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Profession characteristics, core values, vicarious liability

Short answer

Characteristics: specialized knowledge, service motive, code of ethics, autonomy, accountability. Core ethical values: honesty, responsibility, fairness, competence, public welfare, confidentiality, trustworthiness. Vicarious liability is an employer’s legal responsibility for an employee’s negligent acts committed during work.

Write down the fundamental characteristics of profession. List out the core ethical values to develop code of conduct for professionals. Define vicarious liability.

Fundamental characteristics of a profession

  1. Specialised knowledge gained through long education and training.
  2. Service to society ahead of personal profit.
  3. Code of ethics and a professional body that licenses and disciplines members.
  4. Autonomy and independent judgement.
  5. Accountability, public recognition and continuous learning.

Core ethical values for developing a code of conduct

  • Honesty and integrity
  • Responsibility and accountability
  • Respect for life, people and rights
  • Fairness and justice (no discrimination)
  • Competence and diligence
  • Loyalty and confidentiality (faithfulness to employer/client)
  • Public safety and welfare, care for the environment
  • Trustworthiness and avoidance of conflict of interest
  • Courage to report wrongdoing

Vicarious liability

Vicarious liability is the legal responsibility of one person (usually an employer or principal) for the wrongful acts or negligence of another (an employee or agent) committed in the course of employment, even though the employer did not personally do the wrong. Example: if a junior engineer's negligent design causes damage while working for a consulting firm, the firm is liable to the client along with the engineer. Basis: the employer controls the work and benefits from it.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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