Module 2: Task 5b - 'Codes of Practice in the Place of Work'

In my previous post, I touched on the ethics I think apply within my place of work/professional workplace, I managed to acquire a copy of the rules and regulations that I adhere to in relation to my work.

As an employee, I must comply with the company’s non-disclosure agreement of sensitive/exclusive information. So I am afraid I cannot publish the exact documents on here. However, I can still write about them and state how my assumptions differ from these actual documents.

I found that there is in fact an innumerable quantity of rules and regulations that apply within my professional workplace which include codes of conduct and ethics but to name a few. The main reason for this is because my workplace isn't governed by just one organisation. It is rather difficult to break down the complexity of the organisation without causing too much confusion.

Firstly, there are the vast number of international maritime legislation’s and laws that are in place that I legally have to abide by. I also must adhere to the policies and procedures under the Corporation (owners of the company who own the ship), the policies and procedures under the company. At sea, I must also abide by the 'Captain's Standing Orders' (a set of rules set by the current captain of the ship for all crew members, this can differ from captain to captain). Not forgetting the policies and procedures of the production company (agency who provides the production shows for the ship) with whom I am originally contracted by.
To be able to write and reflect upon every point would take the commitment of many hours. So I have decided to write a brief reflection upon my findings.

In retrospect, I believe that I had touched on several key points of ethics that apply to my workplace. However, it is apparent that I have missed off a significant amount in my previous post. Unsurprisingly there is a lot of emphasis on the safety and well-being of not only yourself but also the fellow crew members and the passengers. Conduct, is another key topic stated within the rules and regulations. With the cruise ship industry being almost directly linked within the hotel industry, providing quality service to it's clients (in this case passengers) is a key part of the success of the company. Now I could continue to elaborate and suggest that in my working environment, I am not only representing myself as a professional, but also representing the external company who provide the shows - As well as the company and organisation belonging to the ship.

The main difference between my assumptions in my previous post and the rules and regulations I have to hand is the detail, forethought and consideration. There seems to be no stone left unturned. There is a policy to cover almost any given situation, one way or another.  I wasn't surprised to find that the key element behind the majority of the rules and regulations is conduct, discipline and health and safety. But within this impressive set of rules and regulations was a disciplined attitude to ethics within the workplace and a zero tolerance for unethical practice. I would like to have a similar approach with the preparation for my professional inquiry.

Last but not least there is a key element of ethics in my area of work that I did not mention in previous post in my assumptions. That is the element of ethics in regards to performing. I briefly wrote about this in my post when studying through module one. There is a professional etiquette between the performers on stage together. And this is still relevant in my professional environment today.

Below is an extract from my post in 'Module 1: Task -2d ' Inquiry'.


How do you decide the appropriate ethical response in a given situation? To what extent are disciplinary responses different to that you might expect more generally in society? 

In the performing arts industry, working in physical contact with another professional is considered the norm. As a male dancer, performing sophisticated lifts with a partner is not an uncommon practice. On occasion, in order to execute some of the lifts, I have to place my holds on various different parts of the partners body, some of which can appear to be quite intimate. However there is always a mutual, professional understanding that what is being done is necessary in order to successfully achieve the end result for the benefit of the choreography and eventually the audience. Placing your hold in an intimate location, in a general environment, quite understandably, would not be deemed appropriate and would not be acceptable without prior consent. 


Now that I have a better understanding of the ethics in my workplace, I feel that I could benefit from reviewing task '5a' again. This should help me to understand and identify the key areas of ethics whilst planning my practitioner inquiry. - Just as the 'Module 2 Handbook' advises that “[I] must ensure to adhere to sound ethical practice in carrying out the actions themselves... it is also good to consider the broader ethical implications attached to the research or inquiry.”