Professional ethics facts for kids

A 12th-century Byzantine book showing the Hippocratic oath.

Professional ethics are like a set of rules or guidelines that people in special jobs, called professionals, follow. These rules help them do their work honestly and fairly. They are about how professionals should act and make good choices, especially when helping others.

Long ago, the word "professional" was used for people who made religious promises. But by the 1600s, it started to mean people in important jobs like doctors, lawyers, and religious leaders. Soldiers were also seen as professionals.

People in these special jobs have a lot of knowledge and skills. Professional ethics help them use this knowledge wisely when they serve the public. It's about doing the right thing, even when it's hard. One of the oldest examples is the Hippocratic oath. Doctors still take this oath today, promising to help their patients.

What are Professional Ethics Made Of?

Many professional groups have their own rules for good behavior. These rules often include things like:

• Honesty: Always telling the truth.
• Trustworthiness: Being someone people can rely on.
• Transparency: Being open about what you are doing.
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for your actions.
• Confidentiality: Keeping private information secret.
• Objectivity: Being fair and not letting personal feelings get in the way.
• Respect: Treating everyone with kindness and dignity.
• Obedience to the law: Following all laws.
• Loyalty: Being faithful to your clients and your profession.

How Professional Ethics Work

Most professions have their own rules, called "codes of practice." Members must follow these rules. This helps stop professionals from taking advantage of clients. It also keeps the profession's good name strong.

These rules are good for clients and for the professionals themselves. If someone doesn't follow the rules, they can be disciplined by their professional group. This makes sure everyone in the profession meets a certain standard. It also helps the public trust professionals, so they feel safe asking for help.

Rules from Inside the Profession

Sometimes, professional groups make their own rules. This can be tricky because they might not always be strict enough with their own members. This can happen if a profession is the only one with certain knowledge. For example, in the past, courts in England often trusted what professional groups said about their own practices.

Rules from the Government

In many countries, the government also sets rules for professional ethics. These are called "statutory regulations." For example, in England and Wales, government bodies regulate nurses and midwives. If professionals don't follow these government rules, they could face legal trouble in court.

Examples of Ethics in Action

Let's look at some examples:

• Imagine a car crash. A regular person might not know how to give proper emergency treatment. They are expected to get help, but not to perform medical procedures.
• Now, imagine a fully trained doctor at the same crash. The doctor has the knowledge and tools to help. If the doctor does nothing, it would be seen as negligent and unethical. However, if a regular person tries to help and accidentally makes things worse, they are often protected by "Good Samaritan" laws. These laws protect people who try to help in an emergency without meaning to cause harm.

• Another example: A business might ask an engineer to say a project is safe, even if it's not. A good engineer would refuse because it's wrong. But a less honest engineer might agree to certify it for money. This would save the business money but put people at risk.

Some companies try to show they are ethical by protecting people who report bad behavior. These people are called "whistle-blowers." They might have a special "Ethics Hotline" where employees can report problems without fear.

Student Ethics

As more young people go to colleges and universities, these schools often have rules for students. These rules are like a "code of conduct." They help students get ready for the professional world after they graduate.

Codes of Conduct

Many schools have a "code of conduct" that students must follow. These rules cover things like:

• How students should act in classes.
• How students should treat teachers and staff.
• Rules about things like cheating or gambling.

These rules apply not only when students are at school but also when they are studying in other countries. Schools have special codes of conduct for international study programs too.

See also

In Spanish: Deontología (profesional) para niños