Ethics Case Study: Analysis of ACS Code of Ethics and Conduct

This case study analyzes a scenario involving an HR manager, Pradip, who is potentially violating the ACS Code of Ethics and professional conduct. The analysis focuses on Pradip's actions of hiring contractors exclusively through a firm owned by his wife, despite the availability of other options. The study highlights violations of honesty, public interest, and several clauses of the ACS professional conduct, including the failure to disclose a conflict of interest and the misuse of his position. The conclusion emphasizes that Pradip's actions warrant strict action from both the employer and the ACS. The case references the ACS Code of Professional Conduct and relevant clauses, providing a detailed breakdown of the ethical breaches. The document is a case study solution, providing detailed analysis and conclusion based on the assignment brief.

ACS Code of Ethics
Case Study
STUDENT ID:
[Pick the date]

Objective
The given dilemma needs to be analysed in respect to the ACS code of ethics and
professional conduct principles. This would enable determination of the appropriate action in
the given case.
Fact
In the given case, Pradip has been hired as an HR manager by “Trans Australia Solutions”.
However, even though the availability of contractor and manpower has significantly improved
after his arrival but he sources contractor through a HR firm named “Job 4U”which is owned
by his wife. When confronted by the company management, Pradip highlights that the
savings due to prompt availability of manpower is in excess of the incremental staff costs
incurred.
Analysis
Any member of ACS is supposed to behave or discharge duties in a manner which is
consistent with the ACS code of ethics and professional conduct. Three values which are of
significance in the given case with regards to conduct of Pradip are honesty, primacy of
public interest along with professionalism. Honesty implies that the concerned member
would be truthful to the stakeholders in particular the employer and also would not behave in
a manner that leads to some inducement. Also, primacy of public interest implies that in case
of any conflict of interest, the concerned member should be driven by public interest and not
his/her self or personal interest (ACS, 2014). Further as part of professional conduct, the
members are supposed to behave in manner which tends to provide higher opportunities for
the others to develop. The above three aspects are clearly lacking in this case on part of
Pradip. He did not acted honesty and aimed to serve his self-interest by ensuring that
contractors are hired only from the above mentioned agency and not otherwise. Further, for
contractors who approached directly, barrier to hiring was created by Pradip. Hence, the
conduct was in violation of the above ACS values.
Certain clauses of ACS professional conduct are also relevant to this discussion. The
following clauses are significant (ACS, nd).
Clause 1.6 –Inform & advice the employer in case of any potential conflict of interest faced
by concerned employee.
Clause 2.4 – The member would protect the interest of the employer by acting in a
competent manner.

Clause 3.3 – The member is supposed to offer honest opinions in relation to various matters.
Clause 4.6 – The member should not force others to act in a manner which violates the ACS
guidelines.
Section 6.7 – The member would not knowingly engage in practices that violate the ACS
code.
It is apparent the Pradip is in violation of the above clauses of professional conduct as he did
not inform about the conflict of interest and also did not seek advice. Infact, he seek to use
his authority in a manner so as to benefit from the arrangement and directed the contractors
to be hired only from the firm owned by his wife.
Conclusion
Pradip has acted in manner which is not befitting a member belonging to the ACS fraternity
and hence strict action must be taken against him both by the employer and also the ACS.

Reference
ACS (2014), ACS Code of Professional Conduct Professional Standards Board Australian
Computer Society, Australian Computer Society, [Online] Available at
https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-documents/ACS%20Code-of-Professional-
Conduct_v2.1.pdf [Accessed November 3 2017]
ACS (n.d.), Values and Ideals subscribed to by Society Members, Australian Computer
Society, [Online] Available at
http://courses.cs.vt.edu/professionalism/WorldCodes/Australia.Code.html [Accessed
November 3 2017]