essay on business ethics and professionalism

The Link Between Professionalism and Ethics Essay

Professionalism and ethics are key factors in a job setting. These two aspects work hand in hand. Engineering is no different case. Ethics seeks to evaluate deeply on moral aspects. It entails the practices that the staff carries out in an establishment. It incorporates; good value, code of conduct, moral value, principles and virtues. The ethics enable one to outlay professionalism in undertaking his engineering career.

Professional ethics helps a lot in proficiency and comprehending problems encountered in this field. Ethics assists one to know the good and bad sides of a person in a work setting. Engineering ethics are the codes of standard applied in the field of engineering. These ethics portray good conducts in professional engineers.

In accordance with the innovation in science and technology one needs to uphold high moral standard in terms of principle and practices. It concentrates on doing the right action with out inconveniencing other parties. In engineering one needs guidelines that propel him or her to success in this field. The guidelines are set values that give the ability to make correct choices, decisions and action. Not all values are equal.

It all depends with the perception of a person and his/her experience. One can modify and create beliefs that define his identity. Thus he may hold characters such as social skills, peace among co-workers, truth and honesty. Perseverance, discernment and accuracy are also values that one needs to have in order to relay services professionally. This boosts his moral behavior and upholds professional skills.

In addition to values and morals a professional needs work ethics. These ethics ought to be principled and easy to interpret. Employing attitudes of work value will need a lot of motivation in order to succeed. This goes along way to increase the productivity and overall performance in engineering.

In the work place the relationship among co-workers and employees in the organization, depends heavily on the ethics. The engineers tactfully apply the code of ethics to tackle problems encountered in the field. The engineer should offer high standard of service to the client. He should work towards achieving set objectives as part of strengthening his skills in the profession (Naagarazan 41).

Moral issues may arise at certain times in an organization. This will require one to apply professionalism to tackle such issues. Issues such as resource crouch may lead one to be manipulated and unethical termination of projects. Another issue is applying double standards in making decisions and selection of projects.

The management may seek to fulfill their interest more than the employees. The employees may develop poor attitude to providing services to the consumers.

These issues can be sorted through normative inquiry where norms are used to guide the employees and the management to run the organization. The management should come in strongly to offer a neutral field for implementation of these norms.

Another way of curbing moral issues is by conceptual inquiry where all the employees are directed and informed of the concepts and principles. Factual or descriptive inquiry is another way to solve the moral issues arising in an organization. This inquiry provides information about practices and effectiveness of the system.

When one upholds professionalism he or she expects to be loyal to the organization, have high level of integrity, be knowledgeable and applies tact in undertaking tasks of the organization. He should be a social catalyst and serve the management and other employees without biasness.

The professional conduct helps to gain trust in the public and improve professional development (Naagarazan 39). Professionalism in the public domain determines how resources and other activities are carried out. A professional will bear responsibility of his work in the sense that he becomes liable and accountable for action he takes in the organization. By carrying out his duty well, he gets appraisal from the management due to his success.

A competent professional will strive to meet the requirement of the client. It is highly recommended that clients confidentiality to be observed. This is also part of professionalism since the client builds trust in the employee.

Other attributes of a competent professional is to respect the management and other employees as well as the client. Courtesy when communicating to client will boost confidence in the engineer from the client perspective. They should also be ready to offer services to a diverse population.

The employee should avoid fraud and misuse of resources at all times. Above all discipline is very important. In a sum up professionalism is the equality of being honest and faithful to the profession. Always honor the law and observe rules and regulation of the State.

Professionalism may be hindered by a number of factors such as poverty levels and high level for illiteracy in the society. Most engineers may take advantage of these situations in the society and offer substantial services to them. To curb this situation the engineers should be given adequate remuneration to refrain them from exploiting the less fortunate (Philip 74). Professionalism and ethics work hand in hand.

For one to be a successful professional he or she needs to have all the ethics values and virtues. Successful engineers are as a result of the moral behaviors and work ethics they endorse in their day to day undertaking. If these ethics are advocated world wide then the world will absolutely have more engineers who are professionally fit.

Naagarazan, Ramayan. Textbook on Professional Ethics and Human Values. New Delhi: New Age International, 2006. Print.

Philip, Sadler. Management consultancy: a handbook for best practice. London: Kogan Page Publishers, 2002. Print.

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Essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism

Students are often asked to write an essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism

Introduction.

Work ethics and professionalism are essential in any job. They help maintain a positive environment and ensure success.

Work Ethics

Work ethics refer to the moral principles that guide our actions at work. They include honesty, responsibility, and respect.

Professionalism

Professionalism means conducting oneself with responsibility, integrity, and competence. It’s about doing your job effectively and respectfully.

Good work ethics and professionalism lead to job satisfaction and success. They build trust and respect among colleagues.

In conclusion, work ethics and professionalism are vital for a successful career. They ensure a positive and productive work environment.

Also check:

• 10 Lines on Work Ethics and Professionalism

250 Words Essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism

Introduction to work ethics and professionalism.

Work ethics and professionalism are fundamental principles that govern the conduct of individuals in a professional setting. These principles are quintessential in defining an individual’s character, commitment, and integrity within the workplace.

Understanding Work Ethics

Work ethics encompass a set of values based on hard work and diligence. It involves a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character. A strong work ethic emanates from an individual’s inner drive and perseverance to achieve success. It includes attributes like reliability, responsibility, quality, discipline, and teamwork.

Professionalism: A Vital Component

Professionalism, on the other hand, is the conduct, behavior, and attitude of an individual in a work or business environment. It involves maintaining a level of etiquette, exhibiting a positive attitude, showing respect to others, and demonstrating a high level of competence and efficiency. Professionalism is about conducting oneself in a manner that enhances one’s image and the image of the organization one represents.

The Intersection of Work Ethics and Professionalism

Work ethics and professionalism are intertwined. A professional with strong work ethics is likely to be more successful because they are dependable, respectful, and competent. They value their work, respect their obligations, and strive for excellence.

In conclusion, the importance of work ethics and professionalism cannot be overstated. They are the bedrock of any successful career and organization. Cultivating these qualities is vital for personal growth and professional advancement.

500 Words Essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism

Work ethics and professionalism are two integral elements that define the caliber and value of an individual in a professional setting. Work ethics refer to a set of moral principles that guide a person’s actions in the workplace, while professionalism is the conduct, behavior, and attitude of someone in a work or business environment.

Work ethics are a set of values centered on the notions of hard work and diligence. It involves a belief in the moral benefit of work and its ability to enhance character. An individual with a robust work ethic exhibits qualities such as integrity, responsibility, quality, and discipline. These values are not inherent; they are cultivated through experiences and societal interactions.

Work ethics play a crucial role in determining the efficiency and quality of work. It influences an individual’s productivity and commitment, which in turn affects the overall performance of the organization. Moreover, it fosters a sense of respect and trust among colleagues, creating a conducive environment for collaboration and teamwork.

