Q61. A professional member employed by Company A is leaving soon to work for Company B, a competitor in the same Industry. The member has submitted his resignation and a departure date has boon agreed upon.
After submitting his resignation, the member Is asked by Company A to attend an Industry conference, which will occur prior to the agreed departure date. In order to promote its products. Company B will also send representatives to this conference to promote its own products.
If the member agrees to attend but then promotes his upcoming association with Company B, which of the common codes of ethical principles listed below will the member breach?
1. Professionals shall. In their areas of practice, hold paramount the health, safety, and welfare of the public and have regard for the environment.
2. Professionals shall undertake only work that they are competent to perform by virtue of their training and experience
3. Professionals shall conduct themselves with integrity, honesty, fairness, and objectivity in their professional activities.
4. Professionals shall comply with applicable statutes, regulations, and bylaws in their professional practices.
5. Professionals shall uphold and enhance the honour, dignity, and reputation of their professions and thus the ability of the professions to serve the public Interest.
If the member agrees to attend the conference for Company A but promotes his upcoming association with Company B, he breaches the ethical principle that professionals shall conduct themselves with integrity, honesty, fairness, and objectivity in their professional activities (Option 3). By promoting his future employer while still employed and representing Company A, the member demonstrates a conflict of interest and a lack of loyalty, undermining the trust placed in him by his current employer.