Professional Ethics The Ethical Nature and Purpose of a Profession Job skills and life skills! Read: The parable of the talents Mathew:25 Quick facts n Un employment rate 83.2% n Youth here being people between 15 and 24 years n 400,000 graduates are ushered in the field every year. n 150,000 jobs annually, leaving an estimated 250,000 on the street. Continuation n The population in Uganda stands at 37 million according to the recent UN report on population growth Objectives n Outline the moral value of work. n Understand meaning of one’s vocation as a Christian. n Explain the nature of professional culture. n Analyse ethical case studies that arise in particular fields of work. Contents nIntroduction: Professional Ethics nKnowing Oneself; Knowing One’s work (vocation) nProfessional Culture nBusiness Ethics nEthics for IT Workers Cont’n… nEducational Ethics nChild development n Ethics Library and information science Continued n Procurement and logistics n Community health practitioners Ethics Introduction nWhat is a “profession”? From ‘profess’ Original meaning of ‘professor’ is one who believes & stands for a given conviction (call). Cont’n… n What is “professional ethics”? It is the values displayed and moral lifestyle expected of those who stand for a given conviction (or calling). n It takes conviction to live out your morals Knowing Oneself; Knowing One’s Work (Vocation) n Meaning of Vocation? n From Latin word, ‘vocare’ = a call n Means: An inner urge to pursue an activity or perform a service. n To understand your calling you need to know who you are. Self-identity helps to know one’s vocation. Spiritual Gifts n In Christianity, spiritual gifts (or charismata) are endowments given by the Holy Spirit. n These are the supernatural graces which individual Christians need to fulfill the mission of the church Cont’n… n Spiritual gifts are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Examples of spiritual gifts include; Prophecy, Serving, Teaching Exhortation, Giving , Leadership, Mercy etc Talents Talents n A special natural ability or aptitude: Or a capacity for achievement or success. n A strength is the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance in a specific activity Knowing Oneself; contd n As Christians we get & know about our identity from God n Acts 17:26-27 “And he made from one man every nation…that they should seek God…” n Eph 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand…” n Man is spirit, soul and body (1Thes 5:23) and work must be good for all these components of a person. Choosing a vocation n Factors n Spiritual guidance – Holy spirit, bible n Interest – what are your interest? n Gifts and Talents – parable of talents n Ambition – desire to accomplish n Education – helps but should not limit n Environment - Geography & Culture Contn… n Passion. To choose a career or profession, you must fall in love with with it. n Capacity. Before choosing a career or profession, ask yourself, can i cope with it? Am i ready? Do i have the ability? Is it willingly? Getting the answer to these question will help you to know your capacity. Cont’n… n Dedication. Perseverance is a test faced by great achievers. To achieve great things in life, you must sacrifice something in replacement. ( time, money or power). Questions to reflect on; Can i withstand the pressure? Can i cope with my competitor? Am i dedicate to my profession? Professional Culture n Means physical & mental attitude at work n Includes Skills – how things are done n Lifestyle – values and morals (should be careful not to be proud) n But be ware of vices at work Vices at work .Pull downs . Corruption .Incompetence and non-delivery .Jealous and envy .Witchcraft Cheap popularity Rumor mongering etc Professional ethical standards Typically these include: n Honesty n Integrity n Transparency n Accountability n Confidentiality Continuation n Objectivity n Respectfulness n Obedience to the law REPUBLIC OF UGANDA THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS FOR UGANDA PUBLIC SERVICE Published in July 2005 . Contact address n Ministry of Public Service n P. O. Box 7003 n KAMPALA – UGANDA n Tel: 041 – 251002 n Fax: 041 – 255463 n E-mail: Psmps @ imulco…/ Rationale n Public Service Code of conduct and Ethics is based on ethical standards or guiding principles which apply to the entire Public Service. Guiding principles n Accountability –Personal responsibility for his or her actions n Decency one must generally conform to morally accepted standards and values of society. n Diligence - be careful while executing duties Principles continued n Discipline -Rules, regulations & specific professional codes of conduct n Effectiveness - Strive to achieve intended results( Quality& quantity) n Efficiency -use resources including time in the attainment of organizational objectives & targets Principles continued n Impartiality Give fair and unbiased treatment to all customers irrespective of gender, race, religion, disability or ethnic background n Integrity -honesty and openness in conducting public affairs. Continued… n Loyalty -committed to the Policies and programs of the Government n Professionalism exhibit high degree of competence and best practices n Selflessness -Must put his or her own interest before the public interest Continued… n Transparency -A Public Officer shall be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions taken. He or she must always be prepared when called upon