ETHICAL

DILEMMA
 Ethical dilemmas

• Also known as a moral dilemmas • Ethical dilemmas assume that the chooser

will abide by societal norms, such as codes
• These are situations in which there of law or religious teachings, in order to
is a choice to be made between two make the choice ethically impossible.
options, neither of which resolves
the situation in an ethically
acceptable fashion. In such cases,
societal and personal ethical
guidelines can provide no
satisfactory outcome for the
chooser.
Three conditions that must be present for a situation
to be considered an ethical dilemma.

- occurs in situations when an individual must make a decision about which

course of action is best

- Presence of different courses of action to choose from.

- Lastly, no matter what course of action is taken, some ethical principle is

compromised. In other words, there is no perfect solution.
 Determining what constitutes an ethical dilemma

 Ethics are prepositional statements (standards) that are used to determine what the right
course of action in a situation is. It rely on logical and rational criteria to reach a decision, an
essentially cognitive process.

 Values describe ideas that a person value or prize. To value something means that we hold
it dear and feel it has worth to us.

 Morals describes a behavioral code of conduct to which an individual ascribes. They are
used to negotiate, support, and strengthen our relationships with others.

 Laws and agency policies are often involved in complex cases.

The Six Ethical Dilemmas Every
Professional Faces
 Dilemma 1: Worthwhile Work

What is worthwhile spending the majority of my waking time on

for the next year — or 30 years? Will my chosen career,
company and assignment contribute to human welfare or detract
from it?
 Dilemma 2: Work vs. Family

In these moments we answer the values question — what is

more important, and what balance do I choose? What really are
my values?
 Dilemma 3: Going Along With the Crowd

How you will manage the continuing question of

whether you will be a “team player” who goes
along with whatever the group is doing or
someone who actively resists the uglier side of
group behavior?
 Dilemma 3: Going Along With the Crowd

Every person has the chance to decide whether he or she will go along with the
crowd. The other choice is to maintain your own independent values and resist
group norms that violate company rules, belittle any subgroup of employees or
show intolerance to particular political viewpoints.
 Dilemma 4: When Leaders Mislead

When leaders require others to go along with

their questionable strategies
This requires a delicate skill of “giving voice to
one’s values,” as author Mary Gentile has
written.
 Dilemma 5: Being a Change Agent

The choice is whether one initiates positive change in one’s organization or

profession.
 Dilemma 5: Being a Change Agent

Change agents will occasionally pay a price for raising

the issues they must. They may find their careers
derailed by the perception that they are troublemakers.
At such times, they may need to move on to other
organizations and environments where they can
continue to advocate for the change they seek.
 Dilemma 6: Careers and the Common Good

Each businessperson, each professional, has talents

that can serve the broader society in some concrete
way. In shaping a life and one’s personal character,
one must choose whether to make such service to the
common good a part of one’s calling.
Dilemma 6: Careers and the Common Good

Dilemma all professionals face is deciding whether to

look beyond their immediate organization and apply their
professional skills for the benefit of humanity.
 Common Types of Ethical Issues Within Organizations

1. Social media use while at work

2. Technology and Privacy Concerns
3. Travel Ethics
4. Employee Favoritism
5. Bad Leadership Behavior
6. Conducting Personal Business on Company Time
7. Taking Credit for Others' Work
8. Harassing Behavior
9. Stealing on the Job
Common Types of Ethical Issues Within Organizations

Proactive Employers
 Thoughts to ponder:
• Does your decision conflict with any of the core ethical values?
• How will your decision affect others?
• Are my actions legal?
• Are there regulations, rules, or policies that restrict your choices/ actions?
• Would your decision be perceived as unethical?
• How would your decision look if it were reported on the news or in another public forum?
• What would a reasonable person do? How would they perceive your decision?
• Would you be proud of your choice if your child were to find out? Would you want them to make the
same choice?
• Could you rationally and honestly defend your decision?
• Will you sleep soundly tonight?