Code of Ethics and Its Importance in the Workplace - Essay Example

Ethics Research Report Name Institution Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 1.0 Executive Summary 3 2.0 Introduction 4 3.0 Code of Ethics and its Importance in a Workplace 5 4.0 Ethics and Professional Conduct in Workplace 6 5.0 Ethical Behavior in Civil Engineering and Medicine Professions 7 6.0 Unethical Behavior in Civil Engineering and Medicine Professions 8 7.0 Comparison and Contrasts of Code of Ethics of Civil Engineers and Doctors 9 8.0 Conclusion 10 9.0 Reference 11 1.0 Executive Summary Ethics and professional conduct are guidelines that direct professional in ways in which they can perform their work without causing any kind of problem within the workplace. Particularly in the professions such as civil engineering and medicine, code of ethics play a major role in their day-to-day activities. This report will discuss ethics and professional conduct and their importance within the workplace. Furthermore, it will discuss both the ethical and unethical behaviors portrayed professionals within the field of civil engineering and medicine. In addition, it will compare and contrast the code of ethics of both professions. 2.0 Introduction Civil engineering and doctor of medicine profession are two of the noblest professions in today’s society for they focus on solving problems within our society. Civil engineers is among the oldest disciplines within our society and it primarily deals with building the environment to suit the needs of human beings (Hansen and Zenobia, 2011). The built environment comprehends whatever defines civilization such as buildings and bridges as they are the most noticeable creations of structural engineers. Therefore, civil engineering is a very exciting profession since at the end, an individual can see what they bring to the table for instance whether it is a complete bridge or even a high-rise building (Hansen and Zenobia, 2011). On the other hand, physicians of medicine profession is also among the noble professions and it dates back to the colonial times (Moawad, 2013). Physicians were observed as elite and normally owned a university degree. They perform activities such as treatments, correction, advertisements and diagnosis to mention a few. Doctors branch out into various disciplines such as neurosurgery or pediatrics by specializing in their area of interest which takes between 3-9 years of postgraduate work in those areas (Moawad, 2013). Therefore, this report will highlight the importance of code of ethics in both professions within the work place. Furthermore, it will describe both the ethical and unethical behaviors of the two professions citing examples. Finally, it will compare and contrast the codes of ethics for the two professions. 3.0 Code of Ethics and its Importance in a Workplace A code of ethics is a group of precepts of conduct that is found within a work place which is used to guide both the making of decisions as well as the behavior standards within a workplace (Kerkhoff and Hanson, 2013). The function of codes of ethics is primarily to offer members within a work place as well as any other interested party with guidelines that are used for making ethical decisions with regard to the conduct of their work. In addition, professional integrity is considered the basis of numerous employer’s credibility (Kerkhoff and Hanson, 2013). Therefore, staff members within an organization follow a code of ethics in order to share a commitment to ethical behavior as well as adopt this code so as to affirm the principles and standards of an institution (Glen, 2011). Additionally, the code of ethics is important to a work place for it allows organizations survive through a competitive and a varying environment (Kerkhoff and Hanson, 2013). Also, code of ethics is important for it prevents and controls misconduct amongst staff members within a working environment. Furthermore, training employees about ethics aids them to effectively recognize the ideal values and ensures that they have a clear idea of how to use them in questionable circumstances (Poel and Royakkers, 2011). Furthermore, ethical codes are important since they instill awareness and sensitivity within staff members in a work place environment. If the managers within an organization run their activities ethically, it sets a good example to their employees which prompts them to follow the lead and thus function with both morals ethics. 