conflict of ethical values

How do you feel about the scenario as it is described here? Exists a genuine ethical disagreement, or are there two sides—one in the right and the other out—that are simply misguided?

When current cultural norms are rationally applied to make them more logical or consistent, ethics emerges as a corpus of thought-out standards or laws. A social cause-and-effect analysis, whether at the individual or social level, is always a component of ethics. Thus, whereas some cultures place more emphasis on good causes, others could place more emphasis on good results. Joe attempted to show his family respect by giving false information regarding his lodging. Conversely, the Human Resource of Motorola Company is concerned about the safety of Joe as well as the impact of the employee’s indecent house on the image of Motorola. The lack of Joe’s integrity raised the concern of the HR manager, as he presented forged payment receipts. There is also an inherent conflict between good and right that whether what is right is also good, or what is wrong is also bad, as right does not necessarily mean good, and wrong does not necessarily mean bad. There is a contradiction between them.

Occasionally, professional ethics may conflict with a person’s moral principles, which can present problems. However, depraved situations are not justifications for making bad choices. Principles and ethics are not just premeditated for good stretches, but also to get you through bad times. They are similar to the laws of the land, you require them when treading favorable paths, but they’re even extra valuable to shelter you from the bad.

Most choices are not ethical adoptions. Joe’s personal choices based on what is appropriate for his family situation are not ethical choices. His choices are subjective, not objective. Coming from a humble background, he decides to give false information of his accommodation expenses portraying a bad image to the company. He is regarded as not having integrity. Even if they are not ethical concerns they undoubtedly involve responsibility. 

Ethical choosing reflects objective choice amongst right options. That is why your conscience hurts when making an unscrupulous choice and does not hurt when you make a wrong individual choice because in ethical matters there is a clear right choice. Just as with a math test, who takes it and whatever response they give varies, but what makes it right is not the choice, but the actual correctness of the answer.

2. What would you do if you were the human resources manager at Motorola?

If you have reliable information regarding a specific employee’s behavior, address it directly with the employee.  While this conversation should be discreet and respectful, it is important to be direct enough to ensure that your employee understands that he may not continue the behavior. If this is the first time you’re addressing the employee’s behavior, a formal discussion is appropriate. 

Every corporation is operating within certain boundaries - legal framework, locality, the public domain. You cannot separate between the business and the society they exist in. So, the issue of social responsibility becomes a crucial issue for the corporates. It is their responsibility to ensure that the welfare of its employees is adhered to. Motorola’s desired that its employees with senior positions live in safe houses. Therefore, given the dangerous conditions in the city where Joe lived, it is unsafe and not according to the company policy and thus as the HR, I would ensure Joe abides by the policies that are enshrined in the company’s doctrines.

Motorola’s housing policy supports the company’s intention to make the accommodation of its employees reasonably comfortable and safe while not increasing their salaries. As the HR I would give a formal warning to Joe over his conduct. After evaluating each situation I will hand out formal verbal warning and include it in Joe’s employee personal file for future references.

It is less a confrontational way in correcting him and the discussion can provide an insight into what may be causing the issue before it gets out of hand. I would discuss the issue with Joe in private as discussing it in front of coworkers can cause embarrassment and resentment. In the process I would write down the behavior or performance issues Joe is exhibiting to provide him with specific details about the problem. As the Human Resource Manager I will warn the employee in writing that the next breach incident could result in further actions up to and including termination.  I will place Joe on probation, with clear cut steps to avoid any further actions.

3. What would you do if you were Joe and the manager told you that your point of view is unacceptable?

If the manger considered my point of view as unacceptable, I would state my opinion, why I think that way and then agree to disagree. I would humbly put my reason of disagreement forward. Constructively and reasonably, I think it is important that I just don’t refuse to comply.

I would first ask for clarifications or validations of the Hr views. Should I find the views acceptable as guided by the policies of the company, I would comply with the requirements expected of me. If the issue still conflicts with my moral compass then I would firmly state why I cannot do what is being asked and take the consequences in my stride. Based on the boss’ response I can decide what I have to do next.

If I have a good rapport with my manager a healthy discussion should help. This in my view ought to be an open minded discussion aimed at reaching an objective conclusion. If it appeared not comfortable discussing on a face to face platform, I could still express my disagreement by email or any other indirect method taking care of my language and tone.

I would have to consider what condition my boss is trying to change or what problem he is trying to solve. If I think that is valid but it’s just the solution I disagree with, then it’s perfectly ok to recommend a different solution which I think will achieve my boss’s purpose better. I would be sure I do it politely and not as a challenge to his authority. If he won’t consider my alternative and I still think it would do more harm than good to my employer to comply, then I would be within my rights to communicate my concern to someone higher up, but only if it is an issue that affect the good of the Company. If it is just something I personally don’t want to do, and my boss has not accepted my alternative, then I should suck it up and comply with instructions. It might even do me good to do so.

References

Joseph Grenny (2014, November 25). How to disagree with your boss. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2014/11/how-to-disagree-with-your-boss