Balancing ethical standards with consultant productivity pressures

Consultant Ethical Responsibility Independent consultants are not employees. But they still have an ethical responsibility to complete the contracted work. Consultants also have a responsibility to clarify what type of work is desired and fulfill company quality standards. “Consultants’ value derives from their independence, objectivity, and expertise,” and to justify their position as an outsider being asked in to comment upon the company, the consultant must live up to this value proposition. (Haas, 2015).

Industry Standards Consultants often work in a variety of industries. They have a responsibility to uphold formal legal guidelines pertaining to that industry, such as privacy restrictions regarding the release of data in healthcare. But it is just as important to understand the informal ethical guidelines which may exist within the industry, regarding the so-called poaching of clients from other organizations who regularly work for competitors. It is also important to understand the professional ethical associations which impact the people for whom they are working. Regarding the medical profession, for example, principles such as “put service and the health and welfare of persons before self-interest” must be balanced with the need to merely be productive and cut costs (Flite & Hartman, 2013, par.5).
Standards and Impact on Productivity
Although consultants are usually brought in to improve productivity, upholding ethical standards cannot be sacrificed in the pursuit of these goals. Even if organizations exert pressure to do so, consultants must abide by their own, personal standards. As well as an ethical obligation to the client and to the industry, consultants’ behaviors also impact their reputations and futures. Even if this may impede productivity and result in less business for the consultant in the short run, a long term focus on ethics must always override such concerns.

References Flite, C. A., & Harman, L. B. (2013). Code of ethics: principles for ethical leadership. Perspectives in Health Information Management, 10. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3544144/pdf/phim0010-0001d.pdf Haas, M. (2012). Shared ethical responsibilities of consultants and clients. Institute of Management Consultants. Retrieved from: https://www.imcusa.org/blogpost/875919/145919/Shared-Ethical-Responsibilities-of- Consultants-and-Clients