Identify Ethical Dilemmas Compared to Other Workplace Problems

August 20, 2022

Are you better able to identify ethical dilemmas compared to other workplace problems? If so how?

Has your ethical decision-making process changed based on the theories presented?

Have you created a personal ethical decision-making model?

What are your feelings about ethical wrongdoings and whistle-blowers?

Module 1

What Is Your Ethics IQ?

This is from an NBC interview with “The Ethics Guy”, Bruce Weinstein. This short video (5:40) provides an overview about ethics and how it can be applied to everyday life. There are 3 scenarios which are discussed (with different options), and why one choice is the most ethical. In addition, he provides a list of the 5 Principles of Ethics.

These principles are important to know! This video will be beneficial for your discussion posts, assignment paper, a10 Types of Plagiarism

This is an excellent video to examine different types of plagiarism. This video is especially beneficial to your case study (must be viewed before you can access the Module 1 Case Discussion board). t is also important for your review quiz. The topic of plagiarism is a lot more complicated than many students realised.

Given the access to technology, both the types of plagiarism and the amount of plagiarism have increased. Hopefully this video will also be beneficial for your entire academic career. The video is under 4 minutes in length.

Critical Thinking

Along with the required assigned articles on Critical Thinking, this video will explain some of the basic concepts of critical thinking. Critical thinking allows you to find solutions to a multitude of problems, not simply one problem. This video provides information in how to identify and minimise your own personal biases and flaws.

And how to create the skills for evaluating information and evaluating our thought in a disciplined way. It is important to understand what a false dichotomy is, and how to avoid this pitfall of reasoning. Play close attention to the qualities of a critical thinker.

This video must be viewed before you can have access to the Critical Thinking extra credit discussion board. Video is 5:13

Module 2

Code of Ethics – CEO Video

This award-winning YouTube video addresses whether or not CEO’s should follow (or can follow) a Code of Ethics similar to a Professional Code of Ethics.

This idea was discussed by Mike Martin in Chapter 2 of your textbook (Meaningful Work). Do you think CEOs (given that profit motives exist) can operate within a Code of Ethics? Do you agree or disagree with the conclusions offered on this video? and why?

University Websites

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University (new window)

Hoffman Center for Business Ethics at Bentley College (new window)

Non-Profit Organizations and/or Foundations

Ethics Resource Center (new window)

International Business Ethics Institute (new window)

Corporate Social Responsibility and the Nonprofit Sector (PDF new window)

Professional Codes of Ethics

Australia Psychologist Code of Ethics in PDF format (opens in new window)

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (new window)

National Education Association Code of Ethics (new window)

National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics (new window)

Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics (new window)

National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (new window)

Module 3

Social Responsibility and Client Issues

Module 3’s required readings are from your textbook, Meaningful Work (Chapters 4, 5 and 6), and an Internet search of the concept of Justice. As you read the materials for Module 3, consider the importance of responsibility to others in society. Develop a good definition of social responsibility and what it means to consider the common good.

Reading this module should help you determine your obligations in dealing with others around you in your workplace (and partners out of your workplace) and others in your community.

Issues of maintaining professional distance should also be considered. Professionals must deal with others in a caring way, but must maintain a professional approach when working with others. Consider the importance of ensuring justice for people and how your job is affected by issues of justice for yourself and others. Some of the major topics to review in this module are listed below:

Corporate Social Responsibility Video

While this is not a business ethics course, the affect from corporations is undeniable. A lawyer may be requested to do pro bono work, and within corporations, there may be pressure to be involved in a variety of volunteer and charitable organisations.

However, there is a responsibility to the corporation to act socially (and ethically) beyond simply its employees. The YouTube video below provides a beginning foundation. The Additional Resources tab also expands this topic. Video is 11 minutes.

Social Work Ethical Dilemma

The importance of this short (5 minute) video is to learn some common ethical dilemmas. This is a role play situation which presents additional facts throughout. You will need to view this vi

Module 4

Overview of Module 4

With Module 4 you should begin to think about how you make ethics decisions in the workplace and how information learned in this class may help you refine your ethical decision-making process. This module explores issues of shared responsibility and authority and issues to consider from philosophical when making ethical decisions.

