BUSN 6011: Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility 1

Assignment 1: Ethical Dilemma Analysis

1. Ethical Standards Analysis
Complete the table below for the affected stakeholder(s) in your dilemma. (Write maximum 1 page for complete
analysis using 10 pt. font, single spaced. You can write in bullet points or in complete sentences.)

Stakeholder(s)1 Ethical Standards

Duties to this Rights of this Organizational Best practice on Additional
2 3 5
party party precedent on this this kind of issue Commitments to
kind of issue4 this party6
Andrew To abide by the To access urgent Forgot about safety Carefully conduct
company’s health care measures due to his maintenance
*OSHA previous clean activities to prevent
practices. experience accidents

Michael To ensure the To take action Left the technician Supervise directly or To have the best
well-being of the unsupervised and have more than one interests of employees
employees and thus there was no person handling as well as the
follow safety concern machinery for safety organization
instructions of
Joshua

Joshua To secure the To oversee action Neglected training Train staff on the best
interests of the from Michael and emphasis on *OSHA practices to
company and Health and safety avoid injuries in the
the employees measures organization as well
as first aid.

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Company To provide a To be in the best Has taken a back seat Establish *OSHA To ensure shareholder
safe position to to health and safety policies and steps to interests are met as
environment for continue and no training handling accidents to well as employees in
employees to operations avoid or manage the the company
work incidences.

Hospital Provide health To offer medical Has reported the Prompt response to
services and aid and report the organizations before the call to pick up the
report any case resulting in punitive injured employee.
incidences to measures causing
authorities organizations to
avoid them

Government To ensure To punish or fine Tough regulations Regular reminder of

organizations the organization to that affect future companies to ensure
comply with prevent future operations of the strict adherence to
safety and occurrences company when occupational safety
health incidences occur and health
regulations administration

*OSHA(Occupational Health and Safety Administration)

 Andrew the victim of the accident in this scenario is injured in the company. Normally, the organization is supposed to take
responsibility for the accident and provide him with medical care if it is not a big issue. Since the injury cannot be addressed in the
company he has to be taken to hospital and is directly affected by the decisions the superiors take for his injury.

 The Ethical dilemma, in this case, presents Michael with an opportunity to do the best thing for one employee and put the company in
a difficult situation. The circumstance also puts him in a tough position due to the future prospects of him being in the company when
he does the right thing. By calling the ambulance, the company faces penalties, inspection requirements, and lawsuits that would
affect its operations in the future. Michael has proven himself to be valuable to the company and his efforts have seen the company
improve in production and revenues. By making the call against Joshua’s advice, Michael would be dismissed from the position

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under the accusation of insubordination from his superior. Michael is also responsible for taking action in this circumstance that will
affect the company altogether.

 Joshua is the manager and in control of the production department. Joshua answers to the executive and in this case, when the
incident is reported, the company’s credibility and image will be affected since it will be dealt with by external parties. Joshua sees the
consequences and how they affect the company and suggests a more reserved approach that will put the company’s interest first
before the employee. The result would be dire for the victim (Andrew) while the company will continue with its operations. He is
accountable for his department and would be liable for any punishment for the incident as the overall manager.

 The company is directly affected by not having Occupational Safety and Health Administration in its facilities. The company could
face a halt in operation that will affect its business activities and any revenue generation in the future. This affects the employees who
also depend on the company for their incomes. The shareholders of the company are also affected as the earning ability of the
company has been reduced due to the incidence.

 The hospital is responsible for the provision of medical services to the injured employee. They are also required to report any work-
related incidences in their reports to the authorities for measures to be taken. They are responsible for ensuring the victim regains
their physical health.

 Government, either the state or federal government depending on the implementation authority is responsible to enforce safety
standards for companies within their jurisdiction. The authority is responsible to ensure the companies take care of their employees’
medical bills and their earning ability until they regain their physical health to work again. To do this they need to remind the
organizations of their responsibilities and measures they need to take to avoid accidents. In case of accidents, the government
authorities take measures that will encourage companies to adhere to occupational safety and health measures to avoid future
occurrences. This will dent the organization to serve as a lesson. However, the measures tend to push companies into hiding the
incidences to avoid the measures the government takes as it affects their operations.

2. Alternatives Analysis
Proposed Alternative 1: State Alternative Here
 The first alternative is for Michael to use a personal vehicle to carry Andrew to the hospital for treatment. Michael with another staff
will assist in taking Andrew to the car park where he will be transferred to the hospital without having to call an ambulance. In this

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instance, the company will not be recorded in the hospital where the incidence occurred. They will also forego any responsibility that
Andrew will incur. Michael picks this choice to agree with his supervisor in favor of the company against the employee’s health. It is
favorable to the company, his career progression, and the future relationship with his superior. However, it is demeaning to the
injured staff and internally conveys the message to the staff that they are not important. This decision in this scenario is Michael’s
ethical duty to obey his superior who has advised against calling an ambulance.

