The Real-to-Life Examples of Complex Ethical Dilemmas Example

 

The Real-to-Life Examples of Complex Ethical Dilemmas Example

"Our company prides itself on its merit-based pay system. One of my employees has done a tremendous job all year, so he deserves strong recognition. However, he's already paid at the top of the salary range for his job grade and our company has too many people in the grade above him, so we can't promote him. What should I do?" 

My decision

Reconsider the possible improvement of the system and try to refine the system if necessary. Apologies to him in person to admit the truth of the situation and promising to do better. Give him a fair bonus calculate based on the contribution of this event and give him an opportunity to give the company a voice of how to make things better. 

The “Method One – Ethical Checklist.”

Ethical Checklist Choose the appropriate answer on the scale; "1" = not at all; "5" = totally yes

1. Relevant Information Test. Have I/we obtained as much information as possible to make an informed decision and action plan for this situation? Score = 3

Score -1 for, while the company prides itself on its merit-based pay system and the situation still happens, it means the system may not fit the new events or there are a few bugs we need to fix. Therefore, I have not obtained enough information to make changes.

Score -1 for, although the employee is already paid at the top of the salary range for his job grade and our company has too many people in the grade above him, there are also many other ways we can do to encourage him and to appreciate his efforts. But, before announcing any rewards, we need more information to ensure it is effective without disappointing anyone.

2. Involvement Test. Have I/we involved all who have a right to have input and/or to be involved in making this decision and action plan? Score = 4

Score -1 for, clearly, I have not involved all who have a right to have input or to be involved in making this decision because the stakeholders can be the employee's family members, his friends, or any other people he possibly contacts with.

3. Consequential Test. Have I/we anticipated and attempted to accommodate for the consequences of this decision and action plan on any who are significantly affected by it? Score = 4

Score -1 for, I probably anticipated and attempted to accommodate for the consequences of this decision on any who are significantly affected by it I have considered. However, there are always not perfect if I just think about it based on my position. Therefore, I may have to reconsider it as a player, view it as a player. Like a game of chess, the decision can be made based on one piece's view, no matter it is a king or a queen.

4. Fairness Test. If I/we were assigned to take the place of any one of the stakeholders in this situation, would I/we perceive this decision and action plan to be essentially fair, given all of the circumstances? Score = 4

Score -1 for, fairness is the hardpoint. If I change the policy or rule just for him, I will lose the trust of others and make the program hard to be treated seriously. I can consider taking a position, but it seems highly inappropriate in this situation.

5. Enduring Values Test. Do this decision and action plan uphold my/our priority enduring values that are relevant to this situation? Score = 5

I think this decision and action plan brace the priority enduring values that are relevant to this situation. Most people will know that the company is trying to make things fair and good for each of us.

6. Universality Test. Would I/we want this decision and action plan to become a universal law applicable to all similar situations, even to myself/ourselves? Score = 4

Score -1 for, although I want this decision and action plan to become a universal law applicable to all similar situations, it just can't. There are no perfect plans and decisions, only better and better ones.

7. Light-of-Day Test. How would I/we feel and be regarded by others if the details of this decision and action plan were disclosed for all to know? Score = 4

Score -1 for, as I mentioned in the question 6, although I want this decision and action plan to become a universal law applicable to all similar situations, it just can't. There are no perfect plans and decisions, only better and better ones. Therefore, I must monitor the stakeholders' reactions and ensure my decision is in the right direction.

Total Ethical Analysis Confidence Score = 28 (Quite confident )

To summarize, in my decisions, reconsider the possible improvement of the system and try to refine the system if necessary. It needs much more information such as quantitative the satisfaction of each stakeholder. 

Reference

Complete Guide to Ethics Management: An ethics toolkit for managers. Free Management Library. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2021, from https://managementhelp.org/businessethics/ethics-guide.htm#anchor53723.