Format remains the same.

As you have probably determined, each module is laid out the same. The tabs within the first section of this module are:

Items to be Completed
Overview (this section)
Learning Objectives
Key Words and Concepts

Content

Below the Key Words tab is a Content tab. Within this tab are three sections: Reading Assignments, Videos, and Additional Resources. Under the Reading Assignment tab, you will find the required reading assignments for module 4 (which is 3 chapters in the textbook). The next tab provides access to the required videos for this Module.

There are five videos for Module 4 which are key to understanding the primary concepts. Hopefully you will find the information from the videos builds on the same and/or similar concepts in the reading material, while continuing to expand the overall themes.

Additional Resources provides helpful resources related to Module 4 discussion posts and written assignment. However, you are still encouraged to seek additional resources from the online library, Internet searches, etc. and share those resources with your classmates. Assessments

After completing the required content for the module, the next tab is Assessments. Under Assessments will be links to all graded assignments for this module. You may also access these items through the navigation menu, under Evaluations.

General Discussion (4.1)
Assignment Paper (to be submitted to the Assignment tab
Review Quiz (may be take up to 5 times)
Reflection Journal (to be submitted to the Assignment tab)
Begin completing your Ethical Leadership Certification (can take approximately 6-8 hours)
Extra Credit Discussion (4.3) is only available for points if all module assignments are completed with a passing grade.

Reflection Journal: After you have completed the assignments, this is your time to reflect on Module 4 and what you have learned. Some questions have been provided to prompt your review, these do not specifically have to be addressed, nor should you feel limited by them. They are offered as suggestions for things you might have identified within the Module.

Module 4 Learning Objectives

Learning Objective 1: Explain how issues of authority and autonomy must be integrated into the role of the professional in an organisation.
Learning Objective 2: Define whistle blowing, understand the risk involved personally and professional, and when it is appropriate.
Learning Objective 3: Outline necessary steps to take prior to blowing the whistle on unethical activity within an organization.
Learning Objective 4: Explain how amorality and moral detachment may lead to unethical behaviour.
Learning objective 5: Define common characteristics (both strengths and weaknesses) of the three commonly used ethical decision-making theories (virtue, deontological, and utilitarian)
Learning Objective 6: Create a plan for applying the ethical decision-making theories to ethical dilemmas within an organisation.
Learning Objective 7: Explain their individual ethics decision making process.
Module 4 Reading Assignments
Making Ethical Decisions
Module 4’s required readings are from your textbook, Meaningful Work (Chapters 8, 9, and 11), along with various Internet sites to explore common ethical decision-making theories.

As you read the materials for Module 4, begin to think about how you make ethical decisions in the workplace and how information learned in this class may have helped you refine your ethical decision-making process. consider the importance of responsibility to others in society.

Develop a good definition of social responsibility and what it means to consider the common good. Reading this module should help you determine your obligations in dealing with others around you in your workplace (and partners out of your workplace) and others in your community. Issues of maintaining professional distance should also be considered.

Professionals must deal with others in a caring way, but must maintain a professional approach when working with others. Consider the importance of ensuring justice for people and how your job is affected by issues of justice for yourself and others. Some of the major topics to review in this module are listed below:

Chapter 8: Respect for Authority. In some professions, such as attorneys and doctors, the traditional model was that these professionals served clients without interference from managers. Other professions (engineers, teachers, nurses, business employees, etc.) never had this model. In today’s society, it is common for professionals to expect oversight by managers.

This chapter explores this issue in terms of the professionals’ expert knowledge on certain topics, the shared decision making that is often required between a manager and a professional, and the standards set by professions that prescribe how professionals should act. Consider issues of authority and autonomy and how professionals should integrate these two in an organisation.

Chapter 9: Whistle-blowing. Consider the definition for whistle blowing and reasons employees may consider blowing the whistle. Consider implications to the organisation and to the whistle blower.

