The terms “Code of Ethics” and “Code of Conduct” are often used interchangeably, but they carry distinct meanings and serve different purposes within organizational frameworks. A “Code of Ethics” outlines the fundamental principles and values that guide the behavior and decision-making of individuals in a profession or organization. It sets forth the moral compass and overarching ideals that members are expected to uphold. For instance, in the medical field, a Code of Ethics may emphasize principles such as patient confidentiality and the duty to prioritize patient well-being.
On the other hand, a “Code of Conduct” is a more specific and detailed set of rules and guidelines that govern the day-to-day behavior of individuals within an organization. It provides a practical framework for acceptable behavior and expectations in various situations. For example, a company’s Code of Conduct might include guidelines on proper workplace communication, conflict of interest, and compliance with legal regulations. While the Code of Ethics establishes overarching principles, the Code of Conduct translates these principles into actionable rules for specific contexts, ensuring a more comprehensive and practical approach to ethical behavior within an organization.
Tag: Code of ethics, Code of conduct.
Decoding the Question:
- In Introduction, try to mention the context.
- In Body,
- Explain code of ethics and code of conduct with examples.
- Write key differences.
- In Conclusion, mention the significance and need for the enactment.
Answer:
A key element of sound administration is the development, issuance and acceptance of a comprehensive Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct, which sets out the minimum standards of behaviour required of all civil servants. These standards further serve as a guide when making decisions and taking actions.
The regulation of Conduct asserts some specific actions are appropriate, others inappropriate. The key elements of such Codes are: Personal Responsibility, compliance with the law, relations with the public, limitations on the acceptance of Gifts, Rewards, Hospitality and Discounts, etc.
Code of Ethics:
- Such a code contains a declaration of values for the civil services, reflecting public expectations of the relationship between the civil service and the government, the legislature, and the members of the public, with specific reference to political impartiality, maintenance of the highest ethical standards, accountability for actions and responsibilities to the government of the day.
- There is no Code of Ethics prescribed for civil servants in India although such codes exist in other countries.
- There is a need for more generic norms to be laid down by way of accepted conduct for the civil servants as recommended by the Hota committee.
- When faced with ethical dilemmas or debatable situations, the codes articulated in the Code of Ethics can help guide decision-making.
- Example of Code of Ethics: Civil servants are committed to public services. The Code of Ethics determines that decisions of the public servant should be guided by the larger common good and to choose the most beneficial solution for the community.
- Several attempts have been made in the year 1997 by the Department of Administrative Reforms and in 2006 by the Department of Personnel to prepare Code of Ethics with the object of developing public services as a professional, politically neutral, merit based and accountable civil service, but the Public Service Bill seems to have gone in cold storage.
Code of Conduct: Code of conducts are the set of norms or rules originated from the Code of Ethics. It enlists the rules into specific guidelines that must be followed by the members of the organisation.
- It sets out the standards of behaviour expected of those working as the public servant. The Civil Service code outlines the core values of Civil Service, and the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants in upholding these values.
- Example: Code of conducts include detailed guidelines on acceptance of gifts and specific behaviour regulating codes (class I officer shall not permit son or daughter to take employment with a company with which officer has official dealings’ or ‘acquiring immovable property with previous knowledge of prescribed authority’ and so on)
- In India, the current set of ethical norms are the Conduct Rules, contained in the Central Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and analogous rules applicable to members of the All India Services or employees of various State Governments.
Difference between Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct:
| Code of Ethics | Code of Code of Conduct |
| It is a document that contains the core ethical values, principles and ideals of the organization. | It is a document that contains the direction towards specific practices and behaviour that are followed or restricted under the organisation. |
| It is publicly available (i.e. any one can access it). | It is addressed to the employee only or to the civil servants. |
| It is a set of principles which influence the judgement. | It is a set of guidelines that influence employee’s actions. |
| It focuses more on values and principles. | It is focused on compliance and rules. |
| Ethical standards generally are non-specific and are designed to provide a set of values or decision-making . | Conduct standards generally provide a fairly clear set of expectations about which actions are required, acceptable or prohibited. |
Thus, although both the Codes are different from each other, yet they are important for a public servant. The Codes make sure that the public official should uphold public interest over any personal motive or interest.
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