A code of ethics can be valuable not just internally as a professional guide but also externally as a statement of a company’s values and commitments. It also provides the groundwork for a preemptive warning if employees break the code.
It establishes the rules for behavior and sends a message to every employee that universal compliance is expected. Related: Integrity: Definition and Examples Why is a code of ethics important?Ī professional code of ethics is designed to ensure employees are behaving in a manner that is socially acceptable and respectful of one another. For example, a business that doesn’t necessarily focus on climate change might still detail its commitment to sustainability in its official code of ethics. In other industries, a code of ethics may be voluntarily adopted.
In some industries, such as finance or public health, specific laws dictate professional conduct.
Often referred to as an ethical code, these principles outline the mission and values of an organization, how the professionals within the organization are supposed to approach problems and the standards to which employees are held. View more jobs What is a professional code of ethics?Ī professional code of ethics is a set of principles designed to help a business govern its decision-making and distinguish right from wrong.