Stakeholders Likely Consequences

Positive Negative
(short and long term) (short and long term)
Andrew Short. Gets medical attention Short: Pain and suffering due to lack of professional
Long: Continues with work intervention.
Long: Future health complications due to negligence.
Lawsuit on the company.
Michael Short Avoids problems for the company Short: Dismissal from work and lawsuits.
Long Gets a promising career progression Long: Lack of support from colleagues due to putting
company above their lives
Joshua Short Avoids consequences of the accident Short: Rebellion from the staff and low productivity
Long Promoted for outstanding management Long: Dismissal and investigations from government
authorities.
Company Short Continues operations Short: Lawsuits from the union and high turnover rates
Long Increase in profits and growth from employees
Long: Closure of the company
Hospital Short: Saves a patient’s life Short: People are cautious about engaging hospitals
Long: People call the ambulance frequently Long: Patients suffer or even die from a lack of prompt
requests for assistance from hospitals

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Government Short Companies are complying and no danger to Short: The punitive measures are not meted out on the
people’s lives organization
Long: Companies are committed to OSHA Long: Companies don’t adhere to policies and
regulations regulations resulting in more cases.

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Proposed Alternative 2: State Alternative Here

Michael calls the ambulance and Joshua along with the company punishes him for going against the advice offered. This also puts the
company in a disadvantaged position. Calling the ambulance implies that Michael has prioritized the staff over the company and his
superior. Calling the ambulance will avail the necessary medical help required by the injured staff. The consequences of the action results
in disobedience and insubordination. In this case, Michael risks losing his job by saving Andrew. The company also faces an obstacle of
having a slow down in operations when the incidence is reported to authorities. The decision by Michael in this situation is focused on the
right of the staff to access urgent medical intervention from professionals.

Stakeholders Likely Consequences

Positive
(short and long term)
Andrew Short: Receives needed medical attention
Long: Regains health faster without danger
Michael Short: Appreciated by staff for his action
Long: His team appreciates him more and works
selflessly for the company
Joshua Short: Doesn’t lose a staff from the injury
Long: Productivity of the company improves
Company Short: Enjoys staff loyalty
Long: Spends less on the hiring of employees
Hospital Short: Offer prompt medical aid
Long: People are not fearful of contacting them
Negative
(short and long term)
Short: Feels guilty of his contribution to the situation
Long: Quits work due to his self-blame
Short: Reprimanded for the incidence
Long: Taints his resume and ability to get work
Short: Gets suspended from work
Long: Lacks support from staff due to his stance on the
accident.
Short: Staff quit due to prioritization of profits
Long: Inability to attract staff from bad image and
lawsuits.
Short: People are cautious about engaging hospitals
Long: Patients suffer or even die from a lack of prompt
requests for assistance from hospitals

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Government Short: Organization stick to OSHA regulations Short: The punitive measures meted out on the
Long: There are minimal occupational accidents organization
Long: Companies do not report accidents

Proposed Alternative 3: State Alternative Here

Note: You are expected to analyze between two to three alternatives. This section applies only if you have three
alternatives. You can erase this section if you only have two alternatives.

Michael speaks to Joshua and informs him the situation is critical for Andrew. Suggests that Joshua calls the ambulance
and they will deal with the problems later. In this situation, Michael speaks to Joshua and they detail all the possible
consequences of this scenario and they agree to do the best for the organization and the injured staff. It involves
committing to deal with the punitive results of the accidents as well as having the staff obtain the best medical response
from a professional. In this instance, the consequences are absorbed by the two and the result is positive acceptance by
the staff but at a disadvantage for the company. The fine and measures imposed by the authorities will then be absorbed
by the whole organization including the other staff. This is best practice and represents the values of the company and
how they value their employees.

Stakeholders Likely Consequences

Positive Negative
(short and long term) (short and long term)
Andrew Short: Receives needed medical attention Short: Reprimanded for carelessness
Long: Regains health faster without danger Long: Quits work due to his self-blame

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Michael Short: Appreciated by staff for his action
Long: His team appreciates him more and works
selflessly for the company
Joshua Short: Appreciated by staff for his action
Long: His team appreciates him more and works
selflessly for the company
Company Short: Appreciated by staff for taking care of its
people
Long: Low turnover rates
Hospital Short: Offer prompt medical aid
Long: People are not fearful of contacting them
Government Short: Organization stick to OSHA regulations
Long: There are minimal occupational accidents
Short: Reprimanded for the incidence
Long: Enforce strict OSHA regulations that result in low
staff morale
Short: Reprimanded for the incidence
Long: Initiate strict OSHA regulations that result in low
staff morale
Short: Fined and flagged for the accident
Long: Operations pause for some time affecting revenues
Short: People are cautious about engaging hospitals
Long: Patients suffer or even die from a lack of prompt
requests for assistance from hospitals
Short: The punitive measures meted out on the
organization
Long: Companies do not report accidents

Once you have completed this worksheet, submit it to your Open Learning Faculty Member for grading.

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