Question

Background:  What is perceived to be ethical by some people may be easily considered unethical by others. There is not always a right-wrong, yes-no, black-white answer when making decisions. Within organizations, a code of ethics can serve as an ethical guide for employee behavior; however, such codes are often general in their ethical prescriptions. On the other hand, individuals are often left to make ethical decisions simply based on what they perceive to be morally right.

Exercise:  Follow the steps below in making ethical decisions.

Scenario 2:  Richard and Charles are talking in the hallway about the employee benefits program. Charles, who has had some recent financial trouble, explains to Richard how the benefits program has a loophole that will allow him to receive some financial assistance that he really needs to help pay health care costs for his mother. Cathy, a fellow worker, overhears the conversation. Later, Cathy is approached by her supervisor who says he heard a rumor that some people were taking advantage of the company benefits program.

Steps for Making Ethical Decisions:

1. Identify the ethical issue or problem. Note: This should be from the point of view of the person experiencing the dilemma and should be worded as an either/or question.
2. List the facts that have the most bearing on the decision.
3. Identify anyone who might be affected by the decision and how.
4. Explain what each affected person would want the person with the dilemma to do about the issue.
5. List three alternative actions and identify the best and worst case scenario for each alternative, anyone who may be negatively impacted by the choice, and any values that would be compromised by selecting the choice.
6. Determine a course of action.

Answer 1

Answer) Given paragraph talks about ethical issues and presents us with an ethical dilemma,following are the answers to different parts of the situation.

1. Dilemma is from point of view of Cathy who has ethical dilemma either to tell her supervisor about the conversation or feign ignorance about the conversation she overheard.
2. Facts that have most bearing on the decision are that Charles have a problem and if Cathy tells about conversation ,in best case he would not get benefits and in worse could face disciplinary action,another fact is that Cathy would by lying if she feigns ignorance and it is a lie even if she is trying to help Charles.Third fact is that company would continue losing and she by not choosing to tell is causing losses to her company in a way which is against the integrity.
3. Cathy would be affected as in one of her choice she could be lying and causing loss to her company and in other choice she could be causing harm to one of her fellow employee.Richard would be affected if Cathy names her,he could face disciplinary action,even if she acknowledges there is a problem and does not name who was discussing,Richard would still loose extra benefit from loophole,Charles could be affected as he could also face action for being part of conversation an not informing management and finally company could face losses if Cathy doesn't tell about the conversation.
4. From Richard and Charles view point they would want Cathy to feign ignorance ,while her supervisor/management would want her to tell about the conversation.
5. First alternative could be Cathy tells about the conversation as she heard it,in this case Richard would be negatively affected and could face disciplinary action in worst case and lose benefit in best case,Charles could also face action or reprimanded while management and company would benefit from such an action and close loophole,for Cathy herself in best case company decides to only close loophole and reward Cathy,in worst case she could feel affected by Richard facing action because of her.In terms of values this choice could lead Cathy to feel guilty about Richard and feel as if she is not compassionate about someone she works with.Second alternative could be she feign ignorance and in a way lie,in best case she would be helping Richard in a way but in worst case she is here causing losses to company and lying,management would be negatively impacted by such choice,in terms of values it is about lying as well as loss of her integrity in her own eyes.A third alternative could be a middle ground where she without taking any names acknowldges that she also heard same rumuors and it is possibly true,now in this case best she has saved company from losses,she is not entirely lying, as well as Richard and Charles will not face disciplinary action,in worst case she would be seen as not truthful,not entirely trustworthy by management or her employees and Richard would lose benefits.In terms of values she could feel bad for not taking any stand and could feel guily in a lesser degree from all of the consequences.
6. Best course of action would be alternative 3,as in that case she is not lying and saving company from losses without causing harm in sense of disciplinary action to her co-workers,this alternative would achieve most of right purposes and would not cause her to feel guilt either.

Answer is complete.Thank you!