ethical dilemma in the workplace essay

Ethical Dilemma in the Workplace Essay

Introduction, relevant facts, ethical issues from the facts, who is affected by the outcome of the dilemma, alternatives available for resolving the dilemma, consequences of each alternative, appropriate action.

There are situations that occur in the workplace that we are forced to choose between bad and worse options. Ethical dilemmas in the workplace are major challenges for every employee, and dealing with them is a major struggle. This paper seeks to apply the six steps approach to address an ethical dilemma faced by an employee in an audit firm.

According to the auditing guidelines given by the PCAOB, the documentation of an audit that has been carried out must be completed and submitted within 45 days (Arens, Elder, & Beasley, 2013). It concerns any publicly traded client.

The guidelines also rule that any additional documentation that will be attached to the audit after the stipulated deadline must indicate the date of completion. Other additional information, such as the preparers’ signature and the purpose of inclusion, must also be indicated (Arens et al., 2013). Auditors are prohibited from changing or altering the original audit document.

The audit report must be submitted in its original format without any form of modification by the audit teams as required by the PCAOB guidelines (Arens et al., 2013). PCAOB inspections are very effective in identifying serious audit deficiencies (Arens et al., 2013). If there will be deficiencies identified by the PCAOB, the partner who is a new and a prospective appointee will suffer image damages. The audit deficiencies will make him/her look bad, and he/she may face very serious penalties from the firm as disciplinary measures.

The ethical issue, in this case, is very clear and conspicuous when one reads the text carefully. Ann, who is eyeing for a promotion to become a partner, is faced with a challenge where she has to make one choice from two difficult options. Apparently, she was recently recommended for promotion, and now she has been asked to exercise the full operational power of an officeholder as a partner.

The dilemma, in this case, is choosing what to do, whom to offend, and what values to uphold. The necessity to decide is the most important thing to do in this situation, and it is a very difficult position for Ann. Her partner is adamant, which means she should overlook the guidelines and influence the audit to reflect an outcome that will be good for both her career and the company. But it is despite Ann’s protest that was against the guidelines.

Nonetheless, both situations have an impact on her career. Ann has to decide whether she will stick to the auditing guidelines as provided by the PCAOB guidelines or not (Arens et al., 2013). In an ethical situation as the one presented in this case, one can easily make a wrong decision that can affect him or her in the future.

In these issues, the dilemma will affect two parties, the company, and Ann, the partner responsible for making the audit report look good. If Ann follows the guidelines in general, she will then date the additional information accordingly, and the dates will reflect the actual date when the information was added. However, when she makes such a decision, she will be exposing the entire firm to auditing scrutiny that may expose serious audit deficiencies (Arens et al., 2013).

It will affect the firms’ credibility, and the entire company will suffer. As a result, people will be released publicly. Therefore, the firm’s reputation is at stake with regard to the outcomes of this dilemma. On the other hand, if she will follow the instructions her partner suggested, the company’s reputation will be salvaged.

However, she will fail an integrity test since she is a practitioner, and she is expected to uphold the anticipated conduct of a professional. It may seem to be the best decision, but it has serious implications from both the firm and the PCAOB.

Her partner assured her that nobody would ever know. Nonetheless, if any way, her actions are noticed, she will have a great problem with PCAOB (Arens et al., 2013). In addition, her actions can be used to prove that she is not fit for the office when the final appointment to her promotion is made. If she can influence the outcome of an audit to protect herself and the company, it means she can also do the same for self-gain when an opportunity comes.

There are no good alternatives in this case since every decision has its implications. However, it is important to note that there are alternatives, no matter how bad they might turn out for Ann and the firm. Resolving this dilemma will require one party to take responsibility and be ready to suffer the ensuing consequences. There are two main alternatives in this case, and both are to affect Ann’s career.

The first alternative for solving this dilemma is to abide by the regulations and professional guidelines. The other alternative is to make changes to the additional information so that the dates correspond with an earlier date instead of the actual one. It will protect the firm’s reputation, and the partners will avoid possible fines due to a negative audit outcome.

Being a case of professional auditing, there are guidelines that Ann is supposed to follow. However, if she adheres to the guidelines as she is supposed to do, there will be consequences that will influence her career, and the oncoming promotion will be at risk. On the other hand, if she decides to alter the audit documents against the PCAOB guidelines, she will be compromising her integrity as a trusted and ethical worker/employee.

In my opinion, upholding the PCAOB’s guideline is the best option for Ann in this case (Arens et al., 2013). It is considering the fact that she was invited as an acting officer. She has not assumed the position yet, and she has not been promoted as a partner. Therefore, the firm might consider overlooking her liability if the audit report’s outcome is negative. At the same time, her integrity is at risk if she is seen to be capable of committing unauthorized deals.

She could be under scrutiny, there could be an integrity test, and going against the expected code of conduct could be a major contravention of the ethical practice. Besides, by abiding by the code of conduct, she will display her honesty, and it may lead to a positive outcome in her proposed promotion.

This essay has applied the six steps approach in solving a dilemma in the workplace. The steps include identifying the relevant facts, ethical issues, parties involved, alternatives, consequences of alternatives, and, lastly, the appropriate action. The essay has critically examined this case in order to come up with the most appropriate action to resolve the dilemma.

Arens, A.A., Elder, R.J., & Beasley, M.S. (2013). Auditing and Assurance Services, Student Value Edition (15th ed). New York, NY: Prentice Hall.

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IvyPanda. (2020, May 5). Ethical Dilemma in the Workplace. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ethical-dilemma-in-the-workplace/

"Ethical Dilemma in the Workplace." IvyPanda , 5 May 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/ethical-dilemma-in-the-workplace/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Ethical Dilemma in the Workplace'. 5 May.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Ethical Dilemma in the Workplace." May 5, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ethical-dilemma-in-the-workplace/.

1. IvyPanda . "Ethical Dilemma in the Workplace." May 5, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ethical-dilemma-in-the-workplace/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Ethical Dilemma in the Workplace." May 5, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ethical-dilemma-in-the-workplace/.

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Workplace Ethics and the Code of Conduct

Introduction.

Workplace ethics is usually described as the manner in which the employees in an institution manage themselves and their general attitude towards work. The mode of operation of a firm and the inherent perception regarding it by the competitors and society forms part of the workplace code of conduct. The reflection of effective implementation of workplace ethics amongst institutions is exhibited by how they relate with their clients and suppliers, their interactions with other firms, the way they undertake their activities, and their internal and external communication mechanisms. The essay aims at highlighting the desirable employee workplace code of conduct, the benefits and importance of workplace ethics, and the eminent ethical issues in places of work.

Workplace Code of Conduct amongst Employees

A strong employee ethic in workplaces is nurtured through the establishment of habits and systems that facilitate efficient and effective achievement of tasks and interactions among personnel in the place of work. Every staff is required to observe punctuality with respect to timely coming to workstations and completion of projects (“The Value of Strong Workplace Ethics,” 2020). Additionally, both the employer and employee should be individually held accountable and take responsibility for the resultant errors and omissions in any task due to their actions. The workplace culture should also ensure that the staff remains focused, free from all distractors, for the successful and timely accomplishment of tasks.

A truly ethical workplace requires every employee to take the initiative of ensuring that that they have the self-drive to always engage in activities that are productive and beneficial to the firm without being compelled. Indeed, employees should endeavor productivity by avoiding obstacles that hinder them from delivering their best in the assigned tasks. Individual employees ought to exhibit dedication while undertaking their assignments (“The Value of Strong Workplace Ethics,” 2020). Furthermore, the staff should uphold professionalism as part of their work culture, which entails remaining polite to others and decent dressing. Finally, the employee should show their willingness to improve. The character is demonstrated by their positive desire to accept feedback and criticisms, which is also essential in their career advancement.

Benefits of Workplace Ethics

First, employees of an institution enshrined with workplace ethics strive to nurture teamwork amongst themselves for the benefit of the organization. They also work collectively in meeting the predetermined targets hence facilitate enhanced productivity and growth of the firm (Leonard, 2019). Notably, such a company is assured of integrity towards the protection of its asset as the personnel take care of the equipment and machine, thus decreasing costs of maintenance.

Additionally, ethic-anchored work settings enjoy smooth decision making and efficient implementation of strategies, reputable company image, and products in the public domain, and alleviated adverse legal matters. Amazingly, the firm is able to penetrate novel business frontiers, thus scaling the stature of its success and business growth assurance (Leonard, 2019). Finally, an excellent ethical culture promotes a responsive, courteous, and superfluous environment amongst workers with the least plights. The company also becomes easily adaptive to the attributable transformations in the digressive market setting it operates in.

Workplace Ethical Issues

Harassment and discrimination.

It is a prerequisite for all employers to offer equitable employment chances, recruit and train a multi-dimensional workforce. However, some firms fail to enforce these policies and foster workplaces that uphold respect for all sorts of people (Sudsakorn & Rattanawiboonsoom, 2018). Some qualified candidates and employees face harassment and discrimination based on their gender, ethnicity, age, race, and physical abilities. On the verge of averting the high legal and ramifications costs associated with the misconduct, most firms repel the unethical mindset through the provision of alternative perspectives, which are all-inclusive.

Unethical Management

The unprincipled conduct is usually associated with the managers and is exhibited through actions such as manipulation of report figures and inappropriate utilization of company resources and funds. Research has depicted that the abuse of the governance in authority contributes to approximately sixty percent of the misconduct experienced in workplaces (Sudsakorn & Rattanawiboonsoom, 2018). Remarkably, the action can imperceptibly transpire in the form of inapt acceptance of handouts from suppliers, bullying, or the occasional skipping of the stipulated standard processes.

Destructive Workplace Culture

Some organizations face the challenge of unethical leadership, which concentrates on soliciting bribes influencing data and figures on sales or adversely bulldozing employees and corporate partners for financial and personal favors. The culture results in oppression and disrespect of the personnel in the company (Sudsakorn & Rattanawiboonsoom, 2018). The situation aggravates through the repopulation of the institution with like-minded individuals to propagate their interests. The hiring of similar toxic mentality personalities eventually results in discrimination during recruitment, leading to further ethical problems and legal implications.

Inappropriate Use of Institution Tools and Technology

Indecorous usage of the company internet and technology causes the firm to incur extreme costs from staff performance, time loss, and company returns. A recent study showed that about sixty-four percent of employees browse websites not related to work in the course of a workday (Sudsakorn & Rattanawiboonsoom, 2018). The frequently visited sites include the news feed in the social media platforms and result in the abuse of company technology, tools, and time.

The thesis has explored some of the aspects relating to workplace ethics. Indeed, ethics are crucial in the development of a company as it describes the diverse circumstances which influence the functioning of the firm. The more an institution follows its ethics, the more sustainable and successful it becomes. Every organization should avoid unethical practices for the efficient accomplishment of its targets and corporate social responsibility.

Leonard, K. (2019). Workplace values and ethics. Houston Chronicle . Web.

Sudsakorn, C., & Rattanawiboonsoom, V. (2018). Ethical business culture and its impact on unethical behaviors in the workplace: Conceptual implications. PSAKU International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research , 7 (1), 132–140.

The value of strong workplace ethics. (2020). SpriggHR. Web.

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Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Ethics and Moral Philosophy — Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma Essays

Understanding how to write an ethical dilemma essay.

If you're tasked with writing an ethical dilemma essay, it's essential to start with a clear understanding of the topic. Here are some prompt samples to help you grasp the key aspects:

• Prompt 1: Analyze a personal ethical dilemma you have faced and the decision-making process involved.
• Prompt 2: Discuss an ethical dilemma in a real-world professional setting and propose a solution.
• Prompt 3: Explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding advancements in technology and their impact on society.
• Prompt 4: Investigate the moral conflicts arising from environmental conservation efforts and economic development.

Brainstorming and Choosing a Compelling Essay Topic

Now that you have some prompts to work with, it's time to brainstorm and select a captivating essay topic. Consider the following points:

• Personal Experience: Reflect on personal ethical dilemmas you've encountered, as they can provide unique insights.
• Relevance: Ensure your topic is relevant to the prompt and highlights the complexity of ethical decision-making.
• Moral Ambiguity: Choose a topic that involves conflicting values or principles, making the dilemma truly ethical.
• Contemporary Issues: Explore current events or situations where ethical choices play a crucial role.

Unique Ethical Dilemma Essay Topics

Here's a list of unique essay topics that go beyond the ordinary:

• The Ethical Dilemma of Artificial Intelligence in Autonomous Vehicles
• Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: The Case of Allocating Limited Resources During a Pandemic
• The Moral Implications of Genetic Editing and Designer Babies
• Corporate Responsibility: Balancing Profit and Ethical Practices in the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Environmental Ethics: The Conflict Between Conservation and Indigenous Rights
• The Ethical Challenges of Privacy and Surveillance in the Digital Age
• The Use of Torture in Interrogation: An Examination of the Ticking Time Bomb Scenario
• Ethical Dilemmas in Journalism: Reporting on Sensitive Subjects and the Public's Right to Know
• Animal Testing in Scientific Research: Balancing Scientific Advancement and Animal Welfare
• The Ethical Considerations of Assisted Suicide and End-of-Life Care
• Police Use of Force: Balancing Public Safety and Individual Rights
• Environmental Conservation vs. Economic Development: The Case of Deforestation
• AI and Employment: The Ethical Dilemma of Automation and Job Displacement
• The Ethics of Human Cloning and Its Potential Consequences
• Refugee Crisis: Ethical Obligations and National Sovereignty
• Ethical Challenges in Artificial Intelligence Research: Bias and Fairness
• Food Industry Ethics: The Dilemma of Factory Farming and Sustainable Alternatives
• Medical Trials in Developing Countries: Balancing Scientific Progress and Informed Consent
• The Ethical Implications of Space Exploration and Colonization
• Ethics of AI-Powered Deepfake Technology: Implications for Privacy and Misinformation

Paragraph and Phrase Inspiration

When crafting your essay, here are some sample paragraphs and phrases that can inspire your writing:

• Introduction: "Ethical dilemmas are the moral crossroads where our values and principles clash with real-life decisions."
• Main Body: "In the case of AI in autonomous vehicles, the ethical dilemma centers around the choice between prioritizing passenger safety or minimizing harm to pedestrians."
• Counterargument: "While some argue that sacrificing individual privacy for national security is justified, it's crucial to consider the potential abuses and erosion of civil liberties."
• Conclusion: "In conclusion, ethical dilemmas are not mere theoretical exercises; they shape our society and define our values. By examining these complex issues, we can strive for a more ethical and compassionate world."

Now that you have these tips and unique ideas in mind, go ahead and write an engaging ethical dilemma essay that leaves a lasting impact. Dive deep into the complexities of moral choices and spark thoughtful discussions.

A Critical Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas in Education and Beyond

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A Case Study on The Ethical Dilemma Surrounding The Hospital Reimbursement after The Treatment of Illegal Immigrants

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An ethical dilemma refers to a situation or scenario in which an individual or group is faced with a complex decision that involves conflicting moral principles or values. It is a challenging predicament where there is no clear-cut right or wrong choice, and the decision-maker must carefully navigate the moral and ethical implications of their actions.

Personal Ethical Dilemmas: These arise when an individual faces conflicting moral values or principles in their personal life. For example, choosing between honesty and protecting a loved one's reputation. Professional Ethical Dilemmas: These occur in the workplace and involve conflicts between ethical responsibilities and professional obligations. For instance, deciding whether to blow the whistle on unethical practices that may harm others but jeopardize one's career. Societal Ethical Dilemmas: These pertain to broader societal issues and involve conflicting values or interests. Examples include debates on topics like euthanasia, abortion, or genetic engineering, where different ethical perspectives clash. Organizational Ethical Dilemmas: These dilemmas arise within organizations when employees face conflicting values or ethical standards. For instance, deciding between loyalty to the company and reporting unethical behavior by a colleague. Technological Ethical Dilemmas: With advancements in technology, ethical dilemmas have emerged, such as privacy concerns, AI ethics, or the impact of automation on employment.

Conflict of Values: Ethical dilemmas arise when individuals encounter conflicting values or principles, where there is no clear right or wrong answer. These conflicting values create a sense of moral uncertainty. Difficult Decision-Making: Ethical dilemmas require individuals to make difficult choices between competing options, each with their own ethical implications. The decision-making process involves weighing the potential consequences and considering the moral implications of each choice. No Perfect Solution: Ethical dilemmas often lack a perfect or ideal solution that satisfies all ethical considerations. Regardless of the decision made, there may be negative consequences or ethical trade-offs involved. Personal and Moral Significance: Ethical dilemmas are deeply personal and have significant moral implications for the individuals involved. They often challenge personal integrity and moral values, making the decision emotionally and morally burdensome. Ethical Reasoning: Resolving ethical dilemmas requires careful ethical reasoning, analysis, and consideration of different ethical theories or frameworks. It involves examining the principles, values, and potential consequences involved in order to make an informed and morally justifiable decision. Contextual Nature: Ethical dilemmas are influenced by the specific context in which they occur. Factors such as cultural norms, social expectations, legal considerations, and professional codes of conduct can further complicate the decision-making process.

Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism asserts that the ethical choice is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. When faced with an ethical dilemma, individuals utilizing this theory would weigh the potential consequences of each option and choose the one that leads to the greatest net benefit. Deontological Ethics: Deontological ethics focuses on adhering to moral duties and principles regardless of the outcomes. This approach emphasizes the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions rather than the consequences. Individuals using deontological reasoning would consider universal moral principles, such as honesty or respect for autonomy, when making ethical decisions. Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics centers on the development of moral character and emphasizes the importance of virtuous traits and intentions in ethical decision-making. When faced with an ethical dilemma, individuals using this theory would consider which action aligns with virtuous qualities, such as honesty, compassion, or justice.

Film: In the movie "12 Angry Men," a jury must decide the fate of a young man accused of murder. Jurors face an ethical dilemma as they confront their biases, prejudices, and the weight of the evidence, ultimately questioning their responsibility to deliver a just verdict. Literature: In the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, the character Atticus Finch faces an ethical dilemma when defending an innocent black man accused of rape in a racially divided society. He confronts the moral choice between upholding justice and challenging deeply ingrained prejudices. Television: The series "The Good Place" revolves around ethical dilemmas and moral philosophy. Characters navigate complex ethical situations as they question the nature of good and bad, exploring themes such as utilitarianism, deontology, and moral relativism.

The topic of ethical dilemmas is crucial to explore and discuss in essays due to its profound impact on individuals, societies, and decision-making processes. Ethical dilemmas present complex situations where individuals face conflicting moral choices, and examining them allows for a deeper understanding of ethical principles, values, and the complexities of human behavior. Writing an essay on ethical dilemmas offers several benefits. Firstly, it encourages critical thinking and ethical reasoning by presenting real or hypothetical scenarios that challenge one's moral compass. It prompts individuals to analyze different perspectives, weigh the consequences of actions, and navigate moral gray areas. Secondly, exploring ethical dilemmas fosters ethical awareness and character development. By examining these dilemmas, individuals gain insights into their own values, biases, and decision-making processes. It promotes self-reflection and the cultivation of moral virtues such as empathy, integrity, and responsibility. Lastly, the topic of ethical dilemmas is relevant to various fields, including medicine, business, law, and technology. Essays on this subject provide an opportunity to explore how ethical frameworks and principles can guide professionals in making ethically sound decisions within their respective domains.

1. Beauchamp, T. L., & Bowie, N. E. (2020). Ethical theory and business (10th ed.). Pearson. 2. Bredeson, D. (2017). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice (10th ed.). Cengage Learning. 3. Davis, M. (2016). Ethics and the university. Routledge. 4. Kidder, R. M. (2005). How good people make tough choices: Resolving the dilemmas of ethical living. Harper Perennial. 5. Lo, B., & Field, M. J. (Eds.). (2009). Conflict of interest in medical research, education, and practice. National Academies Press. 6. May, L., & Vandekerckhove, W. (Eds.). (2019). Routledge handbook of whistleblowing studies. Routledge. 7. Resnik, D. B. (2015). Playing politics with science: Balancing scientific independence and government oversight. Oxford University Press. 8. Singer, P. (2015). Ethics in the real world: 82 brief essays on things that matter. Princeton University Press. 9. Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2020). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (8th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. 10. Velasquez, M. (2018). Business ethics: Concepts and cases. Pearson.

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The Real-World Impact of Workplace Ethics

​COVID-19 has forced many ethical considerations to the forefront of HR. Whether confronting issues related to vaccinations, masking, employee retention or mental health, making decisions based on ethics is a daily chore for many HR professionals. Here are four considerations worth contemplating as you prepare to address your next ethical dilemma.  

The Ends Do Not Justify the Means 

The first ethical rule to consider is a twist on Machiavelli's famous saying, "The ends justify the means," meaning that no matter what needs to be said or done, nothing is more important than the end result. Clearly, the opposite should be true in corporate America: The ends should never justify the means.

"This pithy saying is well-known in corporate ethics and code of conduct circles, primarily to address shortcuts that accountants and finance professionals could potentially take to justify a certain outcome in the financial records: a big no-no per the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002," said Steven Mintz, ethicist and professor emeritus at California State University, San Luis Obispo, and author of Beyond Happiness and Meaning: Transforming Your Life Through Ethical Behavior (Ethics Sage LLC, 2019). " The act holds accountants and finance professionals responsible for financial statements and internal controls. In fact, knowingly manipulating financial statements violates the integrity principle of ethical behavior and could result in a summary dismissal of employment if done knowingly and with an intent to unduly influence or manipulate financial results." 

Essentially, how an organization achieves its goals is just as important as the goals themselves. This should be an easy ethical rule to follow.  

The Need for Transparency

Transparency also plays a role in ethical decision-making. Senior executives have an obligation of full transparency when striving to keep their workers safe from harm, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Understand that decisions made both individually and organizationally have real-world impact on your employees and their families and, as such, are worthy considerations in a time marked by the extremes of outright panic and virus apathy," Mintz said. "Make no mistake, however, that workers and their families remain concerned, if not downright scared, of further virus mutations that may come their way, potentially combining the worst of the alpha, delta and omicron variants."

Transparency is critical no matter what issues a company faces, said Richard Shell, a professor of legal studies, business ethics and management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

"Workplace cultures that promote ethics revolve around transparency; every values-based organization relies on practices that emphasize disclosure and review to resolve ethical challenges," said Shell, author of The Conscience Code: Lead with Your Values, Advance Your Career (HarperCollins Leadership, 2021). "Ethical quandaries are solved as a team sport in healthy workplace cultures." 

For example, he explained, if corporate leaders opt not to disclose positive coronavirus cases where employees were active at work during the contamination stage, positive asymptomatic workers could potentially transmit the virus to family members. The leadership's logic? "Let's not worry anyone." And on a potentially more deliberate level, "What they don't know won't hurt them," Shell said.

Such lapses in ethical decision-making could have a tremendous impact not only on employees' health, but also on their decision to seek employment elsewhere. After all, think of the message that employees may be hearing: "We want you here at work, but we're not going out of our way to make it safe for you to be here, despite a global pandemic that has killed millions worldwide."

One of the clearest reasons why workers have left and continue to leave companies is due to the mishandling of the pandemic, Shell said, and this example rises to the top of the list as a significant moral transgression for not appearing to care about employees' health and well-being. 

Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility 

What about the moral needs of your workforce? How can you address their problems, wants and needs? Millennials and members of Generation Z currently make up about half of the U.S. workforce, and their numbers are growing exponentially. They are the most studied generational cohorts in world history, and we know what they want: diversity, equity and inclusion; corporate social responsibility; career and professional development; and trust in senior leadership. 

What exactly is your organization doing to help the local community? How has your company stepped up to the demands of the day and helped employees live safer lives? Have you developed incentives to promulgate behaviors that help employees and their families? Have you educated people to the degree necessary to help them make informed decisions? Equally important, have you shared wisdom and attempted to calm the room and drown out so much of the noise coming at your workers from so many different sources—cable TV, the Internet, social media and the like? If so, have you highlighted and publicized your efforts so your workers and key stakeholders understand your core values and your attempts at making their lives safer? If not, there might have been a missed opportunity to demonstrate your moral and ethical leadership that may now be worth readdressing.  

Ethics and the Future of Work

We're on the precipice of what may be the most important chapter of our lifetimes as we re-enter the workplace and begin resuming normal activities post-pandemic. Opportunities to reshape our culture and norms have never been more prevalent, all surrounding the fundamental question of what will work look and feel like once we fully return? 

"We know that workers want a greater sense of work/life equilibrium; that caregivers need greater support; that gender parity needs to be addressed, both in terms of compensation and promotional opportunities; and that wellness issues deserve greater resources," Shell said. "In the context of a pandemic, time is required to consider the impact of choices on people's lives—whether considering individual versus company/societal rights, or risks from vaccines versus risks from viruses—yet time is the one resource that pandemics don't allow.

"It's this compressed disruption that leaves us building the plane while flying it, balancing conflicting messages from scientists and politicians. That, in turn, creates polarized responses ranging from rage to apathy that leave us disengaged. However you feel about the current state of pandemic affairs, one thing's for sure: COVID has raised the stakes for all of us to make ethical thinking and discussions a high priority." 

Some ethical best practices worth considering:

• Err on the side of overcommunicating and come from transparency. 
• Make known to your key stakeholders your efforts at addressing the pandemic and your organization's role in bettering the local community. 
• Remember the golden rule: What you want for yourself, give to another. 

Such moral lessons will find a welcome home among your employees, and the practical benefits of employee retention and engagement will help you weather this storm and any others that come your way.

Paul Falcone ( www.PaulFalconeHR.com ) is a frequent contributor to SHRM Online . He is a member of the SHRM Speakers Bureau, a corporate leadership trainer, certified executive coach and author of The Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Series (March, 2022). The first book in the five-book series is titled, Workplace Ethics: Mastering Ethical Leadership and Sustaining a Moral Workplace . Other books in the series focus on the talent management life cycle, including Effective Hiring ; Leadership Offense ; Leadership Defense ; and The New Managers (HarperCollins Leadership and AMACOM Books).

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Ethical Dilemma in The Workplace, Essay Example

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The current labor force is characterized by talent diversity in terms of culture, socioeconomic status, nationality, education background age and religion among others. The diverse people in the work force exhibit diverse values, background as well as goals which cerates a wide range of perceptions of behaviors that are generally acceptable in the work place. Consequently, there arises a complexity in the ethical dilemmas that forces the management to come up with codes of ethics (Gray & Herr, 1998). Ethical dilemmas involve a wide range of dealings coupled with corresponding consequences of the actions. An ethical dilemma in the workplace of importance in this paper is conducting of personal business in the workplace.

Conducting Personal Business in the workplace

Majority of workers are deeply engrossed in their places of work for the greater part of their time during the weekdays. Their weekends are equally demanding as they are expected to participate in their family obligations. In most cases therefore, the employees can not escape some ethical dilemmas. Due to the extended time span that they are expected to be at their places of work, the temptation of performing personal business during the working hours becomes inevitable. The use of office computers and the company’s internet connection for freelance business is a common occurrence with most workers. This is an ethical dilemma with practically clear conscience about the abuse of company assets. It also equates to violating the public trust and a theft of time as well as money from the work place. This is a workplace problem that is common among most employees and it costs the employer huge sums of money in terms of wasted time and salary (McCabe & Pavela, 2004).

This ethical dilemma intersects with personal values of the employees. According to the opinion of some employees, the behavior is harmless and has least implications on the level of productivity as well as job performance. Other employees would perceive the wasted time as creative down time and it translates to innovative ideas in business and the industry (Gray & Herr, 1998). However, the truth of the matter is that the employer incurs losses out of this wasted time which is extremely destructive to the economy. There is also the possibility of damaging the potent work ethic which is a requirement of the working population (McCabe & Pavela, 2004).

It is important to consider solving the ethical dilemma for the benefit of the smooth running of the company activities. Employees need to learn to apply employability skills which include honesty, working cooperatively, avoiding pride in the work place, respecting other people, learning to be dependable people, taking responsibility for individual actions, loyalty and integrity at work (Gray & Herr, 1998). Business managers should train their employees skills of critical thinking to facilitate for making of decisions in an ethical manner. The skills are beneficial towards resolution of ethical dilemmas that are evident in the work place

Moral philosophy in the work place

To most workers, application of moral philosophy is problematic based on the fact that the discussion is done in a logical and coherent detail aiming at proving the truth associated with a moral action. Most ethical dilemma requires application of moral philosophy so as to determine the difference between right and wrong (McCabe & Pavela, 2004). Through moral philosophy, it is possible to systematize, recommend or defend an ethical dilemma as a right behavior or a wrong one.

Gray, K., & Herr, E., (1998). “The mission of Workforce Education”. Workforce education the basics. MA: Allyn & Bacon.

McCabe, D., & Pavela, G. (2004). “Ten updated principles of academic integrity”. Change,  36 (3), 10-21.

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Building an Ethical Company

• Isaac H. Smith
• Maryam Kouchaki

Just as people can develop skills and abilities over time, they can learn to be more or less ethical. Yet many organizations limit ethics training to the onboarding process. If they do address it thereafter, it may be only by establishing codes of conduct or whistleblower hotlines. Such steps may curb specific infractions, but they don’t necessarily help employees develop as ethical people.

Drawing on evidence from hundreds of research studies, the authors offer a framework for helping workers build moral character. Managers can provide experiential training in ethical dilemmas. They can foster psychological safety when minor lapses occur, conduct pre- and postmortems for initiatives with ethical components, and create a culture of service by encouraging volunteer work and mentoring in ethics.

Create an organization that helps employees behave more honorably.

Idea in Brief

The opportunity.

Just as people entering the workforce can develop job-related skills and abilities over time, they can learn to be more ethical as well.

Why It’s Often Missed

Many organizations relegate ethics training to the onboarding process, perhaps also issuing codes of conduct and establishing whistleblower hotlines. Such steps may curb specific unethical acts but don’t necessarily help workers grow as moral people.

How to Capitalize on It

Managers can provide experiential training in ethical dilemmas, foster psychological safety when (minor) lapses occur, conduct pre- and postmortems for initiatives with ethical components, and create a culture of service by encouraging volunteer work and mentoring in ethics.

People don’t enter the workforce with a fixed moral character. Just as employees can nurture (or neglect) their skills and abilities over time, they can learn to be more or less ethical. Yet rather than take a long-term view of employees’ moral development, many organizations treat ethics training as a onetime event, often limiting it to the onboarding process. If they do address ethics thereafter, it may be only by espousing codes of conduct or establishing whistleblower hotlines. Such steps may curb specific unethical actions, but they don’t necessarily help employees develop as moral people.

• Isaac H. Smith is an associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources at BYU Marriott School of Business. His research explores the morality and ethics of organizations and the people in them.
• Maryam Kouchaki is a professor of management and organizations at the Kellogg School of Management. Her research explores ethics, morality, and the complexity and challenges of managing ethnic and gender diversity for organizations.

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March 19, 2024

Evidence Does Not Support the Use of the Death Penalty

Capital punishment must come to an end. It does not deter crime, is not humane and has no moral or medical basis

By The Editors

A death penalty vigil, held in 2021 outside an Indiana penitentiary.

Bryan Woolston/Reuters/Redux

It is long past time to abolish the death penalty in the U.S.

Capital punishment was halted in the U.S. in 1972 but reinstated in 1976, and since then, nearly 1,600 people have been executed. To whose gain? Study after study shows that the death penalty does not deter crime, puts innocent people to death , is racially biased , and is cruel and inhumane. It is state-sanctioned homicide, wholly ineffective, often botched, and a much more expensive punishment than life imprisonment. There is no ethical, scientifically supported, medically acceptable or morally justifiable way to carry it out.

The recent execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith demonstrates this barbarity. After a failed attempt at lethal injection by prison officials seemingly inexperienced in the placement of an IV, the state of Alabama killed Smith in January using nitrogen gas . The Alabama attorney general claimed that this method of execution was fast and humane , despite no supporting evidence. Eyewitnesses recounted that Smith thrashed during the nitrogen administration and took more than 20 minutes to die.

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Opposition to the death penalty is growing among the American public , and the Biden administration must follow through on its promise to end this horror. The Department of Justice must heed its own admission that the death penalty doesn’t stop crime, and our legislators must continue to take up the issue on the congressional floor. The few states that still condemn people to death must follow the lead of states that have considered the evidence and rejected capital punishment.

Programs such as the Innocence Project have shown, over and over, that innocent people have been sentenced to death. Since 1973 nearly 200 people on death row have been exonerated, based on appeals, the reopening of cases, and the entrance of new and sometimes previously suppressed evidence. People have recanted testimony, and supposedly airtight cases have been poked full of evidentiary holes.

Through the death penalty, the criminal justice system has killed at least 20 people now believed to have been innocent and uncounted others whose cases have not been reexamined . Too many of these victims have been Black or Hispanic. This is not justice. These are state-sanctioned hate crimes.

Using rigorous statistical and experimental control methods, both economics and criminal justice studies have consistently found that there is no evidence for deterrence of violent crimes in states that allow capital punishment. One such study, a 2009 paper by criminology researchers at the University of Dallas, outlines experimental and statistical flaws in econometrics-based death penalty studies that claim to find a correlated reduction in violent crime. The death penalty does not stop people from killing. Executions don’t make us safer.

The methods used to kill prisoners are inhumane. Electrocution fails , causing significant pain and suffering. Joel Zivot, an anesthesiologist who criticizes the use of medicines in carrying out the death penalty, has found (at the request of lawyers of death row inmates) that the lungs of prisoners who were killed by lethal injection were often heavy with fluid and froth that suggested they were struggling to breathe and felt like they were drowning. Nitrogen gas is used in some veterinary euthanasia, but based in part on the behavior of rats in its presence, it is “unacceptable” for mammals , according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. This means that Smith, as his lawyers claimed in efforts to stop his execution, became a human subject in an immoral experiment.

Courts have often decided, against the abundant evidence, that these killings are constitutional and do not fall under the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the 8th Amendment or, in Smith’s appeal , both the 8th Amendment and the due process protection clause of the 14th amendment.

A small number of prosecutors and judges in a few states, mostly in the South, are responsible for most of the death sentences being handed down in the U.S. today. It’s a power they should not be able to wield. Smith was sentenced to life in prison by a jury before the judge in his case overruled the jury and gave him the death sentence.

A furious urge for vengeance against those who have done wrong—or those we think have done wrong—is the biggest motivation for the death penalty. But this desire for violent retribution is the very impulse that our criminal justice system is made to check, not abet. Elected officials need to reform this aspect of our justice system at both the state and federal levels. Capital punishment does not stop crime and mocks both justice and humanity. The death penalty in the U.S. must come to an end.

This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of Scientific American .