Principles of Responsible Business - When the Boss Is the Barrier - Case Study Example

WHEN THE BOSS IS THE BARRIER By Name Course Instructor Institution Location Date Introduction Many at times we are caught up in such dilemmas where the boss seems to be the barrier in ethical behavior. The main argument in the case of Kushal will be whether to blow the whistle on the corruption taking place within the department. If he should decide to raise the alarm then another debate would be the impact of his action on the people involved, including himself. According to Gentile, M. C. (2010)., the decision made eventually will be due to a number of factors; loyalty to employer, customers and family, self-image, one’s risk profile, purpose and personal communication style or preference. These factors will determine if he will speak this out and how he will do it. The main rationalizations he will need to address in this case include whether the corruption in the department is a normal practice to everybody and if there is need to break away from it knowing it is unethical, the materiality of the unethical behavior, whether it is his responsibility to report such an issue or not and his loyalty to his boss. The reasons that would affect his decision here will be whether he thinks in the short run or in the long run, consideration of the firm’s wider purpose, whether the issue gives the firm a competitive advantage and understanding of the impact of his decision to all the involved parties. In my opinion, hesitation and failure to report such an issue to the higher authorities is abating such acts. Knowing this, I would therefore go on to report the matter to the General Manager even with the knowledge that this would put my job at risk. The best way of sharing this would be by showing them his plans and the savings that would come as a result of its adoption. By illustration and owing to the firm’s bid to cut on costs, this would probably be appealing to the top management. He should voice his values in a polite manner, not to look as though he is revolting against his manager. The right time to put this forward is when the manager is on leave. This is because at this point he was able to put his ideas into practical use and managed to see the results that they would yield. Talking to a senior manager at this point when he had managed to cut on cost, the firm’s biggest problem at the time, he would easily win them over. This would give him the grounds to put forward his points. He would then go forward to talk about the inefficiencies that have been going on in the department, the reasons as to why costs are high and the real issue behind the high costs. The things at stake here would be Kushal and his manager’s jobs. He risks losing his job if he is unable to prove the corruption taking place in the department or if the higher management does not agree with him. Even if he does not lose his job, this might have a personal impact on him and his relationships at the workplace. Many people might start treating him with contempt and guilt knowing he is a whistle blower. This might even affect productivity. The manager similarly will be at risk of losing his job should his corruption be made known. For those who disagree with him, this could probably be because in some way they are involved in such deals. Trying to protect their jobs and positions, they may try to make the workplace as unbearable as possible, or worse still, eliminate him. To those who disagree with his proposition of cutting costs by reducing on workforce, Kushal could persuade them to put it into use for some time and see the results. He may point out to the inefficiencies going on in the department and how these can be eliminated. With the knowledge of how the department works, he is able to demonstrate to everyone that this is the best way to cut on costs. Ethics normally depends on the free will in business. As is suggested by Gentile, M. C. (2010). , free will is a matter of free will. This therefore means that as a person I am to choose whether to act ethically and report ethical violations or to act differently. I should act as if I have other options. Kushal with all his knowledge and competence would be able to secure another job somewhere and this gives him the option. He therefore should act without any fear of losing his job if it would end up in that. The idea of not being afraid of getting fired would also help him normalize the situation and help him take this worthy risk. The desire to always be in good books of our bosses and do everything to please them always limits our freedom and makes us overlook the ethical issues that might arise at the workplaces. Kushal should therefore not worry about the relationship between him and his manager if he is to remain true to his values. The most persuasive responses to the reasons and rationalizations for Kushal will be made to the general manager and possibly all the responsible parties. As a matter of fact, a practice of corruption, regardless of whether it is the standard practice in the firm should be shunned as it is unethical. He should therefore not relent knowing that this is against good values. The impact of this practice is material. Due to the inefficiencies and the fact that the firm has to pay more number of employees who really do not deliver in their work makes the business to bear unnecessary costs. This is more reason why the trend should not continue. It is everyone’s responsibility to watch out for and report unethical practices. This is regardless of one’s position in the company. Kushal therefore has every right to voice his concerns and he has a right to be listened to. Finally, his loyalty to his boss will be another consideration. Loyalty to the boss should be secondary to loyalty to a person’s values and the whole business. If whatever the boss does is not in tandem with the whole goal of the business and against personal values then one is obliged to differ with the boss. For all reasons, Kushal is valid to voice his values. He should be convinced that both in the short and long runs this proposition will benefit the firm and give it a competitive edge in the wake of fierce competitions. Reference; Gentile, M. C. (2010). Giving Voice to Values: How to Speak Your Mind When You Know What? s Right. Yale University Press. Read More