Ethical Issues for Professional Communicators For use with

Ethical Issues for Professional Communicators For use with Technical Editing, 3 rd ed. 1

Overview o o The basis of ethics Categories of ethical decision making for editors n n n safety of users intellectual property codes of conduct contracts environmental ethics 2

The basis of ethical controversies oexpediency, profit, convenience versus othe common good People agree to work for the common good because they can benefit as well. 3

Categories of ethical decision making o Safety of users, access o Intellectual property o Professional ethics o Employer/employee ethics o Environmental ethics 4

Stakeholders and priorities o o Users: safety, access, quality, ease of use Clients: economy, time to produce, marketability, quality, safety o o o Employer: ability to do business Profession: reputation, fair wages Environment: safety, health 5

Users, safety Responsibility to users o o Self-interest: Get the job done quickly, without conflict versus Common good: Allow users to thrive 6

Users, safety Responsibility to users o Safety issues, warnings o Access/fairness issues o n disability n gender, race, ethnic group Quality of products: efficient use, breakdowns 7

2. Intellectual property o o Creative work: publications, inventions, art, music, computer programs Can be owned, sold—and stolen— like any “real” property 8

2. Intellectual property Benefits of protections (copyright, patents) o o The world benefits from creativity. Inventors, writers, and other creative people need incentive to create. 9

2. Intellectual property Copyright o o http: //lcweb. loc. gov/copyright/ Protects all expression as soon as it is fixed, including student papers client lists photographs trade secrets material on the web email Permission to use must be written 10

2. Intellectual property A copyright conflict: example o Copy someone else’s manual. OR o Write your own or pay for the other manual. 11

2. Intellectual property Cyberspace o “Deep link” to information, bypassing the opening pages with advertisements. OR o Link to the first page. 12

2. Intellectual property Cyberspace o Copy source code for a website. OR o Write your own. 13

3. Professional ethics o o Defined in “codes” of conduct STC Ethical Principles: http: //www. stc. org/ethical. asp n legality n honesty n confidentiality n quality n fairness n professionalism 14

3. Professional ethics Codes of conduct in TC o Competent and responsible performance of duties n n n o accurate and complete information readable, accessible, clear information warnings Loyalty to the profession (e. g. , avoid unfair competition with other professionals) 15

4. Employer-employee ethics Contractual relationship prohibits o Theft (of property, client lists, trade secrets, product information) n It is unethical and illegal to take a job with another employer and reveal secrets of a previous employer. o Conflict of interest o Favoritism 16

5. Environmental ethics o Use resources responsibly (for the common good). n o paper, ink, plastic wraps, electricity Help clients understand the environmental consequences of their choices. 17

Applications to editing o o Editors work with technology that may present safety or access issues to users. Editors create and use intellectual property. 18

Applications to editing o o o Editors work as members of a profession and have a responsibility to uphold the reputation of the profession. Editors work in contractual relationships with employers. Editors use materials that damage the environment (paper, electricity, plastic). 19

Ethics in professional life o o Most ethical decisions are tiny and daily. Few reflect life-death issues. But daily ethical behavior creates work groups, businesses, and a society in which individuals can thrive. 20

Ethics in professional life o o Know limits on your personal freedoms, and respect the opportunities they make possible. Accept your responsibilities to a number of stakeholders, including users, clients, employers, the profession, and the environment. 21

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