Transcript CHAPTER 6 - GROUP DYNAMICS: THE ADVANTAGES OF …

Human Relations
ETHICS AT WORK:
Your Attitude and Responsibilities
What is ethics?
The code of moral principles and
values that govern the behaviors
of a person or group with respect
to what is right or wrong.
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What is an ethical dilemma?
A situation that arises when all
alternative choices or behaviors have
been deemed undesirable.
Potentially negative ethical
consequences, making it difficult to
distinguish right from wrong.
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Ethical dilemma - examples
McDonalds uses beef flavor & tells
Hindus it doesn’t.
Styrofoam vs. paper
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Ethical Decision Making
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Most ethical dilemmas involve:
A conflict between needs of the part & whole.
The individual versus the organization.
The organization versus society as a whole.
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Approaches for
Ethical Decision Making
Utilitarian Approach
Individualism Approach
Moral-Rights Approach
Justice Approach
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Utilitarian Approach
Moral behavior produces the greatest
good for the greatest number.
Critics fear a “Big Brother” approach
and ask if the common good is
squeezing the life out of the individual.
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Individualism Approach
Acts are moral when they promote the
individual's best long-term interests,
which ultimately leads to the greater
good.
Individual self-direction paramount.
Individualism is believed to lead to
honesty & integrity since that works
best in the long run.
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Moral-Rights Approach
• Moral decisions are those that best
maintain the rights of those people
affected by them.
• An ethical decision is one that avoids
interfering with the fundamental rights
of others.
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The right of free consent
“Moral Rights”
The right to privacy
The right of freedom of
conscience
The right of free speech
The right to due process
The right to life & safety
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Justice Approach
 Moral Decisions must be based on
standards of equity, fairness, and
impartiality.
 Three types of Justice Approaches:
 Distributive Justice
 Procedural Justice
 Compensatory Justice
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Distributive Justice
Treatment of people should not be
based on arbitrary characteristics.
People should be treated differently
in proportion to the differences
among them.
Evenly Distributed
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Procedural Justice
 Rules should be clearly stated.
 Rules should be consistently and
impartially enforced.
Rules and Procedures Govern
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Compensatory Justice
Individuals should not be held
responsible for matters they have no
control over.
Individuals should be compensated for
the cost of their injuries by the party
responsible.
Even it Out
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When faced with a tough decision, see if it CLICKS:
– Consequences—What will be the consequences of
my actions?
– Legal—Is it legal?
– Image—Would I like to see this on the front page
of the newspaper?
– Culture—Does it support my organization’s
culture and values?
– Knot—Does it cause a knot in my stomach?
Source: Lee Gardenswartz and Anita Row, Gardenswartz & Rowe, Los Angeles, CA and Patricia Digh, Realwork, Washington, D.C.
Human Relations
Tort, or Personal Injury, Law
When an ethical dilemma becomes a
legal problem:
 McDonalds Hot Coffee
 Sexual Harassment
 Men’s vs. women’s laundry & hair
cuts.
Human Relations
Tools for Managing Company Ethics
Leadership
Code of Ethics
Ethical
Structure
Whistle
Blowers