CHAPTER SIXTEEN
PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS
CONTENT DETAILS FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT PURPOSES
Learners must be able to:
• Define ethical and professional behaviour
112
• Differentiate/Distinguish/Tabulate the differences between professionalism and ethics •
Outline/Mention/Explain the principles of professionalism and ethics
• Briefly explain the following theories of ethics that are applicable to the workplace:
o Consequential theory o The
common good approach o The
rights approach
• Differentiate/Distinguish between good and bad decisions and give practical example of each. •
Suggest/Recommend ways in which professional, responsible, ethical and effective business
practice should be conducted, e.g. payment of fair wages, providing quality goods and services,
not starting a business venture at someone else's expense, etc.
• Give examples of ethical business practices
• Evaluate a code of ethics for any business and make recommendations for improvements.
• Discuss different perspectives on ethics
Terms and Definitions
TERM DEFINITION
Moral compass Used in reference to a person’s ability to judge what
is right and wrong and act accordingly.
Integrity The quality of being honest and having strong
moral principle.
Values Being able to understand what is important when it
comes to what is wrong and right, based on what we
believe in.
Confidentiality The state of keeping or being kept secret or private.
Transparency Operating in a way that creates openness
between managers and employees.
Impartial Equal treatment of all rivals or disputants; fairness
Consequence The effect, result or outcome of something
, occurring earlier.
Discrimination The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different
categories of people, especially on the grounds of
race, age, or sex.
Governance It is the rules and processes by which a company
is operated and controlled
1. Professionalism and ethics
1.1 Definition of ethical and professional behaviour
1.1.1 Ethics
• Moral principles that govern the behaviour of a person or a group.
• Ethics defines how individuals/professionals and businesses choose to interact with one
another.
• It involves making sound business decisions that do not have a negative effect on other
people.
• Focusses on developing moral compass that can be used in decision making. • These
decisions entail identifying ways of achieving the objectives of the business, while also doing
what is right and good for other people.
113
1.1.2 Professionalism
• A way in which people conduct themselves in the workplace, maintaining high standards and
showing respect to all.
• The competence or skill expected of a professional person.
• It involves taking pride in your actions and never compromising standards. • It is about
being focussed on what you do and being committed to a certain standard
performance.
1.2 The differences between professionalism and ethics
PROFESSIONALISM ETHICS
• Set of standards of expected • Conforms to a set of values that is
behaviour. morally acceptable.
• Forms part of a code of conduct to • Applying a code of conduct set by a
guide employees to act profession or business.
professionally.
• Focuses on developing a moral • Focuses on upholding the reputation
compass to use in decision of a business/profession.
making.
• Includes guidelines on employees' • Involves following the principles of
appearance/communication/attitud right or wrong in business
e/ responsibility etc. activities/practices/dealings.
• Used for the good of the • Acceptable to society/community
employees/individuals.
• Apply a code of conduct set by the • Forms part of the employees' code of
profession or business. conduct.
,1.3 The principles of professionalism and ethics
1.3.1 Principles of professionalism
• Employees should respect themselves and the rights of others.
• Responding quickly to the request of customers • Caring about the quality of work before
submission.
• Communicate with clarity and honesty.
• Meeting deadlines by completing assignments before the due date.
• Using resources responsibly with due regard for the environment.
• Respecting the image of the business/your profession, e.g. adhere to the dress code of the
business/profession.
• Respecting diversity and differences and demonstrate cultural sensitivity.
• Acting with integrity/honesty/reliability, e.g. keep to working hours even if no other workers
are around/not using the business resources for personal gain.
• Being committed to quality and apply skills and knowledge to the benefit of the
business/society at large.
• Adhering to confidentiality measures by not disclosing sensitive information about
customers/business.
• Remaining objective, act fairly and justly to all without being biased or showing favouritism. •
Continually improve/develop skills and knowledge, e.g. attending refresher courses and
seminars.
• Sharing knowledge by investing time and expertise with junior staff members, e.g.
uplifting/empowering others.
• Offering and accept appropriate incentives, goods and services in business transaction.
1.3.2 Principles of ethics
• Being objective and impartial.
• Transparency and full disclosure.
114
• Confidentiality
• Avoiding conflict of interest.
• Being committed and responsible.
• Initiating CSI projects for communities/Social responsibility
• Looking after the environment
• Abiding by international laws
1.4 Theories of ethics
1.4.1 The rights approach
• Focuses on individual rights where people should be treated with respect and dignity. • No
person may be maltreated and the business will not impose its mission or products on
people.
