¶ … ethical issue concerned an otherwise reliable employee displaying signs of troublesome behavior, as well as unethical financial and personal practices. This included drunkenness, fighting during off-base time, financial indiscretion relating to workplace funds, and a number of occasions of tardiness.
The persons involved included Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Pat Jones, newly appointed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona, and I, Technical Sergeant Smith. Our relationship was that of supervisor and subordinate: I was SSgt Jones's supervisor, and also became a friend to him as our working relationship progressed. He impressed me with his enthusiasm and the excellence of his work ethic.
In terms of power and authority, I have a position of power relative SSgt Jones, as I am his supervisor. I therefore have considerable authority over him, as I am responsible for helping him maintain his work ethic and supervise his behavior at all times. I am also responsible for dealing with any problems that may arise while performing these duties. Although this does give me authority over my subordinates, I always try to treat those around me with respect, regardless of rank or position relative to mine.
Specifically, the ethical issues concerned firstly involved the apparently sudden change in behavior displayed by SSgt. Jones. He seemed to be given to outbursts of rage and brawling, as well as bouts of drinking. Later he seemed to be involved in financial indiscretions, and finally his frequent tardiness...
These issues relate to workplace ethics, and SSgt. Jones's behavior was no longer maintaining the high character and reputation maintained by the Base.
The personal values in conflict included my loyalty and concern firstly for my workplace and the duties both SSgt. Jones and I were to perform. I had however also begun to build considerable respect for Ssgt. Jones and I did not want to jeopardize the relationship that had grown between us. Thus I found myself in a somewhat difficult dilemma. My loyalty to work however urged me to resolve the matter, while my loyalty to the Sergeant urged me to do so with the utmost sensitivity and respect for the issues involved. For SSgt. Jones, the personal values in conflict included the financial difficulties he experienced as a result of his pending divorce, as well as personal stress related to the related custody battle.
The potential outcomes relate to the potential actions that could have been taken, as well as to the conflicts experienced by Ssgt. Jones. Of course I could not have ignored the concerns raised to me, especially in the case of financial indiscretion. I could have thus summarily dismissed SSgt. Jones. The other option, which I took, would have been to discuss the matter with SSgt. Jones to find the root of the problem, and help him if I could. I also had the choice to follow the necessary disciplinary steps, as provided in the guidelines of the Base. The outcomes relating to Ssgt. Jones's reaction…
