Business Ethics and Law for Digital Image Editing Workplaces

Ethical Character

Personal qualities that guide choices when no one is watching.

Honesty

Telling the truth in communication and work products.

Personal Integrity

Consistently doing the right thing, even when it costs you.

Compassion

Recognizing how your actions affect others and responding accordingly.

Justice

Applying standards fairly and avoiding discrimination or favoritism.

HICJ

A memory aid for core ethical traits: Honesty, Integrity, Compassion, Justice.

Workplace Standards

Guidelines ensuring trust, quality, and legal compliance.

Labor Laws

Regulations impacting hiring, employment practices, treatment, and pay.

Harassment

Unwelcome conduct based on protected characteristics creating a hostile environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Agency enforcing anti-discrimination laws in workplaces.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

U.S. law governing minimum wage, overtime, and child labor rules.

Employment Interviews

Regulated evaluations to prevent unfair discrimination.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Legal rights protecting creations of the mind.

Copyright

Protects original creative expression fixed in a tangible medium.

Trademark

Protects brand identifiers that signal the source of goods.

Trade Secret

Confidential business information providing competitive advantage.

Software Licensing

Legal agreements governing the use of software.

Data Privacy

Regulations surrounding the handling of personal data.

Conflict of Interest

When personal interests interfere with professional duties.

Personal Gain Conflicts

Financial or social benefits arising from workplace decisions.

Vendor Relationships

Managing conflicts in project bidding and vendor selection.

Side Gigs

Freelancing that may compete with or interfere with primary employment.

Portfolio Use

Using work for personal promotion while respecting confidentiality.

Disclosure

Informing a supervisor or client of a potential conflict.

Recusal

Stepping away from decision-making when biased.

Personal Ethics

Individual beliefs that may conflict with organizational or professional standards.

Organizational Standards

Employer policies guiding workplace behavior and expectations.