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Question 1: Explain the group’s model on the guidelines or principles that will guide you in making ethical decisions. Remember to indicate the sources that you used in compiling the model. One have to admit that ethics cannot be compared to feelings but nonetheless our feelings does guide or influence our ethical choices. Ethical guidelines for every individual in the group will differ from member to member and the group has decided to adhere to all three the following principles in order to assist in making unified decisions when the same is required: . The utilitarian approach. The group will endeavour itself to seek the greatest good for the great number of people when making a decision. Basically choosing the highest degree of satisfaction 2. Individual rights. The group will adhere to the fact that each member is entitled to basics rights and the same needs to be respected and taken into consideration. Some of the rights can be freedom of religion, expression etc. 3. Distributive justice. The group strive and be as impartial and fair as possible by treating each of its’ members equally.
As individuals, our personal values plays an important role in ethical decision making. As a team we have realised that the Wild Ducks Group members does share the same values, thus applying and merging the above principles will help us to find common ground on various ethical issues. The above principles and guidelines that we have adhered to are very relevant for our group as our members are come from diverse backgrounds, race, culture, religion and even countries.
We have to ensure that each individual member is treated on the same level and fairly, given the same right to expression and that any decision taken will be for the greatest good of the group and that any of our decision as a group will reflect the same principle as well. Question 2. 1 How do you differentiate between a bribe and a gift? A bribe can be defined as accepting a gift for favour done, or as a gift to ensure that favouritism might occur. The making of illegal payments, or bribes, to persons in official positions as a means of influencing their decisions. n. wiktionary. org/wiki/bribery A bribe is a gift or money offered to persuade a person to do something usually dishonest. Example: He bribes the guard to let him in at the soccer stadia. One can define a bribe as a form of corruption via the means of a gift, favour or services to be provided to a person who is in a position of power with the intention of influencing the latter’s behaviour or decisions for one’s own advantage. It is a form of corruption and is considered unethical as well as the fact that bribery is considered a crime in many regions of the world.
One example of a bribe would be of a motorist handing out money to the policeman in order to avoid a speeding ticket. It is also to be noted that an act of bribery will comprise of a minimum of 2 people. A gift is seen as measure of gratitude, it is important to enter any gifts of money or physical goods into a company gift register. The gift register can also be in the name of an individual. A gift is given willingly from one person to another with no strings attached and no expectations. Example: A birthday present.
A gift can be defined as something of value that is given with no intention of influencing someone’s decision or expectation of return. A gift is handed out more as a reward or a present as a sign of gratitude. One example of a gift would be a birthday present. Question 2. 2 Is it unethical to do less than your best in terms of performance on assignments or goals set at work although you reach the goals? Although the group has set specific guidelines regarding the individual performance of the members. No it is not unethical not do your best, you have to complete the goal or the task that was given to you.
Each company with employees should have a duty sheet for each of the employees that spell out exactly how they should perform. It can therefore not be unethical to not do your best provided that the employee has done what is expected of him or her. The solution to the dilemma would be to ensure right from the start that the work is equally divided and that each of the members do what they are supposed to do. A simple mark sheet could solve the problem. As a group and applying the underlying principles listed above as an aid to ethical thinking, we believe that it not ethical for any members to do less of what is required.
The reasons behind is the fact that we have adhered as a group that we will endeavour to seek the greatest good for group as a whole (see utilitarian approach). Having members not giving 100% of themselves on group assignment will defeat this principle and this will ultimately reflect on the group performance. In order to minimize the risk of the same, the Wild Ducks group has been to segregate or divide group tasks lying ahead and assign the same to various members in an effort provide each individual members (see distributive justice principle, i. e. airness) with an opportunity to concentrate or dedicate themselves to specific tasks where each individual members can complete the required goals with the best performance. Question 2. 3 To what extent are you responsible for the ethical behaviour of your fellow students? If you witness unethical behaviour and do not report it, are you an accessory? I don’t feel that anyone can claim that they are or should be in charge of fellow student’s ethical behaviour. I am quite convinced that if I saw fellow students steals or commit a crime that I would report that student.
On the other hand I saw a fellow student copy work from another student, that I would do to much about it. You would clearly be an accessory should you not report a crime, one cannot accept responsibility or be called an accessory should you see fellow students copy each other’s work. Unethical behaviour unfortunately does not stop in the classroom, it leads to greater things. As students of today I believe that we are the leaders of tomorrow and if we don’t turn a blind eye, than we could easily risk ourselves of people who don’t belong there. Some people earn their degrees y coping other students work, they then end up in senior positions without having the knowledge you need to be successful/productive. The members of the Wild Ducks group believe that the main objective of the team is not to police others instead to dedicate themselves onto their own respective tasks. That said as per the group principles we would be obliged to report any unethical behaviour we will have to report it for the following reasons: * We have agreed that we will make decisions for the greater good of the team. Taking that in consideration should we not report other groups unethical behaviour (i. . cheating etc. ) we are not working for the greater good of our team as we are giving others a chance to succeed dishonestly which will undermine our team effort. * Having adhered to the individual rights principle, every other group or individual should be playing by the same rule. Should we as a group or individual witness any unethical behaviour we would be bound to report it as everyone should be judged equally * Looking into the distributive justice guideline, the Wild Ducks group also believes in impartiality and fairness.
Should we witness any unethical behaviour in our team or others which seems to be impartial and unfair we will be obliged to remain unbiased and report the same. Question 2. 4 In your view, what would you consider an abuse of one’s position power? If someone abuse his position in any given organisation for bad things. In my opinion – the most common abuse of power that occurs in today’s job market is Nepotism. This takes when preferential treatments given to family, friends based solely on your relationship with that individual and not their performance at work.
This has many implications as it may also de-motivate other employees as they may feel that they are being over looked. My solution – is based on the individual’s work ethic as he/she will have to come clean about the applicant/employee and excuse himself from all interviews and KPA ratings. He could indicate that another Manager should step-in, to avoid feelings that any candidate has an unfair advantage. Abuse of one’s power can be defined as the following: 1. Someone making unilateral decisions for the greater good of one or a minority of individuals instead of thinking about the greater good of the whole or majority of individuals . Someone bypassing people individual rights and depriving them of their rights. For example not respecting each individual freedom of opinion, religion and so on. 3. Someone unfairly judging or assessing other individuals or scenario and favouring personal relationships instead of making professional decisions based on facts and competence. One example could be the recruitment of an unqualified and incompetent friend instead of a capable and skilled individual Possible solutions to avoid one’s abuse of power are the following: 1.
No one individual should be able to make unilateral decisions for a group or company and the same needs to be decided by either a board of members or directors. 2. By incorporating strict policies and giving any individual the right to report to a higher authority any perception of non-respect of individual rights and by having a non-punitive group or company culture to encourage the reporting of such acts. 3. By setting strict company or group policy guidelines detailing basic conditions of employment or conduct for a particular group or company which will give clear guidance for behaviour and standards within the organisation.