Bulacan State University

College of Information and Communications Technology

City of Malolos, Bulacan

TANDEM REPORT IN
SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES (IT 302)
BSIT 3O
ASSIGNED TOPICS:

REPORTED BY: PAIR 2

Members: 1. Santos, Fatima S.
2. Sillano, James Carlo L.
Submitted to:
FAUSTO S. HILARIO
Subject Professor
Social and Professional Issues in Information Technology
Information Technology specifies to the components that are used to store, fetch and
manipulate the information at the minimum level with the server having an operating system.
Information Technology have a wide area of applications in education, business, health, industries,
banking sector and scientific research at a large level. With the leading advancement in
information technology, it is necessary to have the knowledge of security issues, privacy issues
and main negative impacts of IT. To deal with these issues in IT society it is important to find out
the ethical issues.

Ethical Issues in Information Technology

1. Personal Privacy
Due to the distribution of the network on a large scale, data or information transfer in a big amount
takes place which leads to the hidden chances of disclosing information and violating the privacy
of any individuals or a group.
2. Access Right
The second aspect of ethical issues in information technology is access right. Access right becomes
a high priority issue for the IT and cyberspace with the great advancement in technology. E-
commerce and Electronic payment systems evolution on the internet heightened this issue for
various corporate organizations and government agencies. Network on the internet cannot be made
secure from unauthorized access.
3. Harmful Actions
Harmful actions in the computer ethics refers to the damage or negative consequences to the IT
such as loss of important information, loss of property, loss of ownership, destruction of property
and undesirable substantial impacts. This principle of ethical conduct restricts any outsiders from
the use of information technology in manner which leads to any loss to any of the users, employees,
employers and the general public.
4. Patents
It is more difficult to deal with these types of ethical issues. A patent can preserve the unique and
secret aspect of an idea. Obtaining a patent is very difficult as compared with obtaining a copyright.
A thorough disclosure is required with the software. The patent holder has to reveal the full details
of a program to a proficient programmer for building a program.
 5. Copyright
The information security specialists are to be familiar with necessary concept of the copyright law.
Copyright law works as a very powerful legal tool in protecting computer software, both before a
security breach and surely after a security breach. This type of breach could be the mishandling
and misuse of data, computer programs, documentation and similar material. In many countries,
copyright legislation is amended or revised to provide explicit laws to protect computer programs.
6. Trade Secret
Trade secrets is also a significant ethical issue in information technology. A trade secret secures
something of value and usefulness. This law protects the private aspects of ideas which is known
only to the discover or his confidants. Once disclosed, trade secret is lost as such and is only
protected by the law for trade secrets. The application of trade secret law is very broad in the
computer range, where even a slight head start in the advancement of software or hardware can
provide a significant competitive influence.
7. Liability
One should be aware of the liability issue in making ethical decisions. Software developer makes
promises and assertions to the user about the nature and quality of the product that can be restricted
as an express warranty. Programmers or retailers possess the legitimate to determine the express
warranties. Thus they have to be practical when they define any claims and predictions about the
capacities, quality and nature of their software or hardware. Every word they say about their
product may be as legally valid as stated in written.
8. Piracy
Piracy is an activity in which the creation of illegal copy of the software is made. It is entirely up
to the owner of the software as to whether or not users can make backup copies of their software.
As laws made for copyright protection are evolving, also legislation that would stop unauthorized
duplication of software is in consideration.

Ethics and Professionalism in the Business World

Ethical Behavior
Ethical behavior is the legal and moral code guiding employee behavior. Being a
professional requires more than wearing a nice suit. It requires ethical behavior that drives
interactions with other employees, customers and leadership. It also guides how someone performs
her job. Ethical behavior guides whether someone will perform minor infractions if she feels no
one is watching. Business leaders need to set clear guidelines for ethical behavior in the workplace
and to consistently train employees on working according to those expectations.

Importance of Ethical Behavior

Ethical behavior in the workplace is important for many reasons. People and customers
feel safe when working with a company if they know people are following morally sound
guidelines. It builds the reputation of the business and doing "clean business" or keeping
"customers as a priority."

Many professionals won't remain in business if the public doesn't feel that the person or the
company operates ethically. Banks, financial representatives, lawyers all must follow high ethical
standards. Any company taking credit card information needs to maintain strict privacy and
information protection policies to get consumer confidence.

Ethics guidelines also set the tone for how companies deal with conflict. When customers complain
or if a co-worker accuses another of wrong-doing, an ethical company can go to its employee
handbook and follow established fair procedures to get a resolution.

