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| Current topic: Ethics and Standards |
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| Current Question: |
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Privacy in the workplace |
| The ICG Ethics and Standards committee were recently asked for advice by a Careers Adviser worried about lack of privacy in her workplace. Put briefly, her Managers had decided to re - vamp the Student Services area of her College such that she would be required to interview clients not in her own office or an interview room, but on sofa - type seating in the Reception area. Was she being asked by her employer to breach her professional Code of Ethics? Given the trend towards greater informality in all walks of life, and the move towards more "user - friendly" public areas in Colleges, etc., should ICG members be concerned about the apparent lack of privacy when seeing clients? Are clients entitled to privacy? Are there ways of maintaining an acceptable level of privacy and confidentiality even in "non - traditional" working areas? The views of members, who may have had to face this issue, and indications of how they resolved the dilemma, would be welcome. |
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:27 am |
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Re: Privacy in the workplace |
| This is an interesting question. With increasing use of open plan offices it does give rise to privacy with clients. Are clients entitled to privacy? Would we want to discuss our banking in the main hall or a consultation with a GP in the waiting room, No, so why, if we are professional would we want to lower standards. I have found myself in a similar situation and found it easier to rearrange the appointment when I could access a room with a door rather than a hall with a screen! Career guidance is being watered down and I feel that we should push for more professionalism within this field by employers and the recognition that goes with it...... I dont think this answered your question though! |
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Re: Privacy in the workplace |
| Marc - I am in complete agreement with you on this. I believe that our clients are entitled to the same degree of privacy and confidentiality as we would be if seeing our Solicitor or Doctor - I realise that there should be some limits on this privacy, for our own protection and that of our clients: a teacher I knew had his career ruined by an unfounded allegation made against him by a girl student who he saw alone behind the closed door of his office - but I don't think we should abandon all regard for privacy because of occasional incidents like this. Thanks for your thoughts, Marc - I will pass them onto the ESC for consideration. |
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