Ethics and business law

Integrity and Professional Behavior

A junior member of staff has just returned to work after taking special leave to care for her elderly mother. For financial reasons she needs to work full-time. She has been having difficulties with her mother's home care arrangements, causing her to miss a number of team meetings (which usually take place at the beginning of each day) and to leave work early. She is very competent in her work but her absences are putting pressure on her and her overworked colleagues. You are her manager, and you are aware that the flow of work through the practice is coming under pressure. One of her male colleagues is beginning to make comments such as"a woman's place is in the home", and is undermining her at every opportunity, putting her under even greater stress.

1. How should you proceed so as not to discredit yourself, your profession or the practice for which you work and at the same time maintaining integrity and confidentiality in your actions?
2. What are the ethical aspects to consider in an environment of inclusion? How can you balance performance, while being mindful of inclusion?