Professionalism
- is defined as an individual's conduct at work. In spite of the word's root, this quality is not
restricted to what we describe as "the professions," which are typically careers that require a lot of
education and have high earnings associated with them. Professionalism leads to workplace
success, a strong professional reputation and a high level of work ethic and excellence.

Business Ethics
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. The law often guides
business ethics, but at other times business ethics provide a basic guideline that businesses can
choose to follow to gain public approval.

Business ethics concerns ethical dilemmas or controversial issues faced by a company.

Often, business ethics involve a system of practices and procedures that help build trust with the
consumer. On one level, some business ethics are embedded in the law, such as minimum wage,
insider trading restrictions, and environmental regulations. On the other hand, business ethics can
be influenced by management behavior, with wide-ranging effects across the company.

12 examples of ethics for the workplace

Here are examples of the most common personal ethics for professionals:
Transparency
Integrity
Trustworthiness
Loyalty
Equality
Compassion
Respect
Lawfulness
Providing excellence
Responsibility
Upholding reputation
Accountability

1. Transparency
Transparency involves accurately representing facts, telling a truth in its entirety and
communicating clearly and openly about everything a company does and speak. It is the foundation
of a strong relationship with customers, which directly impacts the success and stability of a
company.

2. Integrity
 Sticking with a decision, especially when pressured to do otherwise, shows honor and
courage. Companies that do what they believe is morally right based on equality and fairness can
demonstrate strength and commendable character.

3. Trustworthiness
Companies that keep promises and fulfill commitments to their employees, business
partners and customers display their commitment to business ethics. Trustworthiness is a
monumental component to success in business because people typically like to work with and buy
from those they believe are dependable and principled.
4. Loyalty
Loyalty encompasses all relationships a business has including those with staff, partners,
investors and consumers. Loyalty allows a business to make decisions benefiting these
relationships and overcome influences from outside conflicting interests. This shows the business
values the advancement of the company and employees over an owner's personal gain.

5. Fairness
Companies should strive to act fairly and commit to exercising their power justly. Leaders
should only use honorable methods to gain an advantage over the competition. Also, fairness
relates to equality, which means having an open mind and treating everyone fairly. Fairness and
equality can be involved in hiring practices, marketing initiatives, business partnerships and
competing within the market for new consumers or clients.

6. Compassion
Ethical companies demonstrate genuine kindness, understanding and care for the
livelihood of others. In business, this means accomplishing business goals to produce the best
while causing the least amount of damage. When a business decision needs to be made, careful
consideration of the options and how each one may affect a person or community helps reduce the
potential negative impacts, depending on the industry.

7. Respect
 Having basic respect for the rights, privacy and dignity of people—including individuals
within and outside the company—is an important business ethical standard. Companies that treat
all humans with respect regardless of religion, sex, race, nationality or other signifier are often
reviewed positively in the public eye.
Respect also relates to client or customer privacy since companies are held to the ethical
standard of keeping information such as bank account details, health background or social security
numbers private. Maintaining this level of privacy shows respect and ensures the company
operates within a variety of industry-specific laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA).

8. Lawfulness
Business ethics also include abiding by legal regulations and obligations regarding their
business activities like taxes, worker safety and employment and labor laws. Companies that work
within the boundaries of the legal system are more credible and honorable, which can establish a
strong positive reputation as an employer that encourages high-quality candidates to apply for
roles.

9. Providing excellence
Ethical organizations strive to provide excellence by always working to deliver the greatest
quality of service or products to their clients and customers. They pursue creativity and innovation,
looking for the best ways to deliver their goods and seek to constantly improve their performance,
customer satisfaction and employee morale.

10. Responsibility
Companies with high ethical standards recognize their responsibilities to their employees
and customers and understand how the conduct of their leadership affects the business. Companies
have a responsibility to lead with the values and mission of the organization to make logical
decisions that benefit everyone. Company leaders should implement ethical standards and model
them to others by displaying the standards themselves.

11. Reputation upholding

 An ethical company seeks to maintain and protect a positive reputation to build a
motivating work culture, keep investors engaged and provide exceptional service to customers.
Upholding a good reputation means engaging in conduct that uplifts the company. If any action is
taken to undermine a company's reputation, leaders need to handle the situation appropriately
utilizing other ethical standards such as transparency, accountability and responsibility.

12. Accountability
Ethical businesses accept responsibility for all decisions made as a company and admit
their mistakes to all of those who may be affected by a misstep including shareholders, employees
and the public. In addition to taking accountability, they also accept any consequences that result
and do so transparently.