1.4.2 Consequential approach
• Business must promote or generate the greater value for society, while harming as few as
possible.
• Consequentialists believe that an act should be judged based on the effect it has on others/if
the effect is good, the action can be seen as ethical.
1.4.3 The common good approach • Focuses on ensuring that the business’ values and ethical
principles are in line with society in which the business operates.
• It recognises that ethics and values vary from country to country and from area to area.
1.5 Good and bad decisions
1.5.1 The meaning of good decisions
• Good decisions are those that are ethically correct and will also benefit, without harming
others.
, • A good decision enables businesses can make a lot of profit
1.5.2 The meaning of bad decisions
• Bad decisions are not always ethical, they can be the results of the wrong information. • A
decision that brings in lots of profit, but based on unethical business practices, is bad. • In the
long run, no business can survive if its policies and way of doing things are unethical.
1.5.3 Examples of the differences between good and bad decisions
GOOD DECISIONS BAD DECISIONS
Maintaining high levels of integrity Not considering values
Honouring professional business practices Insufficient or erroneous information
Respecting diversity Selfish motives
Not starting a business venture at the Violating customer’s privacy
expense of others.
Payment of fair wages Damaging the environment
115
Not discriminating against employees Price fixing
Regular payment of tax Tax evasion
Reducing environmental pollution Cloning animals or people
Importing goods that have been produced Bribery
by factories with fair labour practices.
1.6 Ways in which professional, responsible, ethical and effective business practice should be
conducted
• Businesses should treat all employees equally.
• Plan properly and put preventative measures in place.
• Pay fair wages/salaries which are in line with the minimum requirements of the BCEA. /
Remunerate employees for working overtime/during public holidays.
• Engage in environmental awareness programmes. /Refrain from polluting the environment,
e.g.
by legally disposing of toxic waste.
• Refrain from starting a venture using other businesses' ideas that are protected by law. •
Business decisions and actions must be clear/transparent to all stakeholders. • Businesses
should be accountable /responsible for their decisions and actions/patent rights. • Hiring
honest/trustworthy accountants/financial officers with good credentials. • Regular/Timeous
payment of taxes.
PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS
CONTENT DETAILS FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT PURPOSES
Learners must be able to:
• Define ethical and professional behaviour
112
• Differentiate/Distinguish/Tabulate the differences between professionalism and ethics •
Outline/Mention/Explain the principles of professionalism and ethics
• Briefly explain the following theories of ethics that are applicable to the workplace:
o Consequential theory o The
common good approach o The
rights approach
• Differentiate/Distinguish between good and bad decisions and give practical example of each. •
Suggest/Recommend ways in which professional, responsible, ethical and effective business
practice should be conducted, e.g. payment of fair wages, providing quality goods and services,
not starting a business venture at someone else's expense, etc.
• Give examples of ethical business practices
• Evaluate a code of ethics for any business and make recommendations for improvements.
• Discuss different perspectives on ethics
Terms and Definitions
TERM DEFINITION
Moral compass Used in reference to a person’s ability to judge what
is right and wrong and act accordingly.
Integrity The quality of being honest and having strong
moral principle.
Values Being able to understand what is important when it
comes to what is wrong and right, based on what we
believe in.
Confidentiality The state of keeping or being kept secret or private.
Transparency Operating in a way that creates openness
between managers and employees.
Impartial Equal treatment of all rivals or disputants; fairness
Consequence The effect, result or outcome of something
, occurring earlier.
Discrimination The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different
categories of people, especially on the grounds of
race, age, or sex.
Governance It is the rules and processes by which a company
is operated and controlled
1. Professionalism and ethics
1.1 Definition of ethical and professional behaviour
1.1.1 Ethics
• Moral principles that govern the behaviour of a person or a group.
• Ethics defines how individuals/professionals and businesses choose to interact with one
another.
• It involves making sound business decisions that do not have a negative effect on other
people.
• Focusses on developing moral compass that can be used in decision making. • These
decisions entail identifying ways of achieving the objectives of the business, while also doing
what is right and good for other people.
113
1.1.2 Professionalism
• A way in which people conduct themselves in the workplace, maintaining high standards and
showing respect to all.
• The competence or skill expected of a professional person.
• It involves taking pride in your actions and never compromising standards. • It is about
being focussed on what you do and being committed to a certain standard
performance.
