LITUK Professional Standards and Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under UK employment law, what is the minimum number of weeks of statutory maternity leave an eligible employee is entitled to?
- 26 weeks
- 39 weeks
- 52 weeks (Correct answer)
- 12 weeks
Correct answer: 52 weeks
Eligible employees in the UK are entitled to up to 52 weeks of statutory maternity leave.
Question 2: Which UK law makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant based on their religion?
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Equality Act 2010 (Correct answer)
- Employment Rights Act 1996
- Race Relations Act 1976
Correct answer: Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits workplace discrimination based on religion or belief, among other protected characteristics.
Question 3: A British professional discovers their company is violating environmental regulations. What is the ethically correct course of action?
- Ignore it to protect their job
- Report it to the relevant authority or use whistleblowing procedures (Correct answer)
- Quit immediately without reporting
- Tell only their immediate supervisor and take no further action
Correct answer: Report it to the relevant authority or use whistleblowing procedures
UK professionals are expected to report wrongdoing through proper channels, and whistleblowers are legally protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
Question 4: What does the term 'duty of care' mean in a UK professional context?
- An obligation to care for elderly relatives
- A legal and ethical duty to avoid actions that could harm others (Correct answer)
- A requirement to pay national insurance contributions
- A rule that all professionals must have medical training
Correct answer: A legal and ethical duty to avoid actions that could harm others
Duty of care is a legal and ethical obligation requiring professionals to act in ways that do not cause harm to clients, colleagues, or the public.
Question 5: Which body is primarily responsible for investigating workplace discrimination complaints in the UK?
- The Home Office
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) (Correct answer)
- The Department for Work and Pensions
- The Crown Prosecution Service
Correct answer: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) enforces equality laws and investigates discrimination in workplaces and public services.
Question 6: In the UK, what is the ethical principle behind 'transparency' in professional practice?
- Sharing all client data with the public
- Being open and honest about decisions, actions, and their rationale (Correct answer)
- Allowing managers to monitor all employee communications
- Disclosing personal finances to colleagues
Correct answer: Being open and honest about decisions, actions, and their rationale
Transparency in professional ethics means being open and honest about how and why decisions are made, building trust with clients and the public.
Question 7: Which of the following is a key obligation under the UK's Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
- Employees must bring their own safety equipment
- Employers must provide a safe working environment as far as reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- Only managers are responsible for workplace safety
- Health and safety rules apply only to factories and construction sites
Correct answer: Employers must provide a safe working environment as far as reasonably practicable
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of employees as far as reasonably practicable.
LITUK Professional Standards and Ethics 2
Under UK employment law, what is the minimum number of weeks of statutory maternity leave an eligible employee is entitled to?