Ethics
Use required course materials in all responses to move the discussion forward and explains the ‘why and how.’ Does not repeat what has been stated, but consistently brings in new ideas or aspects related to discussion topic to enhance discussion.
Hamza
At some point in my line of duty, I came across a specific issue that is a true definition of an ethical dilemma. I was a case manager for an organization thatprovides services to victims of domestic violence. We had a client in an abusiverelationship, and she had a child with her abuser. She was trying to leave therelationship and get custody of her child. Her abuser found out about our servicesand called the organization to try to get information about the client. The abuser was very threatening on the phone and said he would hurt her if I didn’t give himinformation about her. At one point, I felt I should give the abuser the information because we didn’t want him to hurt her, but I also didn’t want to get in trouble fornot following our confidentiality policy.
To resolve the problem, I
talked to my supervisor about the situation, and we decided not to give the abuser any information. We also made a safety plan for the client in case her abuser did come to our office. If we gave the abuser the information, we would violate the organization’s client confidentiality policy (“Hiscox Experts,” 2018). Henceforth, to ensure that the abuser never hurt the client, we had to provide security to the client.
In reaching the solution, the reasoning process I went through was focused on protecting the client and upholding the organization’s policies. I
was mainly thinking about what would be the best for the client. I didn’t want todo anything that would put her in danger. I also thought about our confidentiality policy and how we could get in trouble if we gave the abuser information.
This week’s reading did not change my perspective on the dilemma but strengthened my perspective (Gilbert, 2016). I feel that I would have done something more to ensure that the abuser faced the law. Maybe that would make the client safer. I would say that I am satisfied with the decision I made. I think itwas the best decision given the circumstances because the client continued receiving the services from our organization, and her abuser did not get any information about her, nor did he hurt her.
Melissa
I have been thinking of what topic to choose to discussion for the week 1: There are so many I wanted to discussion; but this one is fine with me to discussion about my life being with R.A. (Rheumatoid Arthritis). No needed to say sorry, it happened to me with unexpectedly.
Life can be unpredictable!!
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) it is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints, most often in the hands and feet. It results in swelling; stiffness; pain; and sometimes joint, bone, and cartilage destruction. It’s belonging to a group of diseases called autoimmune disorders that affects joints; function of which is to protect the body, produces antibodies that attack the soft tissues lining the joints. Eventually the cartilage, bone, and ligaments of the joint deteriorate, causing deformity, instability, and scarring within the joint. These proteins can also damage cartilage, bone, tendons, and ligaments. Gradually the joint loses its shape and alignment, and eventually may be destroyed. Everyone is different and how it be treated themselves.
When I found out that I had arthritis, I was 25 years old as young age. I didn’t know what it was or what to do; so, went to doctor to get it checked. I felt I didn’t receive enough information of what being it means, how it caused and what happened or why? The doctor, who I went to see and was not satisfy to me, so I didn’t understand what to do with my life because I didn’t get enough resources and education about what RA is alike, “warning” side effect or anything, and how to handle the situation. All he does was giving me medication so much that I had to take, I was alike, is that all I had to do this? I decided to leave his office and went to 2nd opinion; and lots better because he took me to have blood work, scan, etc. to confirm if I have one or not. The Rheumatology doctor who I was seeing, had some kinds of attitude and the body languages I can tell and unappreciated it. I decided and went to other place to discussed to gather the arthritis information as much I need to know, identify what the problem was, pinpointed this ethic issues solved, he listened and concerns. I was so happier and love his service on how he cared of his patients, concerned his patients if they were in any pains, feedback, honestly, and being patience without no hurry or having showed some kinds of attitude. He wanted me to feel so comfortable and happy result of understand what is happened when a person starts to feel his/her health issues. The recalled, I went through with him was take the blood work, evaluation the body and analyzed the issues I had, reviewed my chart every time my appointment came up, and mores. He also explained about the different kinds of treatments, medication, over the counter, nutrition, therapy and mores. I had him for pretty while until he moved down to Florida to spend time with his family and retired. He gave me the lists of referred office, I honestly had the hardest decision to pick so I picked 2 different offices and picked one. Ever since, I picked him. He is a great and concerns about the issues I had. He recognized the problems, identified, analyzed, implements and follow up my every single appointment. Everything this week, I had been reading ethics, this applied to medical ethics because of rheumatology is a doctor who works with the people who have or had issues with health, study on how each health is different from others, affect the moral behavior. I am definitely happy with my previous doctor if he still here, blessing me with “good health” with reduce of inflammatory. However, I am still happy with my currently doctor who is being friendly, respectful in good ways, positive attitude, show cares of his patients.