1.2 The differences between professionalism and ethics
PROFESSIONALISM ETHICS
• Set of standards of expected • Conforms to a set of values that is
behaviour. morally acceptable.
• Forms part of a code of conduct to • Applying a code of conduct set by a
guide employees to act profession or business.
professionally.
• Focuses on developing a moral • Focuses on upholding the reputation
compass to use in decision of a business/profession.
making.
• Includes guidelines on employees' • Involves following the principles of
appearance/communication/attitud right or wrong in business
e/ responsibility etc. activities/practices/dealings.
• Used for the good of the • Acceptable to society/community
employees/individuals.
• Apply a code of conduct set by the • Forms part of the employees' code of
profession or business. conduct.
,1.3 The principles of professionalism and ethics
1.3.1 Principles of professionalism
• Employees should respect themselves and the rights of others.
• Responding quickly to the request of customers • Caring about the quality of work before
submission.
• Communicate with clarity and honesty.
• Meeting deadlines by completing assignments before the due date.
• Using resources responsibly with due regard for the environment.
• Respecting the image of the business/your profession, e.g. adhere to the dress code of the
business/profession.
• Respecting diversity and differences and demonstrate cultural sensitivity.
• Acting with integrity/honesty/reliability, e.g. keep to working hours even if no other workers
are around/not using the business resources for personal gain.
• Being committed to quality and apply skills and knowledge to the benefit of the
business/society at large.
• Adhering to confidentiality measures by not disclosing sensitive information about
customers/business.
• Remaining objective, act fairly and justly to all without being biased or showing favouritism. •
Continually improve/develop skills and knowledge, e.g. attending refresher courses and
seminars.
• Sharing knowledge by investing time and expertise with junior staff members, e.g.
uplifting/empowering others.
• Offering and accept appropriate incentives, goods and services in business transaction.
1.3.2 Principles of ethics
• Being objective and impartial.
• Transparency and full disclosure.
114
• Confidentiality
• Avoiding conflict of interest.
• Being committed and responsible.
• Initiating CSI projects for communities/Social responsibility
• Looking after the environment
• Abiding by international laws
1.4 Theories of ethics
1.4.1 The rights approach
• Focuses on individual rights where people should be treated with respect and dignity. • No
person may be maltreated and the business will not impose its mission or products on
people.
1.4.2 Consequential approach
• Business must promote or generate the greater value for society, while harming as few as
possible.
• Consequentialists believe that an act should be judged based on the effect it has on others/if
the effect is good, the action can be seen as ethical.
1.4.3 The common good approach • Focuses on ensuring that the business’ values and ethical
principles are in line with society in which the business operates.
• It recognises that ethics and values vary from country to country and from area to area.
1.5 Good and bad decisions
1.5.1 The meaning of good decisions
• Good decisions are those that are ethically correct and will also benefit, without harming
others.
, • A good decision enables businesses can make a lot of profit
1.5.2 The meaning of bad decisions
• Bad decisions are not always ethical, they can be the results of the wrong information. • A
decision that brings in lots of profit, but based on unethical business practices, is bad. • In the
long run, no business can survive if its policies and way of doing things are unethical.
1.5.3 Examples of the differences between good and bad decisions
GOOD DECISIONS BAD DECISIONS
Maintaining high levels of integrity Not considering values
Honouring professional business practices Insufficient or erroneous information
Respecting diversity Selfish motives
Not starting a business venture at the Violating customer’s privacy
expense of others.
Payment of fair wages Damaging the environment
115
Not discriminating against employees Price fixing
Regular payment of tax Tax evasion
Reducing environmental pollution Cloning animals or people
Importing goods that have been produced Bribery
by factories with fair labour practices.
1.6 Ways in which professional, responsible, ethical and effective business practice should be
conducted
• Businesses should treat all employees equally.
• Plan properly and put preventative measures in place.
• Pay fair wages/salaries which are in line with the minimum requirements of the BCEA. /
Remunerate employees for working overtime/during public holidays.
• Engage in environmental awareness programmes. /Refrain from polluting the environment,
e.g.
by legally disposing of toxic waste.
• Refrain from starting a venture using other businesses' ideas that are protected by law. •
Business decisions and actions must be clear/transparent to all stakeholders. • Businesses
should be accountable /responsible for their decisions and actions/patent rights. • Hiring
honest/trustworthy accountants/financial officers with good credentials. • Regular/Timeous
payment of taxes.
