Requirements
- Advises and acts according to law –
- Voluntary assumption of self-discipline beyond requirements of law –
- Able to work with due care and skill –
- Acts in client’s best interest –
Disapproval of:
- Dishonesty / theft.
- Failing to work with care and skill.
- Divulging confidences.
- Evading tax and other legal obligations.
- Contingency fees.
- Bringing profession into disrepute.
- Bribery and corruption.
The true differentiators
- A true profession is self-regulated.
- It is driven by its own value system.
I would like to believe it is driven by a passion for all the things it stands for at a group and individual level.
Various levels of acceptable practice
- Legal – that which is prescribed by law.
- Societal – what society expects.
- Norms – what is usually done and has become acceptable practice.
- Values – personal or group values.
- Common practice – similar to norms.
- Group ethics – that which is prescribed by a group of individuals.
- Individual ethics – your own view of what constitutes ethical practice.
- Group think – behaviour that is enforced by the many and deviation is considered betrayal by the group.
Ethical analysis on assignments
- Consider a past assignment where there was an ethical dilemma.
- Complete the “Ethical Analysis on assignments” questionnaire. (that follows)