Understanding Business Ethics

Business ethics ensure that a certain basic level of trust exists between consumers and
various forms of market participants with businesses. For example, a portfolio manager must give
the same consideration to the portfolios of family members and small individual investors. These
kinds of practices ensure the public receives fair treatment.
The concept of business ethics began in the 1960s as corporations became more aware of
a rising consumer-based society that showed concerns regarding the environment, social causes,
and corporate responsibility. The increased focus on "social issues" was a hallmark of the decade.

Since that time period, the concept of business ethics has evolved. Business ethics goes
beyond just a moral code of right and wrong; it attempts to reconcile what companies must do
legally versus maintaining a competitive advantage over other businesses. Firms display business
ethics in several ways.

Special Considerations
When it comes to preventing unethical behavior and repairing its negative side effects,
companies often look to managers and employees to report any incidences they observe or
experience. However, barriers within the company culture itself (such as fear of retaliation for
reporting misconduct) can prevent this from happening.
Why are Business Ethics Important?
Business ethics are important because they have lasting implications on several levels.
With increased investor awareness on environmental, social, and governance issues, a company's
reputation is at stake. For instance, if a company partakes in unethical practices, such as poor
customer privacy procedures and protections, it could result in a data breach. This, in turn, may
lead to a significant loss of customers, erosion of trust, less competitive hires, and share price
declines.

Importance of Fostering Good Ethics and Professionalism in Business

Five Reasons why Fostering Good Ethics is Important:

1. Gaining the goodwill of the community
o Organizations have fundamental responsibilities to society
o Declared in formal statement of company’s principles or beliefs
o Includes making contributions to charitable organizations and nonprofit institutions
o Providing benefits for employees in excess of legal requirements
o Choosing economic opportunities that might be more socially desirable than profitable
o Socially responsible activities create good will
o Good will makes it easier for corporations to conduct business

2. Creating an organization that operates consistently

o Consistency means that shareholders, customers, suppliers, and community know that they
can expect of the organization
o Many companies share the following values:
- Operate with honesty and integrity, staying true to organizational principles
- Operate according to standards of ethical conduct, in words and action
- Treat colleagues, customers and consumers with respect
- Strive to be the best at what matters to the company
- Value diversity
- Make decisions based on facts and principles
 3. Fostering good business practices
o Good ethics means good business/ improved profits
o Companies that:
- Produce safe and effective products
- Provide excellent service that retains customers
- Develop and maintain strong employee relations
- Suppliers/ business partners place priority on working with companies that operate
in a fair and ethical manner
- Bad ethics means bad business/ waning profits

4. Protecting the organization and its employees from legal action

o U.S. Supreme Court established that an employer can be held responsible for the acts of its
employees
o Coalition of several legal organizations argues establishment of ethics and compliance
programs should reduce criminal liability of organization
o Others argue company officers should not be given light sentences if their ethics program
are ineffective

5. Avoiding unfavorable publicity

o Public reputation of company strongly influences:
- Value of its stock
- How consumers regard products and services
- Degree of oversight received from government
- Amount of support and cooperation received
o Organizations are motivated to build strong ethics programs to avoid negative publicity

Importance of Professionalism in Business World

1. Establishes Appropriate Boundaries
- Professionalism in the work place establishes boundaries between what is considered
appropriate office behavior and what is not. While most managers support an enjoyable
and vibrant work environment, limits must be put in place to avoid conflicts and
 misunderstandings. Workers who conduct themselves professionally steer clear of crossing
the line with their conversations and other interactions with co-workers, superiors and
clients.

2. Encourages Personal Improvement

- A business environment in which employees dress and operate professionally is more
conducive for success. For example, professional dress codes are understood to support
career development and personal growth in the work place. That's because workers who
dress and act professionally feel better about themselves and are encouraged to perform
better for their clients.

3. Promote and Maintain Accountability

- Companies that interact directly with clients are obligated to provide the best services
possible and present their company in the best possible light. Professionalism counts when
providing written information to clients. Professionally written company reports, business
plans or other correspondence help businesses remain accountable with their level of
service. The impression given in the paperwork submitted is important in enforcing the
right impression about your business.

4. Establishes Respect for Authority, and Yourself

- Professionalism in business establishes respect for authority figures, clients and co-
workers. Maintaining a professional demeanor limits gossip and inappropriate personal
conversations that could be considered disrespectful. Keeping a professional attitude with
clients who behave inappropriately demonstrates the level of respect an employee has for
the customer and the business partnership.

