What Is Your Understanding Of The Terms Ethical Dilemma?
What Is Your Understanding Of The Terms Ethical Dilemma And Ethi
1. What is your understanding of the terms “ethical dilemma” and “ethical lapse”?
1) Provide an example in your life, or of someone you knew, who was faced with an ethical dilemma in the workplace. Without mentioning the name of the organization, describe the situation and the decision made. Explain an alternative solution to the dilemma.
2) Think of a time where you or someone you knew demonstrated an ethical lapse. Describe the situation and the decision. Then provide an alternative solution to the situation.
2. The insurance company where you work is planning to raise all premiums for health-care coverage. Your boss has asked you to proof a draft of her letter to customers announcing the new, higher rates. The first two paragraphs discuss some exciting medical advances and the expanded coverage offered by your company. Only in the final paragraph do customers learn that they must pay more for coverage starting next year. What are the ethical implications of this draft? What changes would you suggest? If your boss tells you not to make content changes, what will you do and why?
Paper For Above instruction
Ethical considerations are integral to professional conduct and decision-making processes. An ethical dilemma refers to a situation where an individual faces conflicting ethical principles, making it challenging to determine the correct course of action. Conversely, an ethical lapse is a failure to uphold ethical standards, often due to negligence or misconduct. Both concepts are vital in understanding responsibility and moral conduct within the workplace and broader societal contexts.
Understanding Ethical Dilemmas and Ethical Lapses
An ethical dilemma involves a conflict between moral principles, where adhering to one may violate another. For example, in a healthcare setting, a nurse may discover a medication error that benefits a patient but discloses it could harm the hospital’s reputation. The nurse must choose between honesty and protecting their employer or confidentiality versus transparency and patient safety. Such dilemmas require careful evaluation of values and potential outcomes to arrive at the most ethical decision (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).
In contrast, an ethical lapse refers to a failure to act ethically, often due to oversight, pressure, or temptation. For instance, a financial officer might manipulate reports to meet targets, prioritizing personal gain over integrity. An alternative solution would involve implementing strong oversight and fostering an organizational culture emphasizing honesty, thereby reducing opportunities for lapses (Trevino & Nelson, 2021).
Example of an Ethical Dilemma in the Workplace
Consider a scenario where an employee witnesses a colleague engaging in minor fraud, such as claiming expenses for non-existent receipts. The individual faces an ethical dilemma: report the misconduct, risking workplace tension or retaliation, or remain silent to preserve harmony. After careful consideration, the employee chooses to report the incident anonymously, aiming to uphold integrity while minimizing personal risk. Alternatively, one could suggest addressing the issue directly with the colleague first, encouraging acknowledgment and correction before escalating it formally.
Example of an Ethical Lapse
In another case, a supervisor knowingly delays reporting safety violations to meet production demands, which compromises employee safety. The supervisor’s decision stems from workplace pressure and fear of reprimand. An ethical alternative would involve prioritizing safety by reporting violations to higher management and advocating for corrective measures, even if this delays production. Implementing a safety-first culture and whistleblower protections can help prevent such lapses (Kidder, 2005).
Ethical Implications of the Draft Letter in the Insurance Company
The draft letter from the insurance company presents an ethical concern because the initial paragraphs focus on positive medical advances, while the critical information about increased premiums is delayed until the final paragraph. This structure can mislead customers by emphasizing benefits and obscuring unfavorable news, raising questions about honesty and transparency. Ethically, companies should prioritize truthfulness by clearly communicating costs alongside benefits early in the message, respecting consumer rights to informed decisions (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2016).
Suggestions for improvement include restructuring the letter to disclose the premium increase at the outset, followed by positive details about coverage enhancements. This approach maintains transparency, fosters trust, and aligns with ethical standards of honesty in marketing (Laczniak & Murphy, 2019). If the boss insists on no content changes, I would discuss the ethical importance of transparency, possibly proposing a compromise. If unchanged, I might include a disclaimer or footnote indicating the cost increases to ensure honesty and protect the organization’s credibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between ethical dilemmas and lapses is fundamental for fostering integrity in professional environments. Addressing ethical issues transparently, whether in personal decisions or corporate communications, upholds trust and organizational reputation. Practicing ethical sensitivity and advocating for honesty not only benefits stakeholders but also cultivates a morally responsible organizational culture.
References
- Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
- Kidder, R. M. (2005). How Good People Make Bad Decisions. Harvard Business Review Press.
- Laczniak, G. R., & Murphy, P. E. (2019). Ethical Marketing: Basic Principles and New Challenges. Business Horizons, 62(4), 497-505.
- Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical Leadership and Decision Making in Education: Applying Theoretical Perspectives to Complex Dilemmas. Routledge.
- Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2021). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk about How to Do It Right. Wiley.