4.0 Ethics and Professional Conduct in Workplace Ethics deals with responsibilities as well as obligations which are constantly driven by values. Ethics denote qualities such as honesty reflected in decisions, sincerity shown in being open to colleagues, bosses as well as subordinates within a working environment (Kerkhoff and Hanson, 2013). In addition, ethics denote steadfastness shown in self-review of administrative activities within a workplace. Furthermore, ethics within a workplace involves values which is an individual’s thoughts as to what is good, right or even desirable. In addition, codes of professional conduct within a workplace environment are designed to expect as well as avoid various particular kinds of behavior for instance, conflict of interest, inappropriate actions as well as self-dealings and bribery (Kerkhoff and Hanson, 2013). Furthermore, ethics and professional conduct within a workplace helps control the behavior of individuals in a certain circumstance. For example, it might the case of a civil servant whose cousin has queried him to give him a government contract (Kerkhoff and Hanson, 2013). In this case, the public servant is reminded that such actions violates the ethics and professional conduct within the workplace. Also, ethics and professional conduct within a workplace is considered a road map that guides employees on how to behave in various ways within a workplace (Kerkhoff and Hanson, 2013). Furthermore, ethics within a workplace function as a professional statement that hands over obligations to an employee within a workplace which he or she should follow in order to come to terms with the accepted moral standards (Kerkhoff and Hanson, 2013). 5.0 Ethical Behavior in Civil Engineering and Medicine Professions Ethical behavior both in the engineering as well as the medicine professions is very important in our society today for it upholds the respect of both professions. First and foremost, ethical behavior in the medical profession is practiced primarily for the advantage of the patient (Roberts and Reicherter, 2014). For example, a physician can demonstrate ethical behavior by identifying the responsibility to take part in activities that adds to the enhancement of the community as well as the betterment of the public health in general. Physicians practice ethical behavior by identifying the responsibilities to their patients first as well as to the society (Roberts and Reicherter, 2014). Furthermore, medical professionals demonstrate their ethical behaviors through recognizing their own health professionals as well as discovering their own self. For instance, a medical professional can demonstrate ethical behavior by constantly studying, applying as well as advancing their knowledge domain, maintaining an obligation to the medical education, making available sensible information to their patients and also utilizing the talent of their fellow health professionals when suggested (Roberts and Reicherter, 2014). On the other hand, ethical behavior in civil engineering involves being truthful about the fields of competence and disagreeing to function in areas that one is not competent in (Andrews, 2009). The temptations to perform such can be easily generated by commercial aspects for instance, acquiring a lucrative contract despite not having the necessary prowess and equipment to perform the task. Therefore, an engineer who employs his or her specialist skill within their area of expertise brings about a positive impact to the society at large (Harris, Pritchard and Rabins, 2009). For example, professional engineers can demonstrate ethical behavior by ensuring that their skills and understanding is modern so as to aid the development of engineering knowledge and skills in others. Furthermore, engineering ethical behaviors encompass the value given to their “professional opinion” and entails the use of sufficient evidence in performing a certain task. For example, engineers can show their ethical behaviors by not knowingly misleading or permit others to be misled in matters regarding engineering (Andrews, 2009). 6.0 Unethical Behavior in Civil Engineering and Medicine Professions Unethical behaviors in both engineering and medical profession is exists within various workplaces. Firstly, unethical behaviors amongst doctors has been an issue that since the 1950’s that doctors fail to completely respect their patient’s anatomy which is very shocking (Roberts and Reicherter, 2014). Doctors are the pioneer in our society and any sort of unethical behavior portrayed by them may lead to a severe if not fatal consequence. For instance, some doctors practice unethical behavior such as failing to tell a patient that he or she has lung cancer (Roberts and Reicherter, 2014). In another example, a student intern was left to take care of a patient by closing his wound. He went ahead to perform the task despite him not being sure on how to properly doing it (Roberts and Reicherter, 2014). This is a clear case of unethical behavior in the medicine profession. Then again, some civil engineers immerse themselves in circumstances that encourages unethical behaviors. Such behaviors in engineering practice may lead to mean failure of engineering projects which often result to financial loss, accidents, injuries and even an eventual death (Vesilind, 2010). Most engineers end up acting unethically in their work especially when commercial considerations comes in hand. For example, engineers may be tempted to take tasks that are not in their caliber and which they lack sufficient skill and expertise which may be catastrophic at the end and this is a result of unethical behavior in their practice (Vesilind, 2010). 