notes of PPLE as per PTU

1. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
SHUBHAM SHARMA
Department of civil engineering
BGIET, SANGRUR

2.  Ethics is defined as a moral philosophy or code of morals practiced by a person or
group of people.
 Ethics is the study of what is right or wrong in human conduct.
 This is a branch of Philosophy which studies moral principles. Hence, Ethics is
also known as Moral Philosophy.
 Ethics is very significant in the world of business. It is the study of morally
appropriate behaviour and decisions, and examining what should be done.
 Ethics helps to mould and shape human behaviour. It aids employees to perform
their roles.

3.  Professional Ethics are the guiding principles that are to be followed by or
expected to be followed by the people in that profession.
 Every profession has its particular rules, regulations, or you could say principles.
 A person when choosing a job must know that specific profession. Ethics means
principles of something. In different roles, they have ethics according to their
knowledge about the situation, how people belonging to that profession should
behave.
 Professional ethics is guidance for people working in a particular profession that
tells them what they supposed to do and what they are not supposed to do while
working there.
 Professional Ethics’ best example can be the one Doctors take. The Hippocratic
Oath, taken by doctors when they are rewarded the degree in medicine. This oath
is one of the ethics that have to follow before practicing medicine. And, every
ethics differs depending upon the type of profession a person has.

4.  Certain ethical principles are fundamental to all professions. The most prominent
among them are:
1. HONESTY
2. TRUSTWORTHINESS
3. LOYALTY
4. BEING LAW-ABIDING
5. NO SINISTER MOTIVES
6. SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
7. RESPECT
8. FAIRNESS TO ALL
9. ACCOUNTABILITY

5.  The codes of conduct for any profession are established by combining the before-
mentioned ethics with professional skills. They outline the acceptable standards of
behaviour, quality of service and social responsibility that every professional in the
field has to follow.
 These codes of conduct also aim to safeguard the wellness of professionals and help
them achieve their expectations without compromising on things like work-life
balance, quality of work and personal and professional development.
 There are a lot of benefits that professional skills-based codes of conduct offer to
various stakeholders.

6.  Business ethics is the study of appropriate business policies and practices regarding
potentially controversial subjects including corporate governance, insider trading,
bribery, discrimination, corporate social responsibility, and fiduciary responsibilities.
 Business ethics are the values a company upholds throughout its operations. Common
ethical considerations include human rights, the environment, anti-corruption, and
labour rights.
 Business ethics is a practice that determines what is right, wrong, and appropriate in
the workplace. Business ethics is often guided by laws, and keep companies and
individuals from engaging in illegal activity such as insider trading, discrimination
and bribery. However, other principles can influence how employees treat one another,
corporate social responsibility and relationships with clients and vendors. The purpose
of business ethics is to ensure a consistent moral attitude within the company, from
executive-level management to new hires. It helps to ensure everyone is treated with
respect, fairness and honesty.

7. 1) Improved employee retention- Strong business ethics often encourage managers
to show appreciation for an employee’s hard work.
2) Stronger collaboration- Team members who practice business ethics have
respect for one another and work well together.
3) More effective leadership- when a manager follows business ethics, they’re more
likely to treat employees well. As a result, teams are more inclined to follow
their lead.
4) Increased professional value- when you have a positive attitude toward your
work and those you work with, you can increase the quality of your work.

8.  Corporate ethics can be defined in several ways: conceptually, operationally,
officially, and actually.
 Conceptual arguments about the definition of organizational ethics focus on
questions of stakeholder status and are defined by two theories, stakeholder
theory and social contracts theory. Operational approaches to increasing ethical
behaviour in organizations may be more or less proactive and are structured
around organizational mission and legal compliance. Official ethical standards
articulated by organizational leaders may include ethical codes, but they are
arguably less important than actual ethical expectations, which are closely
intertwined with organizational culture.

9.  Corporate social responsibility is traditionally broken into four categories:
environmental, philanthropic, ethical, and economic responsibility.
1) Environmental responsibility refers to the belief that organizations should
behave in as environmentally friendly a way as possible.
Reducing pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, the use of single-use plastics, water consumption, and general waste
Increasing reliance on renewable energy, sustainable resources, and recycled or partially recycled materials.
2) Ethical responsibility is concerned with ensuring an organization is operating
in a fair and ethical manner.
3) Philanthropic responsibility refers to a business’s aim to actively make the
world and society a better place.
4) Economic responsibility is the practice of a firm backing all of its financial
decisions in its commitment to do good in the areas listed above.

