Personal ethics includes the ethics that an individual is distinguished within respect with their dealings with other people in their day-to-day life whereas professional ethics includes the code of conduct that one adheres to in the course of the professional dealings. Although distinguishable, these two types of ethics can in some instances clash and cause moral conflict (Lozano, 2000). For example, a police officer might be required to enforce a law that he personally believes to be wrong.
It is necessary for a professional organization to have a published ethical code since it is helpful in clarifying an organization’s mission, values, and principles (Lozano, 2000). As a result, this acts as a benchmark from which the organization can measure its performance. An ethical code also ensures that an organization practice top-notch professionalism (Lozano, 2000). For example, in career counseling confidentiality is one of the key values that each organization must uphold. Having a published ethical code ensures that the same is upheld by all employees in utmost faith.
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It is important for one to behave in accordance with an ethical code and this is so because it is a strong indication of one’s level of professionalism (Lozano, 2000). This is most cases creates trust with clients. For instance, a client will be more inclined to seek to counsel from an ethical counselor as compared to an unethical one (Lozano, 2000). In addition, ethical codes are usually meant to ensure that there is uniformity in a particular profession; therefore, adherence is an indication of one’s willingness to be identified as a member of a particular profession (Lozano, 2000).
What makes actions moral or immoral can be established at two levels; personal and professional level. At the personal level, an individual is usually guided by his personal beliefs and conscience to determine what is right or wrong (Lozano, 2000). At this level, what is good to one person is not necessarily good to another person. At the professional level, morality or lack thereof of an action is determined by already laid out guidelines and policies (Lozano, 2000). For example, the ACA code of conduct among other laid down regulations is used as a benchmark by those in the counseling profession to determine whether an action is right or wrong.
Reference
Lozano, J. M. (2000). Integrating Ethics in Organizations. Issues in Business Ethics Ethics and Organizations, 123-140. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-3941-0_9
