160 ANALYSING HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
put public and professional good ahead of self-interest, and to avoid
malpractice in an institutionalized system (e.g. courts/hospitals). 9(e).
There is often an induction ceremony and sometimes auniform worn
either on(barrister/doctor)or even both on and offthe job,for example,
soldier/priest signifyinga right/duty to do what others may not.Where
there is a uniform, there is often also a line and staffcommand struc-
ture which often rules out substantive professional discretion for all but
superior officers. Code:Spec/Cond- Codes in 8–9 provide group identity and culture throughgazetted
enforcement of a range of sanctionsincluding de-registering or financial
or other legal punishment for malpractice, and requiring indemnity
insurance to cover civil claims. Professionals are deemed culpable for
poor performance, which is the sanction side of accountability men-
tioned in 8 above. Code:Expel - Given the exacting cognitive requirements set down under mark 2, 3, 5,
and 7 above,Continuing education in the expertise is mandatory.Code:
Contin/Ed - Professionals provide service on the basis ofunequal knowledge to the
client, thus requiring trust and afiduciary relationship, with some pater-
nalistic features in tension with the idea of client autonomy. People
who suddenly become severely sick will depend on their doctors and
cannot always ‘shop’ as consumers of care as they would for clothes.
Clients often consult professionals at the stage ofstrong vulnerability.
The relation is one of inequality in this sense, although the client must
be honest about their situation. Code:Fiduciary
13.Professional detachmentfrom the individual client is needed, combined
with proper attention to their lives as a whole. Professional satisfaction
arises from mediating ultimate goods to persons, but does not require
professionals to like clients or hold absolute attachment to them. Code:
Detachment
14(a). A professional mediates the client’s access to goods which is a matter
ofdistributive social or economic justice, rather than personal ‘desert’
or ability to pay. Professionals operate in a ‘field’ identified as profes-
sional because activity specific tothis role delivers an important expert
service needed by clients and the public,one dealing with ultimate goods
and ends such as life, security, health, justice, identity, reputation,
income and means of sustenance, freedom from violence and arbitrary
incarceration. 14(b). In paradigmatic cases of professional service, it
is authorized fordelivery as a right to any applicant who is a citizen
without discrimination and ideally without excessive monetary charge.
Code:Distjus