Does the employee have a duty not to blow the whistle or should he/she blow the whistle if there is serious wrong-doing because it is for the common good? Consider responsibilities to family and others outside the workplace and an employee’s right to pursue his/her career — these issues may also impact a person’s decisions whether or not to blow the whistle.

Chapter 11: Explaining Wrongdoing. This chapter provides information on character issues in decision making and explaining wrongdoing. Define amorality and moral detachment and how these may lead to unethical behavior. Review virtue theory and consider how you may be able to use this theory to make ethical decisions.
Ethical Decision-Making Theories
While there are many ethical decision-making theories, we will focus on the three most common: Utilitarianism, Deontology and Virtue. The websites listed below are a starting place for understanding about these theories. Please allow additional time to learn about theories, as this is a very key part of this class. These theories will be used in your discussions, case, paper and quiz. Consider ways in which these theories can be used to make ethical decisions by professionals.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/consequentialism/
http://home.sandiego.edu/~baber/gender/MoralTheories.html
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/ethicsandvirtue.html
You may also want to search other websites that explain these theories. The required videos also provide additional information on these theories.

Ethical Framework Lecture

This lecture explores articles, websites and videos which will be of great assistance in writing your Ethical Framework Paper.

The purpose of an ethical framework is to create a process in order to identify and manage ethical dilemmas. Below is a process that may be beneficial. You may establish a different process, which is fine just so long as all the elements are covered. Sometimes, by its very nature, ethical dilemmas are loose-loose situations (or the lesser of two evils), etc. Creating this process will be important for your final paper which is maintained in your e-Portfolio.

Step 1 – Ethical Awareness

We began Module 1 looking generally at Ethical Awareness. And it has been important in every module. In a nutshell, ethical awareness is your basic perception of what is right and wrong.

While this sounds simple, in fact it is the most complicated element in this process. Obviously, if you are unaware a situation is wrong (against company policy, illegal, etc.), you may not even apply your ethical decision-making process. Thus, awareness is fundamental. There are many different (and differing) views on moral development (which is the foundation to awareness).

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development is often referenced for ethical awareness. As you increase your Moral Development (according to this theory) your ethical awareness will increase. There are 6 different levels.

Below are a few sites which examine the Kohlberg Theory of Moral Development. All three links will open in a new window.

Kohlberg (Simply Psychology) new window

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development (chapter) new window

not everyone agrees with Kohlberg’s theory. Carol Gilligan, a student of Kohlberg’s, actually focuses on the gender differences.

Carol Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development

Step 2 – What is the ethical issue?

Not every dilemma is an ethical dilemma – you need to identify it as ethical (based on your awareness).

Is it a legal concern?
Who will be affected? (stakeholders)
Does the company policy address this situation?
Has company precedence been set?
What does your gut tell you?

Step 3 – Legal Issues

Not all ethical issues are legal issues; but legal issues are ethical.
Do you know the current laws and regulations concerning this situation?
Seek legal counsel for direction.

Step 4 – Alternatives

Identify all possible alternatives.
Identify probable outcomes.
Is additional information needed evaluate these scenarios?
Is this a time-sensitive situation?

Step 5 – Evaluate Different Decision-making Theories

You must have a strong understanding of the three different ethical decision-making theories which we have identified in this module (Deontological, Virtue, and Utilitarian). Then, based on those differences,

What would your decision be from a Deontological theory perspective?
What would your decision be from a Virtue theory perspective?
What would your decision be from a Consequentialist (Utilitarian) theory perspective?

Robots Compare Ethical Theories

This video shows a comparison between Deontological Theory and Utilitarian Theory, through the humour of computers. I admit it can be difficult to understand their words sometimes. If you are able to work through this video, it does focus on consequences and the ends vs. the means (each theory approaches those concepts differently).

This video is simply reinforcing the concepts learned earlier in the required videos for this module. Understanding these theories and differences is a key part of this module (which is why I continue to present the same material in different formats). This video also provides a cute example.

Step 6 – Decide, Implement and Evaluate