Ethics Case Study- 13

Case Study 13:

Harsh, the bank employee approaches Bank Manager Mr. Roy and told that his child is suffering from Heart disease. He doesn’t have Health insurance policy and salary is insufficient to meet medical expenses. But over the years, he is been collecting autographed T-shirts of various bollywood actors and actresses. So, he want that Mr. Roy’s give permission to hold a charity auction in the office. Also, will send fliers to clients of bank. Everyone is welcome to bid for these T-shirts, so he can raise Money for the medical treatment of his child.

Other bank employees overhear this conversation and also inform Mr. Roy – indeed Harsh’s financial situation is very bad and his child will die if the treatment is not done on time, therefore permission should be given to hold this charity auction.

Should Mr. Roy give permission or not?

Answer:

Because some members may informally feel pressured to give money -Especially Harsh’s juniors and subordinates.
It might create a feeling of alienation between employees who bid and those who don’t.
Next time another employee will try to do the same, may be with a trivial reason. And if Mr. Roy says no that time, it might create an impression Mr. Roy is biased towards certain employees- staff morale goes down.
Therefore, it is best to keep auctions and other money raising activities out of the workplace irrespective of their noble aims.

The doctor in this case is faced with a difficult ethical dilemma. On the one hand, he has a duty to protect his patient’s confidentiality. On the other hand, he has a duty to report suspected child abuse. The ethical principles that are relevant to this case include confidentiality, beneficence, non-maleficence, and Justice.

Confidentiality is the principle that a doctor should not disclose information about his or her patient to anyone else without the patient’s Consent. This principle is based on the idea that patients should be able to trust their doctors to keep their secrets. If patients cannot trust their doctors to keep their secrets, they may be less likely to seek medical care.

Beneficence is the principle that a doctor should act in the best interests of his or her patient. This principle is based on the idea that doctors have a duty to help their patients. In this case, the doctor may believe that the best way to help his patient is to report the suspected child abuse to the authorities.

Non-maleficence is the principle that a doctor should not harm his or her patient. This principle is based on the idea that doctors have a duty to do no harm. In this case, the doctor may believe that reporting the suspected child abuse to the authorities could harm his patient. For example, the patient may become angry and may not want to see the doctor again. The patient may also sue the doctor.

Justice is the principle that a doctor should treat all patients fairly. This principle is based on the idea that all patients deserve equal treatment. In this case, the doctor may believe that reporting the suspected child abuse to the authorities is the fair thing to do. The child deserves to be protected from abuse, and the abuser deserves to be held accountable for his or her actions.

The possible courses of action that the doctor could take include:

Reporting the suspected child abuse to the authorities
Confronting the patient about the abuse
Doing nothing

The potential consequences of each course of action include:

If the doctor reports the suspected child abuse, the patient may be angry and may not want to see him again. The doctor may also be sued by the patient.
If the doctor confronts the patient about the abuse, the patient may become angry and may not want to see him again. The doctor may also be sued by the patient.
If the doctor does nothing, the child may continue to be abused.

The ethical decision that the doctor should make is a difficult one. He must weigh the potential benefits and harms of each course of action and make the decision that he believes is in the best interests of his patient.

In this case, the doctor may decide to report the suspected child abuse to the authorities. This is because the doctor believes that the child is in danger and that the abuser needs to be held accountable for his or her actions. The doctor may also believe that the patient would want him to report the abuse. However, the doctor must also weigh the potential consequences of reporting the abuse. The patient may become angry and may not want to see the doctor again. The patient may also sue the doctor. The doctor must decide if the potential benefits of reporting the abuse outweigh the potential harms.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to report suspected child abuse is a difficult one that must be made on a case-by-case basis. The doctor must weigh the potential benefits and harms of each course of action and make the decision that he believes is in the best interests of his patient.

Here are some frequently asked questions about ethics in the workplace:

