Creating a Personal Code of Ethics: Guidelines and Tips

Name and “Codes of Ethics” Title

Required Format of Document: Your code should be a personal expression of your ethical pledge, however, you must follow the guidelines below when it comes to the structure and layout of the document. This uniformity will ensure a strong layout to your document and make my life easier when it is time to grade all of these!

1. Name and “Codes of Ethics” Title (e.g. Jane Doe’s Code of Ethics). The recommendation is that you use the heading material from your resume in the exact format of your resume but add the phrase “Code of Ethics” or “Personal Code of Ethics”. That will clearly identify your document and also give it a unifying element with your resume.

2. Introduction Paragraph: It is required that your document starts with a short, relevant introduction paragraph. This paragraph creates a strong start to the document and helps the reader understand the intent and structure of the document.

3. 4 or 5 Ethical Words or Phrases with Definition and Elaboration on Each. You must use four or five short sections that are themed by a word or phrase that represents an ethical behaviour or concept that you are committed to. After the phrase or word is identified, you must clearly define that word or concept and then elaborate on how you will bring that word or phrase to life through your actions. For the formatting of each of these sections, one of the two formats below must be used. I will always maximize my gain when considering decision options I pledge to think first of how I might be able to gain more of what I desire even if that leads to actions that hurt or hinder others.

Greed: inordinate or insatiable desire for gain. When I have decisions to make, or options to consider, I will always take the path that will result in the greatest gain for me. I will seek such gains at the expense of others.

I used greed as a lame joke and also to avoid using an appropriate ethical principle, thus rendering it offlimits for your Code. Notice that in either style of formatting I first made the key word or phrase standout viathe use of bold and underlining. Then I gave a relatively clear and precise definition of the word. After that I explained how the principle/concept would influence by behaviour. When you create your sections, I would recommend a similar approach to both the format and structure of what your present. One last note: don’t mix formats.

As this is a personal code of ethics, I encourage the use of the first person in your writing style. The following is an example of a document that captures an ethical commitment. It identifies and defines five key ethical principles/concepts and captures how the individual intends to bring these concepts to life through actions. Introductory paragraph- This paragraph creates a strong start to the document and helps the reader understand the intent and structure of the document.

Inordinate or insatiable desire for gain. When I have decisions to make, or options to consider, I will always take the path that will result in the greatest gain for me. I will seek such gains at the expense of others. I will seek out unnecessarily large quantities of food and devout significant time to eating and enjoying this food. The quantities I consume will be well beyond what is required for nutritional reasons.

Habitually avoiding labor or work: being lazy The only think I will work hard at is avoiding any real or productive work. I will go to great extremes to avoid accomplishing anything relevant or worthwhile.

Behaving impolitely, discourteously, and crudely When interacting with others I will strive to behave in a way that creates the greatest discomfort, disservice, inconvenience, and annoyance for those people. I will shun as many customary rules of polite behaviour as possible.

Bitter and cutting satirical expression When offering my comments or opinions I will ridicule as many people and ideas as I can. I will always look for the folly in others and be sure to point that out in sharp, yet occasionally humorous way.