Ethical Dilemmas: Angel Foods, Inc.
Management teams, personnel and other stake holders from all over the world, experience ethically troubling situations every day. Identification of the dilemma and relating it to professionalism or moral ethics is not an easy task. It is even harder if it challenges your personal beliefs, norms and virtues (Linzer). Sometimes there may be no documented legal consequences directly related to the predicament in a particular. Most corporations’ guidelines that outline limitations and the conduct for everyone involved. Others depend on the rationality and virtues of stakeholders as humans in carrying out their duties and fulfilling their obligations.
This is a classic example of ethical dilemma. It involves a particular employee who is supposed to fulfill their financial obligation to several corporations. His primary goal was to secure employment and grow career wise. He has acquired other secondary benefits such as advancement of education after his employer …show more content…
agrees to pay for the tuition but with conditions.
His employer, Cromwell, Inc.
has a system of implementing and regulating ethical behavior in incentive systems. The corporation demands a full reimbursement of any fund remitted for the payment of education fees to employees that leave before completing their studies. In this case, the worker is exposed to an ethical predicament of fulfilling his obligations, through the virtue of fairness with reason.
The dilemma exists in the form of payment of a financial investment Angel Foods, Inc. made on him at the time of his engagement with them. The action to clear the financial damages was in good faith by the said corporation. Its maxim was purely symbiotic in the sense that the corporation was to benefit from the worker’s skills while the worker would fulfill his financial obligations to the former employer. However, this was not a loan that was to be paid at a later date. Furthermore, there was no written document used as a control for it. It was dependent on the universal moral concept of fairness and
objectivity.
This main stakeholders under a tight spot in this case are, the employee, and two executives from Angel Foods, Inc. and Jefferson, Inc. The worker is involved in a psychological contract with Angel Foods, Inc. He is obligated to honor it. He can only do this if he analyzes the implications of his leaving from the view of Angel Foods, Inc.’s executive. His fulfillment of this obligation will depend on his excellence of character or his strength of will. Angel Foods, Inc. has the right to benefit from their investment. To them it would be rational for the employee to fulfill their part of the moral agreement. Jefferson, Inc. has no obligation in honoring the dispute. They can only do so at their own discretion. The absence of a written agreement makes them even more reluctant.
Ethical dilemmas affect the virtues of acceptance, appreciation and accountability where the employee will is aligned toward equality. Moreover, the virtues of helpfulness, reliability and commitment on the part of the employer towards employees can be affected. It is worth noting that businesses are not willing to participate in an activity without a desired end.
The course of action depends on the extent of a dilemma. The first step in decision making would be for the parties involved to analyze their position factually. It is also advisable to use a list of vices as a check for their objectivity. This is aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of effect of the dilemma on others (Linzer). For this case, the employee may not be in a position to repay the said amount. Angel Foods Inc. would strive to reach fairness rather than taking it all. Another solution would be to consult the state rules. However, the law should be used to facilitate the reaching of an amicable solution or as a supplement not as the only consideration. This is because moral ethics is not necessarily lawful.
All parties need to consult widely, brainstorm and come up with several options. All “what if” elements should be scrutinized thoroughly. In a scenario where amicable solutions are not reached the “do nothing” option can be adopted by the employee. The corporations should avoid complicating the situation. In addition, they should act in humane, just and compassionately when involved in such ethical issues (Messick, David, and Ann). The best solution for this case would be for Jefferson, Inc. to pay the 5000 dollars to Angels Foods, Inc. This solution would be just to all if the employee agrees to complete his MBA studies for his benefits of and to use his skills to benefit his current employer.
The actions of the employees are justified by the fact that he is willing to open up and share his predicaments with his employers. He is willing to pay the money but has to rely on his immediate bosses for this. The agreement between the Angel Foods Inc. and its former staff is purely moral. If the law was to be adopted, this agreement would not be legally binding. The decision to clear the amount would prove that Jefferson Inc. is an organization with moral regard for its employees. In addition, the workers ethical character would be maintained.
