Ethics
Reviewed: February 2008
This page has been kept for reference.
It will no longer be updated by ICVET.
While acknowledging that ethics has connections with codes, philosophical theories and morality, the St James Ethics Centre summarises:
- Ethics is about relationships
- It is about struggling to develop a well-informed conscience
- It is about being true to the idea of who we are and what we stand for
- It is about having the courage to explore difficult questions
- It is about accepting costs
Ethics is a thought-provoking topic which embraces everyone’s life, both at the personal and professional level.
The principle conflict of interest in my experience is remaining silent for fear of not being promoted or re-appointed…
John Menadue
Websites
DET Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct clarifies the standards of behaviour that
are expected of staff of the Department of Education and Training (DET)
in the performance of their duties. It gives guidance in areas where staff
need to make personal and ethical decisions. It covers areas such
as conflicts of interest, staff/student relationships and private employment.
St James Ethics Centre
The St James Ethics Centre provides a secure forum for the discussion of ethical matters and, by encouraging greater use of the language of ethics, core values and principles can find expression in daily practice. The Centre foresees that these challenges will increase as stakeholders, including shareholders, employees and government, are questioning the ethics of the way people and organisations go about their business. The Centre plays a leading role in advising organisations and individuals on the application of ethical principles in a multicultural society and has worked with local, national and international organisations.
Morality and Public Life, ABC Radio National Encounter Program
This is a transcript of a program recorded on 14 May 2000. The issues discussed relate to conflict of interest, ethical dilemmas about being silent or speaking out, the gap between public and private lives and loyalty to the organisation.
Do the Right Thing
This article explores how commitment to 'do the right thing' as it's applied to customers, employees, and other stakeholders affect an organisation's daily decision making.
Publications
DALAI LAMA 1999, Ethics for the New Millennium, Riverhead Books
In a modern society characterised by insensitivity to violence, ambivalence
to the suffering of others, and a high-octane profit motive, is talk of
ethics anything more than a temporary salve for our collective conscience?
The Dalai Lama thinks so. In this publication the exiled leader of the
Tibetan people shows how the basic concerns of all people - happiness
based in contentment, appeasement of suffering, forging meaningful relationships
- can act as the foundation for universal ethics.
VEAC 2002, Ethical Pursuits - the Workplace Kit, VEAC, Sydney
This Kit provides information, strategies, resources and templates which can be used to assist with the process of translating organisational values into everyday workplace behaviours. It will also be of benefit to RTOs in their delivery and assessment strategies.
DRISCOLL, D & Hoffman, W 1999, Ethics Matters: How to Implement Values - Driven Management, Bentley College
Ethics Matters offers a recipe for integrating values into an organisation’s culture and explains the factors which have led to the current emphasis on values-based decision-making instead of mere compliance. The authors develop the elements of a 10-point program, the blueprint for establishing a lasting ethical infrastructure.
LAGAN, A 2000, Why Ethics Matter: Ethics for Business People, Information Australia, Melbourne
Lagan addresses ethical issues in the workplace, bringing the personal, group, leadership, managerial, corporate, and societal aspects under scrutiny.
McANIFF, R 1999, The Outrageous Manager, McBliss & Associates
This book is not only insightful, it causes you to rethink your most cherished assumptions about management and leadership. Divided into four chapters: Managing the Basics, Leading Change, Energising Relationships and Teams and Mastering the Truth, each chapter is divided into a series of concise topics, including major points, tips and checklists and discussion questions. A leader, manager or trainer, as a catalyst for individual, team or organisational learning can use the topics.