The Essence of Professionalism

Professionalism, on the other hand, is the practical application of work ethics. It is reflected in an individual’s conduct, behavior, and attitude in the workplace. Professionalism involves maintaining an appropriate level of etiquette, demonstrating a high degree of competence, and showing respect for others in the workplace.

Professionalism is not just about following a set of rules; it’s about embodying a professional identity. This includes being reliable, respectful, and accountable. It also means being able to handle criticism constructively, communicate effectively, and maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations.

The Interplay between Work Ethics and Professionalism

Work ethics and professionalism are intertwined. A strong work ethic fuels professionalism, and a high degree of professionalism reflects a solid work ethic. While work ethics is the moral compass guiding an individual’s actions, professionalism is the manifestation of these ethical considerations in a work setting.

The presence of work ethics and professionalism in an individual can significantly enhance their career growth. Employers value these traits as they contribute to a positive work culture, improved productivity, and a better reputation for the company.

In conclusion, work ethics and professionalism are not just desirable traits but essential for anyone seeking to excel in their professional life. They are the pillars upon which successful careers and organizations are built. By fostering these values, individuals can not only enrich their professional journey but also contribute to creating a healthy and productive work environment. The cultivation of work ethics and professionalism is a continuous process, one that demands conscious effort and commitment. But the rewards, both personal and professional, are well worth the effort.

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What Are Business Ethics & Why Are They Important?

• 27 Jul 2023

From artificial intelligence to facial recognition technology, organizations face an increasing number of ethical dilemmas. While innovation can aid business growth, it can also create opportunities for potential abuse.

“The long-term impacts of a new technology—both positive and negative—may not become apparent until years after it’s introduced,” says Harvard Business School Professor Nien-hê Hsieh in the online course Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “For example, the impact of social media on children and teenagers didn’t become evident until we watched it play out over time.”

If you’re a current or prospective leader concerned about navigating difficult situations, here's an overview of business ethics, why they're important, and how to ensure ethical behavior in your organization.

Access your free e-book today.

What Are Business Ethics?

Business ethics are principles that guide decision-making . As a leader, you’ll face many challenges in the workplace because of different interpretations of what's ethical. Situations often require navigating the “gray area,” where it’s unclear what’s right and wrong.

When making decisions, your experiences, opinions, and perspectives can influence what you believe to be ethical, making it vital to:

• Be transparent.
• Invite feedback.
• Consider impacts on employees, stakeholders, and society.
• Reflect on past experiences to learn what you could have done better.

“The way to think about ethics, in my view, is: What are the externalities that your business creates, both positive and negative?” says Harvard Business School Professor Vikram Gandhi in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “And, therefore, how do you actually increase the positive element of externalities? And how do you decrease the negative?”

Related: Why Managers Should Involve Their Team in the Decision-Making Process

Ethical Responsibilities to Society

Promoting ethical conduct can benefit both your company and society long term.

“I'm a strong believer that a long-term focus is what creates long-term value,” Gandhi says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “So you should get shareholders in your company that have that same perspective.”

Prioritizing the triple bottom line is an effective way for your business to fulfill its environmental responsibilities and create long-term value. It focuses on three factors:

• Profit: The financial return your company generates for shareholders
• People: How your company affects customers, employees, and stakeholders
• Planet: Your company’s impact on the planet and environment

Check out the video below to learn more about the triple bottom line, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more explainer content!

Ethical and corporate social responsibility (CSR) considerations can go a long way toward creating value, especially since an increasing number of customers, employees, and investors expect organizations to prioritize CSR. According to the Conscious Consumer Spending Index , 67 percent of customers prefer buying from socially responsible companies.

To prevent costly employee turnover and satisfy customers, strive to fulfill your ethical responsibilities to society.

Ethical Responsibilities to Customers

As a leader, you must ensure you don’t mislead your customers. Doing so can backfire, negatively impacting your organization’s credibility and profits.

Actions to avoid include:

• Greenwashing : Taking advantage of customers’ CSR preferences by claiming your business practices are sustainable when they aren't.
• False advertising : Making unverified or untrue claims in advertisements or promotional material.
• Making false promises : Lying to make a sale.

These unethical practices can result in multi-million dollar lawsuits, as well as highly dissatisfied customers.

Ethical Responsibilities to Employees

You also have ethical responsibilities to your employees—from the beginning to the end of their employment.

One area of business ethics that receives a lot of attention is employee termination. According to Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability , letting an employee go requires an individualized approach that ensures fairness.

Not only can wrongful termination cost your company upwards of $100,000 in legal expenses , it can also negatively impact other employees’ morale and how they perceive your leadership.

Ethical business practices have additional benefits, such as attracting and retaining talented employees willing to take a pay cut to work for a socially responsible company. Approximately 40 percent of millennials say they would switch jobs to work for a company that emphasizes sustainability.

Ultimately, it's critical to do your best to treat employees fairly.

“Fairness is not only an ethical response to power asymmetries in the work environment,” Hsieh says in the course. “Fairness—and having a successful organizational culture–can benefit the organization economically and legally.”

Why Are Business Ethics Important?

Failure to understand and apply business ethics can result in moral disengagement .

“Moral disengagement refers to ways in which we convince ourselves that what we’re doing is not wrong,” Hsieh says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “It can upset the balance of judgment—causing us to prioritize our personal commitments over shared beliefs, rules, and principles—or it can skew our logic to make unethical behaviors appear less harmful or not wrong.”

Moral disengagement can also lead to questionable decisions, such as insider trading .

“In the U.S., insider trading is defined in common, federal, and state laws regulating the opportunity for insiders to benefit from material, non-public information, or MNPI,” Hsieh explains.

This type of unethical behavior can carry severe legal consequences and negatively impact your company's bottom line.

“If you create a certain amount of harm to a society, your customers, or employees over a period of time, that’s going to have a negative impact on your economic value,” Gandhi says in the course.

This is reflected in over half of the top 10 largest bankruptcies between 1980 and 2013 that resulted from unethical behavior. As a business leader, strive to make ethical decisions and fulfill your responsibilities to stakeholders.

How to Implement Business Ethics

To become a more ethical leader, it's crucial to have a balanced, long-term focus.

“It's very important to balance the fact that, even if you're focused on the long term, you have to perform in the short term as well and have a very clear, articulated strategy around that,” Gandhi says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability .

Making ethical decisions requires reflective leadership.

“Reflecting on complex, gray-area decisions is a key part of what it means to be human, as well as an effective leader,” Hsieh says. “You have agency. You must choose how to act. And with that agency comes responsibility.”

Related: Why Are Ethics Important in Engineering?

Hsieh advises asking the following questions:

• Are you using the “greater good” to justify unethical behavior?
• Are you downplaying your actions to feel better?

“Asking these and similar questions at regular intervals can help you notice when you or others may be approaching the line between making a tough but ethical call and justifying problematic actions,” Hsieh says.

