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=                            Ethical code                            =
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                             Introduction
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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.


  Code of ethics or code of conduct? (corporate or business ethics)
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Many companies use the phrases 'ethical code' and 'code of conduct'
interchangeably but it may be useful to make a distinction. A code of
ethics will start by setting out the values that underpin the code and
will describe a company's obligation to its stakeholders. The code is
publicly available and addressed to anyone with an interest in the
company's activities and the way it does business. It will include
details of how the company plans to implement its values and vision,
as well as guidance to staff on ethical standards and how to achieve
them. However, a code of conduct is generally addressed to and
intended for employees alone. It usually sets out restrictions on
behavior, and will be far more compliance or rules focused than value
or principle focused.


                Code of practice (professional ethics)
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A code of practice is adopted by a profession or by a governmental or
non-governmental organization to regulate that profession. A code of
practice may be styled as a code of professional responsibility, which
will discuss difficult issues, difficult decisions that will often
need to be made, and provide a clear account of what behavior is
considered "ethical" or "correct" or "right" in the circumstances.  In
a membership context, failure to comply with a code of practice can
result in expulsion from the professional organization. In its 2007
International Good Practice Guidance, 'Defining and Developing an
Effective Code of Conduct for Organizations', the International
Federation of Accountants provided the following working definition:
"Principles, values, standards, or rules of behavior that guide the
decisions, procedures and systems of an organization in a way that (a)
contributes to the welfare of its key stakeholders, and (b) respects
the rights of all constituents affected by its operations."

Listed below are a few example statements from the professional codes
of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Society of
Professional Journalists (SPJ):
; PRSA Code of Ethics