ethical dilemma
1. Using consequential, rule-based and character theories, evaluate Jim’s options.
• Consequential-Jim would need to assess how it would affect each worker and the company and identify the benefits or damage it would cause if he fired Bill. Jim would need to makes sure the benefits outweighed the harm. If firing Bill is helpful to the company, then it would be acceptable.
• Rule-based-With this theory, Jim needs to look at the other workers to see if maybe Bill is getting his attitude from them. Bill might be feed up with everyone acting that way, so he decided what the heck, I’ll do it too. Sometimes in offices, they have a set of guidelines which are for different person to person. If one can do something against the rules, why can’t the others without getting into trouble.
• Character-Jim needs to place less importance on which rules Bill should follow and as an alternative center on helping him improve his moral character qualities.
2. What should Jim do? Why?
Jim needs to sit down with Bill and see what the problem is. Jim can take Bill out on neutral grounds and maybe Bill will open up to why his behavior has changed all the sudden. If it because his child is off to college and it is empty nest syndrome, then Jim can ask Bill to seek help and give him time to cope. If it something else, then Jim can give a verbal warning saying if Bill’s behavior doesn’t change within a certain amount of time, he will be on probation. If it continues, then Jim has done all he can do. Jim can speak with his boss and decide to fire him. The character theory works best in the scenario.
• Consequential-Jim would need to assess how it would affect each worker and the company and identify the benefits or damage it would cause if he fired Bill. Jim would need to makes sure the benefits outweighed the harm. If firing Bill is helpful to the company, then it would be acceptable.
• Rule-based-With this theory, Jim needs to look at the other workers to see if maybe Bill is getting his attitude from them. Bill might be feed up with everyone acting that way, so he decided what the heck, I’ll do it too. Sometimes in offices, they have a set of guidelines which are for different person to person. If one can do something against the rules, why can’t the others without getting into trouble.
• Character-Jim needs to place less importance on which rules Bill should follow and as an alternative center on helping him improve his moral character qualities.
2. What should Jim do? Why?
Jim needs to sit down with Bill and see what the problem is. Jim can take Bill out on neutral grounds and maybe Bill will open up to why his behavior has changed all the sudden. If it because his child is off to college and it is empty nest syndrome, then Jim can ask Bill to seek help and give him time to cope. If it something else, then Jim can give a verbal warning saying if Bill’s behavior doesn’t change within a certain amount of time, he will be on probation. If it continues, then Jim has done all he can do. Jim can speak with his boss and decide to fire him. The character theory works best in the scenario.