Introduction
It is necessary to mention that the importance of ethical decisions in organizations has been increasing over the years, and it is an aspect that is valued by many companies. This paper will include the analysis of decisions that may be made regarding a particular ethical dilemma that occurred in the workplace environment. It is paramount to mention that some situations may be incredibly complicated, and it may not be an easy task to resolve issues that are presented.
Ethical Dilemma
The dilemma related to ethics is focused around the question whether it is reasonable to tell higher-ups about resume fraud. The appropriate course of actions that should be taken in this situation is to either report resume fraud or suggest the employee to report the issue or to give her a chance on this job. It is imperative to mention that the first option may not seem ethical because a worker is a former colleague, and it may not seem reasonable to make any reports without discussing this situation with her. The problem with the second choice is that a worker may choose not to change her plans, and it may lead to severe consequences. The fact that an employee has decided to work for a competitor in the past is also critical and should be taken into account because it has a significant impact on the decision-making process of an employer. The last option is especially problematic because higher-ups may get the information about the fact that Assistant Director did not report this case, and it could hurt the reputation in the long-term. Another core aspect that should not be overlooked is that this is a type of decision that one should make himself or herself, and there is no need to consult with a group because it is necessary to have an understanding of what actions are reasonable in this particular case.
Decision Analysis
3A
The first decision that needs to be considered in this case is to report this situation to the Director. This choice is based on the theory known as deontology that suggests that individuals should base their decisions on their duties. It is understandable that Assistant Director for HR should not have had access to this information. Some employees would prefer not to voice personal information to such individual because he or she is regarded as unreliable (Reece, 2013). It is necessary to note that this decision helps to make sure that a worker that is not trustworthy is not accepted to a particular position. Numerous systems in some organizations support reporting, and the level of intensity of this issue is relatively high because it may lead to severe problems (Weiss, 2014).
3B
The second approach that needs to be considered is to talk with an employee and suggest her to report the fact that she has lied on her resume. This decision is based on the theory of utilitarianism that suggests that one should predict possible harm that may be caused by an action. It is paramount to note that there are some instances where resume fraud may lead to legal responsibilities. However, the employee is regarded as untrustworthy in most cases, and such behavior significantly reduces the chances of employment (Bredeson, 2012). Also, it is imperative to understand that individuals may share the information about resume fraud between each other, and it could hurt relationships with others. The biggest problem arises when other companies get access to such data.
3C
The last ethical theory that should be mentioned is focused on virtues, and it states that a person should not be judged based on some actions that may be considered as mistakes. A decision that could be made is to let an employee pass the interview without any reporting to see if she is an appropriate candidate. The most attention is devoted to competence and previous importance because it can be checked if it is necessary. Moreover, employers may easily request information about previous employment, and it would not be wise not try to do something about it (Jennings, 2014).
3D
The first option seems reasonable, but the biggest issue that should not be overlooked is that reports about former colleagues are not appreciated in particular workplace environments and may reduce the level of trust. However, it can be viewed as a significant benefit for the organization because it helps to prevent possible losses of profit. The second one differs from others because interaction with an employee is necessary. The issue occurs when a worker decides not to change the information. It is imperative to mention that the last option is the most questionable because it could lead to tremendous losses of profit and may reduce the quality of services. It is believed that resume frauds are a significant problem, and companies try to pick their employees carefully.
Decision Choice
In my opinion, the decision to talk to an employee is the most appropriate because she will understand that she has made a mistake that needs to be avoided in the future. The fact that she may report this issue herself can be vital, and may impact the decision-making process of the Director. It needs to be said that such lies in the resume are viewed as an appropriate reason to fire an employee, and she should have an understanding of other complications that may be associated with such behavior. It is entirely possible that the employer would check the data that that was entered into the job application. It needs to be said that the individual has a legal responsibility to make sure that correct information is input in such documents, and a company would not want to deal with a worker that does not have an understanding of such principles. One of the most significant aspects that should not be overlooked is the identification of possible problem and complications. Overall, it is understandable that each case needs a unique approach, and the decision-making process may be affected by numerous internal and external factors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is imperative to mention that the option to talk with a former colleague is the option that is the most reasonable in this case, and helps to address the ethical dilemma that has occurred. The role of ethics should not be disregarded, and it is evident that a trained professional should be able to come up with a correct decision in a particular situation. The biggest issue is that many approaches may be used, and it may not be an easy task to make a choice that would be reasonable from the perspective of ethics. The problem that is not frequently mentioned is that many employees are not aware of possible issues that are related to ethical decisions, and do not pay enough attention to this aspect. However, it is paramount to note that ethics play a vital role in every single business at this point, and employers should make sure that workers are educated on this topic because the reputation of an organization may be impacted most of the time. Overall, it is necessary to have an understanding of possible risks and complications that may be associated with such decisions, but benefits for an organization should be valued the most.
References
Bredeson, D. (2012). Applied business ethics: A skills-based approach. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Jennings, D. (2014). Business Ethics: Case Studies and Selected Readings. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Reece, B. (2013). Effective human relations: Interpersonal and organizational applications. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Weiss, J. W. (2014). Business ethics: A stakeholder and issues management approach. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.