Gilbane Gold Ethical Model - Case Study Example

Gilbane Gold Ethical Model - Analysis Problem ment It is a case about an engineer that is at cross roads on what is best between ethics, and profession. There is reiteration of acting as an employee who is good and the sense of being ethically sound. There are two situations in this case that touches on ethics. The first being blowing of whistles and the second being ethical issues, which are inclusive of trust and honesty between the firm, and its environs. A major problem that has been stated in this case study is about fairness. This problem on fairness has been raised by individuals and masses for affirmative action on in convincing ethics. The place from which this case has been based on is Gilbane, an imaginary town. The mud that comes from the sewage plant situated in the city for very many years has been used as fertilizers and the sales are made under Gilbane Gold. This firm generates revenue from Gilbane Gold that supplements the city’s tax revenue. This tax revenues saves a family composed of four roughly 3000 dollars every year. For the lively income source to be protected, restrictions that are very harsh should be implemented on disposal of metals that are heavy in sewages. This sewage if well taken care of can provide farmers with fertilizers. Before the implementation of these regulations, this city had a good name on matters pertaining to business. It also gave tax abatements to the firms, which chose to locate to the town. Therefore, after the location of many firms into the city, enactment of the restrictions was done. Z CORP being one of the firms that located there monitored discharge in monthly bases from the plants, which produced toxic materials at that time of manufacturing. The problem in this case arises where the firms in this city have the responsibility of supplying data from the tests carried out and modern tests have been developed. Firstly, the engineer in charge has the mandate to sign for the accuracy of tests carried out. There has been interference with the law that governs effluents in that its main purpose is to regulate amount of discharge and not the quantity as a whole. This makes it easy for a plant to operate within standards set by Gilbane just by escalating the discharge volume. Another issue on the modern test method is that if it is used there is a detection of excess emissions allowance frequently. In contrary, there has been a tendency to cling onto initial method of testing by the occupants of this city. Z CORP is faced with a problem on whether to disclose the outcomes or to undisclose it. If it does not do that employees may insinuate that, the firm portrays bad faith towards the city. The plant’s engineer dismisses a consultant, believing the action was out of warnings on discharge levels. This engineer has two concerns, discharge of metals by Z CORP and realization of the effect that the contract signed by Z CORP means to the city. The only action he arrives at is blowing the whole crime out through the media. Problem analysis In order to analyze the problem encountered, one has to be fit to act as the engineer, and should be in a position to handle the problems that were encountered by him. What this statement implies is that, an individual should first be an agent not a judge. The individual should be able to analyze the problem by imagining to be faced by it and has the responsibility to make a decision and not as one who evaluates. To start with, the debate, which appears to arise over moral issues, is in the real sense disagreements on facts that are relevant. In any case two engineers fall out on a decision that the government opts to take; the engineers might think that the disagreement is about issues related to ethics. Further discussion reveals the difference emanates from the question of the best way to eliminate discrimination. Although some may conceptualize that women’s ethics will continue for a while despite taking of affirmative action, some have a different belief that there can be fairness at places of work without the intervention of the government. To add that, there is an admission of intervention of the government is the transparent way of eliminating injustice in systems of hire. Hence, the difference of the two situations described above is centered on issues on what can help in the elimination of such practices (King and Mayhew). Another point is falling out because of facts is difficult to solve just like disagreement over ethical issues. There are mentioned instances when discriminatory hiring practices had their way for years, and were eliminated by the enforcement of affirmative action on policies. An argument is based on inclination of the young compared to the elders on hiring on merit basis. This argument may not have been proved making the argument be unresolved. Action options The most attractive option is attempting of an expensive solution that is technical to solve the problems. Reduction of heavy metals discharge will lead to the elimination of the problems. This can only be accomplished in two ways. Firstly, it is the reduction of the amount of waste metals from the manufacturing process and the other being prevention of discharge of these metals into the sewage. Another option is an explanation to the firm on why it should accommodate the occupants of the city. If the firm cannot hold to the social norms, there is an imposed tax. They can also employ the act of talking to professional officials (King and Mayhew). David should make clarity that his professional integrity is at stake as it is his responsibility to sign the documents reports for discharge. An alternative to that is to report the case to officers of the corporate world outside Gilbane. The last option that is not desirable is booking an interview with the TV reporters. By doing this, David jeopardizes his profession and weakens the community trust on the firm. Ethical evaluation David has to make a decision on whether Z CORP endangers consumers’ health or poisons the sludge. Secondly, he should evaluate if by refusal to unfold the new test result is a form of deception. This can only be justified by the role one plays in the city, and the expectation it is accompanied with. As the authorities expect David to be forthright that is unlike of him confirm his deception to the entire city and its even of law violation. Another problem is a decision on if there is a violation of fairness principles. The issue is whether Gilbane city acted towards Z CORP unfairly. Another aspect on fairness is problems and benefits being equally distributed. Fairness is also evident when David is compelled to signing of documents confirming Z CORPs agreement with discharge while in the real sense; there is a violation of standards. Reflection The most desirable option to take is alerting the involved people that authorities have been summoned, and he will be forced to unfold what is behind the new test. He should clarify to them that his respect for legal requirements and professional integrity cannot allow him be dishonest. There should also be an emphasis on representing Z CORP in a manner that cannot be questionable and will tell the officials that this firm is going through financial problems, and there is no any cheap solution technical to this economical evil. Weighing this step, David tries to solve the social evil in a way that not all parties concerned lose trust in each other, and his profession is granted immunity. Arguing against that David makes a major mistake because in the first place, he is responsible the signing of the document authenticating this activity. He is also responsible for not disclosing on the real outcomes of the new test. By doing, all this David sacrifices his professional ambitions as he implicates himself as an incompetent engineer and also exposes himself to legal action and loss of integrity. Therefore, in any case it reveals the outcomes legal steps might be taken against it and if it is not disclosed a few workers will be disturbed on not being faithful to the city dwellers. With building up of pressure on David concerning discharge, a decision arises to ditch his professional ethics and appear before media to unfold the discharging levels of the plant. Action option The most desirable option to take is alerting the involved people that authorities have been summoned, and he will be forced to unfold what is behind the new test. He should clarify to them that his respect for legal requirements and professional integrity cannot allow him be dishonest. There should also be an emphasis on representing Z CORP in a manner that cannot be questionable and will tell the officials that this firm is going through financial problems, and there is no any cheap solution that is technical to this economical evil. Works Cited Harris, C.E., M.S. Pritchard and M.J., Rabins. Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases. 2. Belmont: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning, 2000. Print. Holt, D., et al. "When Philosophy and Business Professors Talk: Assessment of Ethical Reasoning in a Cross Disciplinary Business Ethics Course." Teaching Business Ethics 1 .3 (1998): 253–268. Print. King, P.M. and M.J Mayhew. "Moral Judgement Development In Higher Education: Insights from the Defining Issues Test." Journal of Moral Education 31.3 (2002): 247–270. Print. Read More