Katrina
To accurately describe an ethical dilemma, one must understand what an ethical dilemma is. “An ethical dilemma (for a business) may be defined as a multi-faceted problem a company faces, which is described in an either/or statement that defines options open to a company to resolve an ethical problem; the either / or statement also include possible consequences of each option” (Ethical Issues Dilemmas Legal Issues, n.d., p. 4).
I had an ethical dilemma four years ago when I worked at my first property. The HR manager covered two properties, including mine. It was known that she showed favoritism towards some employees and was using other employees for her own personal gain. I’ve always been the type to speak up for the under dog, and this eventually led to her terminating me. I decided to email corporate detailing my wrongful termination and decided to include my manager unlawful practices. I knew she borrowed a large sum of money from an associate and never paid them back. I struggled with doing what I knew was right which was reporting her and her unfair practices to corporate HR or remaining quite because someone confided in me that she never paid them back. I made the decision to write the email and in turn it helped out so many people. The HR manager was suspended pending investigation and eventually she resigned. It came to light that the manager was borrowing money from associates from both properties who were employed because they had work visas. She preyed on those who came to this country to work and have a better way of life. They were to frightened to speak up when their money wasn’t returned because they feared of losing their jobs or visas.
During my reasoning process, I weighed my options. I thought about my actions and my intent (Gilbert, 2016). Though I knew my colleague would be upset, I understood the principle and the bigger picture. I felt guilty at first for sharing the details of what he confided in me however, when we all found out he wasn’t the only person she had used; I was happy to have helped the collective. I am satisfied with my decision to speak up because it prevented other from falling victim to the HR managers unethical and illegal behavior.
Paige
The ethical dilemma that I have chosen to explain occurred back when I was in the Air Force. A supervisor of mine had put me in charge of a very important project of ordering new lockers for students. Come to find out, the deadline for the project was the next day, and my supervisor had just forgotten about the tasking. When my supervisor was asked about the situation by the Commander who had tasked her to do it, she pointed him to me. I of course have not finished this project yet, but also had to consider the repercussions of telling the Commander why I was so far behind. The dilemma that was occurring was either to lie to the Commander and tell him the project was finished and all of the lockers were ordered to try and buy myself more time, or tell the truth of the matter that my supervisor had just forgotten about the tasking and pushed it on me, even though that may cause more issues for them. This is a particularly difficult dilemma because I needed to make a very quick decision on how to respond and where the accountability should be placed.
I tried to determine the best course of action when solving this ethical dilemma as well as look at the ethical consequences that could occur with either choice. I thought about the moral issue of lying to my Commander, the impact that it would take on my reputation if I was caught lying, the further issues I could face if I end up not being able to order the lockers, etc. On the other hand, if I told the truth to the Commander about the status, my supervisor could be punished and there could be a strain on our workplace dynamic, I could be deemed as not taking accountability, we could have to be put on longer shifts until this project gets finished, etc. My intentions were to do the right and do the virtuous thing, and I wanted to be considerate of my ethics and morals when making the choice on how to proceed. A few of the ethical issues in this scenario would be categories such as: trust, lack of respect, dishonesty, or lack of accountability. (University of Maryland Global Campus, n.d., “Week 1: Ethical Issues Dilemmas Legal Issues” p. 4).
The choice I ended up making in this dilemma was to tell the truth to the Commander in that I was tasked for this project just one day prior. He respected me more for telling him the truth rather than trying to sweep an issue under the rug. My supervisor was held accountable with letting this issue fall off the radar and then trying to push it on me. From this situation I learned the importance of workplace accountability, honesty, respect, teamwork, and the importance of open communication. Also, my supervisor learned valuable lessons on accountability and leadership. I firmly believe that if I would have chosen the alternative and been dishonest, there would have been a lot bigger consequences with a lot smaller, if any, reward.
When going through this weeks reading, I felt definitely affirmed in the decision that I made in this dilemma, but the topics in the reading help me to determine a bit better why it was the right choice. I did not feel like I should have changed what I had done since the reading stressed greatly the ethics and morals of a decision, even if it is not technically illegal. (Gilbert, 2016, p. 34). In this case, it is against military law as well as against mine and the governments ethics and morals to lie to a Commander. Therefore, that choice was the worst of the two in this dilemma.
Since I am happy with the outcome of this situation, the reading has helped me to determine the changes I would like to make in my approach for the next time that I face an ethical dilemma. For example, determining the cause and effect of potential decisions/actions is indirectly what I did in the stated situation, but I see a lot of value in formally considering cause and effect for myself and those around me, especially as I get in higher leadership positions. (Gilbert, 2016, p.22). I also will be considering the 3 approaches to morality when it comes to these big ethical dilemmas in the workplace, like utilitarianism, rights and duties, and fairness and justice. (Gilbert, 2016, p. 28). By deliberating between what is best for all people, the rights and obligations I have as the employee, as well as what is fair and just to those around me and to myself, that will help in any scenario to choose the right action in the dilemma.
