ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING APPROACHES
Introduction
Over the years, there have been unethical and immoral acts in the workplace have continued to increase. Dealing with ethical issues and dilemmas is important since it creates peace within the working environment. This paper will assess the parameters of different ethical decision-making approaches, analysis of ethical dilemma using ethical decision-making approach appraise the validity of a resolution given by the ethical decision-making approach selected. Therefore, this paper focuses on approaches that could be used in ethical decision making. The approaches include The Common Good Approach, The Utilitarian Approach, The Right Approach, The Virtue Approach and The Justice Approach.
Approaches
The Common Good Approach presumes a community consisting of people whose own good is inextricably associated with the good of the society. They are bounded by goals and values. This approach originated more than 2000 years ago in the works of Plato, Cicero and Aristotle. The Utilitarian approach holds that behavior is morally right if it creates the greatest good for the greatest number of individuals. In The Right approach, the mangers who face ethical dilemmas have to make decisions that are based on what is morally right (Schwartz, 2016). The important human rights of individuals are considered and the decision made keenly. Some individual rights of people that would be encountered in making morally right decisions include the right to live, their privacy, safety and health. The virtue approach is a character-based approach to morality and presumes that we get virtue through actions (Luke, Gilbride & Goodrich, 2017). A person in this approach develops to be an honourable and moral character such as being honest, generous and just among other things. In this approach, a leader or a manager makes a decision based on virtuous actions and deeds.
The last approach which stands out is The Justice/Fairness Approach is efficient in dealing with ethical dilemmas where a course of action treats everybody the same except where there is a moral reason not to and does not favour or discriminate (Zhu & Jesiek, 2017). This provides a person or an organization the opportunity to think about if the action is just to the people. This approach is essential when making a decision because the rules and regulations are followed before one makes a decision. No one should be subjected to discrimination and the employees and employers are aware of the policy guidelines that must be followed before making a decision. Justice is served when all people have the same chances and benefits through their positions and offices to the community’s opportunities and burdens (Voegel & Voegel, 2017). Many ethical dilemmas could be prevented using this approach if the leaders and those who are involved could as critical questions such as: is it right, is it fair, who gets hurt, who will pay for the consequences and do I/e assume the responsibility for the consequences?
Ethical issue and the application of justice/fairness approach
Clear communication is essential in any workplace. Organizations which communicates to its employees have a high survival rate in being successful (Vakilbashi et al., 2017) Not following the organization’s policies and communicating effectively to the juniors can bring about confusion. Improper communication in an organization will be considered as neglecting employees and can bring negative feedback to the organization. The justice/fairness approach will hold those who are responsible for ineffective communication in the organization. The policies and regulations will be followed from the juniors to those who are in leadership. This presents a fairground as individuals know the rules and what they are expected to do in order to raise the bar for the organization. Hardworking employees must be rewarded according to their input while those who are lagging should be accorded the necessary discipline. It is only fair when proper communication is done so that the organization can attain its goals. Therefore, the organizational leadership is encouraged to take a fair decision to the seniors who communicate ineffectively to their juniors (Chen, Trevino & Humphrey, 2018). For instance, bullying and intimidating junior employees with an unnecessarily firm tone of voice. It can also include making threats or applying pressure to the colleagues to do something they are not comfortable doing. In this scenario, the management of the organization should suspend or fire the employee who has made his or her purpose to bully and intimidate others because they have gone against the rule and policies of the organization.
Assessment of the resolution
The decision made will impact the organization positively since it will ensure that both employers and employees follow the policy guidelines. Justice and fairness are important in the world today. Making a decision without discriminating others is important as it promotes unity which in turn will assist the organization to attain its goals and objectives. In addition, just and fair treatment will reduce conflict and distrust in the organization. It will also enhance the communication between the employer and the employees and they will be regarded as valuable participants.
References
Chen, A., Trevino, L. K., & Humphrey, S. (2018, July). Moral Advocacy, Emotional expression, and Group Ethical Decision Making. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2018, No. 1, p. 10912). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
Luke, M., Gilbride, D., & Goodrich, K. M. (2017). School counselors’ approach to ethical decision making. Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, 4(1), 1-15.
Schwartz, M. S. (2016). Ethical decision-making theory: An integrated approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 139(4), 755-776.
Vakilbashi, A., Obumnaeme, O. E., Zamil, N. A. M., & Mokhber, M. (2017). The impact of ethical decision making in the individual and organizational context. Advanced Science Letters, 23(9), 9337-9341.
Voegel, J. A., & Voegel, L. A. (2017). AN EXPLORATORY EXAMINATION OF THE ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PROCESS OF ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR LENS: A MULTI-CRITERIA APPROACH. Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship, 29(1).
Zhu, Q., & Jesiek, B. K. (2017). A pragmatic approach to ethical decision-making in engineering practice: Characteristics, evaluation criteria, and implications for instruction and assessment. Science and engineering ethics, 23(3), 663-679.