Ethical Dilemma in HRM - Essay Example

ETHICAL DILEMMA IN HRM ETHICAL ISSUE The case is referring to an ethical dilemma arising with Mr. Hady, a junior consultant at MT firm. His new boss Mr. Phill while assigning him duties during first on-field task, has asked him to grab a copy of competitor’s proposal and pricing material. This, in true sense this act is an order to steal competitor’s property and has many ethical issues with following two as leading; first, order to steal someone’s property which is crucial to its success. Second, obedience to boss leads to stealing and disobedience leads to disciplinary misconduct on field in an instance where loss will be of overall firm. FACTS Following are important facts pertaining to the particular situation: Mr. Hady’s boss Mr. Phill holds senior position and has well developed reputation in the firm mainly for being the MT’s biggest earner. Mr. Hady being new to the field does not know if the ordered thing is actually accepted wrong or has been accepted as a winning practice in the field. Another fact that is adding to dilemma is decision has to be made at that particular time and Mr. Hady does not have time or space to talk to someone regarding the same or even to his boss. Doing this is unethical, but not doing it can cause the loss of the sale that will have detrimental impact on his career and Mr.Phill’s reputation. It will also cause financial loss to the firm against its top competitor. Decision will impact competitor in case they lose the bid mainly for information exposed and en-cashed by Mr. Phill. Finally, decision on this point will determine Mr. Hady’s future position in the company. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Considering various aspects, there are only two options available to Mr. Hady which are either to grab it or avoid grabbing it. These two options can get support various theories as discussed below: 1- Mr. Hady shall Obey the order- Utilitarian Theory: Mr. Hady shall obey to boss. Since the decision has to be taken on time therefore, obeying this will benefit the company, Mr. Phill and himself. This decision will be harmful in two areas; first, Mr. Hady would not be able to satisfy himself for doing this wrong thing and in case this act causes competitor to lose the opportunity mainly due to crucial information exposed to their competitor i.e. Mr. Phill. This decision will be based solely on the discretion of Mr. Hady and without mutual consent of everyone involved. Mr. Hady can give the benefit of doubt of competitor’s incapability to convince SAGA Engineering management as Mr. Phill will extract information after that day’s presentation is over and competitor already had the chance to present their high points. 2- Mr. Hady shall Avoid obeying this order- Rights Theory Avoiding obeying this order would benefit all, though of course may not be in short term. This will satisfy Mr. Hady for not indulging in wrong act. There are chances that they may lose this deal, but will allow the deserved one to take it; hence, securing everyone’s right. Mr. Phill will get a chance to identify areas to polish his skills as nobody is perfect. This will also benefit Mr. Phil with secured standing in long term as successful person which will always be at risk anytime if such activity is disclosed. Firm will also be able to secure long term benefit with identification of their capacity to secure certain deals and in case Mr. Phills practice is disclosed it will question firm’s entire conduct. Moreover, it would be subjugation of MT’s right to deal if rival would have done something of the sort. 3- Mr. Hady shall Avoid obeying this order- Justice Theory Avoiding obeying this decision will ensure equal rights given to all. Both firms’ representatives are given equal chance to present their bid. Hence, winning or losing bid will solely on the basis of one’s expertise. In fact, overall, MT or Mr. Phill is in better position as time assigned to them for presentation is double than one assigned to competitor. Moreover, Mr. Phill will be in better position to prepare for the expected question based on those posed to competitors. Hence, it makes no sense to undergo an unethical act. 4- Mr. Hady shall Obey this order- Integrative Theory Mr. Phil made this order as part of briefing to give an impression that it is a general practiced in the industry and is accepted as an opportunity to kill rival with tactics. If grabbing the document which is regarded as crucial document is easy then reflects competitor’s incapability to safeguard their strength to gain the business. Not obeying this would harm the MT which has given Mr. Hady chance to be part of big business deal. Hence, it shall not be considered stealing but an opportunity to update with rival’s strength. BEST OPTION: Mr. Hady Shall Avoid obeying this order It has been selected as the best option that Mr. Hady shall avoid obeying this order. This is in mutual benefit of all, though it may not be liked by the Mr.Phill and also causes short term loss of sale to him and company as a whole. But it will be in the long term benefit of Mr. Hady himself, Mr. Phill, company and even the competitors. This decision is suggested in support of justice and right theory. It is against the benefit of doubt possibility in utilitarian and integrative theory as reasons that draw support from these theories are merely an indirect acceptation of wrong business conduct. This will also allow to respectfully refraining his boss from such unethical act even if it practiced in industry. In case, this practice is ingrained in industry then would provide opportunity to Mr. Hady to decide his future conduct, luckily in the very beginning of his career. REFLECTION This decision has been well thought based on the evaluation of various possible options and hence been found appropriate on the yardstick of fairness and transparency. Also it will be in the benefit of everyone involved in the case including the boss of Mr. Hady, the company as well as the newly hired consultant Mr. Hady and as the decision will be in favor of most of the people involved in the case therefore it will be follow the concept of Utilitarian theory (Trevino, & Nelson, 2010) CONCLUSION To control the level of inequality that is growing in world mainly due to such unethical practices in business world it is mandatory for the business to train employees. Such crucial decision making shall be made part of training that would test the capacity of candidate to fight the ethical case. Also delegation of responsibilities shall be based on SMART principles that pushes employees to increase productivity but not at the cost of ethics. References Trevino, L.K., & Nelson, K.A. (2010). Managing Business Ethics. USA: George Hoffman. Read More