Become a More Ethical Leader

Learning from past successes and mistakes can enable you to improve your ethical decision-making.

“As a leader, when trying to determine what to do, it can be helpful to start by simply asking in any given situation, ‘What can we do?’ and ‘What would be wrong to do?’” Hsieh says.

Many times, the answers come from experience.

Gain insights from others’ ethical decisions, too. One way to do so is by taking an online course, such as Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability , which includes case studies that immerse you in real-world business situations, as well as a reflective leadership model to inform your decision-making.

Ready to become a better leader? Enroll in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability —one of our online leadership and management courses —and download our free e-book on how to be a more effective leader.

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How to Develop a Strong Work Ethic

• Tutti Taygerly

Hiring managers want to see your motivation, can-do attitude, and dedication.

In our early career years, it can be challenging to figure out what behaviors are and are not acceptable in different professional environments. Employers are now expecting more of entry-level workers and they want to see that you have good work ethic. So what is work ethic?

• Work ethic refers to a set of moral principles, values, and attitudes around how to act at work. It often surrounds what behaviors are commonly acceptable and appropriate (or not).
• Qualities like reliability, productivity, ownership and team support all demonstrate professional integrity, or a strong commitment to ethical behavior at work. In contrast, low-quality work, tardiness, or lack of attention to details demonstrates bad work ethic.
• If you’re new to the workplace, a good way to start is by observing. Pay attention to how your coworkers behave in meetings to gain a better understanding of their “etiquette,” as well as the communication styles of different people and teams. Another essential part of building good work ethic is adopting a “do it like you own it” attitude. You can do this by being proactive in small, but powerful, ways.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Have you ever wondered about how to behave appropriately at work? Throughout your career, and especially in the early years, it’s challenging to figure out what behaviors and attitudes are and are not acceptable in different professional environments. The more you traverse companies and industries, the clearer your understanding will become. When you’re just starting out, though, it can be hard to pin down these behaviors.

• Tutti Taygerly is a leadership and executive coach with 20+ years of design experience across large companies, design agencies and startups.

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Student’s Guide to Writing Critical Essays in Business Ethics (and beyond)

Here is some advice for writing critical essays, in business ethics but also in other fields. There is of course much more to say on the topic, but this is a start.

Writing your own critical essay:

What kinds of criticisms should you offer in your essay? There are a nearly infinite number of errors or problems that you might spot in an essay or book that you want to critique. Here are a few common ones to look for, to get you started:

• Point out one or more logical fallacies. Did the author present a false dilemma , for example? Or an argument from ignorance ? Has the author presented a false analogy or a hasty generalization ?
• Critique the scope of the author’s claim. For example, does the author claim that his or her conclusion applies to all cases, rather than just to the small number of cases he or she has actually argued for?
• Point out unjustified assumptions. Has the author made questionable assumptions about some matter of fact, without providing evidence? Alternatively, has the author assumed that readers share some questionable ethical starting point, perhaps a belief in a particular debatable principle?
• Point out internal contradictions. Does the author say two things that, perhaps subtly, contradict each other?
• Point out undesirable implications / consequences. Does the author’s position imply, perhaps accidentally, some further conclusion that the author (or audience) is unlikely to want to accept, upon reflection?

In general, a good critical essay should:

• Describe and explain in neutral terms the article or book being critiqued. Before you start offering criticism, you should demonstrate that you understand the point of view you are critiquing.
• Be modest. Your goal should be to offer some insight, rather than to win a debate. Rather than to “show that Smith is wrong” or “prove that Sen’s view is incorrect,” you should set your aims on some more reasonable goal, such as “casting doubt” on the view you are critiquing, or “suggesting reason why so-and-so should modify her view.”
• Be fair. Sometimes this is referred to as the “principle of charity.” It has nothing to do with donating money. Rather, it is about giving the other side what you owe them, namely a fair reading. Your goal is not to make the author whose work you are criticizing sound dumb. Rather, the goal is to make her sound smart, but then to make yourself sound smart, too, but showing how her view could be improved.
• Be well structured . Professors love structure. Remember: a critical essay is not just a bunch of ideas; it is an orderly attempt to convince someone (in most cases, your professor) of a particular point of view. Your ideas will only have real punch if you put them in a suitable structure. That’s not all that hard. For example, make sure your opening paragraph acts as a roadmap for what follows — telling the reader where you’re going and how you propose to get there. Make sure each paragraph in the body of your essay has a main point (a point connected to the goal of your essay!) and that its point is clearly explained.
• Stick to two or maybe three main arguments . “The three main problems with Jones’s argument are x, y, and z.”
• Be clear. That means not just that your essay should be clearly structured, but also that each sentence should be clear. Proof-reading is important: get someone with good writing skills to proof-read your essay for you. If you can’t do that before your deadline, you can proof-read your essay yourself by reading it out loud. We’re serious. It is much easier to spot errors in your own writing if you read out loud.

A few more tips:

• Cite your sources carefully. Use whichever citation method your professor says to use. If in doubt, use one of the established methods (such as APA or Chicago ). But whatever you do, make sure to give credit to the people whose ideas you use, if you want to avoid being charged with plagiarism.
• Use what you’ve learned in class. Your professor would love nothing more than to know that you’ve been paying attention. So try to make use of some of the concepts discussed in class, or in your course textbook.
• Don’t try to sound like an author. Just say what you want to say. Trying to sound like an author just leads people to use big words they don’t understand and to write complex sentences that overshoot their grammatical skills. Just write it more or less the way you would say it out loud, in short, clear sentences.
• Follow instructions. Failing to follow instructions is easily the most common way students screw up when writing critical essays. Read the assignment instructions through carefully — twice! — and then if anything is unclear, ask your professor for clarification.

Looking for essay topics? Check out Business Ethics Highlights .

See also: The Concise Encyclopedia of Business Ethics

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3 comments on “student’s guide to writing critical essays in business ethics (and beyond)”.

This is a useful resource – thanks Chris

“Shack”

Arthur Shacklock (Griffith University Queensland, Australia)

I’m currently a student at Arizona Christian University taking a Business Ethics course. I’m in the midst of completing an assignment that requires me to post on an open blog forum. It was very difficult for me to find something interesting and that pertained to my class. Then I stumbled across your blog then more specifically, this article. The purpose of this specific assignment is to share my individual and collective experiences derived from collaborative learning and expressed through the narrative, as “actionable knowledge.” Actionable knowledge reflects the learning capability of individuals and organizations to connect elements including; social, political, economic, technological.

Knowing how to write critical essays in Business Ethics is an important element of success. I enjoyed reading through these helpful tips. This is useful information that will help in college and beyond.

Supporting evidence is an important part of writing a sound paper. Like you mentioned in the blog, it can’t be based on bias or ignorance. Rather, backed up by factual evidence to help support your claim. I love the general key points as well. Describe and explain, be modest, be fair, be well structured, and be clear. I am very familiar with these key elements as we have spoken on them in class. They are very important components of business ethics. We’ve learned things about leading in the business world, Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism, Business advertising, and more. In the essay I write in this course, I will refer back to this blog.