10.  Engineering ethics is the field of applied ethics and system of moral principles
that apply to the practice of engineering. The field examines and sets the
obligations by engineers to society, to their clients, and to the profession. As a
scholarly discipline, it is closely related to subjects such as the philosophy of
science, the philosophy of engineering, and the ethics of technology. An engineer
with ethics can help the society in a better way.
 Engineering Ethics is the study of decisions, policies and values that are morally
desirable in engineering practice and research.

11.  Engineers, in the fulfilment of their professional duties, shall:
1) Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2) Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3) Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4) Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5) Avoid deceptive acts.
6) Conduct themselves honourably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to
enhance the honour, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

12.  Personal ethics is a category of philosophy that determines what an individual
believes about morality and right and wrong.
 Personal ethics is the code of ethical guidelines that guide you in your personal
life. They often develop from your core values and work ethic. Your personal ethics
can, and likely will, contain common ethical guidelines that other people share,
but they will vary in their level of importance and how to maintain them.
 This is usually distinguished from business ethics or legal ethics. Personal ethics
can affect all areas of life, including family, finances and relationships.

13.  A person’s personal ethical principles are important for several reasons, including
that they:
1) Allow leaders to more effectively lead their teams.
2) Instil a sense of trust and support in leaders.
3) Give individuals a solid basis of which to determine the most appropriate action
in any given situation.
4) Improve the decision-making process.
5) Set a standard of behaviour.
6) Support motivation.

14.  Many people view honesty as an important ethic. . This ethic transfers from an
individual’s personal life into their professional life and ensures they are truthful
in all scenarios.
 Loyalty is another common personal ethic that many professionals share
 Integrity refers to a person’s commitment to upholding their moral principles in
any situation. People with integrity are reliable, responsible, and hold themselves
accountable for their actions.
 People with sound personal ethics demonstrate respect for those around them
both at work and in their personal lives. They respect others’ autonomy, rights,
and interests, and do not discriminate based on someone’s religion, sex, or race.
 People who are selfless put others first and do not act in selfish or self-serving
ways.
 Someone with a strong moral code is willing to take responsibility for their actions
and make changes or amends when necessary.

15.  Ethical codes are adopted by organizations to assist members in understanding
the difference between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and in applying that understanding to
their decisions. An ethical code generally implies documents at three levels: Codes
of business ethics, codes of conduct for employees, and codes of professional
practice.
 Ethical codes are often adopted by management, not to promote a particular moral
theory, but rather because they are seen as pragmatic necessities for running an
organization in a complex society in which moral concepts play an important part.
 INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS INDIA
Practice his profession with integrity, conscience, dignity and honour and follow
the best traditions of the profession.

16. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the people and the protection of the
environment and promote health and safety within the work place.
Offer services, advise on or undertake engineering assignments only in the areas of his
competence and furnish information of his qualifications and experience to concerned
clients.
Uphold and maintain confidentiality and respect for secrets confided in him by the
clients, employers and employees in connection with any professional work
undertaken by him.
Keep informed and updated in his area of professional activity and strive to provide
opportunities for professional development of his subordinates.
Conduct without consideration of caste, creed, sex, social status and shall not perform
and act against the interest of the nation.
Present clearly to all concerned the possible consequences of ignoring, overruling or
discarding technological and engineering decisions or judgments without proper
justification.
Not directly or indirectly injure the professional reputation of another Corporate
Member.
Not accept any unauthorized commission, discount, allowance or profit direct or
indirect to himself in connection with any work under his charge or for any
professional business entrusted to him.
Not act in a manner which may injure the reputation or the image of the Institution or
may cause damage to the Institution financially or otherwise

17.  A Profession is a disciplined group of individuals who adhere to ethical standards
and who hold themselves out as, and are accepted by the public as possessing
special knowledge and skills in a widely recognised body of learning derived from
research, education and training at a high level, and who are prepared to apply
this knowledge and exercise these skills in the interest of others.
 The term professional refers to anyone who earns their living from performing an
activity that requires a certain level of education, skill, or training. There is
typically a required standard of competency, knowledge, or education that must be
demonstrated (often in the form of an exam or credential), as well as adhering to
codes of conduct and ethical standards.
 Types of professionals include: Teacher, Technician, Labourer, Engineer, Lawyer,
Psychologist, Pharmacist, Research Analyst and Programmer.

