Ethical response to case problem reversal

Business

Problem Reversal recent headline in the news indicates the FBI has abused power in their quest to obtain private records on alleged terrorism suspect. In the method of the "What if Compass" in problem reversal, the "what if" question that must be answered is, "what if" they were your own personal records that the FBI obtained through shady circumstances? Many people are ignoring the abuses of power the Patriot Act handed over to many areas of American government, and seem to have the idea that they are not terrorists, so they have nothing to worry about. In the "what if" scenario, if they were your own personal records, you'd probably have something to say about it and the policies that allow the information transfer. (Personalizing it is an important aspect of "what if"). In addition, the "what if" scenario, what if the FBI gets your records and then publishes them for everyone else to see? What if the FBI sells the records to telemarketers or Internet email lists? What if the FBI loses the records, or they are stolen. What if the FBI gets the wrong records - will they give them back or keep them? Reversing the problem really makes you think about underlying issues.

Ethics Response

This paper analyzes ethical behavior in the workplace. Specifically, it discusses the ethics of the situation between Don and Charlie, and Don's lack of ethical behavior in the situation.

Essentially, Don's behavior is both unethical and morally reprehensible. He is affecting the career choice of another individual to ensure his own survival and success.

Don is lying to Charlie, at least he is not relaying all the facts that he knows, and in keeping facts from his employee, he is not being responsible to his employee. He will ultimately lose Charlie's respect as the truth comes out, and Charlie probably loses his job. This puts Don's trustworthiness and fairness on the line. Don's behavior is self-serving and irresponsible. One writer says, "Moving beyond self-serving tendencies will require careful attention to both the important role that professionals play in our society and the competitive market conditions in which they must now work" (Wilkins, 2006). Thus, Don's behavior could put his own employment in jeopardy in the future, because his reputation will become tarnished and his employees will not trust him or his motives.

The situation could have been handled much differently. In fact, Don should have handled the situation honorably from the beginning, to gain respects from Charlie and others, and show his caring and concern for his workforce. Instead of promising his superior that he would do what it takes to ensure the project is done, he should have noted that the project could not be completed if the budget is cut, and that he would complete as much of it as possible. He also should have noted Charlie's opportunity, and attempted to gain the funds to ensure he could stay with the company. His decision to lie to his supervisor and his employee with unethical, and undermines his decision-making capabilities and trustworthiness as a manager and employee.