Professional Standards and Ethics Flashcards

Which of the following is an example of 'indirect discrimination' under the UK Equality Act 2010?

Answer: Applying a policy that disadvantages people with a particular religion even if unintentional

Indirect discrimination occurs when a seemingly neutral policy or practice puts people with a protected characteristic at a disadvantage compared to others.

In a UK professional context, what is 'vicarious liability'?

Answer: An employer's legal responsibility for unlawful acts committed by their employees during employment

Vicarious liability means employers can be held legally responsible for discriminatory or harmful acts committed by their employees in the course of employment.

What is the purpose of the UK's National Minimum Wage legislation?

Answer: To ensure workers receive a legally required minimum hourly rate of pay

The National Minimum Wage sets a legal floor on hourly pay to protect workers from exploitation and ensure basic income standards.

What does 'professional confidentiality' require of practitioners in the UK?

Answer: Keeping client or patient information private unless there is a lawful reason to disclose it

Professional confidentiality requires practitioners to protect client or patient information and only disclose it with consent or when legally required.

Which of the following scenarios would be considered 'harassment' under UK employment law?

Answer: A colleague making repeated unwanted comments about someone's ethnicity

Harassment is unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

What is the key responsibility of a UK employer under the GDPR when handling employee personal data?

Answer: To process data lawfully, fairly, and transparently, storing only what is necessary

Under UK GDPR, employers must process personal data lawfully and transparently, collect only what is necessary, and not retain it longer than needed.

What is the ethical obligation of a UK professional who is aware they lack the skills to complete a task competently?

Answer: Disclose the limitation and seek appropriate support, supervision, or refer the task to someone competent

Professional ethics require practitioners to recognise the limits of their competence and to seek help or refer tasks they are not qualified to handle.