Like any other course, it is important to cite your sources like you’ve mentioned above as well as use information that we’ve learned in class. Sound like yourself and speak from your own understanding. The last tip was to follow instructions WHICH IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS! It’s all in the fine print. Read until you understand and ask questions if you don’t.

Good luck with your studies, Deon!

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The Importance of Work Ethics and Professionalism in Business

• Becker, C., Business Ethics: Methods and Applications, 2018, Routledge Publications, Retrieved on- 13 August 2019
• Mayhew, R., What are key principles of ethical communication?, 2018, Bizfluent, Retrieved on - 12th August 2019
• Klikauer, T., Seven Moralities of Human Resource Management, 2014, Accessed on- 14th August 2019
• Sercombe, H., Youth Work Ethics, 2010, Accessed on- 14th August 2019
• Anastasia, Work Ethic Definition and Elements of a Strong Work Ethics, 2016, Accessed on- 17th August 2019
• Solomon, R., It's Good Business: Ethics and Free Enterprise for the New Millennium, Accessed on-17th August 2019

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Essay on Professional Ethics | Profession | Management

In this essay we will discuss about:- 1. Meaning of Professional Ethics 2. Need of Professional Ethics 3. Importance.

Essay on Professional Ethics

Essay # 1. meaning of professional ethics:.

Professional ethics are ethics that refer to the moral rules and regulations governing the professional world. In other words, they are the moral values that guide the way corporations or other business makes decisions. Professional ethics are standards or codes of conduct set.by people in a specific profession.

Ethics related to a professional e.g., a manager of a factory are known as – professional ethics. Ethics may be internal or external. As regards internal ethics, a manager must be honest with oneself, since one’s greatest asset is one’s character. And one should be honest and straightforward with others also, treating them in the same manner in which one wishes to be treated (external ethics).

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Fairness in dealings with compeers and subordinates is mandatory; one should never discriminate by dispensing special favours or privileges, whether for remuneration or not. Information coming to a professional confidentially should neither be revealed nor used to the disadvantage of any subordinate or worker. One should ensure one’s employment right to privacy. With reference to external ethics, the same suggestions as stated above can be followed.

A code of ethics is a part of the expectations of those involved in many different types of professions. People in a profession don’t want to condone bad, dishonest or responsible behaviour if it does occur by someone in their field. By setting out expected behaviours in the form of professional ethics, professionals work together to try to uphold a good reputation. Professional ethics are commonly known as ethical business practices.

Respect and honesty are the two main Components of professional ethics. All employees are expected to represent a business ethically as they are a part of it. This is why business people traditionally speak of ‘we’ or ‘us’ rather than the more personal ‘I’ for the most part.

For instance, if an employee must mention company policy to a customer, he or she may say “I’m sorry, but this is our company policy in these situations.” Policies are another type of preferred standards in how business is done, and everyone in a company is expected to represent them.

Professional ethics training is often included in career education programs. For instance, medical assistants are trained on the many ethics issues regarding patient confidentiality. It is both unethical and unlawful to discuss a patient’s health records with others who are not involved in the medical care of the individual.

Engineering, journalism, religious organizations and many other professions have professional ethics. These ethical codes or rules must never go against laws, but rather often coordinate with them as in the case of medical record confidentiality. In general, professional ethics always include upholding honesty and respect in the profession over personal needs, conflicts or biases. A bias is a personal belief such as prejudice towards a certain group of people.

Essay # 2. Need of Professional Ethics:

Every company or business needs their own set of ethics and standards for several reasons.

Some of the important reasons are:

1. Success.

2. Checking Tool.

3. Integrity.

4. Mutual Respect.

1. Success:

Success is the most important reason for need of professional ethics. A company should give their employees in writing the list of moral and ethics codes that they have to follow. In the world, every singles person’s individual set of morals and ethics differ.

In the workplace, all these individuals come together and work under the same roof. If one person’s ethics is totally against another person’s set of ethics, then this will lead to confusion and politics. No professional organization can afford to have warring factions within their office if they have to conduct business successfully.

2. Checking Tool:

Work place ethics act as a moral police and check the employees when they are wrong. An employee, who knows what the work ethics are, will not go wrong and live up to the business standards. This is the biggest advantage that an organization gets by defining a set code of ethics.

3. Integrity:

Integrity is one thing that every business should have. When employees follow work ethics, they show integrity to the outside world. Customers believe in the company and also business prospects increase. Every industry has its own ethical guidelines, and a business should make sure that they follow these standards.

4. Mutual Respect:

Mutual respect also should be one of the strongest ethical points for a company. When employees respect each other, then everyone else, including the customers, respect the business.

Essay # 3. Importance of Professional Ethics:

Professional ethics are important for several reasons as explained below:

(a) Ethics corresponds to basic human needs :

It is a human trait that the man desires to be ethical, not only in his private life but also in his profession/business affairs where, being a manager, he knows his decisions will affect the lives of thousands of employees.

Also, most people want to be a part of an organisation which they can respect and be publically proud of, because they perceive its purpose and activities to be honest and beneficial to society.

These basic ethical needs compel the organisations/business enterprises to be ethically oriented.

(b) Ethics create credibility with the public :

A company ethically and socially responsive is honoured in the society, people favour its products and its public issues attract an immediate response.

(c) Ethics give management credibility with employees :

The management automatically gets credibility with its employees when it has credit with the public. The leadership and the people (employees) come and work together.

(d) Ethics help better decision making :

An ethical attitude of management helps making decisions in the interest of public, their employees and the company.

(e) Ethics and profit :

Ethics and profit go together. Value driven companies are always successful in the long run.

(f) Ethics can protect society :

What ethics can do, probably government, and law cannot, to protect society. For example, an ethical oriented management can prevent pollution and protect the health of their workers, and people in general, much before being mandated by law.

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Business Ethics and Professionalism Essay Example

• Pages: 3 (606 words)
• Published: January 20, 2022

Various organization deals with different product and services, therefore, calling for differing on the set work ethics. Therefore, the essay defines work ethics moreover giving the reason why the employees of the given organization may have different work ethics and still move the organization forward. Further, it elaborates the practices within the COB that contribute to the development of work ethics.

Ethics is any acceptable and applicable code of behavior that is acceptable in any given institution. For work ethic, it is defined as an agreed set of principles and moral values that an employee and employers should follow while they are working in an institution. It encompasses of certain factors that are combined to come up with a robust and firm work behavior that enhances diligence and hard work.

