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Ethics and Diversity in the Workplace

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Choose a professional organization (preferably in human services) and imagine that you are at the national conference for the organization and you are presenting a paper on the topic of "Diversity in Our Workplace."

Based upon the professional organization's code of ethics and the course readings, discuss, analyze, and explain how the code of ethics treats the following diverse populations in the workplace:

Women and gender issues.
Race and ethnicity.
Gay individuals.
Disabled and aging workers.
People with differing religious and spiritual beliefs.
Incorporate responses to the following in your comments:

Why is our organization's code of ethics important?
How does a professional code of ethics affect operations and effectiveness in our workplace?
What legal standards and laws are congruent with the code of ethics?
What are the implications of our professional employees failing to comply with the code of ethics?

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EXAMPLE
Professional Organization: Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals

Reference: An Interdisciplinary Canadian Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals, First Edition, June 2002

"Diversity in Our Workplace"

With respect to the treatment of the diverse population that exists within the workplace, this code of ethics covers the following:

This code of ethics describes the "Values Statement" as the description of the ethical principles that were outlined in the beginning. In this case, there are:

The Four Ethical Principles and the Respective Values and Standards:
I. Respect for the Dignity and Autonomy of Persons
II. Responsible Caring for the Best Interests of Persons
III. Integrity in Professional Relationships
IV. Responsibility to Society

Under the "Description of Principle," under Principle I, it states the following:
"...The innate worth of human beings is neither enhanced or reduced by their ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities, age, socioeconomic status, or any other preference or personal characteristic, condition, or status..." (p. 10).

Under Principle I, under the sub-heading, "Vulnerable Clientele," the code explains the following:
"There are many forms of diversity in an increasingly diverse society (e.g.; types of disabilities, gender poverty, age, unemployed, underemployed). Of special significance are the different beliefs, values, customs, and language of different cultures that exist within communities. Rehabilitation professionals strive to understand and respect these differences and to avoid unintentional racism while providing high quality professional services" (p. 10).

This code of ethics has attempted to be comprehensive; however, there are some weaknesses. The nature and rationale for the code is expressed but there can be some techniques used to strengthen the document to cater to a multifaceted society.

Women and Gender Issues
This code of ethics places "gender" under the "vulnerable clientele," however, it has not spoken specifically regarding women or to "sex" as the descriptive reference. Women could be included under "gender," however, it is not clear, and when enforcing the code of ethics, this can become a contentious point especially if legal action is taken against the professional.

In North America, and other parts of the world, there is a difference in society's understanding and reference to "gender" and "sex." (From my experience, there are countries where the distinction is not widely understood within their society). Sex usually refers to the person being male or female genetically. Gender refers to the learned behaviours and attitudes that are socially and societally attached and learned for that particular sex. Differences between sex and gender are especially manifested in the LGBTQQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, ...

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