Types of relationships for IT Professionals

1.Professional-employer

The employee and employer should discuss employment terms before he/she starts work.

IT Professionals need to set an example and adhere to the code of conduct that was set. They must also promote and encourage their fellow colleagues to practice good ethics while using the computer.

They must also avoid the use of pirated software in the company (at home too), and not disclose trade secrets. They must also stand up and persuade their employer to not use pirated software. They should also expose such misdeeds if the employer refuses to stop using pirated software.

2.Professional-client

Clients can be within the company or out of the company. Whoever it may be, there is a need for IT Professionals to be accountable to his clients. He will need to help the his in software or hardware issues. There is a need for him to be honest and to update his client with the latest details and progress of the work. (i.e. report what went wrong, inform the client you can't finish the work by a certain deadline, apologise and ask if they could grant you more time, or you can choose to deploy more manpower to finish the project on time)

Professionals should make it a point to ask relevant questions when working for a client. They should not promise something which they cannot deliver. They should also make it a point to ensure that the customers know what will they deliver at the end of the day. This is to avoid any future conflicts.

3.Professional-supplier

Supplier supplies the necessary equipment and items to the IT Professional. IT Professionals need to know the source of these supplies and ensure that they are not using pirated software etc. IT Professional will need to draw a line with the suppliers as well (i.e. not accepting gifts from them), and they should inform the company if they know the supplier or is related the supplier in any way.

Professionals should be prudent. They should not look into their very own self-interest but the interest of the company when they approach the suppliers.

4.Professional-professional

There are many professionals around. Some of them can be our friends even. Professionals have a sense of loyalty towards their fellow friends in the same trade. As such, they might be slow to point out the mistakes made and may be bias.

Professionals should have moral courage and voice out what is not right.

Professionals should also be accountable to each other, and one way of doing so is to adhere to the code of conduct. They should also not over inflate their abilities (resume inflation) and be humble.

There is also a need for professionals to not reveal trade secrets or company secrets to professionals of the fellow trade.

5.Professional-IT user

Similar to the Professional-Client relationship. IT Professionals need to be accountable to its targeted IT Users. For instance, Professional A needs to design a software for Ngee Ann. He will need to find out the needs and understand the requirements . They should also complete the project on time and work within the given budget. IT Professionals should also know the skills and capabilities of the IT Users. They should offer training or manual to the IT users to equip them with the necessary skills to use the new software.

6.Professional-society

IT Professionals should be accountable to the society when they produce a new software or introduce a new hardware. They should ensure that the software and hardware will not harm the public and that it benefits the society in a positive manner.

How to improve ethics in a company?

1. Appoint a corporate ethics officer, START FROM THE MANAGEMENT

There is a need to appoint a corporate ethics officer or a group of officers to review the "ethical practices" in the company. So as to allow them to improve constantly.

The management must first agree that it is important to pracitce good ethics. They must lead by example so that the rest of the employees will follow suit.

2. Create awareness
Create awareness, some people may not think that what they do is wrong, maybe because of upbringing, maybe because of their surroundings. Whatever it may be, creating awareness of what is right will harness the importance of establishing good ethics.

3. Establish a corporate code of conduct and ethical standards

The board of directiors, senior management or relatead personnel can come together to set standards and code of conduct for the employees to follow. This can be a follow up after the company creates awareness for their employees.

4. Conduct social audits

Social audits will help the company to understand better on whether they are moving towards the right track and will help them improve.

5. Require employees to take ethics training

As mentioned, creating awareness will allow them to know right from wrong. Some of these employees can go for training to further understand the importance of practising good ethics and how they should go about to practice good ethics.

6. Compliments

Ever heard of this statement, "nobody remembers the good things that you have done, but everyone remembers the mistake you made". It is important to compliment employees who do what is right, so that it will be a source of encouragement to them.

Compliment the employees and then they will be motivated to work towards a honest and upright lifestyle.

Why is it important to practice good ethics?

- Our Responsibility

It is our responsibility to practice good ethics. We are being accountable to our boss, clients, colleagues and those around us when we practice good ethics.

- Moral Values, Simply because it is right

Our upbringing, civics and moral values is something which we acquire of the years. Therefore, it is important for us to adhere to these moral values so that we will do the right things, be gracious, honest and spare a thought for others.

- To gain the goodwill of the community

Having done that will cause the community to recognise us and trust in us (in the context of a company)

- Create an organization that operates consistently

So that everyone in an organisation can adhere to common rules and how they operate, this will also help to gain the goodwill of the community.

- Produce good business

When others trust you and your company, your business will improve because you are simply reliable and you do the right things.

- Protect the organisation and its employees from legal action

To protect the organisation and employees as they will know what to do and what not to do.

- Avoid unfavorable publicity

Nobody can find fault with the company if the company is prudent, upright and honest. Because the company practices good ethics, there will not be any unfavourable publicity for the company.