quiz

CASE STUDY 1 NAME (S): Christine and Tehani 1. What is the ethical dilemma ? ANSWER: The ethical dilemma is that the General Manager is favoring one company over another, equally qualified, experienced, and economical company. The General Manager repeatedly awards to Alpha and never even considers Bravo. Since the un - favored company is m inority owned, there is an impression that the subjective reason is racial discrimination. The General Manager repeatedly awards to Alpha and never even considers Bravo. 2. What are the facts that describe the ethical dilemma ? ANSWER: Out of three companies , Alpha, Bravo and Charlie, two are equally qualified: Alpha and Bravo. They both have good track records on the projects they have done and they are comparable in what they charge. Bravo is a minority owned company. General Manager claims that he wants to stay with Alpha for consistency. It’s been three years and with this going on. The organizational structure of the agency gives control of awarding the larger contracts to the General Manager without review, so no one else has raised an issue. To oth ers the agency is performing well. 3. What principles or codes are being violated? ANSWER: The principles of Fairness, Justice, Equality and Equal Opportunity and of non - discrimination are being violated. It violates the ASPA code to “promote constitutiona l principles of equality and fairness.” Projects for government work have procedures for bidding and awarding contracts. List two possible solutions you might consider in your position. Be specific in writing out your solutions: What and w ho is involved in each solution. Then, in the questions below take each solution through the four phases of the analysis of consequences (the wheel in the diagram). 4. Solution One : WRITE IT HERE: Both Foster and I would make an appointment with HR. We want to tal k with someone else about this since we’ve already brought it up to Cairn, the Gen. Manager without affect. We will gather information and document the facts of the history of the project awards and the size of projects over the last 3 years. Page 2 of 4 5. Moral Ru les it supports or violates (use codes, not categories, from the ASPA code of ethics) : ANSWER: Going to HR to report the biased conduct of the General Manager supports the following codes from the ASPA code of ethics: 1c: Be prepared to make decisions that may not be popular but that are in the public's best interest. 2b: Promote constitutional principles of equality, fairness, representativeness, responsiveness and due process in protecting citizens' rights and promoting the public good. 4d: Oppose all forms of discrimination and harassment and promote affirmative action, cultural competence, and other efforts to reduce disparities in outcomes and increase the inclusion of underrepresented groups. 6a: Exercise integrity, courage, compassion, benevolence , and optimism. 6c: Resist political, organizational, and personal pressures to compromise ethical integrity and principles and support others who are subject to these pressures. 6g: Conduct official acts without partisanship or favoritism. 7d: Seek to cor rect instances of wrongdoing or report them to superiors. If remedies cannot be assured by reporting wrongdoing internally, seek external sources or agencies for review and action. 6. Ethical Principles it supports or violates : ANSWER: Public interest Coura ge Equality and Fairness 7. Rehearsal of Defense : how would you defend that solution? ANSWER: The decision to go to HR with the factual history of project contract awards is in the best interest of the agency and therefore the public. We want to be respectful and loyal to our General Manager but we have already brought up our concerns to him withou t any affect. There is an appearance of discrimination and even the appearance can have negative impact on the agency and therefore affect the success of carrying out our mission. Per the ASPA code we are seeking to correct instances of wrongdoing. 8. Self -Appraisal it supports or violates : ANSWER: Page 3 of 4 We would feel nervous and uncomfortable about going behind the General Managers back to report him to HR. We would feel concerned about retaliation. We would feel proud that we were doing the right thing to stand up to unfairness and especially proud if we were aiding in the curtailment of discrimination. 9. Solution Two: WRITE IT HERE: Foster and I would confront Cairn in a more serious manner with the report backup. We would describe how it can negatively impact the agency’s reputation. This may become confrontational, but we would lay it all out and point out that we are coming to him out of respect and loyalty but we are willing to go to HR unless he can ethically justify/defend his reasons for snubbing Bravo Company for big contracts. 10. Moral Rules it supports or violates : ANSWER: The solutions supports the ASPA code 1b: Exercise discretionary authority to promote the public interest. And the ones listed above in solutions 1: 1c: Be prepared to make decisions that may not be popular but that are in the public's best interest. 2b: Promote constitutional principles of equality, fairness, representativeness, responsiveness and due process in protecting citizens' rights and promoting the public good. 4d: Oppose all forms of discrimination and harassment and promote affirmative action, cultural competence, and other efforts to reduce disparities in outcomes and increase the inclusion of underrepresented groups. 6a: Exercise integrity, courage, compassion, benevolence, and optimism. 6c: Resist political, organizational, and personal pressures to compromise ethical integrity and principles and support others who are subject to these pressures. 6g: Conduct official acts without partisanship or favoritism. 7d: Seek to correct instances of wrongdoing or report them to superiors. If remedies cannot be assured by reporting wrongdoing internally, seek external sources or agencies for review and action. 11. Ethical Principles it supports or violates : ANSWER: Public int erest Courage Equality and Fairness Loyalty and Respect to superiors Page 4 of 4 12. Rehearsal of Defense it supports or violates : ANSWER: Going directly to the General Manager again in a more structured and serious manner, with an Historical Report of the contract awards gives Cairn the opportu nity to understand the impact that the unethical behavior could have on the agency. We respect him and so want to be upfront with our concerns. 13. Self -Appraisal it supports or violates : ANSWER: This solution feels more ho nest and direct. It would make us feel courageous. However this solution would most likely become frictional if not confrontational. Working for Cairn afterwards could be hostile if he changes doesn’t understand and agree that he has to change the behav ior. 14. Pick a solution from those two solutions (#4 and #9 ) and explain why you think it ’s best , being sure to include what you found in using the wheel in your answers . We chose solution #1 because it is less confrontational. Also it has more positive possible solutions for the Agency. The Moral codes that this solution supports is abundant as listed above, but it is the Self Apraisal that caused us to choose this soluti on. We will have more confidence speaking to someone else that has a responsibility and duty to monitor employee behavior. 15. What will be the first step you will take to resolve this issue ethically? a. What is the step? Document the history in a report and make an appointment with H.R. b. When will you take it? As soon as we are done with the report and have reviewed the information for adequate conveyance of the ethical dilemma. c. Who will be involved? Foster and I will ne ed to gather information from the project managers and the H.R. representative will also be involved. d. Why will you take that step? We would take this step because by presenting the facts in a report, HR can judge for themselves if there is a big enough co ncern to take action.