ethics

• Professional Ethics is a set of standards that describe the professional behavior that is expected in all fields of work.
• Professional ethics refer to the ethical principles and standards that govern the behavior and decisions of professionals in their specific fields.
• Professional ethics aim to protect the public by ensuring that professionals provide services that are safe, competent, and ethical.
• Professional ethics promote the values that are important to a profession, such as honesty, integrity, respect, and responsibility. These principles and standards are established to ensure that professionals act with integrity, honesty, and accountability while providing services to their clients, customers, or stakeholders.
• “Professional values and ethics as evidenced in behavior and comportment that reflect the value and ethics of psychology, integrity, and responsibility.” – Fouad et al., 2009
• A code of ethics is usually a written document produced by a professional association, occupational regulatory body, or other professional body with the stated aim of guiding the practitioners who are members, protecting service users and safeguarding the reputation of the profession.” – Banks, 2003
• PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC aim to protect the public by ensuring that professionals provide services that are safe, competent, and ethical. This includes maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and providing services that are in the best interests of the clients
• PROMOTION OF PROFESSIONAL VALUES promotes the values that are important to a profession, such as honesty, integrity, respect, and responsibility. By adhering to these values, professionals can build trust and credibility with their clients and the public.
• MAINTENANCE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARS helps to maintain the standards of the profession by establishing guidelines and standards for ethical behavior. These standards are designed to ensure that professionals provide services that meet the required standards of quality and competence.
• PREVENTION OF UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR aims to prevent unethical behavior by providing guidance on how to identify and address ethical issues
• ENSURES RESPONSIBLE AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR define the principles and standards that guide responsible and ethical behavior in a profession
• ACCOUNTABILITY IN PROFESSIONAL ETHICS promotes accountability by holding professionals responsible for their actions
• PROMOTES TRUST AND CREDIBILITY Adhering to professional ethics can help professionals build trust and credibility with their clients, colleagues, and the public.
• ENCOURAGES ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING provide guidance for ethical decision-making, which can help professionals make sound decisions that are in the best interests of their clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• FOSTERS A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT can help create a positive work environment by promoting respect, professionalism, and cooperation among colleagues.
• PROMOTES SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY can promote social responsibility by encouraging professionals to consider the impact of their work on society and the environment.
• Advantages

  Encourages professional reputation

  Improves decision making

  Encourages accountability

  Foster a positive workplace culture

  Protects the public interest
• Limitations

  Limited enforcement mechanisms

  Conflict between professionals and personal values

  Lack of clarity

  Limited scope

  Inadequate training