Change Management Issue - Essay Example

«Change Management Issue» Table of Contents Introduction 3 Case Study: Steven wants to leave IT 4 Steven is one of many people who was not pleased with his work in the IT department, especially after he was given the additional bulk of work like solving problems with PC hardware and software. Additionally, Steven was given the task “to manage the 50+ Air Force mandatory Computer Security Plans (CSPs). The completion of both tasks required a lot of paperwork. An endless pile of paperwork is a really boring task for Steven who seriously started thinking about a job in a new department. 5 The new job required Steven to perform the administrative PC job. This job was far more interesting than the previous job, however, Steven was not given a new job simply because his Human Resources Department played tricks with him. Initially, the department indicated Steven would earn a particular salary, but he was highly disappointed to learn that the offer did not promise him good money, and the job was given to another person. In the final outcome, Steven’s only option was to stay in his IT department. 5 7 References: 8 Dolliver. M. (2005, October 31). Workplace ethics. Adweek, 46, 29. Retrieved April 23, 2006, from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=24&did=923004271&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=4&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1145936476&clientId=2606. 8 Paul. R. & Elder, L. (2003). The miniature guide to understanding the foundations of ethical reasoning. Dillon beach, CA 94929: Foundation for critical thinking. 8 University of Phoenix (1998-2006). Introduction to ethics for the University of Phoenix. Retrieved April 24, 2006, from https://mycampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp. 8 University of Phoenix Online (1998-2006). Ethics scenarios. Retrieved April 23, 2006, from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp. 8 Introduction In the past few decades, many companies have changed their attitude toward professional ethics. The changing attitude toward ethical norms was not occasional and was reasoned by the effect of numerous factors including the development of a theoretical basis of ethics. The changing attitude at work led to the establishment of "core values" which must be observed by a company’s workers. Later these core values would play an important role in defining whether or not particular workers’ behaviors conform to ethical principles established by an organization. The object of this essay is to define whether or not a particular ethical theory can be applied to a particular situation at work. In order to find a solution to this question, the paper will explain the situation and provide its reader with the discussion of particular ethical theories which can be used to support a decision made by the company. Case Study: Steven wants to leave IT Steven is employed at an IT company. He is working together with the Networking group. Steven has a number of work responsibilities, one of which was to perform system administration of several UNIX, NT, and LINUX systems. Besides working with Novell client/server systems, Steven is also performing the task of small-scale telecommunications engineering; he is responsible for a long list of administrative PC issues initiated by his department. Steven is a very valuable member of his department. Besides Steve, there are two other specialists who are employed at the same department. Needles to say, the group needs extra co-workers who will help the team with work. Steven is one of many people who was not pleased with his work in the IT department, especially after he was given the additional bulk of work like solving problems with PC hardware and software. Additionally, Steven was given the task “to manage the 50+ Air Force mandatory Computer Security Plans (CSPs). The completion of both tasks required a lot of paperwork. An endless pile of paperwork is a really boring task for Steven who seriously started thinking about a job in a new department. The new job required Steven to perform the administrative PC job. This job was far more interesting than the previous job, however, Steven was not given a new job simply because his Human Resources Department played tricks with him. Initially, the department indicated Steven would earn a particular salary, but he was highly disappointed to learn that the offer did not promise him good money, and the job was given to another person. In the final outcome, Steven’s only option was to stay in his IT department. Ethical concerns The given case study represents a very common situation in the workplace. In this case, we have a situation where a person is experiencing a lack of ethical-judgment. To come close to the point, we have a case in which an individual decided that his moral principles were more desirable to the company than the policies or procedures at his workplace. The case showed that both Mr. B and Bob demonstrated unethical attitudes toward Steven, the worker within their department. Failure to take a more ethical attitude toward Steven led him to continue working in the same IT department and doing a job he hates. Applying more ethical principles at the workplace would have saved Steven from being forced to do the job he hates. Ethical theories to support the decision A clue to the case can be derived from Kantian ethics. Kantian ethics is frequently referred to as deontological or rule-based ethics. Kantian ethics is traditionally concerned with what makes a principle right or wrong. Kantian ethics is based on the famous categorical imperative. In the course of his research, Kant provides people with two main formulations of the categorical imperative. Kantian ethical principles indicate that each person should act as a rational being. The Kantian approach eliminates any possible cases of lying (Kant, I, p.56, 1996). The Kantian approach to lying indicates that the philosopher supported a total prohibition of lying as a form of building relations with other people. Kant also mentioned the fact that lying cannot become a universal law for all people, thus pointing to the fact that lying is virtually impossible in the workplace. Such negative attitudes toward lying is reasoned by the fact that work relations are supposed to be built on trust and mutual understanding. Since a lie depends upon someone believing you, a person who lies shows disrespect to the other person who is placing their trust the one the liar (Kant, I, p.58, 1996). When we view Steven’s case from Kant’s theory, we see that Mr. Bob, HR, ignored his duty in order to avoid lying. Instead of ethical behavior, he became involved in cheating. According to Kant, cheating people are the worst examples of unethical behavior in the workplace. Conclusion The case showed that Steven became a victim of HR ignorance. In the case described we can see a clear example of cheating that took place at the workplace when Steven was intentionally denied the right to change department. However, Steven’s case can be used as a study which situations should be avoided at the workplace. Me personally had the same situations in the past when I was promised a good job but, in the final outcome, was refused this new opportunity. The case like this is an example of a situation when lack of ethical-judgment may seriously damage career prospects of a person. The fact that HR ignored ethical norms was proved by Kant’s theory where the famous philosopher defined lying as a clear example of human right violation. References: Dolliver. M. (2005, October 31). Workplace ethics. Adweek, 46, 29. Retrieved April 23, 2006, from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=24&did=923004271&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=4&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1145936476&clientId=2606. Kant. I. (1996) Practical Philosophy. Ed. Mary J. Gregory. Cambridge: University Press,. Paul. R. & Elder, L. (2003). The miniature guide to understanding the foundations of ethical reasoning. Dillon beach, CA 94929: Foundation for critical thinking. University of Phoenix (1998-2006). Introduction to ethics for the University of Phoenix. Retrieved April 24, 2006, from https://mycampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp. University of Phoenix Online (1998-2006). Ethics scenarios. Retrieved April 23, 2006, from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp. Read More