Whatever one may consider as work ethic may be unethical in anot

her person. From different perceptions, it can be said that work ethics varies from one individual to another depending on numerous factors such as the types of work done, the professionalism, and the product handled in the organization. Moreover, work ethics also is termed by the relationship between the employees and staff besides the enterprise's objectives and the goals. Hence, various individuals operating under different environments differ in the set of work ethics. It is because of the management of the organization, besides the size and the place where the organization is situated. Further, the services offered and type of the product dealt with. The position of each employee in the institution also contributes to varying work ethics. However, regardless of differing in work ethics employees may work together, and through coordination, they contribute to achievin

the organization objectives hence helping in moving the organization forward. It is because what matters are the effort that one put in his or portion and the delivery time.

Furthermore, some factors that are practiced within the COB, highly contribute to the development of the work ethic. Those factors include the reliability and one’s honesty. Output mostly depends on the efficiently and the delivery time. When one completes the work within the set time, he or she creates integrity. Through reliability and honesty, work ethics is enhanced for individuals will be motivated to work even when they are not watched by anyone. In addition, they will work aiming at the quality, and portraying the wellbeing of honesty. Moreover, dedication is another core valued that is highlighted in the COB. It contributes to good work ethics whereby the workers will do any possible thing to make sure that the job done comes out well. When one is dedicated to his or her work, the output time is facilitated because the employees tend to put more effort in all ways either by working extra hours to make sure that the product comes out perfect and within the set timeframe.

Productivity and cooperation are other factors that contribute to work ethics. Working out in an environment where individuals are united they all tend to adhere to the set rules and regulations, therefore; whoever tries to violate is always influenced by others to work towards the set standards. Additionally, in an environment where individual works as teamwork, their traits are built, and they end embodying in a surrounding that portrays actual characters of work every time, hence creating a difference with other

individuals who work in an isolated and disunited area. Therefore, it can be concluded that employees may work under different work ethics, but at the end, they facilitate to the running of the organization. It is because what mostly matters is the final product produced and one’s effort.

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Professionalism And Ethics In The Workplace Essay Samples

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Employment , Leadership , Management , Workplace , Employee , Ethics , Profession , Professionalism

Words: 1250

Published: 02/26/2020

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Carrington College

Many factors are involved in professionalism and ethics in the workplace; how an employee dress up, carry himself during work, his attitude, and how he interacts with colleagues and more. Professionalism specifies that a person perform his tasks with genuineness and truthfulness. It means that a person performs his job with sincerity; maintain his professional etiquette, and his ethics in the workplace. Professionals are more aware of the significance of performing any business anytime stated in the agreement of the Institute of Real Estate Management code of Professional Ethics (IREM). As stated in the first paragraph of the code, the principle of this Code of Professional Ethics is to create and uphold public assurance in the sincerity, honor, professionalism, and capability of the specialized real estate manager . It is very significant to establish professionalism in the work place. A critical measure of an employee or a manager is not found merely in hard metrics, profit, or productivity, instead in humanity . Humanity shows its best when life interfere in the work place itself. When a person draws sweet spot that person find the confidence to find the way in any circumstances and the persistence to pursue his goal, even with hardship. There are many ways on how to show professionalism in the work place such as to adhere commitment, realize sensitivity of work, treat everyone with respect, time value, maintain ethical conduct, friendliness, admit mistakes, be competent, leadership, leave personal issue at home, demonstrate the core value of professionalism, project positively, and be polite. An employee must live up to his commitment at all times. Represent your work with a realization of being sensitive on duties and responsibilities, not to put at risk the confidentiality of the organization. Through sensitivity, it helps an employee to be trustworthy enough on his job. The healthy relationship in the work place is highly needed, refers to camaraderie. Threat everyone with all due respect, from higher management, peers, administrative staff, clients, even competitors, to the person over the phone, a stranger in the elevator, everyone within the work place. Good communication and respect in a corporate world or the like, there should be a harmonious relationship and environment that provides all employees the feeling of security and teamwork. Every employee should value the time and every effort of each person involve in a business or team. It is not good to take things for granted in an organization. Every member plays a vital role when it comes to valuing time and effort; everyone is important. Ethical conduct is always maintained being honest to every member and refrain from any practices of deceitfulness. Friendliness and understanding go all along to create an atmosphere of excellent teamwork. A simple smile brings cheer in a work place and always put the best face forward every day at work. To maintain a positive can – do attitude despite some stressful circumstances. A person makes mistakes, everybody make mistakes. If a certain mistakes is admitted it shows sincerity. Simply admitting mistakes is a good example of a professional at work or anywhere in the course of someone’s career. Reactions from anybody is just normal and do not be surprised at how understanding people will be the moment a person admits that he made a mistake out of his work. When realized that nothing has been accomplished even a single output, decide when to talk to the top management and do not be reluctant and afraid to tell the manager or boss. Competence is the peak of what an employee says that he can do and what he actually can do at work. Competent employee knows his job and skills he is capable of doing. Be reminded that being competent is not arrogance instead an honest display of ability. It is possible to take a leadership role whenever necessary, to show willingness to accept responsibility and be productive. A leader that is successful inspires others and empowers them to succeed. People watch what a leader do more than what he says; the first to demonstrate integrity in the way he speaks, acts, and threat his colleagues and the clients as well. It is believed that anybody can be a leader. Regarding personal issues, it is better to leave those issues at home. Refrain from utilizing the time of the company for personal issues; these issues are considered by top management when it is required, and employees should not discuss personal issues during office hours to keep the office environment free from partialities that concerned productivity. At all times, employees should demonstrate the core values of professionalism. The appropriate attire, etiquette, and dedication towards their job, to name a few, are necessary. A number of key impressions are at the heart of image and business etiquette. An employee should be aware of how his personal and professional image, behavior, and outfit at work, and other employees’ perceptions assist or hinder his progress in the workplace . An employee and leader have the willingness to give up something to come up with a unified organization or company image; to acknowledge that corporate world etiquette is not concerning the firm handshakes rather it is concerning on putting others at no difficulty. Remember that a person performs business with which he is most comfortable working together. Every employee should project a positive business appearance as it is recognized that those who dress in a professional manner behave in the same way. It takes just a quick glance for someone to evaluate a person the first time, to form an opinion regarding the appearance, body language, demeanor, mannerisms, and outfit. An employee who does not take time to uphold a professional look presents the image on not being able to perform sufficiently on the work. Being polite in speech and body language are necessary to establish a good working relationship at the workplace by saying “please” and “thank you” to others. The basic standards of individual professionalism are universal; it is a set of responsibilities set forward by a group for its members to follow and pursue. To incorporate professionalism in the workplace is a vital component for any corporation that desires to achieve accomplishment. Professionalism is a performance with effort by all the members within the workplace to give the highest of their capability every day and to concentrate on good quality of service and work. It is very important that organization set certain criterion that all members within the organization understand and should follow easily.