5. Boosts Respect and Minimizes Conflict

- Conflicts are less likely to arise in a professional business environment. Workers who
respect each other’s' boundaries and conduct themselves professionally rarely have
disagreements that cannot be resolved efficiently. Professionalism in business also benefits
diverse environments in which business people and their clients have several different
 perspectives and opinions. Professional behavior helps business people avoid offending
members of different cultures or backgrounds.

Improving Personal, Professional and Corporate Ethics

Personal Ethics
Personal ethics refers to a person's beliefs about what's right and wrong and guides
individuals in the decisions they make both in and out of the workplace. Your unique ethics will
determine how you handle certain situations at work as well as how you grow and develop within
your career.

Tips for improving your Personal Ethics

1. Create a code
Many professions require us to work to a consistent Code of Practice or Ethical Code and it is
common for organizations to identify a set of values to guide how employees work together and
engage with customers or society. Strong company values can be really inspiring. For example,
clothing company H&M believe in boosting ‘entrepreneurial spirit,’ while Ikea values
‘togetherness and enthusiasm.’ Instead of concentrating on what is prohibited, think about the kind
of behaviors you want to promote instead. But remember; one size doesn’t fit all and your code
needs to be unique to you.

2. Engage with your employees and customers

Your colleagues are more likely to be invested in any Code of Practice or Ethics Code if they have
been involved in developing it. Why not carry out some engagement sessions with your colleagues
when creating or updating your policies so everyone can feel a part of the company’s vision and
values? This goes for your customers or clients too. Why not ask them how they would like to see
you working more ethically? You may find you’re already doing so – you’re just not promoting it
widely enough.

3. Reinforce the benefits of the code

Having a strong Code of Practice or Ethical Code is really important. But it needs to be consistent
to work well. They need to be something which is achievable, desirable and which complement
the kind of business you do. But there’s no point encouraging your workforce to reach tough
targets if it involves compromising their integrity in any way.

4. Be a good role model

A survey carried out by the Chartered Management Institute showed that two-thirds of UK
managers want to be seen as ethical but over 80 percent of workers don’t think their manager sets
a good moral example. Sound ethical behavior starts at the top with the leaders in your business –
whether they are directors, governors, associates or the Chief Executive. You need to lead by
example. It can’t be one rule for those in senior positions and another for the rest of your
workforce.

5. Train your employees

There’s no point having an ethical code of conduct for your workforce if they don’t know what it
is or why it’s important. You need to emphasize what’s at risk and what the potential consequences
of breaching it could be. It also needs to be really clear how your colleagues can adhere to the
code. It’s wise to include training on your company’s values and ethics in any induction workshops
or by holding regular training sessions. These need to include examples and advice about how to
uphold the integrity of the firm in certain situations.

6. Promote your ethical behavior

Having a reputation as an ethical employer or supplier can be a great marketing tool when it comes
to being an employer of choice or when trying to attract customers who want to deal with
companies who have values they admire. You shouldn’t be shy about promoting how your
company behaves in an ethical way. You may for example, help ensure any waste from your
business is recycled appropriately. You might source your resources or ingredients from
sustainable sources. Or you might have robust HR policies which protect your employees. Use
your website, marketing materials, social media and PR to tell people how you’re making a
difference.
7. Reward ethical behavior
Your employees are more likely to act with integrity and value honesty in others if their actions
are held in high esteem. A good way of promoting the value of following your company’s Code
of Practice or Ethics Code is to reward those who do it well. You could have a monthly governance
award, you could send ‘star cards’ to individuals or simply raise the best example of how someone
has behaved with integrity at your team meetings.

8. Learn from your mistakes

Unfortunately, the value of ethics is often not realized or understood until something goes wrong,
often resulting in reputational damage which can take years to repair and overcome. If something
does go wrong, then the only saving grace is that it is an opportunity to change the way you work
to prevent it happening again. This is a good time to amend your Code of Practice or Ethics Policy
and ensure everyone is on board with any new ways of working.

9. Report unethical behavior

An honest culture in any organization will be difficult to manage if your employees don’t have an
easy and private way to report any unethical behavior. While it may feel uncomfortable to think
that your employees may become whistle-blowers on their peers, the consequences of unethical
behavior could be more damaging. There should be an easy way for people to report their concerns,
in confidence, without the fear of retaliation. You should also ensure there are people within your
workforce who are trained to investigate any complaints.

