Code of Ethics
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- Snippet from Wikipedia: Ethical code
Ethical codes are adopted by organizations to assist their members or employees in understanding the difference between right and wrong and in applying that understanding to their decisions. An ethical code generally refers to either a code of business ethics, a codes of conduct for employees, or a code of professional practice, and many organizations use the phrases ethical code and code of conduct interchangeably. Ethical codes are often adopted by management and also employers, not to promote a particular moral theory, but rather because they are seen as pragmatic necessities for running an organization in a complex society in which moral concepts play an important part. Even organizations and communities that may be considered criminal in nature may have ethical codes of conduct, official or unofficial.
They are distinct from moral codes that may apply to the culture, education, and religion of a whole society. It is debated whether the politicians should apply a code of ethics, or whether it is a profession entirely discretionary, just subject to compliance with the law: however, recently codes of practice have been approved in this field.
Acts which violate ethical codes may also violate a law or regulation and can therefore be punishable at law or by government agency remedies.
Codes seek to define and delineate the difference between conduct and behavior that is malum in se, malum prohibitum, and good practice. Sometimes ethical codes include sections that are meant to give firm rules, but some offer general guidance, and sometimes the words are merely aspirational.
In sum, a code of ethics is an attempt to codify "good and bad behavior".