A well-articulated code of ethics can facilitate morality and a respect of values and virtues in an organization by all participants. Incentive systems without a control mechanism are prone to ethical dilemmas. It is important for all organizations to set up mechanisms that detect un-ethical behavior when they occur (Bowie). In addition, the set up ethical systems should enable fair analyses and ease the solution of dilemmas.
This is a classic example of ethical dilemma. It involves a particular employee who is supposed to fulfill their financial obligation to several corporations. His primary goal was to secure employment and grow career wise. He has acquired other secondary benefits such as advancement of education after his employer …show more content…
agrees to pay for the tuition but with conditions.
His employer, Cromwell, Inc.
has a system of implementing and regulating ethical behavior in incentive systems. The corporation demands a full reimbursement of any fund remitted for the payment of education fees to employees that leave before completing their studies. In this case, the worker is exposed to an ethical predicament of fulfilling his obligations, through the virtue of fairness with reason.
The dilemma exists in the form of payment of a financial investment Angel Foods, Inc. made on him at the time of his engagement with them. The action to clear the financial damages was in good faith by the said corporation. Its maxim was purely symbiotic in the sense that the corporation was to benefit from the worker’s skills while the worker would fulfill his financial obligations to the former employer. However, this was not a loan that was to be paid at a later date. Furthermore, there was no written document used as a control for it. It was dependent on the universal moral concept of fairness and
objectivity.
This main stakeholders under a tight spot in this case are, the employee, and two executives from Angel Foods, Inc. and Jefferson, Inc. The worker is involved in a psychological contract with Angel Foods, Inc. He is obligated to honor it. He can only do this if he analyzes the implications of his leaving from the view of Angel Foods, Inc.’s executive. His fulfillment of this obligation will depend on his excellence of character or his strength of will. Angel Foods, Inc. has the right to benefit from their investment. To them it would be rational for the employee to fulfill their part of the moral agreement. Jefferson, Inc. has no obligation in honoring the dispute. They can only do so at their own discretion. The absence of a written agreement makes them even more reluctant.
Ethical dilemmas affect the virtues of acceptance, appreciation and accountability where the employee will is aligned toward equality. Moreover, the virtues of helpfulness, reliability and commitment on the part of the employer towards employees can be affected. It is worth noting that businesses are not willing to participate in an activity without a desired end.
The course of action depends on the extent of a dilemma. The first step in decision making would be for the parties involved to analyze their position factually. It is also advisable to use a list of vices as a check for their objectivity. This is aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of effect of the dilemma on others (Linzer). For this case, the employee may not be in a position to repay the said amount. Angel Foods Inc. would strive to reach fairness rather than taking it all. Another solution would be to consult the state rules. However, the law should be used to facilitate the reaching of an amicable solution or as a supplement not as the only consideration. This is because moral ethics is not necessarily lawful.
All parties need to consult widely, brainstorm and come up with several options. All “what if” elements should be scrutinized thoroughly. In a scenario where amicable solutions are not reached the “do nothing” option can be adopted by the employee. The corporations should avoid complicating the situation. In addition, they should act in humane, just and compassionately when involved in such ethical issues (Messick, David, and Ann). The best solution for this case would be for Jefferson, Inc. to pay the 5000 dollars to Angels Foods, Inc. This solution would be just to all if the employee agrees to complete his MBA studies for his benefits of and to use his skills to benefit his current employer.
The actions of the employees are justified by the fact that he is willing to open up and share his predicaments with his employers. He is willing to pay the money but has to rely on his immediate bosses for this. The agreement between the Angel Foods Inc. and its former staff is purely moral. If the law was to be adopted, this agreement would not be legally binding. The decision to clear the amount would prove that Jefferson Inc. is an organization with moral regard for its employees. In addition, the workers ethical character would be maintained.
A well-articulated code of ethics can facilitate morality and a respect of values and virtues in an organization by all participants. Incentive systems without a control mechanism are prone to ethical dilemmas. It is important for all organizations to set up mechanisms that detect un-ethical behavior when they occur (Bowie). In addition, the set up ethical systems should enable fair analyses and ease the solution of dilemmas.