Ethical Behaviour and Morality

Shahid Hussain Raja
Independent Consultant-Public Policy
www.sanoconsultants.co.uk

 Introduction
 What is morality
 What are ethics
 Why need them
 What they entail
 Conclusion

 Ethics and morality are two interdependent but distinct
concepts at conceptual as well as at practical levels
 They are the basic foundations of any individual, an
organization or a civilization for survival and growth.
 Greek –character is destiny aptly describes this
fundamental truth
 If you cannot stand for something, you will fall for anything

 Personal norms and values about good and bad, your
beliefs about fundamentals
 Your own behaviour and the one you expect from
others
 Product of your life experience, knowledge and
training
 Can differ from person to person even in one social
setup
 However there are certain moral values which are
universal

 Norms and values of an organization, normally
formalised in the shape of codes
 Expected conduct and behaviour of the members
of that group
 Can differ from personal moral values but not
substantially from universal morality in case of
ethical organizations
 Up to a certain level, ethics and morality are the
same-honesty, integrity, transparency, fair play
are the universal norms

 It is the highest value which distinguishes humans
from animals, a basic denominator not the highest
pedestal.
 It is also a legal requirement -you signed an affidavit
to remain honest throughout your career.
 It is also a social obligation-society expects highest
moral standards from its paid servants.
 It is constitutional duty- you took an oath under a
constitution and all the service framework is based
on constitutional provisions, underpinning ethical
behaviour

 1.Ethical standards for public service should be clear
 2.Ethical standards should be reflected in the legal
framework
 3.Ethical guidance should be available to public servants
 4.Public servants should know their rights and
obligations when exposing wrongdoing
 5.Political commitment to ethics should reinforce the
ethical conduct of public servants
 6.Decision making process should be transparent and
open to scrutiny

 7.There should be clear guidelines for interaction between the public
and private sectors
 8.Managers should demonstrate and promote ethical conduct
 9.managemen policies,procedures and practices should promote
ethical conduct
 10.public service conditions and management of human resources
should promote ethical conduct
 11.adequate accountability mechanisms should be in place within the
public service
 12.approprite procedures and sanctions should exist to deal with
misconduct
(OECD Guidelines for Public Service )

 Giving best of you
 Ends do not justify means

 Conflict of Interest and roles
 Confidentiality of state secrets
 Application of merit principle
 Transparent public dealing
 Personal morality vs. organizational ethics
 Financial prudence and integrity

 Public service is a trust; not putting in your best
efforts is a breach of trust
 Working according to job description is your
duty, working beyond is ethics
 Work is honour; salary is not its compensation
 Life long learning is must to improve your
competency and giving best of you

 Yes, they don’t ! Never fall prey to shortcuts
 Only self-alienated person mixes the both
 Do not rationalise your procedural lapses by
successful execution of a plan
 Do go for positive interpretation of rules
provided the spirit of the legislation is intact

 Do not deal with any case where your own, or
your friends' or family’s interest are involved.
 Do not accept any assignment which conflicts
with your job description
 If you want to do business/consultancy, seek
permission and take leave

 There may be certain moral values which you prefer
but if they are in conflict with the organization, then
you have to follow these. It is ethical behaviour
 You are bound by the rules of the game not by your
own moral values how high they may be
 In case of conflict between your personal morality
and organizational ethics, the latter will be your
guiding principles not your own set of values

 You are bound by the law to keep state secrets to
yourself
 Access to Information Act is applicable to non-
classified information only
 Loose talk about cases you deal is unethical
 Giving off-the-record information to press is
also unethical and immoral
 Settle your score by writing dissenting notes on
files ,not through press leakage

 Always apply the merit principle-whether
recruiting, posting or appointing a person
 Or making any decision about a career,
contract or award without any fear or favour
 Non-discrimination-on the basis of
gender, religion, caste, except where bound by
law
 Besides being right in itself, in these days of
judicial activism, media exposure and civil
society intrusion, your career and reputation
depends on your being ethical

 Transparency in public dealing is the essence
of ethical behaviour
 Withholding information with mala fide
intentions is as criminal as taking bribe
 There is a thick red line between transparency
and confidentiality-the intention

 Acceptance of gifts by public for any reason
is totally forbidden
 Deposit them with the concerned ministry in
case given by the foreigners
 Elaborate rules exit for purchasing these gifts
if you feel a fancy for any gift
 Misusing public funds for personal gain or
use-avoid it

 Ethical behaviour is contagious
 Your example will be quoted and followed
 Leave better examples to be followed

Ethical Behaviour and Morality

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