to give reasons for the decisions he or she has taken. Work ethics n Attendance to duty e.g not draw two salaries from government payrolls( two jobs!. n Time management e.g Monday – Friday: 8.00a.m – 12.45p.m & 2.00p.m – 5.00 p.m Continuation n Absence from duty – Report absence from work. n Sexual Harassment -Use of rude, abusive and obscene language, indecent dressing, hard supervision and sexual suggestive gestures Continuation n Customer Care -fairness, transparency, promptness, clarity, respect and courtesy with a view to ensuring customer satisfaction n Conflict of interest Continued n Financial Credibility -Not to engage in any arrangement that would cause him or her financial embarrassment, e.g. bankruptcy. Continued n Communication of Information 1. Secrecy and Confidentiality ( lose talk) 2.Publishing of official information 3. Communication to the Press 4.Anonymous communication 5.Use of official information for personal gain 6.Chain of Command Continuation n Removal, destruction or altering of records n Accountability – financial, public assets/ property, human resource & administrative. Continuation n Dress and Appearance For the promotion and projection of a good image of the Public Service, a Public Officer shall at all times dress appropriately and appear decent and respectable in a way that is generally acceptable. Continued n ENGAGEMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES Penalties n Warning or reprimand. n Suspension of increment. n Withholding or deferment of increment. n Stoppage of increment. n Surcharge or refund. Continuation n Making good of the loss or damage of public property/assets. n Interdiction from duty with half pay. n Reduction in rank. n Removal from the Public Service in public interest. n Dismissal Rewards n Word of recognition of good performance n Open praise n Challenging work assignments normally done by seniors n Letter of commendation n Presents n Mementoes Continuation n Certificate of merit n Concessionary trips n Cash bonuses n Salary increments n Award of Medals Specific codes of conduct for professional development n Business( BEPP) n Library & information science n Procurement & logistics n Community health ( BNS) Business Ethics The major ethical foundation of modern business is self-interest. Adam Smith, the father of economics argued that self-interest was the ‘Invisible Hand’ that drives a modern economy. This comes from a background of evolution which advocates for ‘survival of the fittest’. Cont’n… n A Christian business person should be governed by helping others not manipulating them for profit. Moral Principles of business ethics Principles suggested by philosophers are as follows: n Harm principle: businesses should avoid causing unwarranted harm. n Fairness principle: business should be fair in all of their practices. Continuation n Human rights principle: businesses should respect human rights. n Autonomy principle: businesses should not infringe on the rationally reflective choices of people. Contn… n Veracity principle: businesses should not be deceptive in their practices. Other general Ethical Principles n Honoring God – business for God’s glory n Honesty – should reject dishonest gain (fair reward) n Social & Environmental responsibility n Confidentiality & Non disclosure of vital information. n Accountability etc. Ethics for IT Workers n IT is dynamic & presents constant ethical challenges n Principles to guide: n Professional competence – up to date n Positive contribution – do good not bad Cont’n… nProperty rights – respect copyrights nRespect privacy – protect private info. nNot to abuse IT – not to pornography, etc Education ethics Educational Ethics n Educators are important in society; they are a fountain of knowledge & they direct lives (giving a worldview) Cont’n… n “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1 TNIV Teachers code of conduct in uganda n live up to the highest standards of the profession and avoid any Misconduct n Teach objectively ( religion, politics etc) n Preparing relevant schemes of work, lesson plan etc Cont’n… n Mark and evaluate work of learners n seek for and obtain permission to be absent from duty n not to teach while under the influence of alcohol or drugs Cont’n… n use proper channels of communication and flow of information n etc Child development professional Ethics Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental child development professionals. Nature of the world Hunger ravaged kids Well off kids Both ends of humanity No meal In excess Cont’n… n Ethical awareness is a fundamental part of child development professional practice Cont’n… n Their ability and commitment to act ethically is an essential aspect of the quality of the service offered to those who offer child development services Cont’n… Ø should act with integrity. This includes not abusing the relationship of trust with the people using their services, recognizing the boundaries between personal and professional life, and not abusing their position for personal benefit or gain continuation n Must be in the know of children’s rights and obligations. Cont’n… Ø should act in relation to the people using their services with compassion, empathy and care. Ø should not subordinate the needs or interests of people who use their services to their own needs or interests Cont’n… Ø have a duty to take necessary steps to care for themselves professionally and personally in the workplace and in