Ethics
OPPORTUNITY CREATES ETHICAL DILEMMAS
Definition of ethical dilemmas
Ethical dilemmas, also known as a moral dilemmas, are situations in which there are two choices to be made, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion. In such cases, societal and personal ethical guidelines can provide no satisfactory outcome for the chooser.
Ethical dilemmas assume that the chooser will abide by societal norms, such as codes of law or religious teachings, in order to make the choice ethically impossible.
Ethical dilemmas cases and how to handle them
Shady HR decisions
Managers are responsible for hiring, firing and promoting people, and it’s important they do so ethically. “Many managers are not prepared to go through an objective ranking process of candidates,” instead relying on personal bias, Lipot notes.
He shares several examples of improper human resources practices. “I’ve seen managers consider factors like the staff member’s age, family or ability to locate another job [when firing],” he explains. “I even saw one manager use employees’ religious affiliation and medical conditions [against them]. All were unethical.”
Instead, Lipot recommends that supervisors consider only qualifications and performance when making decisions.
Nepotism
Business is often “all in the family,” but Lipot believes that’s not always a good thing. “There are still a few company owners who want to provide work to family members, even if it is detrimental to the company,” he says.
Instead, Lipot recommends that businesses hire only the most qualified personnel — blood relation or not. “If you must hire relatives, the supervisor must have the authority to discipline them. Otherwise, you set a poor example.”
Bending the rules
Company policies exist for a reason, and employees shouldn’t abuse them, Lipot notes. “A common dilemma is what to do when you see another employee taking [unfair] advantage.”
He offers this example: “Many companies allow employees to take smoke
Definition of ethical dilemmas
Ethical dilemmas, also known as a moral dilemmas, are situations in which there are two choices to be made, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion. In such cases, societal and personal ethical guidelines can provide no satisfactory outcome for the chooser.
Ethical dilemmas assume that the chooser will abide by societal norms, such as codes of law or religious teachings, in order to make the choice ethically impossible.
Ethical dilemmas cases and how to handle them
Shady HR decisions
Managers are responsible for hiring, firing and promoting people, and it’s important they do so ethically. “Many managers are not prepared to go through an objective ranking process of candidates,” instead relying on personal bias, Lipot notes.
He shares several examples of improper human resources practices. “I’ve seen managers consider factors like the staff member’s age, family or ability to locate another job [when firing],” he explains. “I even saw one manager use employees’ religious affiliation and medical conditions [against them]. All were unethical.”
Instead, Lipot recommends that supervisors consider only qualifications and performance when making decisions.
Nepotism
Business is often “all in the family,” but Lipot believes that’s not always a good thing. “There are still a few company owners who want to provide work to family members, even if it is detrimental to the company,” he says.
Instead, Lipot recommends that businesses hire only the most qualified personnel — blood relation or not. “If you must hire relatives, the supervisor must have the authority to discipline them. Otherwise, you set a poor example.”
Bending the rules
Company policies exist for a reason, and employees shouldn’t abuse them, Lipot notes. “A common dilemma is what to do when you see another employee taking [unfair] advantage.”
He offers this example: “Many companies allow employees to take smoke