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PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

INTRODUCTION

Professionalism is the conduct or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or

professional; it implies quality of workmanship or service. Professional ethics guide
how members of a professional organization should, or should not, affect others in
the course of practicing their profession.

TEN GOLDEN RULES

1. Always strive for excellence

This is the first rule to achieving greatness in whatever endeavor you undertake this
is the quality that makes you and your work stand-out. Excellence is a quality of
service which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards, it should be
made a habit for it to make a good impression on your bosses and colleagues.

2. Be trustworthy

In today’s society trust is an issue and any employee who exhibits trustworthiness
is on a fast track to professionalism. Trustworthiness is about fulfilling an assigned
task and as an extension- not letting down expectations, it is been dependable,
and reliable when called upon to deliver a service. In order to earn the trust of
your bosses and colleagues, worth and integrity must be proven over time.

3. Be accountable

To be accountable is to stand tall and be counted for what actions you have
undertaken, this is the blameworthiness and responsibility for your actions and its
consequences good or bad.

4. Be courteous and respectful

Courteousness is being friendly, polite and well-mannered with a gracious

consideration towards others. It makes social interactions in the workplace run
smoothly, avoid conflicts and earn respect. Respect is a positive feeling of esteem
or deference for a person or organization; it is built over time and can be lost with
one stupid or inconsiderate action. Continued courteous interactions are required
to maintain or increase the original respect gained.

5. Be honest, open and transparent

Honesty is a facet of moral character that connotes positive and virtuous

attributes such as truthfulness, straightforwardness of conduct, loyalty, fairness,
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sincerity, openness in communication and generally operating in a way for others

to see what actions are being performed.

6. Be competent and improve continually

Competence is the ability of an individual to do a job properly, it is a combination

of knowledge, skills and behavior used to improve performance. Competency
grows through experience and to the extent one is willing to learn and adapt.
Continuous self-development is a pre-requisite in offering professional service at
all times.

7. Always be ethical

Ethical behavior is acting within certain moral codes in accordance with the
generally accepted code of conduct or rules. It is always safe for an employee to
“play by the rules”. This is always the best policy and in instances the rule book is
inadequate, acting with a clear moral conscience is the right way to go. This may
cause friction in some organizations but ethical organizations will always stand by
the right moral decisions and actions of their employees.

8. Always be honorable and act with integrity

Honorable action is behaving in a way that portrays “nobility of soul,

magnanimity, and a scorn of meanness” which is derived from virtuous conduct
and personal integrity. This is a concept of “wholeness or completeness” of
character in line with certain values, believes, and principles with consistency in
action and outcome.

9. Be respectful of confidentiality

Confidentiality is respecting the set of rules or promise that restricts you from
further and unauthorized dissemination of information. Over the course of your
career, information will be passed on to you in confidence — either from the
organization or from colleagues- and it is important to be true to such
confidences.

10.Set good examples

Applying the foregoing rules helps you improve your professionalism within your
organization but it is not complete until you impact knowledge on those around
and below you. You must show and lead by good example. Being a professional is
about living an exemplary live within and without the organization.
Professionalism is highly valued by every organization today and professionals are
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hardly out of work. Apply the ten golden rules of ethics and enjoy a wonderful,
professional and prosperous career.

BUSINESS ETHICS

Business ethics (also known as corporate ethics) is a form of applied ethics or

professional ethics that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems
that can arise in a business environment. It is also known as Corporate ethics. It
applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of
individuals and entire organizations.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BUSINESS ETHICS

1. Business ethics are based on social values, as the generally accepted norms of
good or bad and ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ practices.

2. It is based on the social customs, traditions, standards, and attributes.

3. Business ethics may determine the ways and means for better and optimum
business performance.

4. Business ethics provide basic guidelines and parameters towards most

appropriate perfections in business scenario.

5. Business ethics is concerned basically the study of human behaviour and

conducts.

6. Business ethics is a philosophy to determine the standards and norms to make

mutual interactions and behaviour between individual and group in organisation.

7. Business ethics offers to establish the norms and directional approaches for
making an appropriate code of conducts in business.

8. Business ethics are based on the concepts, thoughts and standards as

contributed as well as generated by Indian ethos.

9. Business ethics may be an ‘Art’ as well as ‘Science’ also.

10. Business ethics basically inspire the values, standards and norms of
professionalism in business for the well-being of customers.

11. Business ethics is to motivate and is consistently related with the concept of
service motives for the customers’ view point.