10. Move with the times

Our customers, clients and society as a whole will often guide how we run our businesses. They
tell us what they want; whether it’s more ethically sourced produce, fairer wages for suppliers
across the globe or more environmentally friendly policies. There will also be shifting themes
which organizations concentrate on when it comes to improving their ethical standards - from
environmentalism, working with sustainable resources, corporate social responsibility to battling
cybercrimes and protecting privacy in the digital world we live in now. Your ethics policies or
Code of Conduct needs to reflect the ever-changing world we live in. It should feel inspiring, rather
than a hindrance, because ultimately it’s about making your workplace and brand better.
How to Improve your Professional Ethics
• Be dedicated and punctual
Strong work ethics are reflected by an employee’s dedication and commitment to his job. Maintain
a regular attendance, take responsibility and ownership for your performance, remain focused on
your targets, and put in extra efforts to complete your assignments to the best of your ability. You
may need to occasionally dedicate a few extra hours, but take it as your chance to outshine the rest
of employees.

Your punctuality at work speaks volumes about your professional ethics. Make sure you are on
time to work and all work-related appointments. Submit your work in time, foresee delays, and let
your employer know about your absences in advance.

• Be reliable
Make sure to fulfill all promises and honor your project deadlines; in case you anticipate a delay,
take your manager into confidence and set another realistic deadline. Being dependable is the
backbone of maintaining an ethical reputation, and induces a relationship of trust between the
employer and employees as well as between coworkers by showing that you prove what you
portray.

• Aim high in productivity and quality of work

Sometimes just working to keep your job intact is not enough. Those with good work ethics remain
vigilant about their quality of work. Avoid being a passenger in your team and become a
productive member instead. Your quality of work ultimately integrates into the company’s overall
quality and reputation.

Finish your assigned tasks before the shift ends and strive to earn a better project next time. Be
competitive yet attentive to instructions and details. Don’t hesitate to get help, even when you are
leading. Set a standard of quality for you to achieve and take initiative to get projects started instead
of waiting to be asked. Your positivity, problem-solving skills, flexibility, communication skills,
and openness to feedback will always come in handy to earn you a good reputation at work.
 • Be cooperative to your co-workers and respectful of your work resources
Respect your peers, be willing to help them and avoid getting interfering or too personal in your
interactions. Maintain healthy professional relationships with your coworkers to make
collaborations and teamwork go smoother. Be an important contributor to your team and help them
meet collective objectives.

To increase your professional ethics, it is absolutely vital that you remain respectful of your work
time and resources. Respect the company’s privacy and data protection policies; use office time to
work instead of personal engagements, save lunch breaks for personal chats with colleagues and
treat all equipment and supplies with care. Your appearance reflects your work ethics, so make
sure to dress professionally and maintain a moderate attitude.

• Demonstrate a strong character

A good work ethic and a strong character are synonymous to each other in a workplace. Stay
modest about your achievements and honest about your setbacks, and foster a trusting bond with
clients, managers and colleagues by offering them honest feedback and advice. Your high moral
standards, self-discipline, and self-motivation will distinguish for the rest of the workforce and
convince your supervisors of your loyalty to the company and non-problematic nature.

Improving Corporate Ethics

1. Join a professional or trade association that promotes a standard of ethical conduct and
that provides training on the subject. You can look into joining the CCIM Institute, the
Mortgage Bankers Association, and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, among
others. These affiliations will help you stay in touch with industry trends and provide peer-
to-peer interaction to help you evaluate difficult situations.
2. Read at least one book on ethics per year. Look for biographies or historical nonfiction
rather than a book just about ethics; they will more likely be read and retained. A good
story about people who dealt with a difficult ethical issue, how they resolved it and what
they learned goes much further than a textbook on the philosophy. When you're done
reading, pass it around the office.
3. Integrate ethics in your corporate culture. Pay more attention to the values statement
when reviewing your company's mission statement. Adopt a corporate code of conduct.
Less formally, talk about ethical issues and how they were handled, for good or bad, at
staff meetings, corporate events and training sessions. Sometimes, owning up to lapses can
be one of the best ways to drive home the point.
4. Plan for ethical challenges. Once a year, take 30 minutes and write down the three most-
difficult ethical challenges you expect to face in the coming year, plus how you plan to
respond. This will give you a chance to think through your responses well before an issue
becomes urgent. This forethought also is a great way to focus on the important and long-
term ethical issues likely to arise without being distracted by the details of the particular
decision.
5. Find a peer group, inside your industry or outside, where you can discuss ethical issues
without judgment and where feedback is available. Having a group of peers who are open
and willing to discuss ethical issues, even informally, may give you useful insight into
others' experiences, perceptions and expectations.