Workplace ethics is one of the most important issues today as it determines the moral standards and values of employees. The case of Wilson shows that standard ethical principles cannot be applied to all situations and problems occurred in the workplace. Every employee can expect workplace safety and healthy working conditions. If it can be agreed that ethical behavior is legal behavior plus some other element, then it is important that this additional element be identified, if possible. The main ethical problems faced by Valerie are information disclosure, leader-subordinate relations, and personal safety. At first blush, many people will probably agree that this additional element is the collection of moral principles and values of what is right and what is wrong and what is good and what is bad, as determined by group behavior or by some member of the group. At this point of definition, it appears that one’s behavior is ethical if it is legal and in accordance with group norms. Based on discussions and some recent philosophies, this is what many would have everyone believe. This definition is, however, short-sighted and flawed in that it does not clearly define “group” or the standards and values upon which the “group ethical norms” are based. For proper business and social conduct, these ethical standards and values must be shared by not only individuals but by the total business community and society as a whole. Without agreement by all parties involved, only legality exists to control the actions of everyone (Beauchamp and Bowie 2003).
If I were Valeria, I would not tell anyone about the unethical behavior followed by Wilson. Information disclosure will benefit anyone except some competitors and suppliers. Still, this benefit is obvious. The information disclosure will surely lead to the dismissal of Valerie and all employees of the department. Valerie’s boss will do everything possible to hide the information and avoid a scandal. Personal considerations rank high in the decision process. Utilitarianism is referred to by some as the consequentialist ethical theory. It is expressed in the form that asserts that people should always act so as to produce the greatest ratio of good to evil for everyone. The utilitarians believe that when choosing between two actions, the one that produces the greatest net happiness should be the one chosen. Where most of them disagree with one another is in the area of how this principle should be applied. Autonomy ethics suggests that the company and the chef should protect their rights and freedoms thus each of them should follow autonomy rules and prevent intrusion in the personal lives of each other. This concept states that a professional may not be called upon, in court or in another legally constituted body, to divulge confidential information (Beauchamp and Bowie 2003).
The main types of stressors experienced by Valeria are personal safety and employment, inability to change the situation, and a moral dilemma concerning the right and wrong behavior patterns. Following Plato’s ethics, happiness and overall good are the aims of the good life. Virtue is the main priority of every individual, so the company should be virtuous in order to meet the idea of happiness and good life. The state that Plato envisioned was a happy state and a moderate state. Everything was fine as long as it stayed this way; however, if the people started wanting too many goods or luxuries, and the fixed amount of land would not produce it, then the expansion would become necessary; the need for expansion would eventually and inevitably lead to war. Water behaves unethically as he hides information from employees and received kickbacks. Still, the current policy does not influence the company’s financial performance and further opportunities. To come to extend, it helps Wisson to survive and save 10 workplaces (Boatright, 2001).
In some measure, any morally wrong act of a member of the profession affects the whole field because by its very nature, has advanced itself to society as a special society, deserving special privilege and therefore have special responsibilities. The final determinant of the ethical worth of any belief is one’s own belief and justification that supports it. It puts emphasis on what is popular instead of what is necessarily correct or incorrect. Rather than offer an ethical judgment that is binding on all people, at all times, everywhere, it is flexible and variable in every situation (Boatright, 2001).
These two problems allow us to say that the company behaved illegally and unethically taking into account personal gain only. The utilitarian approach will help to discuss and analyze the problems. This definition is, however, short-sighted and flawed in that it does not clearly define “group” or the standards and values upon which the “group ethical norms” are based. For proper business and social conduct, these ethical standards and values must be shared by not only individuals but by the total business community and society as a whole. Without agreement by all parties involved, only legality exists to control the actions of everyone. Utilitarianism is referred to by some as the consequentialist ethical theory. It is expressed in the form that asserts that people should always act so as to produce the greatest ratio of good to evil for everyone. The utilitarians believe that when choosing between two actions, the one that produces the greatest net happiness should be the one chosen (Boatright, 2001). Without a doubt, Water behaves unethically and betrays his own organization. There are also several stated weaknesses in ethics. It ignores actions that appear to be wrong in themselves; it espouses the concept that the end justifies the means; the principles may come into conflict with that of justice, and it is extremely difficult to formulate and establish satisfactory rules of application.
References
Beauchamp, T., and Bowie, N. (eds). (2003). Ethical Theory and Business, 7th edn, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Boatright, J. (2001). Ethics and the Conduct of Business, 2nd edn, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.