12. Business ethics shows the better and perspective ways and means for most
excellences in customization.
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13. Business ethics aims to emphasize more on social responsibility of business

towards society.

Engineering Ethics

Engineering is defined as ‘the creative application of scientific principles to design

or develop structures, machines, apparatus, processes, or works utilizing them
singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance
of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions;
all as respects an intended function, economics of operation or safety to life and
property’.

Engineering therefore is about transforming science into useful products for

human comfort. Engineering is something that engineers do, and what they do
has profound effects on others.

Ethics in engineering then is the ability as well as responsibility of an engineer to

judge his decisions from the context of the general wellbeing of the society. It is
the study of moral issues that confront engineers and engineering organizations
when some crucial decisions are taken.

Engineering research and practice requires that the task being performed
considers all the pros and cons of a certain action and its implementation.
Professional engineering bodies like, IEEE, ASME, IEI etc., have evolved
comprehensive ethics codes relevant to their respective professions, based on the
rich experience of their members.

Independent organizations like NSPE have prepared value based ethical codes
applicable to all engineering professions. Teaching engineering ethics in academic
institutions is undertaken largely through many case studies for creating
awareness interactively among engineering students of all disciplines. By studying
engineering ethics, the students develop awareness and assessment skill of the
likely impact of their future decisions on moral and ethical grounds.

Ethical standards in engineering are influenced by many factors:

1.Engineering as an experimentation for the good of mankind is a notable factor

involving far reaching consequence,

2. Ethical dilemmas make engineering decisions relatively difficult to make.

3. Risk and safety of citizens as a social responsibility is a prime concern of an

engineer,
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4. Technological advancement can be very demanding on the engineering skill in

the global context,

5. Moral values and responsible conduct will play a crucial role in decision making.
The study of engineering ethics within an engineering program helps students
prepare for their professional lives.

A specific advantage for engineering students who learn about ethics is that they
develop clarity in their understanding and thought about ethical issues and the
practice in which they arise.

The study of ethics helps students to develop widely applicable skills in

communication, reasoning and reflection. These skills enhance students' abilities
and help them engage with other aspects of the engineering program such as
group work and work placements. There are many examples where advances in
science and technology have been detrimental to safety of mankind. Famous
example is the atom bomb. Based on research studies, Einstein expected that the
element uranium might be turned into a new and important source of energy in
the immediate future and informed Roosevelt, US President. Einstein also warned
that the new development would lead to the construction of bombs. Einstein had
no knowledge of the atomic bomb's manufacturing, and no influence on the
decision for the bomb to be dropped in World War II. Einstein later regretted
having signed the letter because it led to development and use of the atomic
bomb against civilian populations.

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WORK ETHICS

Work ethics is defined as a set of attitudes concerned with the value of work,
which forms the motivational orientation. It is a set of values based on hard work
and diligence. It is also a belief in the moral benefit of work and its ability to
enhance character. A work ethic may include being reliable, having initiative, or
pursuing new skills.

The work ethics are aimed at ensuring the economy (get job, create wealth, earn
salary), productivity (wealth, profit), safety (in workplace), health and hygiene
(working conditions), privacy (raise family), security (permanence against
contractual, pension, and retirement benefits), cultural and social development
(leisure, hobby, and happiness), welfare (social work), environment (antipollution
activities), and offer opportunities for all, according to their abilities, but without
discrimination. Work ethics are not just hard work but also a set of accompanying
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virtues, whose crucial role is the development and sustaining of high degree of
professionalism.

Personal ethics are a person's internal set of values and principles that guide their
behavior in everyday life. They are different from professional ethics, which are
the standards a person follows in their professional life.

Features of personal ethics:

Development: Personal ethics are often influenced by a person's core values, work
ethic, upbringing, and cultural influences.

Examples: Some common personal ethics include honesty, loyalty, integrity,

respect, selflessness, and fairness.

Impact: Personal ethics affect how a person behaves in many ways, from everyday
interactions to more complex moral dilemmas.

Uniqueness: While some common ethical principles apply to everyone, each

person's personal ethics are unique.

Evolution: Personal ethics aren't static and can evolve over time.

The Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI) has a Code of Ethics for Corporate
Members. The IEI was established in 1920 and incorporated by Royal Charter in
1935.

