HR Ethics Codes: Finding Ethical Answers to Difficult Questions

01-29-2025 1:00 PM EST

Are human resources professionals bound by a code of ethics? Human resources is not a licensed or regulated profession. Several other professions, by comparison, law, medicine, social work, nursing, even barbering/cosmetology, etc., require state licensure, are regulated, and have ethics codes that are included as part of state law. There is oversight, aggressive enforcement, and serious consequences for violations. HR is not one of these professions. HR does, however, have the SHRM Code of Ethics which it may choose to follow, but this does not include any type of legal enforcement mechanism. Why is it important that human resources professionals follow an ethical code of conduct? The HR Ethics Code is not the only legal concern. Is this likely to reduce HR's risk of being sued by employees or the increasing personal liability for your manager and you? Is the SHRM Code of Ethics the ethical standard that HR should follow? Or is there a higher duty? During this presentation, Bob Gregg, a highly experienced labor and employment lawyer will discuss the many ethical issues that HR professionals regularly face and provide guidance on how to resolve them ethically, and how to prevent liability for your company and yourself.

What You’ll Learn

The following is a sample of the topics Mr. Gregg will discuss:

• The SHRM Code of Ethical Behavior
• The benefits of adhering to an ethical code for HR professionals
• How unethical and illegal activities can become blurred
• Professional and personal risks associated with weak ethics practices
• Understanding to whom HR has an ethical responsibility. The company? The employees? The public? Oneself? In conflicting circumstances, which should take precedence?
• Identify ethically problematic employment situations and policies which help you.
• The importance of understanding the risks. Various laws allow you to be sued or even prosecuted for violating some ethical duties.
• Determining whether you have an ethical duty to act.
• What should you do if your organization ignores your ethical/professional advice - or even tells you to do something you believe violates the law? (Caught between losing your job and being held liable.)
• Understanding when and how to protect yourself.