The work ethic or professional ethic is a tremendously used concept, but of which not many have an exact idea. What must be clear is that it is essential to be able to develop work spaces that comply with the rights of any person, something in which both employers and employees must be involved.
Answering the premise why professional ethics or professional deontology is important because it allows the professional to take root in a series of ethical values and ethical aspects that contribute to labor and social harmony. If you continue you will find more information on the subject…
What is Ethics in the World of Work?
Saying that it is about ethics applied to the world of work is the same as saying nothing when explaining this concept. However, it is what many do. When we talk about ethics in any aspect of life, we are referring to interpersonal relationships.
Ethics is responsible for making these relationships occur in a more rational and harmonious way in which everyone has their rights covered and in which each member of the process knows what duties they must fulfill to achieve the proposed objective.
When we refer to professional ethics, we have to transfer what we have said in the previous paragraph to the world of work. It should be noted that it is not enough to develop standards at work to be able to talk about work ethics, these have to be fair and rational so that we can define them as ethics.
If we put an extreme example we can see this more clearly. If a company punishes inappropriate behavior with humiliation or physical punishment, it will not be behaving ethically, even if it has a behavior manual.
Why Professional Ethics is Important for Employee
It must be taken into account that there are professions that have an impact in one way or another on people’s lives, such as doctors, lawyers or journalists. Therefore, having a code of ethics is essential for them to carry out their activity within parameters of work ethics, justice, equity, veracity, honesty and professional responsibility.
On the other hand, applied ethics contributes to improving the environment and regulations within an organization. The application of the code of ethics makes it possible to harmonize labor relations between workers and increase trust between clients and the business environment through appropriate ethical behavior.
Characteristics of Professional Ethics
Under the question why professional ethics and deontology are important, the objective is to determine the values that must be put into practice in professional training. These are values that professionals have to apply individually, but that have a collective benefit, both for their profession and in the social sphere.
Answering why professional ethics is important, it is seen that they are behavioral guidelines that the professional must comply with of their own free will. Its non-compliance does not entail sanctions or punishments, beyond the bad personal or professional image, in the event that there is a code of ethics, its non-compliance can be punishable. It is based on the application in the professional field of certain principles and duties, and in the defense of rights it is not, therefore, a norm with legal status, but common sense moral guidelines and values.
What is Professional Ethics for?
When we talk about why professional ethics or deontology is important, it is stated that it serves to determine the guidelines for action that a worker must follow in a given situation. During the development of their activity, professionals may face situations that involve moral decisions. Professional ethics contributes to knowing what is right and what is wrong in the exercise of the profession.
In addition, professional ethics pursues a common good, that is, it helps the professional understand that the collective benefit, both social and of the company, is above their personal interest.
Why is Professional Business Ethics Important?
In companies where there is an environment of respect for ethical values, everyone understands that the achievement of their objectives does not justify using ethically reprehensible means. In organizations where the formal policy is focused solely on the achievement of economic objectives, its members forget about ethical principles. This vision discourages the staff because it causes them a conflict between their moral convictions and the demands of the achievement of economic goals imposed by the company.
That a company operates following ethical principles is important because, in addition to encouraging workers to behave correctly, it also allows them to rely on good company policy when they want to enforce their own values. It is then when shared values emerge, in which people:
- They identify with the organization.
- They trust the company and especially the other colleagues.
- They feel part of their progress and results.
- Encourages the exchange and emergence of ideas.
- Trust and fidelity.
- They transmit these positive values to the outside.
- It is in harmony with the general values of society.
- It also generates economic benefits.
Benefits of Professional Ethics:
- Good organizational reputation. Companies embroiled in social scandals lose credibility and may be shunned by the public. The situation is different when each link in your company projects an attractive and ethical image. That sympathy earns followers, which is what your company needs to grow.
- Team union. Group projects can be implemented if there is mutual respect and solidarity with the welfare of others and with the purposes of the company. These qualities will allow your teams to work in harmony and meet the proposed goals.
- Worker retention. If business ethics rules are applied in each department, there will be no need to lay off staff. Nor will there be disagreement from your workers due to unworthy treatment that motivates them to resign. Protect the talent you have in your organization.
- You attract the attention of investors. There are companies richer than yours and they are eager to find partners committed to their values. If you keep your entity free of accusations and keep your professional image clean, do not doubt that soon you will receive a call from that elite to do interesting business.
- You take care of the quality of operations. The sense of responsibility will make each element give its best when working. This will favor the quality of the processes and your customers will be happy with the useful products and services that you will provide them.
- Increase in the client portfolio. A happy customer with your company is the easiest way to generate publicity. The recommendations they make for your commitment to ethics will help you reach new market sectors.
- Reduced risk of sanctions and lawsuits. When your collaborators act in accordance with professional morality, there is less probability of committing acts that result in sanctions. Nor will you have to face legal proceedings for misconduct committed by your workers or partners within the institution.
- Better personnel selection process. Ethics help hire the best people, not family members or friends who lack skills and positive attitudes. You will have the most qualified people within your organization.
Summarizing…
That is why, in response to the question why professional ethics is important, it is stated that the main objective of professional ethics is to put individual benefits aside, and work together for the common good. If the company is doing well, the workers will have job stability, but if actions are carried out that directly harm the organization, the consequences can affect many people.