Ethical Behavior, Principles and Factors

Ethical Dilemma

Lecture 11Shahid Iqbal

Ethical Dilemma

• Ethical dilemma is any situation in which guiding moral principles cannot determine which course of action is right or wrong.

Ethical Dilemma

• In simple terms, it refers to a situation that, although offers benefits, is unethical.

Ethical Dilemma• One of the most common ethical dilemmas occur

when a company’s culture conflicts with an employee’s personal ethics.

• How company’s culture conflicts with an employee’s personal ethics (Class Paticipation) ???

Ethical Dilemma

• Examples of Ethical Dilemma:– You have a student who is from a single parent family.

The student must work to attend college.

– However, the job is interfering with the student’s performance and several assignments have not been turned in.

– You have determined that a “D” is all the student can make when a counselor informs you that the student need a “C” to qualify for an academic scholarship.

Ethical Dilemma

• Examples of Ethical Dilemma:– You are the buyer for a retail-clothing store.

• Your store has a policy of not accepting gifts.

– However, over the years, salesmen have offered, and other employees have accepted various gifts and benefits.

– One day, you arrive home from the office and find a new TV and DVD player on you doorstep with a note that says: “A personal gift for out long standing friendship. Enjoy it with you family in good health”.

Ethical Dilemma

• Checklist For Dealing With Ethical Dilemma:

Step 1 – Recognize the ethical dilemma.

Step 2 – Identify your options.

Step 3 – Test each option:

• Is it legal?

Is it beneficial?

Step 4 – Thoroughly decide which option to follow.“How would I feel if my family, friends and my social

circle found about my decision?”

Step 5 – Take action.

Rationalizing Unethical Behavior

• Some of the reasons which one gives to rationalize an “unethical decision” and/or behavior, include:

– “What I’m doing is really not illegal”.

– “My behavior is in everyone’s best interest”.

– “Nobody will ever find out what I have done”.

– “My organization will protect me”.

• Say: "O Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, the Knower of the unseen and the seen, You it is Who will judge among your servants concerning what they differ

• The recent fire incident in the garments factory in Karachi has identified major ethical lapses with respect to the working conditions and worker’s safety.

• Discuss these lapses and how they have been the main cause of such high number of casualties.

• Page limit: 3-4 pages• Deadline: Monay, October 15, 2012

• Video reference:– A good discussion program was telecasted by Samaa tv on

the same incident, highlighting several ethical aspect. – Some points can be gathered from this discussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvU6bxyTehQ&feature=youtube_gdata