UNIT 3: PROFESSIONALISM AND
• Classification of an employee as a
contractor to reduce taxes on salaries and
ETHICS avoid other mandatory deductions.
• Participation in price fixing to force
smaller competitors out of business.
ETHICS
PROFESSIONALISM
The meaning of ethical behavior
Businesses have a responsibility to do the
right things and also to do things right. The meaning of professional
Therefore, ethical behavior means that conduct
businesses have the responsibility to use Although professionalism is closely linked to
moral codes that guide them in making the ethics, it is a broader concept than ethics. It
choice between right and wrong. includes issues such as appearance,
communication, responsibility, knowledge,
Ethics form part of the code of conduct of a skills, etc.
business. The business must set values that
will be used in their operations. This moral An example of professionalism is a business
compass of the business will be used as person who is dressed in a suit and tie, has
guidance when making decisions. good manners, and shows good business
sense. A professional will also make good
use of work time, treat all people with
Ethical behavior
respect, and keep business and client
information confidential.
• The business speaks the truth during a
public relations crisis to overcome the issue
they are facing. Professional conduct
• Businesses keep promises to their • To respect yourself and others, for
employees, partners and customers. example, to be on time for work and
• The business shows loyalty when they appointments.
make decisions that will also benefit their • To use polite language with colleagues
staff, partners, investors and customers. and clients.
• When the business exercises its power • Make good use of working time and set
fairly, it demonstrates fairness to all its high standards in all areas of your work.
stakeholders.
• Keep client details confidential/Do not use
• The business operates within the law and client information for personal gain.
other restrictions.
• Treat all colleagues and clients the same.
Unethical behavior
Unprofessional behavior
• Dumping contaminated waste materials
into the water supply rather than using • Using rude/impolite language with
environmentally friendly solutions to clean colleagues and clients.
up the pollution. • Misuse of work time, for example, arriving
• The release of toxins into the air above late, making or receiving personal phone
the permitted levels set by the calls and sending unnecessary emails.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). • To discuss clients' information/Use clients'
• Deliberate falsification of information on information for personal gain.
tax returns.
• To give special favors to some people.
, • To exaggerate the number of hours Transparency
worked.
• Decisions/Action must be clear to all
The differences between ethical stakeholders.
and professional behavior
• Personnel and other processes must be
open and transparent.
Ethical Professional conduct • Employees/Shareholders/Directors must
behavior be aware of the employment policies of the
• Refers to • Refers to the principles business.
the principles of right and
of right and wrong/acceptable • Audit reports and other reports must be
wrong/accept principles within a accurate/available to
able business.
shareholders/employees.
principles in
society. • Regular audits should be conducted to
• Adhere to a • Setting standards of determine the efficiency of the business.
set of values expected behavior.
that are • Business transactions must be done
morally openly so that there is no hint/sign of
acceptable. dishonesty/corruption.
• Form part of • Application of a code of
a code of conduct of a profession
conduct to or business. Liability/Accountability
guide
employees to • There must be regular communication
act ethically.
between management and role players,
• Focus on • Focus on maintaining
such as shareholders.
developing a the reputation of a
moral business/profession/occu • The company must appoint internal and
compass for pation.
external auditors to audit financial
decision-
making. statements.
• The board must ensure that business
KING CODE ethics are effectively implemented.
• Businesses should be
The meaning of the principles of
accountable/responsible for their
the King Code
decisions/actions.
The King Code was developed by former
Supreme Court Justice Mervyn King and the • Businesses should present accurate
King Commission. The purpose of the King annual reports to shareholders at the
Code is to establish a code for ethical and Annual General Meeting (AGM).
effective leadership by the board.
Ways in which professional,
The application of the principles of responsible, ethical and effective
the King Code business practice should be carried
We will only focus on the application of out
transparency, accountability, responsibility
and responsibility as the King Code • Business decisions and actions must be
principles for good corporate governance. clear/transparent to all stakeholders.
• Businesses must be
accountable/responsible for their decisions
and actions/patent rights.
