LEGAL AND MORAL ISSUES –

CODE OF CONDUCT

Year 13

Lesson objectivesTo understand:- Disinformation- Privacy- Employment Patterns- Equity- Intellectual property rights

As regards to the Code of Conduct

Difference between legal and moral.•A LEGAL issue is serious and is against the law. This would be illegal and prosecution would follow with the possibility of a fine or imprisonment.

•A MORAL issue would be regarded by most people as wrong but doesn’t necessarily break any laws.

1. Disinformation Trying to mislead or give false information. Can be a LEGAL and MORAL issue.

ExampleMORAL ISSUE•Television salesperson advising you to buy a particular model of TV because he will get better commission for this model and he knows that a newer model will be released within a few weeks.

LEGAL ISSUE•Television salesperson selling you a TV by claiming the TV is 3D and it is not, he would be breaking the Trade Description Act

2. Privacy The rights of individuals to keep information about themselves private. The Data Protection Act does this but there are some situations where the Act does not protect the individual.

ExampleMORAL ISSUE•Company buying information off other companies in order to send you junk mail about buying products.

LEGAL ISSUE•Selling on details of individuals even though they have clearly specified that this should not be done. Breaches the Data Protection Act.

3. Employment patterns ICT has changed the workplace. Some people have been replaced by the arrival of ICT and are no longer required (post clerk). Call centres have moved abroad (internet phone is cheaper). More jobs have been created in the Computing industry, i.e. web developers.

MORAL ISSUES• Workers can feel that ICT is invading their privacy and spying on them by

monitoring their use of computer etc. A lot of people can work from home part time using ICT technology, but in some cases these type of workers have less rights than full time workers.

LEGAL ISSUES• Many new legal issues have evolved due to ICT linked employment. Stress

working with ICT, back strain, RSI, correct working practice. Businesses have to address these issues or possibly face legal action from employees

4. Equity

This is about equality and fairness. The gap between rich and poor countries can grow.

ExampleMORAL ISSUE•Company moving their call centre abroad because it is cheaper; loss of jobs and people made redundant.

LEGAL ISSUE•A company paying under minimum wage when they have moved their call centre abroad to save money.

5. Intellectual Property RightsPeople can protect their work and make it illegal for other people to copy or use their work without their permission.

ExampleMORAL ISSUE•Discussing an idea with a friend, and developing the idea as your own.

LEGAL ISSUE•A company taking someone's work and using it as their own for a financial gain; plagiarism and fraud.