Elizaga, K. (2013, October 14). Find Your Sweet Spot: A Guide to Personal and Professional Excellence. Publishers Weekly , pp. Vol. 260 Issue 41, p47-48. 2p. Evetts, J. (September 2013). Professionalism: Value and ideology. Current Sociology , Vol. 61 Issue 5/6, p778-796. 19p. Glen, P. (June 5, 2006). When Life Intrudes On the Workplace. Computerworld , Vol. 40 Issue 23, p50-50. 2/3p. Gotsill, G. (September 2011). Your Best Foot Forward: Image in the Work Place. Fundamentals , Vol. 65 Issue 9, p30-31. 2p. Hodgson, D. (January 2005). `Putting on a Professional Performance': Performativity, Subversion and Project Management. Organization , Vol. 12 Issue 1, p51-68. 18p. Moberg, D. (January 1997). VIRTUOUS PEERS IN WORK ORGANIZATIONS. Business Ethics Quarterly , Vol. 7 Issue 1, p67-85. 19p. York, C. (2011, January to February). CREATING AN ETHICAL CULTURE IN YOUR WORK PLACE: Communicate and enforce your code of values. Higher Ground , pp. Vol. 76 Issue 1, p12-12. 1p.

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Ethics and professionalism

Continue reading.

The ability to behave ethically and sustainably whilst respecting others.

Ethics and professionalism is the skill of understanding the impact of your actions and ensuring that that impact is at all times positive. You may think that ethics only has to do with not doing something illegal - but it is much more complex than that. Ethics is in fact part of your everyday life- is it OK to lie to get out of an uncomfortable situation? Should you share with your friends information that someone gave you confidentially? 

In more detail, behaving ethically and professionally is about demonstrating:

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Professionalism and Engineering Ethics

Companies have the responsibility of ensuring the health of their workers through rigorous compliance with set health standards. Not only is this good for the workers at certain factories but it helps to develop ensure that the company portrays the right amount of corporate social responsibility in ensuring the health and well-being of those that work for it. While Benzene is regularly used by petrochemical or petroleum refining plants it is still considered a hazardous carcinogen due to the effects of long-term exposure which could result in leukemia, anemia, and various forms of myeloma. The reasoning behind the OSHA Benzene exposure rule is to ensure the workers that are subjected to environments where there is the possibility of exposure are not exposed to such high levels that it could possibly lead to health complications in the future (OSHA 70). While the ruling itself promotes better workplace health standards for employees the fact remains that it has a major loophole that can be abused by most companies. A recent case in Minnesota shows this particular loophole in that the Minnesota district court dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by a family that supposedly claimed constant Benzene exposure was the cause of the death of their father. The company showed that it complied with OSHA regulations in terms of the appropriate level of Benzene exposure that employees could be subjected to and as a result, the courts ruled in favor of the company. So long as the company can prove that it has complied with the set regulations of the OSHA there is little that prosecutors can do to prove liability on the part of the company. The problem with the OSHA ruling is that it neglects to take into account the possibility of significant Time-weighted average limit of Benzene exposure over a prolonged period of time when at a significantly low dose (Tiefer 680). While numerous studies show the effects of high levels of Benzene concentrations on organisms there are few which indicate the possible harmful effects of low-level exposures over a prolonged period of time. My stance on this particular issue is that while companies can comply with the OSHA Benzene exposure rule the fact remains that they still subject their employees to certain levels of exposure to a known carcinogen. While some studies indicate that at such low levels the effect is harmless the fact remains that such studies are not definitive in that they do not fully indicate what could possibly happen over a prolonged period of time. Ethical theories such as the line drawing technique can be used to determine whether the actions undertaken by a company fall under either a positive paradigm or a negative paradigm in terms of how the actions are undertaken could possibly harm employees. The case of the family in Minnesota and the death of their father is a prime example of what could go wrong with the OSHA Benzene exposure rule and as such it should be subject to change in order to prevent future problems from occurring.

Malpractices in the vast Chinese manufacturing industry have appeared in the news lately due to the amount of speculation as to whether or not products originating from China are safe. It must be noted that over the past two decades China has grown exponentially as a manufacturing giant with numerous corporations such as Apple, Dell, and HP have outsourced their production facilities to various Chinese locations. Unfortunately, Chinese production standards are far different than those of U.S.-based companies with factors such as corporate social responsibility rarely being implemented in Chinese manufacturing processes. As a result, various factories expose their workers to nearly several times the recommended parts per million dosages of chemicals such as Benzene, Chlorine, Sulfur, and various other chemicals. Proper industrial waste disposal methods are nowhere near U.S. standards with rampant government corruption resulting in improper methods of disposal which affect local communities. This negligence has actually carried over into products produced by numerous companies with contaminated pet food, toys painted with lead-based paint, and other forms of faulty products being shipped to the U.S. which as a result has negatively impacted various consumers (Thredgold 13). The ethical issues that contributed to this problem stem from a need by Chinese manufacturers to keep their costs down to remain viable in a competitive global economy. The reason why U.S. companies outsource to China in the first place is due to the relatively cheap cost of labor and the fact that the Chinese government is not as strict when it comes to instituting particular safety measures as compared to the situation for companies in the U.S. As a result companies can produce items at a relatively cheaper cost since compliance to U.S. based regulatory standards adds additional costs to the manufacturing process. The ethical theories learned in the course helps to effectively set the actions of the companies involved against a particular framework of morals by which their actions can be compared against and measured to determine whether their actions fall either towards the positive or negative paradigm of the line drawing technique. As such it can be seen that the actions of the companies involved are wholly unethical and have actually resulted in deteriorating the health of their employees and endangering the lives of their customers with faulty products (Fremlin 1). It is recommended that stricter government controls be put in place such as a Chinese version of the OSHA in order to create a safer working environment for Chinese workers in factories and as a result prevent the production and distribution of possibly dangerous goods. Furthermore, it is also recommended that U.S.-based companies outsourcing their production facilities in China ensure that the products produced comply with the same product safety standards as seen in numerous U.S.-based companies so as to further enhance employee safety and ensure safe manufacturing procedures.

• Negative Paradigm – Knowingly accepts expensive gesture in order to benefit oneself
• Positive Paradigm – Accepts simple gestures in order to foster better relations
• The expese of gesture is very low (i.e cups, cheap corporate giveaways)
• The expense of fostering better relations is shared between the two (going out for lunch and each paying for their own way)
• The expense of gift is beyond normal (worth several hundred dollars)
• The expense of fostering better relations is wholly done by the other party and is at an expensive location
• Money is given by the other party with the intention of securing more orders in the future through bribery

Other scenarios

A representative offers to buy you lunch in a small fast food restaurant to discuss current business dealings versus the representative treating you to the most expensive restaurant in the city.

A supplier sends you a Facebook invite in order to stay in touch versus the supplier inviting you to their company sponsored party.

Works Cited

Fremlin, Grace Parke. “Careful Contracts Reduce Risk.” China Business Review 35.1 (2008): 34.EBSCO.

“OSHA limits exposure to benzene.” Monthly Labor Review 101.5 (1978): 70. EBSCO.

Tiefer, Charles. “OSHA’s Toxics Program Faces a Supreme Court Test.” Labor Law Journal 30.11 (1979): 680-688. EBSCO.