7.0 Comparison and Contrasts of Code of Ethics of Civil Engineers and Doctors Code of ethics of civil engineers and that of doctors are similar and different in numerous ways. The similarities between the two codes of conduct is that both professions ought to perform services in areas that they are competent for instance, if a doctor has vast knowledge on neurosurgery, he should focus on the discipline (Roberts and Reicherter, 2014). Also, if a civil engineer has a certain expertise in structural design, he should focus mainly in that discipline to make the best out of it. In addition, both doctors and civil engineers ought to constantly act with both care as well as competence when dealing with their patients or clients (Vesilind, 2010). Furthermore, both profession’s code of conduct are similar in that they ought to ensure that their knowledge as well as their skills in their areas of expertise is up to date in order to help the growth of knowledge and skills into others that follow the same path. Furthermore, both codes of conduct are similar for they prompt the users to present and review evidences, interpretations as well as theories accurately, honestly and without bias (Zgheib, 2014). On the other hand the code of ethics of both professions have their differences. From the American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics states that a physician should not treat their family members or members of their intermediate families (Roberts and Reicherter, 2014). In addition, the American Code of College of Physicians Ethic Manual also states that physicians should generally avoid treating their close family members, their own selves as well as their close friend. Then again, Professional Engineers Code of Ethics doesn’t refute the issue of offering services such as building services to their own family members. 8.0 Conclusion To sum up, civil engineering and medicine are among the noblest professions within our society today. They deal with providing solutions to day-to-day living such as treating ill patients and building houses that shelter individuals from natural causes. The two professions contain code of ethics that govern how professionals in both fields conduct their work ethically and professionally. Ethics deals with responsibilities as well as obligations which are constantly driven by values. Ethics denote qualities such as honesty reflected in decisions, sincerity shown in being open to colleagues, bosses as well as subordinates within a working environment. These ethics and professional conduct helps to control the behavior of individuals in a certain circumstance. Furthermore, they are considered as a road map that guides employees on how to behave in various ways within a workplace. Code of ethics are very important in workplaces for they offer members within a work place as well as any other interested party with guidelines that are used for making ethical decisions with regard to the conduct of their work. Furthermore, these codes also allows organizations survive through a competitive and a varying environment and also they instill awareness and sensitivity within staff members in a work place environment. Ethical behavior both in the engineering as well as the medicine professions is very important in our society today for it upholds the respect of both professions. Furthermore, unethical behaviors portrayed by both physicians and civil engineers comes with their consequences that are sometimes severe or even fatal. Therefore, both professions need to uphold their pride as among the most celebrated professions in today’s society by keenly following their code of ethics. 9.0 Reference Andrews, G. (2009). Canadian professional engineering and geoscience : practice and ethics. Toronto: Nelson Education. Glen, M. (2011). Human ethics and values in the workplace. Lulu.com. Hansen, K. & Zenobia, K. (2011). Civil engineer's handbook of professional practice. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Harris, C., Pritchard, M. & Rabins, M. (2009). Engineering ethics : concepts and cases. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Kerkhoff, T. & Hanson, S. (2013). Ethics field guide : applications in rehabilitation psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Moawad, H. (2013). Careers beyond clinical medicine. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press, USA. Poel, I. & Royakkers. (2011). Ethics, technology and engineering: an introduction. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Roberts, L. & Reicherter, D. (2014). Professionalism and ethics in medicine : a study guide for physicians and physicians-in-training. New York, NY: Springer. Vesilind, P. (2010). Engineering peace and justice: the responsibility of engineers to society. New York London: Springer. Zgheib, P. (2014). Business Ethics and Diversity in the Modern Workplace. IGI Global. Read More