Introduction

Professionalism in the workplace regarding ethical behaviour can be a sharp learning curve for many students, especially when navigating cultural norms. This chapter focuses on professionalism in the workplace in terms of ethics, employment laws, and human rights. This chapter is packed full of resources and activities that will help you further understand your rights in the workplace plus help you understand and develop appropriate ethical behaviours in a variety of industries.

What are Professional Ethics?

Professional ethics are the foundation of responsible behaviour within a specific profession or workplace. They consist of principles and standards that guide individuals in their professional conduct, emphasizing values such as integrity, honesty, accountability, and respect. By adhering to these ethical standards, professionals contribute to fostering a positive work environment, maintaining trust among colleagues and clients, and upholding the reputation of their profession.

The term “ethics,” derived from the Greek word ethikos, refers to the study of right and wrong conduct (Gundugurti et al., 2022). Ethics serve as a guiding framework for individuals and organizations, influencing decisions and actions that reflect core values. In the context of professional ethics, this framework focuses on the specific ethical standards and behaviours expected within various industries or professions.

Understanding and applying professional ethics are essential for ensuring consistent, fair, and ethical decision-making across different work environments. To begin, let’s start with the definition of professional ethics.

Definition of Professional Ethics

The term “professional ethics” refers to the principles, standards, and codes of conduct that govern the behaviour and interactions of individuals within a particular profession (Navran, 2024). It outlines the moral obligations and responsibilities that professionals are expected to uphold in their professional practice (Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, 2020). Professional ethics play a pivotal role in fostering trust, integrity, and accountability within the workplace (Crane, et al., 2019). By adhering to ethical standards, professionals demonstrate their commitment to honesty, fairness, and respect, thereby enhancing the reputation and credibility of both themselves and their organizations. Moreover, upholding professional ethics is essential for maintaining the welfare and safety of clients, colleagues, and the broader community.

Professional ethics play a crucial role in shaping the workplace environment and the relationships between colleagues, clients, and stakeholders (Pless, & Maak, 2004). By adhering to professional ethics, individuals can maintain trust, credibility, and integrity in their professional interactions. This, in turn, contributes to a positive work culture and helps organizations achieve their goals effectively.

Professional ethics can be defined as the moral guidelines that govern the behaviour of individuals in a professional setting. These guidelines are based on values such as honesty, integrity, and fairness, and they help individuals make ethical decisions and conduct themselves ethically in their professional roles.

History of Professional Ethics

Professional ethics has its origins in ancient times when various fields, such as medicine and law, began to establish codes of conduct to guide the behaviour of practitioners. These early codes were grounded in moral principles, aimed at ensuring that professionals acted in the best interests of their clients, patients, or the public (Jonsen, 2000). Ethical guidance often emphasizes treating others with fairness and respect, as exemplified by the Golden Rule: “Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you.” This idea underlines the importance of reciprocal moral responsibility and is foundational to many professional ethical frameworks.

Oaths

In many professions, practitioners are required to take oaths, signifying their commitment to uphold ethical standards. One notable example is the Hippocratic Oath, traditionally taken by physicians. This oath emphasizes key ethical duties, including the responsibility to prioritize patient well-being, practice medicine ethically, and do no harm (Greiner & Kaldjian, 2018). These oaths serve as enduring symbols of ethical accountability and trust between professionals and society.

Code of Ethics

Beyond oaths, many professions have established formal codes of ethics, which provide detailed principles and guidelines for ethical conduct. A code of ethics is a formal document that serves as a roadmap for professional behaviour, helping practitioners navigate ethical dilemmas and resolve conflicts. It outlines core responsibilities, acceptable actions, and mechanisms for maintaining integrity within the profession.

One of the earliest formal codes of ethics was developed by Thomas Percival, who published a code of medical ethics for physicians in 1803. This code was the first of its kind for any professional field and served as the foundation for the American Medical Association (AMA) when it adopted its own code of ethics in 1847, setting a precedent for other professions to follow (Riddick, 2003).

Key Behaviours in Professional Ethics

In any workplace, adhering to basic professional ethics and behaviours is crucial for maintaining a positive work environment, building trust with colleagues and clients, and upholding the reputation of the organization. Understanding and following these ethics are especially important when starting in a new workplace, as they set the foundation for how you will be perceived and how you will interact with others.

Integrity

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles (McFall, 1987). In a professional setting, integrity involves being truthful in your interactions, keeping promises, and acting in a way that is consistent with your values and the values of the organization. Demonstrating integrity helps build trust with colleagues and clients and enhances your credibility in the workplace.

Honesty

Honesty is essential in building trust and maintaining open communication in the workplace. Being honest means providing accurate information, admitting mistakes, and avoiding deception or misleading behaviour. Honesty fosters a culture of transparency and integrity within the organization (Bennis et al., 2008).

