need to revise your code? What sorts of revisions might be necessary in the future?