Street-Level Ethics
Workshop developed by:
Chris Amrhein, AAI, Consultant
Course Objectives
• To gain insight into ethical behavior
• To understand why the terms “ethical”
and “moral” are quite different (and why
confusing them presents problems)
• To become familiar with inherent conflicts
in being ethical (if it weren’t hard,
everyone would do it)
Course Objectives
• To understand the value of a code of
ethics
• To gain practice in seeing the ethical
dilemmas in common insurance situations
• To exercise individual judgment and
reasoning in addressing ethical dilemmas,
relying upon accepted ethical approaches
and applicable codes of ethics
Morality
• “Right vs. Wrong” decisions
• “From the heart and the brain”
– “Feels” like the right thing
– According to the way I was taught, this IS the
right thing
Ethics
• “Right vs. right” decisions
• Come from the “head” (intellect)
– Codes of expected behavior
– Approved guidelines
– Derived from morals
Today’s Headlines
• Are they “moral” or “ethical” issues?
– Corporate cheating, corruption
– Corporate criminal behavior
– Individual profiteering
– Stock manipulation
– Others?
A True Moral Crisis Is Not Solvable By an
Ethical Process…Why?
Because…
First Step in Solving “Moral” Crisis Is to
Determine “Right” from “Wrong” – NOT
“Right” from “Right”
Approaches to Ethical Decisions
• Situation-Based
• Rule-Based
• People-Based
Situation-Based
What is the best possible outcome
given these circumstances?
Rule-Based
Follow the rules, and let the chips fall
where they may
People-Based
Follow the Golden Rule: what would you
have others do if faced by the same
situation?
Inherent Weaknesses
• Situation-Based: Do the ends justify the
means?
• Rule-Based: What should the rules be?
• People-Based: Who is to say if the moral
code of the decider is good or bad?
Codes of Ethics can help overcome
weaknesses
Code of Ethics
• Provide set, agreed-upon guidelines for
the behaviour of those who adhere to
them
• Examples:
– American Institute for CPCU
– NAIW
– CPIW
Questions for Assistance in Ethical Decision
Making
• Deciding Whether the Situation Has
Ethical Dimensions
• Gathering Information
• Identifying and Evaluating Alternatives
• Reaching the Decision
• Monitoring the Decision
Case Studies
Value
• Gain experience in working through
possibilities
• Gain comfort in decision making
• Explore differences, consider options in a
safe, controlled environment
• Practice makes perfect
Assumptions
• Scenarios must be realistic, not “pie in the
sky” purely theoretical discussions
• Work through regular steps; do not try to
solve all problems at once
• Goal is to strengthen your “ethical
muscles” for future crises
Agent Case Studies
• #1 – A Friend in Need
• #2 – The Case of the Absent Audit
Underwriter Case Studies
• #3 – The Life of a Field Underwriter
• #4 – Who’s the Fairest of Them All?
Original Agent Case Studies
•
•
•
•
#7 – How Low Will You Go?
#8 – The Last Minute Certificate Crunch
#9 – E&S: When Is “Worse” Better?
#10 – Wrong Is Wrong, but Right for
Client
Original Underwriter Case
Studies
•
•
•
•
#11 – School’s Out
#12 – Ignorance Can Be Bliss
#13 – He Who Hesitates Gets Lost
#14 – Gone With the Wind
Now Go Forth and Be
Ethical!!!
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www.TheInstitutes.org