• Classification of an employee as a
contractor to reduce taxes on salaries and
ETHICS avoid other mandatory deductions.
• Participation in price fixing to force
smaller competitors out of business.
ETHICS
PROFESSIONALISM
The meaning of ethical behavior
Businesses have a responsibility to do the
right things and also to do things right. The meaning of professional
Therefore, ethical behavior means that conduct
businesses have the responsibility to use Although professionalism is closely linked to
moral codes that guide them in making the ethics, it is a broader concept than ethics. It
choice between right and wrong. includes issues such as appearance,
communication, responsibility, knowledge,
Ethics form part of the code of conduct of a skills, etc.
business. The business must set values that
will be used in their operations. This moral An example of professionalism is a business
compass of the business will be used as person who is dressed in a suit and tie, has
guidance when making decisions. good manners, and shows good business
sense. A professional will also make good
use of work time, treat all people with
Ethical behavior
respect, and keep business and client
information confidential.
• The business speaks the truth during a
public relations crisis to overcome the issue
they are facing. Professional conduct
• Businesses keep promises to their • To respect yourself and others, for
employees, partners and customers. example, to be on time for work and
• The business shows loyalty when they appointments.
make decisions that will also benefit their • To use polite language with colleagues
staff, partners, investors and customers. and clients.
• When the business exercises its power • Make good use of working time and set
fairly, it demonstrates fairness to all its high standards in all areas of your work.
stakeholders.
• Keep client details confidential/Do not use
• The business operates within the law and client information for personal gain.
other restrictions.
• Treat all colleagues and clients the same.
Unethical behavior
Unprofessional behavior
• Dumping contaminated waste materials
into the water supply rather than using • Using rude/impolite language with
environmentally friendly solutions to clean colleagues and clients.
up the pollution. • Misuse of work time, for example, arriving
• The release of toxins into the air above late, making or receiving personal phone
the permitted levels set by the calls and sending unnecessary emails.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). • To discuss clients' information/Use clients'
• Deliberate falsification of information on information for personal gain.
tax returns.
• To give special favors to some people.
, • To exaggerate the number of hours Transparency
worked.
• Decisions/Action must be clear to all
The differences between ethical stakeholders.
and professional behavior
• Personnel and other processes must be
open and transparent.
Ethical Professional conduct • Employees/Shareholders/Directors must
behavior be aware of the employment policies of the
• Refers to • Refers to the principles business.
the principles of right and
of right and wrong/acceptable • Audit reports and other reports must be
wrong/accept principles within a accurate/available to
able business.
shareholders/employees.
principles in
society. • Regular audits should be conducted to
• Adhere to a • Setting standards of determine the efficiency of the business.
set of values expected behavior.
that are • Business transactions must be done
morally openly so that there is no hint/sign of
acceptable. dishonesty/corruption.
• Form part of • Application of a code of
a code of conduct of a profession
conduct to or business. Liability/Accountability
guide
employees to • There must be regular communication
act ethically.
between management and role players,
• Focus on • Focus on maintaining
such as shareholders.
developing a the reputation of a
moral business/profession/occu • The company must appoint internal and
compass for pation.
external auditors to audit financial
decision-
making. statements.
• The board must ensure that business
KING CODE ethics are effectively implemented.
• Businesses should be
The meaning of the principles of
accountable/responsible for their
the King Code
decisions/actions.
The King Code was developed by former
Supreme Court Justice Mervyn King and the • Businesses should present accurate
King Commission. The purpose of the King annual reports to shareholders at the
Code is to establish a code for ethical and Annual General Meeting (AGM).
effective leadership by the board.
Ways in which professional,
The application of the principles of responsible, ethical and effective
the King Code business practice should be carried
We will only focus on the application of out
transparency, accountability, responsibility
and responsibility as the King Code • Business decisions and actions must be
principles for good corporate governance. clear/transparent to all stakeholders.
• Businesses must be
accountable/responsible for their decisions
and actions/patent rights.
