Ethical Dilemma – A Practical Scenario
“Ethical dilemmas involve situations with two choices, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable matter” (Kinicki and Fulgate, 2016, p. 15). I am a supervisor of an organization, where I have a sixty years old female friend, works for many years in my team. On a late Friday afternoon, she meets with me and says that she has diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. Her doctor is away until Monday and going to see her on Monday afternoon. I take a medicine named Xanax (.25 mg), twice daily to control my anxiety and stress. As she knows this fact and asks for six tablets for the weekend before she can meet with the doctor. Since the doctor is out there is no one available to give her prescription …show more content…
Although in my culture people sometimes take minor illegal steps for their close friends and family, but definitely not for everyone or frequently. Since in future if needed I cannot take illegal decision to benefit my other teammates, I cannot make a personal favor for my own interest to keep my friendship strong. No doubt the decision will also show, as a supervisor I am not discriminating between teammates and the decision will be completely unbiased. A biased decision can fulfill own or team interest but it can cause severe damage to people and business. According to Useem (2010), “What is good for the individual manager is not necessarily good for the company. Mission must come first, self-interest last”. Hence, as a supervisor, my goal is to follow the norms of OB and create a workplace where every employee is treated in the same scale, irrespective of their personal relationship with …show more content…
As a regular user of Xanax, I completely understand how difficult is to go through the stress for two long days. Hence, the drug will definitely help her to control the stress and she might be better prepared for the meeting with her doctor on Monday. Moreover, my old friend might also think that being a good friend for years, I do not care about her and I may lose the trust of her. But at the same time to win a personal relationship I cannot make a damage in my organization. As I really care about her and I am sure I will get several other opportunities to help her in future and she will definitely realize I am still her good friend.
Given the decision is to respond “No” to her, next it comes how to convey the message to her. The way of communication can manage many tough situations and sometimes well accepted for disagreement also. The environment also plays a critical role. So, instead of sitting at my own desk and talk from the other side, I will use the side table and sit side by side to show the closeness and openness. Talking over a cup of coffee is also a great idea in such situation.
In conclusion, it is extremely important for the leaders to realize that any decision made by them has a bigger impact on the employee and OB. Unbiased decision always keeps the team happy and makes the workplace ethical. Hence, based on the norms of good OB practice my decision is not to give the
“Ethical dilemmas involve situations with two choices, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable matter” (Kinicki and Fulgate, 2016, p. 15). I am a supervisor of an organization, where I have a sixty years old female friend, works for many years in my team. On a late Friday afternoon, she meets with me and says that she has diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. Her doctor is away until Monday and going to see her on Monday afternoon. I take a medicine named Xanax (.25 mg), twice daily to control my anxiety and stress. As she knows this fact and asks for six tablets for the weekend before she can meet with the doctor. Since the doctor is out there is no one available to give her prescription …show more content…
Although in my culture people sometimes take minor illegal steps for their close friends and family, but definitely not for everyone or frequently. Since in future if needed I cannot take illegal decision to benefit my other teammates, I cannot make a personal favor for my own interest to keep my friendship strong. No doubt the decision will also show, as a supervisor I am not discriminating between teammates and the decision will be completely unbiased. A biased decision can fulfill own or team interest but it can cause severe damage to people and business. According to Useem (2010), “What is good for the individual manager is not necessarily good for the company. Mission must come first, self-interest last”. Hence, as a supervisor, my goal is to follow the norms of OB and create a workplace where every employee is treated in the same scale, irrespective of their personal relationship with …show more content…
As a regular user of Xanax, I completely understand how difficult is to go through the stress for two long days. Hence, the drug will definitely help her to control the stress and she might be better prepared for the meeting with her doctor on Monday. Moreover, my old friend might also think that being a good friend for years, I do not care about her and I may lose the trust of her. But at the same time to win a personal relationship I cannot make a damage in my organization. As I really care about her and I am sure I will get several other opportunities to help her in future and she will definitely realize I am still her good friend.
Given the decision is to respond “No” to her, next it comes how to convey the message to her. The way of communication can manage many tough situations and sometimes well accepted for disagreement also. The environment also plays a critical role. So, instead of sitting at my own desk and talk from the other side, I will use the side table and sit side by side to show the closeness and openness. Talking over a cup of coffee is also a great idea in such situation.
In conclusion, it is extremely important for the leaders to realize that any decision made by them has a bigger impact on the employee and OB. Unbiased decision always keeps the team happy and makes the workplace ethical. Hence, based on the norms of good OB practice my decision is not to give the