Ethical code

Ethical codes are important rules that help groups and organizations know the difference between right and wrong. These rules guide people in making good decisions and doing their jobs properly. Many companies and professional groups have their own ethical codes, also called codes of conduct.

These codes are tools for running an organization in a world where right and wrong matter. Even groups that might be considered wrong by society can have their own rules about how to behave.

Breaking an ethical code can sometimes also break the law, and people could face serious consequences. Ethical codes try to make clear what behaviors are wrong, what actions are not allowed by law, and what practices are good. Some parts of these codes give strict rules, while other parts offer general advice. Overall, a code of ethics is an effort to write down what good and bad behavior should look like.

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Corporate or business ethics

See also: Business ethics and Code of conduct

In business, a code of ethics helps explain what values are important to a company. It tells everyone — customers, employees, and the public — what the company believes in and how it should act. This code is open for anyone to read. It also gives employees clear guidance on how to do their jobs in a fair and honest way.

In the United States, special rules for government work require companies to follow the highest standards of fairness and truth. These rules say that companies working with the government must have a written code of ethics. They also need training for employees and systems to help follow these rules. These rules come from earlier policies made by the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency.