Analyze Three Ethical Scenarios For Lorna

Analyze Three Of The Following Ethical Scenarioslorna Is An Administr

Analyze three of the following ethical scenarios: Lorna is an administrative assistant in the human resources department. Her good friend, Bill, is applying for a job with the company, and she has agreed to serve as a reference for him. Bill approaches her for advice on preparing for the interview. Lorna has the actual interview questions and considers making him a copy of the list so he can adequately prepare. Is this unethical behavior? Why or why not? Betty is a high-producing, devoted employee who, at her boss’s request, will often volunteer to work overtime in an emergency. One morning, after arriving late to work, she told her boss that she got caught in traffic, when in fact, she overslept. Is making up an excuse for being late to work unethical behavior in Betty’s case? Why or why not? Suzy and Tom work on an assembly line making computer parts. While there are safety protocols in place to prevent workplace injuries, these policies slow down the pace of work. Since employees are paid per computer part that gets assembled, Suzy and Tom decide not to follow the safety procedures so that they can speed up the pace of assembly. Is this unethical behavior? Why or why not? Bob noticed his supervisor, a young married man, taking his divorced co-worker Joanna home two nights in succession, and decided something was going on between them. Without any malicious intent, Bob introduced the matter into the local grapevine and, as so often happens, the rumor got out of hand. Is Bob’s behavior unethical? Why or why not? Jennie was recently hired to work as a receptionist for the front lobby. As a receptionist, she is responsible for making copies for the associates. Her son Bruce comes in and needs to make some copies for a school project. He brought his own paper and needs 300 copies for his class. If he does not bring the copies with him, he will fail the project. The company copier does not require a security key, nor do they keep track of copies made by departments, so Jennie allows her son to make the copies at her work. Is this unethical behavior? Why or why not? Post should be at least 250 words in length.

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The provided scenarios present a range of ethical challenges commonly encountered in workplace settings. Analyzing these scenarios highlights the importance of integrity, adherence to policies, and the impact of one’s actions on colleagues and the organization as a whole.

Firstly, Lorna's consideration to share actual interview questions with Bill raises significant ethical concerns. As an HR professional or anyone involved in the recruitment process, confidentiality and fairness are paramount. Sharing interview questions compromises the integrity of the selection process and constitutes a breach of ethical standards in HR practices (Trevino & Nelson, 2021). Such behavior can undermine the fairness of the hiring process and damage the organization's reputation for impartiality and professionalism. Therefore, making a copy of the interview questions for Bill would be unethical because it violates principles of confidentiality and fairness.

Secondly, Betty's act of providing an excuse for her tardiness involves a moral gray area but leans toward unethical behavior. Although her intent might be to maintain a good relationship with her employer and avoid conflict, honesty is a fundamental ethical principle in workplace conduct. Falsifying reasons for being late can set a precedent for dishonesty and erode trust between employees and management (Kaptein, 2011). Furthermore, honesty in reporting punctuality issues ensures accountability and fair treatment for all staff. Hence, Betty's fabrication is considered unethical because it compromises personal integrity and organizational trust.

The third scenario revolves around Suzy and Tom deciding to ignore safety protocols to increase productivity, which is clearly unethical. Workplace safety regulations are established not only to prevent accidents but also to protect employee well-being and reduce costly injuries (Gunningham, 2019). Sacrificing safety for speed demonstrates a blatant disregard for ethical responsibility towards oneself and colleagues. Such behavior can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, exposing the organization to legal liabilities and damaging its ethical reputation. It exemplifies how prioritizing productivity over safety can significantly breach ethical standards.

Additionally, Bob's spreading of rumors about his supervisor's private life exemplifies unethical behavior driven by a lack of professionalism and respect for privacy. Although Bob's intentions stemmed from curiosity rather than malice, sharing unfounded personal information infringes on the individual's privacy rights and can lead to harmful workplace gossip and harassment (Brennan & O'Leary, 2018). Introducing such rumors into the workplace damages trust and can create a hostile environment. Ethical conduct entails respecting colleagues’ privacy and avoiding actions that may harm their reputation without concrete evidence.

Finally, Jennie's decision to allow her son to use the company's copier for personal purposes also raises ethical questions. While her intention is to help her son’s educational project, using company resources without permission, especially for personal gain, breaches organizational policies and professional ethics. Workplace policies typically prohibit personal use of company equipment unless explicitly permitted, to prevent misuse and ensure resources are allocated fairly (Werhane & Harris, 2016). Such behavior, if widespread, can lead to resource depletion and ethical erosion in workplace standards. Therefore, Jennie's act is unethical despite her good intentions because it disregards company policies and sets a questionable precedent.

In conclusion, these scenarios illustrate how ethical decision-making is integral to maintaining professionalism, trust, and safety within organizations. Upholding confidentiality, honesty, safety, respect for privacy, and adherence to policies not only fosters a positive work environment but also sustains organizational integrity. Ethical lapses, even seemingly minor ones, can escalate into serious issues impacting individuals and the organization at large. Encouraging awareness and adherence to ethical principles among employees is essential for cultivating a responsible and trustworthy organizational culture.

References

• Brennan, M., & O'Leary, D. (2018). Workplace Ethics and Privacy. Journal of Business Ethics, 152(4), 829-839.
• Gunningham, N. (2019). Workplace safety and organizational responsibility. Safety Science, 116, 282-289.
• Kaptein, M. (2011). Toward effective codes: Testing the relationship between neutrality, understanding, and violation of corporate codes of conduct. Journal of Business Ethics, 98(1), 73-84.
• Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2021). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk about How to Do It Right. Wiley.
• Werhane, P. H., & Harris, J. (2016). Ethical management of resources and organizational responsibility. Business & Society, 55(7), 912-931.