Legislative & Professional Issues

The implications for individuals, organisations & society in terms of legislation, regulation and education given the critical need to promote ethical and professional behaviour?
Ian Walton Lyndon Hellings Tuo Meng (Leo) Shen Yan (Yolanda) Faisal Shahzad

Introduction
In order to analyse the above statement we have to first recognise and understand why there is a critical need to promote ethical and professional behaviour At the strategic level there are a number of key issues facing modern society: Increasing population Improving technology Improving communication Growing awareness of the wider implications of our actions Increasing migration Access to the internet

Introduction
It is therefore logical that to maintain an ordered and structured society the following key areas are essential: Legislation The laws that govern societies behaviour

Regulation The controls that enforce the laws

Education Providing the knowledge to enable understanding of the rules.

Introduction
These key areas affect all aspects of society but are not only the means of setting the standards.

One crucial aspect that affects every part of our lives is the ethical or moral values that our society, our communities and we as individuals live by. These are nurtured by a number of influences: Parents and family Peer Groups Education Religion Relationships/friends Experiences Authority

Introduction
So we are all governed by laws and rules as a society, in groups [organisations] and as individuals, but we also have an ethical code which we live by. This is important as it affects our understanding and expectations of how we and others should behave.

Clearly we expect organisations and people to act in accordance with the law and their own ethical code, given that most societies and religions have similar views on serious issues such as murder.

Introduction
If this is narrowed down to employment or working practices it is clear we would expect certain obvious groups to behave in a manner we usually describe as Professional This might include: Doctors Lawyers Politicians Police Judges The military So what do we understand by professional?

Introduction
A professional can be described as someone who acts in accordance with: A defined code A defined standard of behaviour A defined set of practises A defined level of knowledge, experience and expertise These are usually defined by a Professional Body or Institute often authorised by the government or a Royal Charter. Professionals are also usually associated with discipline, training, education and sharing knowledge.

Introduction
All of the above attributes are likely to be those to which most people aspire to in their working lives, particularly as they have a profound impact on the following: Health and Safety Trust Reputation Value Liability Standards

Introduction
This presentation will consider three simple case studies To demonstrate how the three key areas of Legislation, Regulation and Education affect us as individuals, the associated organisations and the wider societal impact. They will be also be considered within the context of whether those involved acted professionally and the consequences of their actions.

Case Study 1 Lobbying

Notes Legislation, Regulation Education affect on individuals, the associated organisations and society. Did those involved act professionally? If so why, if not why not? What was the consequences of their actions. Good and bad? What recommendations do you have to improve the situation in future (more/less legislation/regulation/education)

Case Study 1 Lobbying Introduction

Lobbying is used by many different groups such as special interest, businesses or individuals to influence the contents of laws or regulations. There are many different ways that the system is used to control lobbying. It can be said that we all engage in lobbying from time to time. In business or our personal lives to get what we want.

Case Study 1 Lobbying legislation

The Transparency of Lobbying, non-Party Campaigning, and Trade Union Administration Bill would set a 390,000 cap on the amount any organisation excluding political parties - could spend during elections.

Case Study 1 Lobbying regulation

This law will be supervised by the government and it will now go to the committee stage A register of lobbyists would be set up. For example the American system is full of third parties being used as vehicles by political parties to circumnavigate political rules and funding rules. The government may yet offer to remove several clauses, including ones that say campaigning can count as political if it procures success for a candidate, even if it does not endorse a specific party.

Case Study 1 Lobbying education

Case Study 2 Snooping

Notes Legislation, Regulation Education affect on individuals, the associated organisations and society. Did those involved act professionally? If so why, if not why not? What was the consequences of their actions. Good and bad? What recommendations do you have to improve the situation in future (more/less legislation/regulation/education)

Case Study 2 Snooping introduction

There are many aspects to snooping or what could be classed as the big brother sydrome. This is defined as prying into someones private affairs. Can it be said that everyone has an invested interest to know what they neighbour/colleague is doing. Does it affect what they are doing ? Where does management end and snooping begin in our work culture. In this information age, most people are using social media: facebook/twitter/email. Who is responsible for looking after the security and privacy of this information ? Are we exposing ourselves to risk ?

Case Study 2 Snooping Legislation

In the UK there is no free standing right to privacy There are many elements of legislation that covers privacy and data responsibility such as : Human rights Act 1998 European Charter of Human Rights Article 8 European Data retention directive Draft Communications Bill 2013 labelled the snoopers charter

Case Study 2 Snooping Regulation

Governments and businesses have many ways of addressing this. Codes of practice
Example - Press Complaints Commission code of practice introduced 1991

Standards Whistle blowing policies Ethical statements Statutory bodies / Regulators

Case Study 2 Snooping Education

Case Study 2 Affect on the individual

Example Married Boeing Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher sacked due to a consensual relationship with a female vice president. An Guru in Boeing for his stance on whistleblowing and good Ethics. A victim of his own code of conduct as an investigation was launched after an anonymous email was received. Although sacked he walks away with standard pension scheme Reflect on Bill Clinton and his ethics in the White House.

Case Study 2 Affect on the business

It was agreed at the time that Mr Stonecipher was doing an excellent job. The previous CEO had resigned due to defence scandals which resulted in two staff being sent to prison. Since taken over shares in the company have risen 50% This raises the issue of what is most important in a large company morals or profits ? It can be said that companies with large public exposure are measured highly against morality and Ethics than profits in this case.

Case Study 2 Affect on society

The growing phenomenal of Ethics officers are growing in the US. Considering that the UK are 10 to 20 years behind the US business practices is this something we have to look forward to ? Ethics can be seen as the decision between a person/company view of what is the correct thing to do. Is it proportional to the general interest ? Depending on your standpoint one persons righteous ethics can be another persons evil.

Case Study 2 Whos snooping who?

Case Study 2 Conclusions

To conclude on snooping, it is my opinion that within controlled parameters it is a valid and useful tool. For the individual it must be said that if there is nothing to hide then there is a lot to gain For the business, there is protection from outside sources i.e police, government to

There will always be elements of society that will want to lead an invisible life but for them to lead a safe life snooping is a sacrifice that they must accept.

Case Study 3 Hacking

Introduction To The Case Study.? What is Hacking and Types of Hacking.?

What is Ethics, Moral and Law and their Effects.?

1. Individual

2. Organization

3. Society

What We need to do to stop.?

To Educate To Regulate To Legislate

Introduction To Case Study

Hacked Off
Started Campaign for a free and accountable press Lies
Margaret and James Watson McCanns Sep 2007 to Feb 2008, 110 articles Hillsborough Stadium disaster of April 1989

Hacking
Margaret and James Watson

Intrusion
Margaret and James Watson

Intimidation
Margaret and James Watson

Ethics, Moral and Law

Ethics Moral Law

Ethics Morals
Individual Organization Society

Law

Individual

Organization

SOCIETY

What Do We need to Do?

Educate Regulate Legislation

Summary
These case studies show that the impact of not behaving in a way that could be considered as professional has consequences affecting all levels of society down to individuals. In recognising that there is perhaps a shortfall somewhere between the higher level Legislation, a moral code to do the right thing and education, there is a strong case [critical need?] to promote ethical and professional behaviour As with all elements of life are ethics in the eye of the beholder and there is no right or wrong, just a point of view?

Thank You! Questions?