Ethics Guidance for Occupational Health Practice 9th Edition - Book - Page 31
Occupational health business practice
2.53. Occupational Health provision is often undertaken as a commercial venture or
is based on commercial effectiveness. Occupational health professionals
working in a commercial environment must behave, and be seen to behave, in
a fashion that is above reasonable reproach in their dealings with their clients
and with each other. In this way they will safeguard their own reputations and
that of the Occupational Health specialty.
2.54. Potential areas of difficulty include advertising, competence, competitive
tendering, transfer of services, resourcing and contractual terms. A useful
question that the businesses can ask of themselves when issues arise is, “how
does this impact on my reputation?” or “how will I look to a newspaper?”
However, all OH services whether NHS, inhouse or outsourced should follow
the same commercial awareness.
Corporate values and ethical codes
2.55. All organisations operate within, and are influenced by, the society of which
they are a part. Many societies have become increasingly complex and cultural
homogeneity can no longer be assumed. Many commercial organisations have
felt it necessary to develop and codify their own corporate values.
Some operate written ethical codes that set out guiding principles for the
conduct of their business and the conduct of their employees. Whilst these
vary somewhat by company, most address issues such as integrity, the misuse
of power, conflict of interest and business relationships.
2.56. Occupational health professionals, like other employees, will be expected to
abide by such codes of conduct and they should satisfy themselves that there
is no conflict between their professional codes of conduct and those of their
employer.
2.57. All occupational health professionals have an ethical duty, over and above their
business colleagues, to strive to influence company policies so that the health
and wellbeing of the populations that are affected by the activities of the
organisation are promoted.
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