18.  professionalism is the way you conduct yourself at work to represent both yourself
and your company in a positive way. It includes standards for behaviour that
might be mandated in an employee handbook, like adhering to a certain dress
code, as well as traits that are harder to pin down but still valuable to being
professional in the workplace.
Characteristics of Professionalism
Competence
 As a professional, you get the job done – and done well. Your abilities match the
requirements of your role, and you often produce results that exceed expectations.
Knowledge
 Professionalism involves developing detailed, up-to-date knowledge, which is often
highly specialized

19. Conscientiousness
 Professionalism involves being reliable, setting your own high standards, and showing
that you care about every aspect of your job.
Integrity
 Integrity is what keeps professional people true to their word. It also stops them
compromising their values, even if that means taking a harder road.
Respect
 Professionalism means being a role model for politeness and good manners to
everyone, not just those you need to impress.
Emotional Intelligence
 To be a true professional you need to stay professional even under pressure. This takes
strategies for managing your emotions, plus a clear awareness of other people's
feelings.
Confidence
 Well-founded confidence reassures and motivates other people, boosting your ability to
influence and lead. It also pushes you to take on new challenges, because you don't
fear damaging your professional reputation .

20.  Professional responsibility is the area of legal practice that encompasses the
duties of attorneys to act in a professional manner, obey the law, avoid conflicts of
interest, and put the interests of clients ahead of their own interests. Professional
ethics provides us means to solve certain ethical problems related to a certain
profession, in this case, health care.
 Professional ethics is usually presented as guidelines and rules, but it can be
demanding to apply these to complex situations, that call for sensitivity to
circumstances and the individuals in question. Thus, professional ethics cannot be
only about abiding by the rules, but constant awareness to the rights and needs of
the clients or patients, and critical thinking in the cross-fire of ethics, rules,
conventions and difficulties of social interaction.

21.  Professional ethics provides us means to solve certain ethical problems related to
a certain profession. Professional ethics is usually presented as guidelines and
rules, but it can be demanding to apply these to complex situations, that call for
sensitivity to circumstances and the individuals in question.
 Professional ethics is a continuous process; it is a way of reviewing behaviour
against constantly changing standards.

22.  Conflict of interest is a term used to describe a situation where someone's personal
interests or loyalties might influence their actions or decisions in a way that could
be seen as biased or unfair. It's important to be aware of and manage conflicts of
interest to maintain fairness and integrity in various contexts, such as business,
politics, and even personal relationships.
 A conflict of interest occurs when an entity or individual becomes unreliable
because of a clash between personal (or self-serving) interests and professional
duties or responsibilities.

 People can easily become biased (have an unfair preference) because of small
things like friendship, food, or flattery, or they may be influenced to make a
decision because of the potential to gain power, prestige, or money. Conflicts can
occur when an individual makes or influences a decision and does so for some
personal gain that may be unfair, unethical, or even illegal.

23. . Nepotism
 Nepotism happens when an individual in charge of a hiring process chooses to
award a job offer to someone in their own family or with whom they have a
personal relationship. In this case, the individual’s duty to their employer may
conflict with their loyalty to a family member.
Self-dealing
 Self-dealing involves a conflict of interests between an individual’s fiduciary
duties (legal obligation to the client) and financial interests (desire for personal
financial gain).
Business Relationships
 Many conflicts of interest stem from personal business interests.

24. 1. Hiring an unqualified relative to provide services your company needs.
2. Representing a family member in court
3. Starting a business that competes with your full-time employer
4. Advising a client to invest in a company owned by your spouse

25. BRIBES GIFTS
A bribe is an offer or receipt of any money, gift,
loan, fee, reward or other advantage to or from
any person as an inducement to act, or omit to
act, in a way which is dishonest, illegal or a
breach of trust.
A gift is something of value, either goods or
services, that is given without the expectation of
return.
Are made in secret, as they are neither legally
nor morally acceptable
Are made openly and publicly as a gesture of
friend- ship or goodwill
Are often made indirectly through a third party Are made directly from donor to recipient
Encourage an obligation for the recipient to act
favourable toward the donor
Come with no expectation of a future favour for
the donor

