The code of ethics I found is “Ethics & Web Design: Our Code” by dcnicholls.com. Their code of ethics is based on trying to create the best possible site they can for their client. While cooperating with the needs of the client, they try to ensure that the site will be functional through different web browsers, be easy to use for visitors, and that the code is compliant for browsers. Not only will they design a site, but help the site to get many visitors. And if they see any content that seems deceptive, they speak to their client about it.

Their code of ethics seems very wise in that they are not just designing a site and having that be that, but actually putting time and care into it. I have witnessed web designers quickly design a site for money and then plan to have nothing more to do with it. Although they mention speaking to their client about “intellectual property and the client’s responsibility for the content of the site”, I’m not seeing anything that says that they will not steal graphics, designs, or content from other sites, or that their sites are 100% original.

Conflict of Ethics

The only time I had a conflict of my own ethics in the workplace that I can remember was when I was 15 or 16 years old. At that time I was working as a receptionist for MasterCuts, a hair salon. I did not cut or handle hair, but handled the cash register, appointments, stocking items, and customers looking for hair products. On one busy day we were understaffed, and one of the hair stylists asked if I could wash a woman’s hair so that she could search for something in the back room. I had never handled a customer’s hair unless I was sweeping it up off the floor. I knew I was not qualified, nor had I gone through the training to be a stylist. Although the stylist knew this as well, I told her I could not. I thought that if I tried to, I might cause them discomfort in either washing it too hard or not enough, and that they, knowing I was just the receptionist, would be dissatisfied with our salon. Even worse, she could bring it to light with a district manager and someone could be fired. I have often thought back on this event and wondered if I would do things differently. However, I think I would have made the same decision if I had to.