Speaking of Ethics

By: Mary Carver, P.H.Ec.

We’ve all heard the story by now.

In early December 2012, two Australian radio hosts prank-called a London hospital where Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge) was being treated for severe morning sickness. By pretending to be the Queen and some other member of the Royal family, the radio hosts hacked minimum security and spoke directly to a staff member who appears to have innocently shared otherwise confidential patient information.

The world soon learned the tragic outcome of that very foolish prank-call.

Questions arise:

• Are we losing professional ethics? 

• With the ease of modern technology have we lost our sense of what is private and what is public information?

• Are we so desperate for a laugh that we have it at anyone’s expense?

Professional ethics encompass the personal and corporate behavioral standards expected of employees, members of boards and associations. For the benefit of the public, most professional organizations internally enforce codes of practice, to prevent misuse of a client and to preserve the integrity of the profession. Such codes spell out boundaries of integrity for employees or members.

Posting and reviewing a Code of Ethics is sound practice. 

The Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) a self-regulating body of professional Home Economists promotes high professional standards among its members so that they may empower families and individuals to achieve and maintain a desirable quality of life.

Members of OHEA are expected to discharge their professional duties with integrity, to be competent in their field, to strive to make sound judgment and to communicate clearly so as not to dishonor the profession.

OHEA reviews its Code of Ethics with its members, annually. The OHEA Code of Ethics is re-agreed at each membership renewal to serve as an active reminder of the principles of professional practice.

How often do others dust-off their Codes of Ethics?



Mary Carver, P.H.Ec. - Ottawa
Ontario Home Economics Association © 2013