society, in order to ensure that they are able to provide appropriate services. Ø maintain confidentiality regarding information about people who use their services. Cont’n… Ø need to acknowledge that they are accountable for their actions to the users of their services, the people they work with, their colleagues, their employers, the professional association and to the law, and that these accountabilities may conflict. Cont’n Ø foster and engage in ethical debate with their colleagues and employers and take responsibility for making ethically informed decisions. Ø be prepared to state the reasons for their decisions based on ethical considerations, and be accountable for their choices and actions. Library & Information science Code of conduct n Provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests. Continued n M u s t u p h o l d t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources n Protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted. Continued n Recognize and respect intellectual property rights. n Treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith Continued n Avoid advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions n Must distinguish between personal convictions and professional duties . Continuation n Must strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of coworkers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession. Procurement and logistics Code of conduct n Fairness characterizes the nature of our relationships with suppliers. Our decisions are based on objective criteria. Continuation n Must distinguish clearly between personal and business interests, and - as a matter of principle - do not accept any gifts or gratuities from our suppliers. Continuation n Ensure Quality Management requirements and act in accordance with the principles of the Global Responsible Care initiative. Continuation n Must ensure that the working conditions of our suppliers are in compliance with internationally recognized fundamental labor standards. continuation n Avoid discrimination based on nationality, gender, religion Health care practitioners Community health professionals n There are five (5) values required from public health workers as illustrated below: Humane: n Accord respect to clients befitting a human being. n Service to clients must be to the best of PHWs physical and intellectual capacity n Compassionate and responsive to clients’ needs Humane continued… n Giving appropriate information to clients to aid them arrive at a fair decision as regards their health and medical condition n At all times, uphold the sanctity of human life, and n Not to directly or indirectly participate in acts curtailing life. personal integrity and that of his profession: n Continue to improve his knowledge, expertise and skills for professional development n Practice his profession to the best of his ability Personal integrity continued… n Not to claim authority or expertise on matters beyond his position or capacity n Not use his position to obtain personal favor Contn… n Role model for respectable and healthful lifestyle n Promote favorable public image of public health workers, and n Faithfully abide by the Code of Conduct of his profession. Just n Treat person with equality, without bias to race, social class, education, sex, age, physical and mental capabilities, political and religious affiliation, and Just continued… n Make professional, administrative or technical judgments in favor of the common good and the less privileged, taking into consideration overall cost to the government. Generous in spirit and deed n Seek to be of service to the state, the public and his/her colleagues n Prepared to respond to emergencies and situations demanding additional manpower or hours of work. Cont’n… n Volunteer to provide the needed service, and n Coordinate and work with other offices, government agencies and private organizations or entities for the furtherance of public health service. Protective of the interest of public health n Assertive of rights and privileges as a Public Health Worker. n Readily takes risks necessary to perform his/her duties and functions in public health services, and Cont’n… n Practice and protect known and accepted ideals of public health delivery system and enforce rules, regulations and standards as promulgated by the duly constituted authority without fear or favor Conclusion A true profession is for those who are deeply convinced that they have a vocation to live out the values and morals of that profession without shame or fear. References n Prof. J.C Ssekamwa (1996), Professional Ethics For Teachers, published by Nets Africa Ltd, Kampala. n An official document from the Ministry of Education and Sports (Government of Uganda) on the Teacher's Code of Conduct. References n http://philhealthlawsandplaces.com/ ethical-standards-for-public-healthworkers/ retrieved on 21,06,2012 TEST n Name:…………………… n Reg.no………………… n Lecturer’s name: n Tutors name…………… n Course………………… n Group…………………………. Test You have been recommended to be the head of a team for the restoration of Christian ethical standards in your country . Suggest practical ways you would personally front to help our country appreciate embracing this initiative.( Borrow tools from all chapters covered so far in the work book) Test n With reference to the social contract theory, Critically explain the philosophical views related to the development of modern societies.