Some of the principles of the IEI's Code of Ethics for Corporate Members include:

1. Avoiding conflicts of interest: Members should not accept financial or other

considerations from anyone related to a project or assignment they are in
charge of. They should also disclose any real or perceived conflicts of
interest to the affected parties.
2. Being truthful: Members should make statements or give evidence in a
court of law or before a tribunal in an objective and accurate manner. They
should also acknowledge errors and give proper credit to others.
3. Protecting the reputation of others: Members should not injure the
professional reputation of another engineer or organization, either
maliciously or falsely.
4. Protecting employer and client information: Members should not disclose
confidential information of their employer or client unless authorized to do
so.
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Professional responsibility applies to those professionals making judgments,

applying their unique skills, and reaching informed decisions for, or on behalf, of
others, as professionals. Professionals must be seen to exercise due care and
responsibility in their areas of specialisation – known as professions.

Professional obligations in ethics are duties that professionals have in their work,
especially when it requires special training. Some examples of professional
obligations include:

1. Honesty and transparency: Professionals should be truthful and transparent

in their actions and communication. They should also avoid conflicts of
interest and dishonest practices.
2. Confidentiality: Professionals should maintain the confidentiality of
privileged information.
3. Diligence: Professionals should act with diligence, due care, and skill.
4. Adhering to codes and standards: Professionals should adhere to all
relevant codes, laws, and industry standards.
5. Avoiding misrepresentation: Professionals should not knowingly
misrepresent their qualifications, abilities, or accomplishments.
6. Avoiding malicious actions: Professionals should avoid using false and
misleading statements or malicious actions that might injure another
person's reputation.

A conflict of interest is a situation where a person's personal interests may

compromise their professional judgment or actions. This can happen when a
person's private interests, such as financial, family, or social factors, interfere
with their official duties.

Some examples of conflicts of interest include:

1. Self-dealing: Using your official position to secure a contract for a private

company you own
2. Accepting benefits: Bribery or substantial gifts
3. Using your employer's property for private advantage: Stealing office supplies
for home use
4. Outside employment or moonlighting: Setting up a business that competes
with your employer
5. Conflicts of interest are not necessarily bad, and the conflict is in the situation,
not in the individual's behavior. However, it's important to prevent conflicts of
interest early on to avoid compromising professional judgment and objectivity.
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PROFESSIONAL VALUES

1. Integrity: Integrity is defined as the unity of thought, word and deed (honesty)
and open mindedness. It includes the capacity to communicate the factual
information so that others can make well informed decisions. It is one of the self-
direction virtues. It enthuses people not only to execute a job well but to achieve
excellence in performance. It helps them to own the responsibility and earn self-
respect and recognition by doing the job. Integrity is the quality of being honest
and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. It is generally a personal
choice to uphold oneself to consistently moral and ethical standards.

2. Credibility& Responsibility: The obligation of an individual or organization to

account for its activities, accept responsibility for the demand to disclose the
results in a transparent manner. It also includes the responsibility for money or
other entrusted property.

3. Loyalty: Loyalty is faithfulness or devotion to a person, country, group, or cause.

Loyalty is a trait highly valued in working professionals. Students are taught to be
loyal to the institute, the society, their fellow citizens and to the nation.

4. Commitment: Commitment means alignment to goals and adherence to ethical

principles during the activities. One should have the conviction without an iota of
doubt that one will succeed. Holding sustained interest and firmness, in whatever
ethical means one follows, with the fervent attitude and hope that one will
achieve the goals, is commitment. It is the driving force to realize success. This is
bound to add wealth to oneself, one’s employer, society, and the nation at large.
Target oriented efforts are put to reap efficiency.

5. Attitude: It is a psychological construct, a mental and emotional entity that

inheres in, or characterizes a person. Attitudes is the most distinctive and
indispensable concept in present day. Attitude can be formed from a person's past
and present. Positive attitude people are most successful in their life. One should
develop such attitude which provides synergy and satisfaction in their day to day
life. Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) characterizes faith, integrity, hope, optimism,
courage, initiative, generosity, tolerance, tact, kindliness and good common sense.

6. Valuing Time: Time is rare resource. Once it is spent, it is lost forever. It cannot
be either stored or recovered. Hence, time is the most perishable and most
valuable resource too. This 16 resource is continuously spent, whether any
decision or action is taken or not. The history of great reformers and innovators
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has stressed the importance of time and valuing time. Time management is the
key to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity.

7. Passion: Passion is a feeling of intense enthusiasm towards or compelling desire

for completion of the work. Passion defines performance enhancing aspects and
work enjoyment. When an individual is passionate about their occupation they
tend to work more resulting in more work satisfaction.