OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Ethical Communities Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the four ethical communities
2. Apply the ethical communities to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.
1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

The situation that I'm working on is a performance issue with an employee. In this
situation, a team leader expresses concerns about an employee's consistently low
productivity and missed 2 deadlines. As the HR focal, I am responsible for investigating
the issue, gathering relevant information, and conducting a performance review with the
employee. I also need to apply appropriate disciplinary actions or performance
improvement plans. Additionally, I will collaborate with the employee's supervisor to
provide guidance and support in addressing performance concerns while ensuring fair
and consistent treatment following company policies and procedures.

2) Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.

The ethics of the organization play a crucial role in guiding the handling of
performance issues with the employee. By following ethical principles, such as fairness,
transparency, and respect for individuals, I ensure that all parties involved are treated
with dignity and integrity throughout the process. The organization's ethics guide the HR
focal in conducting a thorough and unbiased investigation into the performance issues,
ensuring that all relevant information is gathered objectively. This approach upholds the
principles of fairness and transparency, as decisions regarding disciplinary actions or
performance improvement plans are based on factual evidence rather than biases or
personal judgments.
In addition, the organization's ethical standards require the HR focal to collaborate
closely with the employee's supervisor to provide guidance and support in addressing
performance concerns. By working together with the supervisor, I can ensure that
appropriate measures are taken to help the employee improve their performance while
also upholding the organization's commitment to employee development and well-being.
Overall, the organization's ethics serve as a guiding framework that helps maintain a just
and ethical workplace environment, where employees are treated fairly, conflicts are
resolved transparently, and decisions are made with integrity. This approach not only
fosters a culture of trust and respect within the organization but also ensures that

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 disciplinary actions are carried out consistently and ethically, in line with company
policies and procedures.

3) Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical communities for an alternative
course of action regarding your case.

An alternative ethical framework that could be applied to my case is the Virtue Ethics
approach. In this context, Virtue Ethics focuses on the character and moral development of
individuals involved in the decision-making process. Instead of solely relying on rules or
consequences, this approach emphasizes cultivating virtues such as honesty, fairness, and
compassion in addressing ethical dilemmas. Applying Virtue Ethics to the performance issue
with the employee, I could take a more empathetic and understanding approach toward the
employee's situation. Instead of focusing solely on punitive measures or performance
improvement plans, I could seek to understand the underlying reasons for the employee's low
productivity and missed deadlines.

By fostering a culture of empathy and support, I could engage in constructive dialogue

with the employees to address any potential challenges or obstacles they may be facing. This
approach aligns with Virtue Ethics by emphasizing the importance of fostering positive character
traits and promoting the well-being of all individuals involved. Additionally, I would work on
developing a supportive environment in collaboration with the employee's supervisor, focusing
on mentorship, coaching, and providing resources to help the employee improve their
performance. By embodying virtues such as understanding, patience, and support, I can create a
more positive and ethical workplace culture that prioritizes development and growth. Ultimately,
by incorporating Virtue Ethics into the decision-making process, I can aim to not only address
the immediate performance issues but also cultivate a more ethical and virtuous work
environment where individuals are treated with respect, compassion, and understanding.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about ethics.

Given what I have learned about ethics, I would approach the performance issue
with the employee in a more compassionate and understanding manner. Reframing
Organizations states, “We show how routine activities and processes such as strategic
planning, decision, making, and conflict take on different meanings, depending on how
they are viewed” (Bolman & Deal, 2021, p. 309). Instead of immediately resorting to
disciplinary actions, I would prioritize a thorough investigation to identify the underlying
reasons for the low productivity and missed deadlines. By taking the time to listen to the
employee's perspective and gathering relevant information, I can better assess the
situation and provide appropriate support. I would aim to involve the employee in a
collaborative process, working together to develop a performance improvement plan that
addresses their challenges and sets achievable goals. Empathy and support would be key
in fostering a trusting relationship and creating a safe space for the employee to express
their concerns and work towards improvement.

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 Furthermore, I would ensure that any actions taken are fair, consistent, and
aligned with company policies to uphold a sense of justice and accountability.
Collaborating closely with the employee's supervisor, I would seek to provide guidance
and mentorship to facilitate the employee's growth and development. Overall, my
approach would be centered on treating the employee with dignity, respect, and empathy,
while also maintaining a focus on accountability and continuous improvement. By
incorporating ethical principles into my decision-making process, I strive to create a
positive and supportive work environment that values the well-being and professional
development of all individuals involved.

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 Reference

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and
Leadership (7th ed.). Wiley.