Prompt #2: Ethics... We All Have Them

As people, we have our moral principles that guide our actions. These are what as known as ethics. Businesses all have their own code of ethics as well. These codes of ethics are moral guidelines for the workers and management of the company. In terms of Public Relations, their code of ethics documented by PRSA consists of six moral pillars which include:

1. Advocacy
2. Honesty
3. Expertise
4. Independence
5. Loyalty
6. Fairness

Source: bcista.ca

1. Advocacy is the responsibility of promoting the highest standards for which the firm represents by serving ideas, facts, and viewpoints

2. Honesty is promoting the truth of accurate information.

3. Expertise is presenting reliable knowledge to the public through professional development and research

4. Independence is the virtue in which all actions are alleged for and taken responsibility of.

5. Loyalty is meeting the obligations of the public's interest while simultaneously being dependable. 

6. Fairness is the effort to respect all employers, clients, peers, vendors, the media, and publics and reach out to them in the same manner. Expression and opinion are recognized, not frowned upon.

Some of these career ethics can be found similarly in my life. Honesty, independence, loyalty, and fairness are the four I live by.

• Honesty: I believe in order to earn respect and trust, honesty must be present. Lying about minute details or grand notions does nothing but come back and haunt you. 

Source: mitraindia.org

• Independence: I always take accountability for my work regardless of the consequence. Owning up to your actions despite the aftermath is a large portion of who you are as a person.

• Loyalty: I have always believed in being loyal. Staying faithful to those who matter and your work is vital.

• Fairness: If you want people to be fair to you, you must be fair to them; and for that, I have idolized fairness since I learned what it was.

Source: linkedin.com

I find that people are consciously aware of the ethics set in stone for PR because the public still reacts to their work. If the people weren't aware of their ethics, why would they show interest?

If the ethical reputation were to become corrupt, it would not only impact the business, but the professional as well. For example, let's say the reputation was poor. The firm would go out of business for one because nobody would believe their work. Then, the professional goes out and looks for another job. It may become difficult to find another job at a different PR firm because the employers would view the individual professional as unethical for working for that specific business.

I hope I helped provide some knowledge on ethics and how impactful it can be for a business and an individual. Join me again next week as I provide tips for crushing that Public Relations interview!

-Grace