5b Ethics in the workplace

Having researched various codes, frameworks and practises of ethics in a professional community I was pleased to see that many of preconceived thoughts were reflected in my findings. Companies have frameworks which are followed by all echelons of management and employees ensuring safe and just working environments. A high standard of morals is to be adhered to by all. Decision making is a key factor as the outcome may effect not only you but others indirectly. The following link is to a site which gives examples and reasoning behind good decision making...

http://www.chsbs.cmich.edu/leader_model/development/media/Targeted%20Lessons/workplace_ethics.htm

From what I gather there's a code of practise for both how a company portrays and handles itself and also a code of practise for how the individuals treat each other. This can be applied to the performing arts business on both a performance based and teaching capacity. If performing in a show your management has a duty as do you as a professional to uphold values and morals both towards colleagues and how the company is seen as a collective. The same applies if one is in a teaching environment. Personally I think that in certain areas in the dance profession the codes are very slack and if repeated in a different professional environment the guilty party would be dealt with harshly. 

http://www.rocketswag.com/ethics/moral-value/work-ethics/List-Of-Work-Ethics.html 

  This site lists a few of what ethics it considers important. I've copied the list below for ease....

Honesty

Integrity

Perseverance

Respect

Privacy

Cyber ethics like maintaining privacy, not spamming and having email etiquette

Constructive criticism

Appreciation

Reporting

The more we move forward with technology the more we have to pay attention to the ethics of cyberspace. I hadn't considered this action before but it's relevant as it's all around us today and will only develop in the future. It's not so prevalent in the dance industry, or maybe I'm over looking an aspect?

While researching I came across a site which catered specifically for the ethics in the exercise and fitness industry reflecting on the core values of rights, relationships, responsibilities and standards. In my opinion much of what is mentioned can be directly applied to dance teaching either at schools or colleges.

When considering ethics in the workplace professional standards must be high. Respect yourself and others. Good decision making abilities are necessary and will always be tested. To some it's common sense but as I'm discovering upbringing and background play a huge part but I believe that having intense dance training will probably give you good discipline and a high professional code of practise. 

5a - ethics

With my current manner of work, which is teaching all manner of age groups up to 18, there are two forms of ethical codes to uphold. The first being your own personal code. The manner in which you present yourself must be maintained at all times in and around the workplace. You are a role model to  students, parents and guardians and also to work colleagues and must execute a high level of professionalism.

PERSONAL CODE

* be respectful
* polite
* diplomatic  (in dealing with both students and parents or guardians)
* show no favouritism ( everyone gets a fair chance)
* do not bully
* be responsible, reliable and trustworthy
* be organised
*show continuous support
*encouragement and positivity

The second ethical code applies to the safeguarding and welfare of the children left in your charge. You're responsible for the students physical and mental well being. Knowledge of first-aid is essential, for obvious reasons. A safe working environment with knowledge of fire exits and escapes is vital. Appropriate clothing and footwear should be checked, again for safety reasons. Undoubtedly the students will be active so liquids must be available especially during the summer.
Student on student bullying must not be tolerated and constantly surveyed. A welfare officer may need to be contacted if  a child has unexplained bruises or appears unhappy or withdrawn as all may not be well in their home environment. A current problem due to technology is the ease of which pictures and videos can be taken so permission is needed for such practises.

As you can see there are many things to consider and follow when it comes to ethical codes and practises.  A correct approach is needed in all aspects and will be necessary  when dealing with my inquiry questions if I decide to ask students, parents or work colleagues. It all must be conducted properly.

Task 4c

I managed to grab my friend for a 10 minute interview posing some of my original questions to her. As a professional she both performed and taught so I could ask performance and teacher based questions. For quickness I decided to audio record the interview but she was unwilling to give me permission to post it directly on here. Therefore I've taken to writing some of the answers up.....

 

 

Does having good performance experience give you an advantage over other teachers?

 

Yes, of course in certain scenarios. If you're employed to teach freestyle to future professionals then the experience you have in preparing those students is invaluable. To be able to add comments and advice you've gained along the way will only heighten the knowledge and awareness of the students. Also it's a great way of having instant respect. However, if you were a teacher of a particular ballet syllabus I believe good teaching qualifications would be far more advantageous. The teaching qualification would give you the necessary techniques to aide the class in all aspects of their training. Mind you...neither guarantees you'd be a good teacher!

 

 

Do colleges prepare you thoroughly for 'the business'?

 

Absolutely not. Well they might be better nowadays but 15 years ago they fell very short. I learnt more from my first job from my colleagues than I was taught at college. How comes? I felt all my teachers were too out of touch from the current climate. There was no real connection from the outside world. You have to remember that the 'business' isn't just about dancing. You have to look after yourself, find accommodation, do your taxes. They should definitely have a lesson on being self-employed. Is it different now? From what I hear the average age of teachers has lowered considerably and many of my friends teach and perform so the students will and should be better prepared. They hold mock audition workshops as because they themselves are still involved with the process can advise on do's and don'ts.

 

 

Do colleges and their teachers offer false hopes to students?

 

Unfortunately yes. But how would you stop it? As there are so many more colleges than 15 years ago, mostly due to commercial expansion, they feel a need to fill their quota therefore accepting students who most likely will never reach a good enough standard to get work. They should have a moral obligation to be honest but I'm afraid that's not part of the modern world. Greed and dis-honesty are rife. You would never put yourself out of business for the sake of someone's dreams??!!

Taking that into account..should there be a trading standards for colleges? That's wishful thinking and a nice idea. If a college and it's teachers aren't up to scratch they get shut down? Or given time to improve? There has to be a set standard for that to work and with dance there is no standard. The jobs create the standard. The business relies on self-realisation that you're not up to standard resulting in a career change. Exactly..couldn't have that been avoided? The waste of time, effort, money and crushed dreams? I see your point but who are we to stand in the way of someone's dreams. As a teacher you have the responsibility to somewhere along the line conduct a conversation with that certain person talking about possible career paths. Teaching dance isn't just teaching steps.

 

 

I still don't know which path to take with regards to my inquiry but conducting the interviews and asking opinions is very helpful. Questions have developed and new ones arisen. I've found being very specific helps as dance and teaching covers a wide spectrum. Details, details, details. More interviews are planned with the idea of narrowing down a topic with an acute line of inquiry.