Thredgold, Jeff. “Made in China.” Enterprise/Salt Lake City  2007: 13 EBSCO.

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BusinessEssay. (2022, January 13). Professionalism and Engineering Ethics. https://business-essay.com/professionalism-and-engineering-ethics/

"Professionalism and Engineering Ethics." BusinessEssay , 13 Jan. 2022, business-essay.com/professionalism-and-engineering-ethics/.

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Ethics, Professionalism, Physician Employment and Health Care Business Practices

Acp ethics case study series, authors, case history .

Matthew DeCamp, MD, PhD Associate Professor Department of Medicine University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, Colorado

Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD Director Center for Ethics and Professionalism American College of Physicians Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Authors, Commentary

Matthew DeCamp, MD, PhD Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD As seen above.

The authors would like to thank Paula Katz, staff at the ACP Center for Ethics and Professionalism, for editorial assistance.

Ethics case studies are developed by the American College of Physicians Ethics, Professionalism and Human Rights Committee and the ACP Center for Ethics and Professionalism. The series uses hypothetical examples to elaborate on controversial or subtle aspects of issues in the College's Ethics Manual or other College position statements. The current edition of the ACP Ethics Manual and additional case studies and College policy on ethics, professionalism, and human rights issues are available at https://www.acponline.org/clinical-information/ethics-and-professionalism or by contacting the Center for Ethics and Professionalism at 215/351-2839.

Case History

Mike Johnson, MD, is finishing his endocrinology fellowship and contemplating his future.  He has been thinking about whether to join a large suburban multi-specialty practice where he knows two other physicians or perhaps accepting employment at the academic medical center downtown at which he has been training.  A small, independent practice might also be an option.

Dr. Johnson is not sure how to sort out which practice setting might be best for his patients and for him.  He recalls receiving some education about health systems and reimbursement in general, but not much about the specifics of individual practices.  A number of comments by more senior colleagues come to mind about the pros and cons of different practice arrangements.  For example, one made a few remarks about “restrictive covenants” In contracts.  Another expressed concerns about “in-network referral requirements” or “leakage control” and so called “gag rules.” Someone else noted the importance of physician leadership, no matter the specific practice setting, and of reading any employment contract carefully.  Dr. Johnson is familiar with the concept of clinical performance incentives but is not sure how they will affect him or his patients.  These and other comments are causing him to pause.

In general, Dr. Johnson worries he may not know what he doesn’t know.  “Medical school and training introduced me to the idea of systems of practice and payment, but I’m not sure I know what ethical and other issues different practice environments might raise” he thinks to himself.  What kinds of issues-- and their ethical implications-- should he be considering in his planning?

In this case, Dr. Johnson finds himself trying to decide about his practice future and feeling he needs additional support to assess how different options affect his fundamental ethical and professional obligations as a physician.  This is not entirely surprising.  Although the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education includes systems-based practice and professionalism as core competencies, their intersection is not always examined in training.  Dedicated curricula about the business aspects of medicine for medical students, graduate medical trainees, and fellows may be more common in specialties such as anesthesia, dermatology, and surgery (1) with a few examples in internal medicine such as the Abbott Northwestern Internal Medicine Residency Real World Curriculum on coding, physician compensation, finding the right practice, personal finance, and accountable care organizations comprising lectures to resident physicians. 

Nevertheless, the fundamental ethical principles that guide medicine-- including beneficence (putting patients’ interests first), non-maleficence (do no harm), respect for patient autonomy, and justice-- should also guide decision-making about business practices (2).  The American College of Physicians has published ethics recommendations about business practices in contemporary medicine (3) and has a contract guide that can support physicians in their decisions (4).

A Changing Practice Environment

In a constantly changing  practice environment--even before the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions for physicians, medical practices, and hospitals-- several trends in recent years are notable:  2018 marked the first time that the majority of physicians were employees rather than owners of their practices (5), payment models among public and private insurers have increasingly moved toward value-based care models instead of traditional fee-for-service, and mergers and acquisitions (including private equity investment and ownership) have the potential to alter market dynamics.

All practice arrangements and payment mechanisms have their own advantages, disadvantages, and ethical implications.  Dr. Johnson might be interested in the primacy of individual decision-making an independently-owned solo practice might afford him, but should be aware of the greater financial risk such a practice might entail (4).  On the other hand, employment within a larger organization might have less financial risk, and greater access to specialists, continuing medical education and peer review, but might also mean relatively less control over issues such as patient volume, scheduling, and practice priority-setting (3).

In reviewing practice settings, concepts of ethics and professionalism can inform Dr. Johnson’s decision-making in a number of ways.

Contract Provisions

A senior colleague cautions Dr. Johnson to read any employment contract carefully; others mention specific provisions regarding restrictive covenants, in-network referral requirements, and gag rules (or gag clauses). How such provisions affect the physician’s primary obligation to promote the patient’s best interests and how to maintain trust in the patient-physician relationship is a matter of ethical concern (6).

Restrictive covenants or non-compete clauses attempt to restrict physicians from practicing within a specific geographic area for a specified period of time should they leave an employment arrangement.  They may help stabilize the marketplace and are negotiating points in contracts in exchange for higher compensation, training, and other resources for the physician.  However, they must be reasonable and not interfere with the physician’s ability to maintain strong patient–physician relationships (3). “ACP supports the American Medical Association recommendation that physicians should not sign contracts with restrictive covenants that ‘(a) unreasonably restrict the right of a physician to practice medicine for a specified period of time or in a specified geographic area on termination of a contractual relationship; and (b) do not make reasonable accommodation for patients' choice of physician’ (7)” (3).

In-network referral requirements (sometimes referred to as “leakage control”--  an unfortunate and demeaning term) attempt to require physicians to keep referrals to specialists within a network.  There can be advantages to in-network referrals, such as improved communication, care coordination, and the avoidance of unnecessary duplicative testing. However, physician referrals to specialists should be motivated by concern for what is medically best for the patient and consistent with the patient’s autonomous choices-- not contract or financial restrictions.  Transparency and honesty about referral practices are key to trust in the patient-physician relationship (8).

Gag rules or clauses refer to contractual clauses that may limit what a physician can disclose or say, often including to patients. They were widely debated in the managed care environment of the 1990s (when clauses attempted to prevent physician disclosure of plan details or financial incentives) (9), but they are not unique to managed care. Such rules or clauses are ethically problematic-- they can “undermine trust in the patient–physician relationship, violate informed consent, and obstruct the physician's ethical duty of beneficence” (3). In particular, they can prevent physicians from meeting their ethical obligations to advocate for individual patients and for community- and societal-level health issues (e.g., by making known patient safety and quality concerns).  As ACP recommends, “Confidentiality clauses should not interfere with patient well-being, respectful professional relations, or the individual and collective responsibility of physicians to promote patient best interests, community health, and quality improvement” (3).

