Value versus values? The challenge of ethical

Transcript:Value versus values? The challenge of ethical:
Value versus values? The challenge of ethical professionalism in times of austerity Professor Helen Colley Education and Social Research Institute Manchester Metropolitan University Introduction Outline of the problem Three conceptual frameworks Professionalism Ethics and professionalism Austerity as context of human service professions today Case study: 14-19 career guidance in England Challenges for careers work Outline of the problem ‘The conditions created in the new, re-structured work organisation place workers in an extremely painful psychological situation, one which throws them out of kilter with values of high-quality work, their sense of responsibility, and professional ethics.’ (Dejours, 2009, p.37) Outline of the problem This is largely met by managers and policy-makers with denial and ‘institutionalised lying’: ‘These obstacles to revealing the truth have always been present in the workplace, but the manipulation of threat to silence opposing views and impose “official” descriptions of work has become incomparably greater over the last 20 years.’ (Dejours, 2009, p.86) Outline of the problem ‘The rationality invoked [in these institutional lies] is, of course, economic reasoning, but we shall also see that this almost always insinuates itself into other considerations related to social rationality, by virtue of principles which are highly dubious on a moral and practical level.’ (Dejours, 2009, p.100) Outline of the problem Neo-liberal policies are driven by an economic rationale. This is imposed on human services and their traditional social and moral values …and intensified by austerity measures This creates severe ethical tensions for practitioners ‘Value’ conflicts with ‘values’ How is this playing out in human service occupations and (specifically) in careers work? Three conceptual frameworks Professionalism Julia Evetts Ethics and professionalism Sarah Banks Austerity as context of human service professions today David Harvey Professionalism Occupational: Theoretical foundation Knowledge and skills Discretionary decision-making Moral commitment Control of the work Self-regulation and client trust Collegial relations ‘From within’ (Evetts, 2011) Professionalism Occupational: Theoretical foundation Knowledge and skills Discretionary decision-making Moral commitment Control of the work Self-regulation and client trust Collegial relations ‘From within’ Organisational: Ideological basis Disciplinary mechanism Limited autonomy Identity and conduct prescribed Accountability via audit Market regulation Managerial + political controls ‘From above’ (Evetts, 2011) Re-framing professionalism ‘Professional service work organizations are converting into enterprises in terms of identity, hierarchy and rationality. Possible solutions to client problems and difficulties are defined by the organization (rather than the ethical codes of practice of the professional institution) and limited by financial constraints…’ (Evetts, 2011,