26.  Environmental crime refers to the violation of laws intended to protect the environment
and human health. These laws govern air and water quality and dictate the ways in
which the disposal of waste and hazardous materials can legally take place.
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME
1. Littering
2. improper waste disposal
3. Oil spills
4. Destruction of wetlands
5. Dumping into oceans, streams, lakes, or
rivers
6. Groundwater contamination
7. Improperly handling pesticides or other
toxic chemicals
8. Burning garbage
9. Improperly removing and disposing of
asbestos
10.Falsifying lab data pertaining to
environmental regulations
11.Smuggling certain chemicals, such as CFC
refrigerant
12.Bribing government officials
13.Committing fraud related to environmental
crime

27.  Environmental health refers to limiting health hazards in the workplace. This involves
examining an environment to identify potentially hazardous agents and putting measures
in place that protect workers. In a work environment, employees can face numerous health
risks, including those outlined in the following sections.
1. Biological hazards come from organisms, including people, animals and plants, and
threaten human health. Examples of biological hazards include Mold, sewage, blood and
bodily fluids. These dangers can result in diseases and allergic reactions and limit
employees’ ability to carry out their work.
2. Chemicals can be toxic, corrosive, flammable and combustible. As such, they can pose
health risks to workers and become hazards if workers inhale, ingest or absorb them
through their skin
3. Physical hazards include activities or natural substances in a work environment that pose
health risks. Extreme temperatures, poor air quality, excessive noise and radiation in the
workplace can all harm workers, potentially causing respiratory problems, hearing loss
and cancer, among other problems.

28.  The term Negligence is derived from the Latin word negligentia, which means
‘failing to pick up’. In the general sense, the term negligence means the act of
being careless and in the legal sense, it signifies the failure to exercise a standard
of care which the doer as a reasonable man should have exercised in a particular
situation.
 Negligence, in law, the failure to meet a standard of behaviour established to
protect society against unreasonable risk.
 The failure to exercise the level of care toward another person that a reasonable or
prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. This “failure to
exercise care” encompasses both a person’s actions and the failure to act.

29.  The Vigil Mechanism extends to anyone who has and reports insider knowledge of
illegal activities occurring in an organization. It can be employees or directors,
who somehow becomes aware of illegal activities taking place in a business either
through witnessing the behaviour or being told about it. The revealed misconduct
may be classified in many ways; for example, a violation of a law, rule, regulation
and/or a direct threat to public interest, such as fraud, health/safety violations,
and corruption. The Mechanism defines a specific process to be followed for
escalation of information regarding the wrongful or unethical practice.
 Vigil Mechanism is thus an internal framework on access to the appropriate
designated authority, by persons who wish to report on unethical or improper
practices. This Mechanism is intended to create a platform for alerting the
management of the company or those charged with the Governance of the
company about potential issues of serious concern, by ensuring confidentiality,
protection and expedient action.

30.  A whistleblower is a person, who could be an employee of a company, or a
government agency, disclosing information to the public or some higher authority
about any wrongdoing, which could be in the form of fraud, corruption, etc.
 Whistle blowing basically is done by an employee where he finds that the ethical
rules are broken knowingly or unknowingly and an imminent danger for the
company, consumers or the public. When an employee is working in an
organization is part of the group where the decisions are made and executed.
 When a former or the existing employee of the organization raise his voice against
the unethical activities being carried out within the organization is called as
whistle blowing and the person who raise his voice is called as a whistle blower.

31.  Internal Whistle Blowing: An employee informs about the misconduct to his
officers or seniors holding positions in the same organization.
 External Whistle Blowing: Here, the employee informs about the misconduct to
any third person who is not a member of an organization, such as a lawyer or any
other legal body.
 Most often, the employees fear to raise a voice against the illegal activity being
carried out in the organization because of following reasons:Threat to life, Lost
jobs and careers, Lost friendships, Resentment among workers, Breach of trust
and loyalty.

32.  A protected disclosure is a qualifying disclosure that is made by a worker that
they reasonably believe shows serious wrongdoing within the workplace. This will
typically relate to some form of dangerous or illegal activity that the person has
witnessed at work, where they “blow the whistle” to either their employer directly,
a member of senior management or the appropriate regulatory body.
 Subject to the disclosure satisfying all of the relevant statutory requirements
under the Employment Rights Act (ERA) 1996, the worker will be protected by
law from any form of unfair treatment at work, including dismissal, because they
have reported past, present or even potential wrongdoing.

33. THANKYOU
THANKYOU