Respect

Respect involves treating others with consideration, courtesy, and fairness (Caldwell, 2017). In a professional setting, it is important to respect the opinions, beliefs, and boundaries of others, even when you disagree with them. Respecting your colleagues and clients helps create a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Responsibility

Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions is a key aspect of professional ethics (Postema, 1980). This includes owning up to mistakes, fulfilling your commitments, and acting in the best interests of the organization and its stakeholders. Being responsible demonstrates your reliability and commitment to your role and contributes to a culture of accountability in the workplace.

Fairness

Fairness involves treating all individuals impartially and without bias (Gottfredson, 1988). In a professional setting, it is important to base decisions and actions on objective criteria and to avoid favouritism or discrimination. Being fair promotes a sense of equity and justice in the workplace and helps maintain harmonious relationships among colleagues.

Transparency

Transparency involves being open and honest in your communication and actions (Turilli & Floridi, 2009). It means providing relevant information to colleagues and clients, explaining your decisions and reasoning, and being willing to address concerns or questions openly. Transparency builds trust and credibility and fosters a culture of openness and collaboration in the workplace.

Accountability

Being accountable means taking responsibility for your actions and their outcomes. This is more around individual accountability than collective responsibility (Afdal & Afdal, 2019). It involves acknowledging mistakes, learning from them, and taking steps to rectify them. Being accountable demonstrates your reliability and integrity and contributes to a culture of trust and responsibility in the workplace (d’Oronzio, 2002).

In a new workplace, understanding and following these basic professional ethics and behaviours are essential for establishing yourself as a trustworthy and respected member of the team. By demonstrating integrity, honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness, transparency, and accountability, you can build positive relationships with your colleagues and clients and contribute to a positive and ethical work environment (Petrick & Quinn, 1997).

What is an Ethical Dilemma?

An ethical dilemma is when a problem presents itself and the potential solutions are conflicting moral obligations. It is important to understand what an ethical dilemma is and how to use a framework to navigate these within a professional work environment.

When faced with ethical dilemmas in the workplace, professionals can use established ethical frameworks to guide decision-making. These frameworks offer different perspectives on morality, helping individuals weigh conflicting obligations. The Center for Professional Personnel Development (n.d.) at the PennState College of Agricultural Sciences outlines five dominant frameworks that can be applied:

1. Virtue Ethics

• Definition: What is moral is what makes us the best person we could be.
• Core Idea: Decisions should align with virtues such as integrity, honesty, and empathy. The goal is to cultivate a strong moral character that naturally leads to ethical actions.
• Application: In the workplace, professionals act with virtues that foster trust, collaboration, and ethical leadership. (Center for Professional Personnel Development, n.d.)

2. Deontological Ethics

• Definition: What is moral is what follows from absolute moral duties.
• Core Idea: Ethics are grounded in duties and rules that must always be followed, regardless of the outcomes. These duties may come from laws, organizational policies, or universal moral principles.
• Application: Professionals adhere to established codes of conduct, even if it results in difficult consequences. (Center for Professional Personnel Development, n.d.)

3. Utilitarianism Ethics

• Definition: What is morally right is what generates the best outcome for the largest number of people.
• Core Idea: The morality of an action is judged by its consequences. Ethical actions aim to maximize well-being and minimize harm across all stakeholders.
• Application: Organizations often use this approach to balance competing interests and determine policies that promote the greatest overall benefit. (Center for Professional Personnel Development, n.d.)

4. Rights-Based Ethics

• Definition: What is moral is that which is in accord with everyone’s rights.
• Core Idea: Ethical actions respect and protect individual rights, such as the right to equality, freedom, privacy, and safety.
• Application: Professionals prioritize policies that safeguard these rights in decision-making, ensuring that no one’s fundamental rights are violated. (Center for Professional Personnel Development, n.d.)

5. Care-Based Ethics

• Definition: What is moral is that which promotes healthy relationships, the well-being of individuals, and their interdependence.
• Core Idea: Ethics emphasize empathy, compassion, and nurturing relationships. Decisions are guided by a commitment to care for others and support their well-being.
• Application: Professionals focus on building strong, supportive environments that prioritize relationships and mutual respect. (Center for Professional Personnel Development, n.d.)

By understanding these frameworks, professionals can approach ethical dilemmas with greater clarity and consistency, ensuring that their decisions reflect both personal and organizational values.

Identifying Ethical Issues in Specific Industries

As you embark on your career journey, it is essential to understand the ethical issues that can arise in different industries. Even if you are not familiar with these industries yet, gaining insight into their unique challenges will prepare you to navigate ethical dilemmas effectively. The following list provides insight into a variety of industries and the ethical issues that may be present:

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