What is the difference between ethical and legal considerations

Unlike ethical considerations, there are established penalties for behaving in a way that conflicts with the law. However, as society evolves, what constitutes legal behavior also changes. For example, until recently, the possession or use of marijuana was illegal in the State of Colorado. As a result of the legislation that legalized marijuana, existing laws will need to be reinterpreted, and undoubtedly additional laws will be enacted to govern what was formerly illegal behavior.

Whether or not an individual thinks it is ethical to use a potentially harmful substance, the fact is that the law now allows such behavior. If the company dictates to employees about smoking, what else can they decide for employees? Does the company set Body Mass Index BMI limits for potential employees to reduce the cost of medical coverage for obesity-related illness?

As you can see, such decisions are complex—and, some would say, a slippery slope. A company can require that employees not smoke during their shift or anywhere on company premises, but does it have the right to require them not to smoke when not at work or not on company property? In fact, smokers are protected from employment-based discrimination in at least two dozen states. We are becoming increasingly intolerant of businesses that are not doing anything against the letter of the law, but against its spirit.

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Why ethics and law are not the same thing Ethics Leadership 01 Apr Both of these terms are interconnected, like if a person is legally doing something then it is ethical. Ethics are taught in abstract form whereas legal things have written form. Ethical and legal have moral aspects and lawful aspects respectively. They are interconnected but cannot be used interchangeably. Skip to content A human being is not just a living being who is breathing, eating and reproducing, but they are more than that.

What is Legal? What is Ethical? Main Differences Between Legal and Ethical Legal is based on law on contrary ethical standards are based on moral values. Doing something which is not legal illegal is punishable on the other hand, not being ethical unethical is not punishable. There are written records of what is legal and what is not, whereas ethical standards are an abstract form.

In legal acts adherence to law is mandatory while in ethical acts it is voluntary. Name required. Email required. Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Written by : Celine. User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages. Summary: 1. Author Recent Posts.