Press Release: Ethics of Information Technology Workers Uncovered

Employees, particularly younger workers, in the computing industry face numerous ethical dilemmas and would benefit from clear professional ethics codes, according to new research.

Tomorrow sees the launch of the third bi-annual study into the attitudes of Information Systems (IS) professionals: 'Is IT Ethical? 2002 ETHICOMP Survey of Professional Practice.'

The survey was carried out by Professor Simon Rogerson, Dr Ben Fairweather and Mary Prior of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility, De Montfort University Leicester, on behalf of the Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS).

IS workers were questioned about, among others issues: security, privacy, electronic surveillance of employees, intellectual property and use of computing facilities.

Eighty-six per cent agree that all employees should abide by a code of professional ethics (up from 84 per cent previously) and 88 per cent say organisations should develop and administer an ethics awareness programme for their employees.

Three-quarters would refuse to work on a project that they considered to be unethical, but of the remaining quarter who disagreed or were indifferent, 75 per cent are aged below 40.

Professor Rogerson said: "Respondents under 40 are embarking upon, or establishing their careers and may feel they have to be more pragmatic in accepting work despite scruples they may have. By contrast older, more established professionals may feel more confident, or be more at liberty to be discriminating about the work they undertake."

While a large majority find it unacceptable to use employer's computing facilities for the employee's own profit-making activities, many employees find it acceptable to use facilities for their own non-profit making activities providing it has 'no adverse affect' on their employer.

Professor Rogerson said: "Organisations might need to pay particular attention to the informing of younger, graduate employees about policies for computing facilities use. If they have been used to accessing the internet and using email throughout the day from university labs, for example, they may need some help in making the transition to a more formal working environment and to realising that their activities could well be having an 'adverse affect' on their employer in terms of increased network traffic, a decrease in performance and so on."

The survey makes recommendations for employers, professional societies and educators to help promote more socially responsible practices within the IS community. These include: a code of practice for employees; 'whistle-blowing procedures'; clear policies on use of facilities, electronic surveillance processes and re-creation of intellectual property; support for younger workers; and address ethical issues more extensively in curricula.

Mrs Rachel Burnett, IMIS Chairman, will chair the launch on Tuesday 16 September at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London.

ENDS

Notes for Editors.  Previous surveys took place in 1998 and 2000. Of 2002 respondents, 35 per cent are from the UK and 54 per cent from African countries. Thirty per cent are under the age of 25.

For more information please call De Montfort University's Press Office on (0116) 250 6244.