Recognizing the Ethical Dilemma - Paper Example

Corruption is an ethical issue that Ashton faces in her negotiations. Corruption is the exchange of material possessions or money in exchange of favors. To gain access to build PDRC headquarters in East Africa Ashton is expected to bribe the officials to get permits and favorable treatment. It is an ethical dilemma as it places Ashton in a position where she has to choose between doing right or wrong.

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Clarify the facts

The choices she makes will have consequences on her ethics and that of PDRC. Ashton does not agree with the practice of bribery in East Africa. It is also against the values of the company she works for as it may lead to serious legal implications. However, in East Africa it is a norm and people there do not see any problem asking for bribes.

Create alternatives

There are several alternatives that Ashton can adopt to solve this ethical dilemma she is facing. First she may accept to pay the bribe in order to build the headquarters and still maintain her contract. Second, Ashton has no choice but to report the incidence to her seniors.

Evaluate alternatives

The first alternative is to pay the bribe. However, this alternative will undermine the integrity and transparency values of PDRC. Ashtons values as an individual will also be undermined. Ashton may also lose her job with PDRC and even go to jail for corruption charges. Second, Ashton has no choice but to report the incidence to her seniors. This choice will result in her losing her contract, which will in turn affect her first managerial score. This alternative will also result to a loss with the stakeholders. They will also shun future business activities with the company.

Decide and implement decision

The best action is to uphold the stand of a corrupt free company. While refusing to pay the bribe Aston should try and educate the East African officials on the problems of corruption.

Evaluate consequences

It will also help the leaders in behavior change to practice transparency and integrity in negotiations. Corruption is unethical and it leads to embezzlement of funds, extortion and misuse of company finances.

Reaffirm the ethical issue and the results of the decision

Refusing to pay the bribe is a good decision as it will save the company unnecessary costs. It will also show that Ashton is a good manager who does not sacrifice her values and that of the company for material gain.

Case two: Scott and the billing hours

Recognize the dilemma

The billable hours presents an ethical dilemma in work places for lawyers. This system awards firms contracts based on the hours they work rather that the work they do. In a bid to still get contracts employees lie about their working hours to save the company. This is an ethical dilemma because if Scott does not lie about his working hours they will lose contracts. If he goes ahead and records less hours the company will get contracts.

Clarify the facts

Scott knows it is against the firms policy to underreport the billable hours, however the company is at stake of losing contacts if they report their working hours truthfully. It is an ethical decision one that undermines the companys policies. However, if they record their actual working hours clients will leave for other companies that have less working hours.

Create alternatives

To solve this issue Scott can follow the companys policy and record all the workers they work for. After all the company requests associates to record their daily activities truthfully. Scott can also decide to record all the working hours and bill the clients reasonable working hours that will not make them lose contracts. They can also develop a new system that will determine how they are going to paid by their clients.

Evaluate alternatives

Recording working hours according to the companys policy is paramount. However, following the policies will in turn make the company lose its clients as the billable hours will be more than needed.

Developing a new system of billing clients will need a lot of resources. Sometime it may fail or have less desirable effects.

Decide and implement decision

The best alternative is to record every working hour an associate works and openly discussing with clients on the appropriate hours to be charged. It should be communicated to all employees so that it becomes a culture in the company. Educating the employees on the need of transparency will be important to help them in practicing ethical reporting.

Evaluate consequences

This alternative is transparent, and will make the company earn the trust of the client. It will also solve the issue where associates have to lie about their working hours for fear of losing contracts. This alternative will increase the trust clients have for the company and will not question any unethical practices in the billing hours. Billing hours makes as a system of paying lawyers put a lot of pressure on their ethical values. When lawyers work more hours and bill their clients they lose contracts. This means that they have to lie about their billing hours to maintain clients and still gain other contracts. A transparent record of billing hours will resolve the ethical dilemma Scott is facing as an associate. When a client feels that accompany is communicating transparently they gain confidence in the company. This alternative is suitable to resolve the ethical dilemma.

Reaffirm the ethical issue and the results of the decision

Fraudulent reporting is an ethical issue that happens in many accounting and law firms. Employees lie about their working hours so they can record less working hours that will lead them in getting more contracts and retain their clients. However, it is an ethical issue since it does not promote transparency in the work environment. It may also lead to a company losing its clients once they find they are being lied to. Companies need to openly talk to their clients about their working hours and also charge them reasonably for the actual workers they work for the client. Extra hours spent on personal issues and work that does not belong to the client should not be billed to the client. Promoting ethical decisions in work places results to a healthier working environment which leads to high productivity. Clients will also develop confidence and trust in with their companies of choice.