Work ethics: what it is, functions and examples

When carrying out a profession it is essential to act under a series of ethical and moral standards that guarantee respect for people on the part of the worker, thinking more of the common benefit than of the individual

The work ethic is the set of rules that establish what is good and what is not in the development of a certain professional activity. Normally, breaking them only implies the loss of prestige and trust in the worker who has not followed them, although there are cases in which moral faults can lead to criminal measures.

We are going to delve into what the work ethic is and to see some of the principles on which it is based.

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What is the work ethic?

Work ethic, also known as professional ethics, refers to the set of norms and values ​​that serve to improve the development of activities in a job. These standards serve as ethical guidelines that determine what is appropriate and what is not in a work context.

In most cases, the work ethic of each job is based on universal values that govern human ethics, that is, how to behave in a respectful way with others and with one same.

Ethics can be defined as the discipline in charge of studying the behavior of human beings under norms that promote social harmony. Starting from this, we can understand that the work ethic is fundamental in any worker, since it implies the practice of values ​​such as responsibility, honesty, constancy, justice, discretion and punctuality, to say the least few.

Conflicts sometimes arise when there are discrepancies between professional ethics and personal ethics. In these cases, individuals can take action, such as conscientious objection if they believe they are not. you are acting correctly or what the job asks you to do directly collides with your beliefs same.

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What is professional ethics for?

Work ethic determines how a professional should act in a given situation. Workers in virtually any profession face all kinds of situations on a daily basis, including some that require moral decision making.

The work ethic anticipates the possible errors that may occur and determines what is right and what is not, both morally and ethically in the exercise of a profession. Ethics of this type seeks to favor the common good over the particular interests of each worker.

Many professions and organizations have their own ethical codes, which explicitly spell out the values ​​that must be respected in the workplace. These standards must be known to all workers in the professional field in question.

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Characteristics of professional ethics

We can highlight several characteristics of professional ethics.

1. Reflects the values ​​of a profession

As we said, the work ethic is based on a set of values. Its objective is to be a guide for professionals when exercising their employment and that their actions benefit both the profession and society. Ethical acts imply responsibility.

2. Sometimes specified in ethical codes

There are many professions and organizations that have a code of ethics. The objective of these is make sure that your professionals know for sure what is right and what is wrong in the practice of their professionSince these codes specify the expected and unexpected behaviors of this job.

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3. It does not involve coercion

Not following the rules established within the work ethic is free from physical punishment, sanctions and fines, although it will always mean a certain loss of prestige, trust and respect for the unethical professional.

This is different from the legal norms, which do imply some type of penalty in case of breaking. However, when these ethical standards are specified in the code of ethics, they can be subject to punishable measures.

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4. It is based on duties and rights

The work ethic governs the behavior of those who carry out a profession. This ethics implies duties, obligations that must be fulfilled by professionals, but also rights, since if a professional maintains that there is something that does not respond to what he considers correct in his ethical thinking, he should not be forced to do it.

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The importance of this type of ethics

With the work ethic it is intended that values ​​are respected among the members of a profession. It is essential to follow this type of ethics, as it complies with certain social and moral norms that promote harmony and social cohesion. By respecting ethical and moral values ​​and behaviors, it contributes to the development of more just and egalitarian societies..

Professional ethics is very important in trades whose decisions affect the lives of other people, such as professions health, such as doctors and clinical psychologists, or others in which they work with sensitive information such as journalists or lawyers. In its ethical codes, truth, honesty and justice prevail, but also professional secrecy and confidentiality.

Within a company, the work ethic fosters harmony among its members and with other organizations and clients. Organizations benefit enormously from the fact that all their members know and act according to certain values ​​and norms, generating trust in clients and the community.

Types of professional ethics

As we said, each profession has its own work ethic. Next we are going to look at the work ethic of some well-known jobs.

1. Psychology

Psychologists have our own ethical codes with standards designed for the well-being of patients. Some of the values ​​of psychology are responsibility, confidentiality and honesty.

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2. Teaching

For teachers it is vitally important to respect and develop certain ethical principles, since your profession involves a great social responsibility when transmitting knowledge to other people.

3. Advocacy

Fundamental values ​​such as justice, honesty, diligence, loyalty and, above all, professional secrecy towards the client are put into practice in the legal profession. It also indicates the right to freedom of defense and expression.

4. Medicine

The profession of doctors is regulated by a series of values ​​and behaviors, encompassed within the hippocratic oath, that every medical professional. Some of its principles of work ethics are respect for life and human rights, conduct honest while caring for people and protecting their integrity against any problem of Health.

5. Journalism

Communication professionals must base their professional activity on values ​​such as truth, precision when giving information, respect, tolerance and pluralism.

6. engineering

Engineers must pay particular attention to safety, public welfare and promoting sustainable development. These professionals can only provide services in areas of their competence and their public statements must be truthful and objective. They must not accept bribes and show zero tolerance for fraud and corruption.

7. Management

In business administration there are codes that are considered within an ethical framework. Loyalty, diligence, honesty and legality They are fundamental ethical values ​​in the performance of this profession.

Practical examples in the application of work ethics

Here are a few examples of work ethics.

1. Respect for professional secrecy

The professional secret is not disclose the sources that have provided certain information. This code is a fundamental aspect in professions such as journalism, psychology and law.

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2. Individual rights in the dissemination of information

These rights would include the right not to disseminate information that may endanger the integrity of an individual or that violates the honor, privacy or own image of her.

3. Professional respect

With professional respect we mean, mainly, treating fellow professionals in a respectful and promote a harmonious environment in the workplace.

4. Promote labor inclusion

Professionals must adopt techniques that contribute to eradicating any type of social injustice and discrimination based on race, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, social group or age.