The world’s seamless functionality is dependent on a set of written and unwritten rules. The written rules constitute the laws and legislation that vary from one country to the other. However, the unwritten rules that one must stick to are the same across all borders. These unwritten rules are the code of ethics that are unique to different fields.
It is challenging to define the concept of ethics. Perhaps, the discipline deals with the choices, decisions, and actions that indirectly reflect our shared values. However, many consider it as a guiding philosophy. These ethics are essential in every field to ensure a safe, healthy, and fair workplace environment. They set a benchmark of expectations that allows employees to determine what is and isn’t acceptable. While almost every field must follow a unique code of ethics relevant to their job’s nature, some need it more than others.
Significance of Ethics in Personal and Professional Life
When a person joins a new workplace or moves into a new neighborhood, they might not be aware of what is socially and professionally acceptable. In such situations, the code of ethics guides them on how they should or should not behave. The set code of ethics gives exemption to none and requires everyone to follow the same rules.
Given the significance of the code of ethics, several fields educate students about the particular ethics involved in the area. Therefore, students who graduate and step into their professional lives are already well aware of these unwritten rules, finding it more comfortable implementing them.
Code of Ethics in Different Fields
Understanding the code of ethics and its need is essential for students in their respective fields. Here are a few domains that emphasize practicing the code of ethics and why they make them necessary.
- Engineering
Those who study engineering are well aware of engineering ethics and its role in avoiding potential problems or overcoming those that already exist. Engineering ethics teach students how to deal with many issues that may arise in their professional life. These ethics are central to the idea that professional engineers can significantly impact people’s lives, as people trust them for various projects.
The students learn a set of standards that guide them about their responsibility towards the employers, public, and the job itself. Along with learning the field’s ethical standards, students also read about the past and present ethical challenges that they can learn from in the longer run.
- Nursing
Nursing is one of those fields that requires a stringent code of ethics. For nursing students, the principle of ethics is a constant reminder of their commitments to society. It encourages students to practice evidence-based methods that ensure patients’ well-being with minimal risks.
In the field of nursing, the chances of a practitioner running into ethical complications and dilemmas are relatively high. And since these situations involve individuals’ health and well-being, the professionals must make the right decision. But making these decisions isn’t easy. At times, they could be the bridge between life and death for a patient. The sensitivity of these decisions is why the code of ethics in nursing is crucial.
The quality of healthcare services that an individual receives at the hands of a nurse must never be substandard since everyone has a right to a healthy life. This is why it is impossible to overstress the importance of the code of ethics in nursing, just like in any other profession.
- Business Studies
Without a code of ethics, businesses would invade many individuals’ privacy and deal with unfair trade. They might further set inconsiderate working terms for the employees. Such conditions would lead to a tragic downfall of the economy. This is why students of business studies learn to follow a set code of ethics that ensures safe and secure business practices and appropriate working terms for the employees.
This unique code of ethics teaches students to ensure business confidentiality while obeying labor laws. They also learn to set policies for workers that are fair and considerate. Such a code of ethics ensures that the working environment is set optimally for employers and employees alike.
- Law
For a lawyer, dealing with laws, legislation, and rules is a daily job. In such a field, where the essence of one’s career depends on rules and regulations, following the code of ethics becomes vital. Law students have to learn a professional code of ethics that binds them to be fair and honest practice.
They are also taught the importance of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness through an independently existing code of ethics that governs their workplace. Students also learn to develop a relationship based on trust and confidence with his/her clients.
- Public Administration
Public administration is a field where one needs to interact with the general population on a daily basis. For such a field, the code of ethics becomes necessary to ensure that employees deal with clients with due respect and consideration.
Public Administration students follow a code of ethics that guides them on tackling ethical dilemmas while efficiently dealing with clients and colleagues. These issues can be in financial impartiality and conflicts of interest or biased financial dealings. By learning the code of ethics, students can understand and implement legal processes to develop strategic business relations.
Conclusion
Ethics are essential not only for the abovementioned fields but for all occupations in general. It helps to uphold a standard at the workplace and sets boundaries for employers and employees. Code of ethics enables employees to remain obliged to cater to clients’ needs and consider their well-being and interest. It allows individuals to form a healthy relationship and provide them with safety and security.
It is imperative to say that every business counts on its employees to set a professional standard based on high ethical values. Notably, many organizations prefer to hire a compliance officer to ensure that all the employees follow a professional code of ethics. After reading this article, we hope you’ll focus more on learning and practicing the code of ethics related to your field of interest.