What is ethics in the workplace?
Ethics in the workplace is a set of moral principles that guide how employees should behave in the workplace. These principles can be based on a variety of sources, such as religious beliefs, personal values, or company policies.
Why is ethics important in the workplace?
Ethics is important in the workplace because it helps to create a positive and productive work Environment. When employees feel that they are working in an ethical environment, they are more likely to be happy and productive. Additionally, ethics can help to protect employees from being taken advantage of by their employers.
What are some examples of unethical behavior in the workplace?
Some examples of unethical behavior in the workplace include:
Discrimination: Treating employees differently based on their race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics.
Harassment: Creating a hostile work environment by making unwanted comments or advances.
Theft: Taking company property or money without permission.
Fraud: Deceiving customers or employees in order to gain an advantage.
Conflict of interest: Putting personal interests ahead of the company’s interests.
What can I do to promote ethics in the workplace?
There are a number of things you can do to promote ethics in the workplace, including:
Set a good example: As a leader, you set the tone for the entire company. By behaving ethically, you send a message to your employees that ethics is important.
Create a Code Of Conduct: A code of conduct is a document that outlines the company’s expectations for ethical behavior. This document should be distributed to all employees and should be reviewed on a regular basis.
Provide training: Employees should be trained on the company’s code of conduct and on how to handle ethical dilemmas.
Encourage employees to speak up: Employees should feel comfortable speaking up if they see something that is unethical.
Take action: If an employee is found to have violated the company’s code of conduct, appropriate action should be taken. This may include disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
What are the consequences of unethical behavior in the workplace?
There are a number of consequences of unethical behavior in the workplace, including:
Damage to the company’s reputation: When employees engage in unethical behavior, it can damage the company’s reputation. This can make it difficult to attract and retain customers and employees.
Legal problems: Unethical behavior can also lead to legal problems. For example, if an employee engages in discrimination or harassment, the company may be sued.
Financial losses: Unethical behavior can also lead to financial losses. For example, if an employee embezzles money from the company, the company will lose money.
Employee morale: Unethical behavior can also damage employee morale. When employees see that their employer is not ethical, they may become less motivated to work hard.
How can I handle an ethical dilemma in the workplace?
If you are faced with an ethical dilemma in the workplace, there are a few things you can do:
Talk to someone you trust: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or colleague about the dilemma. They may be able to offer you some helpful advice.
Research the issue: Do some research on the issue to learn more about the ethical implications.
Consult with your company’s ethics officer: If your company has an ethics officer, they may be able to help you resolve the dilemma.
Make a decision: Ultimately, you will need to make a decision about what to do. Be sure to weigh all of the Options carefully before making a decision.
What are some Resources for Learning more about ethics in the workplace?
There are a number of resources available for learning more about ethics in the workplace. These resources include:
Books: There are a number of books available on ethics in the workplace. Some popular books include “Ethics in the Workplace” by John R. Boatright and “Business Ethics: A Stakeholder Approach” by Thomas Donaldson and Thomas W. Dunfee.
Articles: There are also a number of articles available on ethics in the workplace. These articles can be found in academic journals, business magazines, and online publications.
Websites: There are also a number of websites that provide information on ethics in the workplace. Some popular websites include the Ethics Resource Center and the Society for Business Ethics.

Which of the following is not a type of ethical dilemma?
(A) A situation in which there is no right or wrong answer
(B) A situation in which there is a conflict between two or more moral obligations
(C) A situation in which there is a conflict between personal and professional obligations
(D) A situation in which there is a conflict between the law and one’s personal beliefs
Which of the following is not a principle of ethical decision-making?
(A) Autonomy: Respect for the individual’s right to make their own decisions
(B) Beneficence: The obligation to do good
(C) Non-maleficence: The obligation to avoid harm
(D) Justice: The obligation to treat people fairly
Which of the following is not a factor to consider when making an ethical decision?
(A) The consequences of the decision
(B) The rights of the individuals involved
(C) The laws and regulations that apply
(D) The personal beliefs of the decision-maker
Which of the following is the most ethical course of action in the following situation?
A doctor is treating a patient who is terminally ill. The patient asks the doctor to help them die. The doctor believes that it is wrong to help someone die, but they also believe that they should respect the patient’s wishes.
(A) The doctor should help the patient die.
(B) The doctor should not help the patient die.
(C) The doctor should consult with another doctor to get their opinion.
(D) The doctor should refer the patient to a hospice.
Which of the following is the most ethical course of action in the following situation?
A company is developing a new product that they believe will be very profitable. However, they know that the product will also cause some harm to the environment.
(A) The company should not develop the product.
(B) The company should develop the product and pay for the environmental damage that it causes.
(C) The company should develop the product and donate some of the profits to environmental causes.
(D) The company should develop the product and only sell it to people who agree to sign a waiver saying that they are aware of the environmental risks.
Which of the following is the most ethical course of action in the following situation?
A scientist is working on a project that could potentially lead to a cure for cancer. However, they know that the project is also very risky and could potentially cause a lot of harm.
(A) The scientist should not continue with the project.
(B) The scientist should continue with the project and take all possible precautions to minimize the risk of harm.
(C) The scientist should continue with the project and only share the results with people who agree to sign a waiver saying that they are aware of the risks.
(D) The scientist should continue with the project and only share the results with people who are directly affected by cancer.
Which of the following is the most ethical course of action in the following situation?
A company is considering laying off a number of employees. The employees are worried about their future and are considering going on strike.
(A) The company should not lay off the employees.
(B) The company should lay off the employees and provide them with severance packages.
(C) The company should lay off the employees and help them find new jobs.
(D) The company should lay off the employees and only provide them with severance packages if they agree not to go on strike.
Which of the following is the most ethical course of action in the following situation?
A government is considering a policy that would restrict the rights of a minority group. The minority group is worried about the impact of the policy and is considering protesting.
(A) The government should not implement the policy.
(B) The government should implement the policy and provide the minority group with compensation.
(C) The government should implement the policy and only provide the minority group with compensation if they agree not to protest.
(D) The government should implement the policy and only provide the minority group with compensation if they agree to leave the country.
Which of the following is the most ethical course of action in the following situation?
A company is considering using child labor to produce its products. The children are worried about their safety and are considering going on strike.
(A) The company should not use child labor.
(B) The company should use child labor and pay the children a fair wage.
(C) The company should use child labor and provide the children with Education and training.
(D) The company should use child labor and only pay the children a fair wage if they agree not to go on strike.
Which of the following is the