Ethical Case Competition
Sandra Ziaja BAS, RT(R)(M)
Lisa Whitlatch BAS, RT(R)(M)(BS)
Suzanne Celmer-Harter BS, MT(ASCP)
Problem Statement
 Broad: What does one do when faced with
making a moral and ethical decision?
 Narrow: How does a leader decide between
doing what is right versus what they are told
to do?
Are Ethics and Morals the Same?
 Ethics refers to the systematic study of general principles of
right and wrong behavior.
 Morals and morality describe specific, culturally
transmitted standards of right and wrong.
 Both ethics and morality involve decisions about right and
wrong.
 The morally correct action is one that appropriately cares
for the individuals involved.
Are Ethics and Morals the Same?
 An action taken is ethical if it produces the most good and the
least harm for everyone affected.
 Judgment is based on a cost/benefit analysis.
 Focus is on the results of the action, not on how the results are
achieved.
Johnson, (2007)
True North Determination
 How do we determine true north of a moral
compass?
 Integrity: “Quality of being honest and having
strong moral principles.”
 Virtue: “Behavior showing high moral standards.”
•
•
•
Integrity
Honesty
Fairness
www. dictionary.com
Current Cycle of Problem
Administrator of a
Department
Legal says changing date is ok
Requires another discussion
with Leadership
Contact legal for
advice
Receives transferred
personnel
Moral Dilemma: What
do you do?
Annual Performance
Appraisal required
Approach
leadership for
instruction
Ethical dilemma
created
Leadership states change
date on transfer
documents (creating
new documents)
Analysis of Problem
 Administrator recognizing the ethical issue.
 Get the facts.
 Seek advice from leadership.
 Seek advice from legal counsel.
 Consider all possible actions.
 Questioning HR policies and processes for
effectiveness.
 Make a decision that one can stand by!
 Act and reflect on the outcome.

Source: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
Solving the Problem:
Plan Do Check Act
1. Clarify: Determine precisely what must be decided
2. Evaluate: Do the options require the sacrifice
of ethical principles?
3. Decide: Evaluate the viable alternatives according
to one’s personal conscience
4. Implement: Develop a plan as to how to minimize the risk
and maximize the benefits
P.D.C.A
5. Monitor: What is the fallout? Be prepared and willing to
revise a plan or take a different course of action
What’s the bigger picture?
 What is your personal moral compass?
 Why are ethical decisions so difficult?
 Complex
 No one clear solution
 Competing interests
 Many unknowns
 Pressure to do what is right
Use Principles of Ethical Theories
to evaluate options:
 Utilitarian
 Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm?
 Categorical Imperative/Rights
 Which option best respects the rights of all stakeholders?
 Distributive Justice
 Which option produces a fair distribution of benefits and costs for
all stakeholders?
 Caring
 Which option cares for people with whom you have a special
relationship?
 Virtue
 Which option leads you to act as the sort of person you want to be?

Source: SHRM (2010)
The Virtuous Solution
“An approach to ethics that emphasizes an
individuals character as a key element of ethical
thinking rather than rules about the acts
themselves or their consequences.”
 Communicate the importance of ethical
standards with leadership.
 Ethics should tied into the mission and vision
of the organization.
 Ethical conduct requires realizing what is
expected and what is accepted.

SHRM
2010
Plan of Action
 Seek HR support and advice
 What are the specific HR policies related to this issue?

HR plays a key role in organizational ethics.
 What assistance can they provide to resolve this issue?
 HR provides leadership and guidance for problem solving when
ethical situations arise.
 Is the proposed solution within the HR guidelines?
 HR should drive the plan of action.
 What do we do in the future?
 How do you involve HR to prevent future occurrences?
 HR should develop a leadership training program to instruct
department leaders on the rules and regulations of performance
appraisals.
Plan of Action
 Communicate with former supervisor
 Ask for feedback of employee performance during
tenure in the former department.
 Advise that you will complete the performance appraisal
incorporating former leader’s feedback with current
performance in new department.
 Prepare the performance appraisal.
 Present the performance appraisal to your senior leader
with reasons why you have chosen to stand your ground
and do what you think is ethical.
Supporting the Ethical Decision
 State your position
 Present your plan of action.
 Educate leadership on the importance of ethical
practices and that changing documentation may be
legal but not ethical.
 Be the leader that sets the standard
 Lead by example.


Be the starting point for the organization to implement
change.
Leaders set the tone and oversee the organizational culture
which trickles down to all employees.
The ROI on Being an Ethical Organization
 Fostering the knowledge of what is expected of each




member of the organization and how they should
perform ethically.
Developing a “Culture” of Ethics within the
organization.
Managers must “walk the talk.”
Employees learn appropriate behavior by what they do
see their leaders do.
Employees at all levels will behave and perform with
integrity and the manner that is expected making the
organization better.
Predicted Outcome
An ethical organization =
respect and good practices
that improve the
overall organization.
Q&A
Please feel free to ask any
questions.