Non-Practice Activities

As Dr. Johnson reviews his potential employment contract, he should examine it carefully for any activities that appear to be restricted or required.  Some contracts, for example, may appear to limit physician outside activities or non-clinical time.  Any such restriction should be clearly spelled out, keeping in mind that limitations on research or teaching could “restrict or appear to prevent physicians from fulfilling their societal commitment to teach, to engage in unbiased research…” and to be health advocates (3).

Other employment arrangements may require non-clinical activities, such as community engagement or other activities.  These may be consistent with physician obligations to promote the health of society (1).  However, more recently organizations have pressured or required physician participation in what is known as grateful patient fundraising.  The ACP Ethics Manual disapproves this practice, noting it raises ethical issues for privacy, confidentiality, and the patient-physician relationship.  The use of financial bonuses for physicians for this kind of fundraising is particularly worrisome, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and equal treatment of all patients. The AMA recommends that physicians “refrain from directly soliciting contributions from their own patients, especially during clinical encounters” (10).

Aligning Practice with Patients’ Best Interests

Understandably, many aspects of medical practice cannot be covered in an employment contract.  This requires that Dr. Johnson understand the practice setting and activities that may affect his ethical and professional responsibilities.

For instance, Dr. Johnson is aware of clinical performance incentives. Some evidence exists, however, that pay-for-performance may have little effect on cost or quality but may exacerbate health disparities (11). Even if incentives are effective in the short-term, from the standpoint of ethics, there is an additional concern that use of extrinsic motivators, such as financial incentives or bonuses, crowd out the intrinsic motivation that is a hallmark of medicine as a profession-- one that supports clinical integrity and physician well-being (12).

Emphasis on promoting value in health care is important when trying to achieve better outcomes for patients, reduced costs, and greater health equity.  The promise of value-based care must match practical realities.  Because value-based care relies on measuring value, it is critical for those measures to reflect and respect what patients value (13)-- including time with physicians, which is often undervalued. As ACP notes, “Even high-quality metrics that support population health have varying benefit to individual patients” (3). Similarly, it would be inappropriate to focus narrowly on cost measures without attending to the fact that how costs are borne can vary considerably among patients, the practice, and society as a whole (14).  It is important that practice policies and procedures are aligned with delivering high value care; if physicians are evaluated solely on volume-based productivity goals, for example, the mixed messages sent about value and volume can create tensions for professional integrity (the ability to know and act in ways consistent with ethical values).

Promoting a Moral Community

If pursuing an employment arrangement, Dr. Johnson should consider carefully how the moral community of medicine is reflected in leadership and organizational decisions.  Being in a profession committed to the effacement of self-interest in service of patients, to lifelong learning, and to teaching others means that physicians have obligations to patients but also to each other and to society (15). Every individual physician has the responsibility-- through words and action, in ways large and small-- to support and promote the fundamental ethical and professional values of medicine.  This starts with explicitly referencing these values in conversations and meetings as decisions are made.  There is evidence that physician leadership is essential to high-quality care (16) and that alignment of values and an emphasis on quality (over productivity) promote a positive environment that is conducive to trust (17).

Dr. Johnson should ask about the role physicians play in decision-making around practice priorities.  For example, do physicians hold leadership positions, and if so, which ones?   ACP recommends that health care employers “engage patients and physicians in priority setting across all aspects of health care” (3); how are the perspectives of practicing physicians and their patients included in decisions? What steps has the practice taken to foster a collegial atmosphere among physicians, supportive of the ethical responsibilities and moral community of medicine, to enable that community to advocate on behalf of patients?  While not part of any formal contract, such questions can help Dr. Johnson understand the practice environment before joining.

In an ever-changing practice environment, the ethical principles and professional obligations of medicine remain timeless. Applying concepts such as the primacy of patient best interests, respect for autonomy, the obligation to promote health equity, and transparency (among others) can help physicians see the details of practice arrangements, employment, and contracts in a new way.  Physicians should seek out and advocate for practice arrangements and payment mechanisms that best align with and support these obligations.

Claim CME Credit and MOC Points

• Salib S, Moreno A. Good-bye and good luck: Teaching residents the business of medicine after residency. J Grad Med Educ. 2015;7(3):338-40.
• Sulmasy LS, Bledsoe TA; ACP Ethics, Professionalism and Human Rights Committee. American College of Physicians ethics manual: seventh edition . Ann Intern Med . 2019;170:S1-S32.
• DeCamp M, Snyder Sulmasy L; American College of Physicians Ethics, Professionalism and Human Rights Committee. Ethical and professionalism implications of physician employment and health care business practices: A policy paper from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2021;174:844-51.
• American College of Physicians. Physician Employment Contract Guide. 2017. Accessed at www.acponline.org/system/files/documents/running_practice/practice_management/human_resources/employment_contracts.pdf on 11 October 2022 .
• Kane CK. Updated Data on Physician Practice Arrangements: For the First Time, Fewer Physicians Are Owners Than Employees. Policy Research Perspectives. American Medical Association; 2019. Accessed at www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-07/prp-fewer-owners-benchmark-survey-2018.pdf on 11 October 2022.
• Poses RM, Smith WR. How employed physicians' contracts may threaten their patients and professionalism . Ann Intern Med . 2016;165:55-6.
• Goold SD. Restrictive Covenants. Report of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. CEJA report no. 3-A-14. 2014. Accessed at www.ama-assn.org/sites/ama-assn.org/files/corp/media-browser/public/about-ama/councils/Council%20Reports/council-on-ethics-and-judicial-affairs/ceja-3a14.pdf on 14 January 2021.
• DeCamp M, Lehmann LS. Guiding choice—ethically influencing referrals in ACOs. N Engl J Med . 2015;372:205-7.
• Brody H, Bonham VL Jr. Gag rules and trade secrets in managed care contracts. Ethical and legal concerns. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157(18):2037-43.
• Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. Physician Participation in Soliciting Contributions From Patients. CEJA Report 7-A-04. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association.
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Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband

The story of one family at the center of the war in gaza..

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Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Produced by Lynsea Garrison and Mooj Zadie

With Rikki Novetsky and Shannon Lin

Edited by Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Dan Powell ,  Diane Wong and Elisheba Ittoop

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Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

It’s been nearly six months since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, when militants took more than 200 hostages into Gaza.

In a village called Nir Oz, near the border, one quarter of residents were either killed or taken hostage. Yocheved Lifshitz and her husband, Oded Lifshitz, were among those taken.

Today, Yocheved and her daughter Sharone tell their story.

On today’s episode

Yocheved Lifshitz, a former hostage.

Sharone Lifschitz, daughter of Yocheved and Oded Lifshitz.

Background reading

Yocheved Lifshitz was beaten and held in tunnels built by Hamas for 17 days.

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Fact-checking by Susan Lee .

Additional music by Oded Lifshitz.

Translations by Gabby Sobelman .

Special thanks to Menachem Rosenberg, Gershom Gorenberg , Gabby Sobelman , Yotam Shabtie, and Patrick Kingsley .

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

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