Code of ethics (international standards)

Here we concentrate on what is "black". But a lot of the work relating to the code of ethics takes place in the "white" arena. You've got to get all parties to understand the difference between "right" and "wrong" and why it matters! For white papers on ethical concerns see Corporate ethics. You also need to change people's "focus" and change what things "mean" to people. For "focus" see Mission. For "meaning" see our Ethics Dictionary.

The code of ethics is a set of principles adopted by the company governing "right and wrong conduct" by the company and its directors, shareholders, management and staff. It can be extended to include the expectations of the company regarding "right and wrong conduct" by joint venture partners and contractors and suppliers to the company and maybe a restraint of trade based on moral principles. It can also be extended to include expectation of "right conduct" by customers (which might also include a restraint of trade based on moral principles). It might even extend to expectations of "right conduct" from politicians and members of the public. A code of ethics is backed by morals and moral philosophy. It is important to note that a code of ethics can only be based upon a theory or an agreed way of viewing the world that is used to generate a "system of moral values". Only after the company has agreed on this system of moral values can it generate a set of specific moral choices to be made by a person in particular circumstances or to achieve specific objectives which are included in or are compatible with the mission of the company. If such a system is not used, the choices dictated tend to be arbitrary, moralising, condescending, platitudinous and meaningless in their impact.

A code of ethics is at a very high level. It usually takes the form of a declaration made by the board of directors and made freely available to the public. It differs from the code of practice of a profession or the code of conduct signed off by the director, manager or worker of a company when they take up their employment. The code of practice contains the rules or standards governing the conduct of a member of a profession. It tells you what you must and must not do to remain as a member of the profession or trade; i.e. how you must act if you want to retain your certificate of membership or licence to practice. The code of conduct contains the rules or standards governing the conduct of an employee of a company. The code of conduct tells you how you must act if you want to remain as a member of the company. The practical "code of practice" and "code of conduct" are based on a higher level code of ethics which tells you why it is right to act in this manner. (Author: docDownload development team; last updated: October 28, 2007) (CC=#4)