Memo Setting Analysis and Recommendations to Luke
TO: Luke, Employee ABC
FROM: Elsavia, Internal Consultant ABC Company
DATE: September 24, 2016
SUBJECT: Analysis and Recommendations on Ethical Obligations
Fact
Being an employee who is well-acquainted with business processes at ABC Company, including the establishment of an adult entertainment retail store, you are expected to invest all your efforts in realizing the success of this project. Similarly, having close relations with Owen, who has a property in the neighborhood where the land purchased by the ABC Company is located, and has intentions of selling it, you should guide Owen positively. It is expected that when ABC Company uses the land to establish an adult entertainment retail store, the value of the property in the neighborhood will depreciate significantly. Owen has the right purchaser at the moment who offers a fair price in regards to the current pricing market. However, he insists on waiting for the value of the property to appreciate to optimize benefits from the sale. The ethical obligations dictate that you have to adhere to the set working standards of ABC Company, which is keeping the secrets about this project until one month from now when the Company will be ready to make public this news. On the other hand, you should inform Owen on the expected negative issues that may arise upon waiting until the price appreciates. If Owen decides to adhere to his opinion, he will be in a position of selling the property at a throwaway price.
Issue
Ethical obligations are essential for any committed employee in the carrying of his or her routine activities in a way that satisfies the expectations of the employer. These requirements are defined as the things that one is compelled to do concerning some set standards (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2016). The situation at hand includes Luke being in a dilemma on what roles to put first, whether the employment needs or the close ties expectations. Coming up with the right decision in this situation requires the application Golden rule theory and Virtue ethics, which gives a stand on the ethical obligations that you should first consider. The Golden rule embraces the ethics of reciprocity, which is set under the belief that people should aim at being treated in a way that they treat other people. Among the elements that are important in the Golden Rule theory include: the aspect of tolerance, compassion, and consideration. Virtue ethics, which is another approach expected to give you decision-making guidance emphasizes that the virtue and character of a person are of the essence in determining the precise consequences of your actions (Bruni & Sugden, 2013). Virtue ethicists rely on the assertion that making a right decision when partaking an action requires acting like a noble personage would work in the same circumstances that you face.
Analysis
Golden Rule
The Golden Rule is much valued in the guidance of ethical making of decisions intended at taking action based on societal needs. It is widely embraced because it is established on the considerations of both humans’ feelings and experience (Gensler, 2013). Typically, it requires the person who is about to make an important decision to consider and try to imagine how the people to be affected by the decision will react, think, and feel. It gives room for moral decision making. However, the Golden Rule is not supported by every person because it is established under an assumption. It is set in the belief that every individual has similar tastes and preferences and would wish to be handled the same way as the person making the decision would wish for in the same situation. The general principle of the Golden Rule is set under treating other people exactly as we would want to be treated, thus making morally upright decisions. Gensler (2013) opines that the Golden Rule advocates empathizing with other people, which include: showing them kindness, compassion, and respect.
Virtue Ethics
Bruni and Sugden (2013) describe a virtuous person as an individual who has ideal character traits. These individuals are obliged to accomplish their duties simply and not in chase of personal favors or gains. The Virtue Ethics are developed under three directions, which include; ethics of care, eudaimonism, and agent-based theories (Bruni & Sugden, 2013). Eudaimonism is based on the virtue of performing the allocated task in a distinctive well function. As argued by Aristotle, it is every persons’ responsibility to reason before taking any action. Therefore, you should reason while reflecting on the consequences of your decision. Disclosing the information of ABC Company to Owen may lead to negative results in the workplace and failure to give Owen the appropriate guidance may result in breaking the good relationship between you and him.
Recommendations
In this situation, you are expected to show empathy to Owen, who you have close ties with. You should guide Owen in making a right decision that you will not regret later and that he will appreciate in future. Similarly, by placing yourself in the position of the Owen, you would not wish someone to ruin your prospects in business. Thus, you should disclose the information to Owen regarding the adult entertainment store to be established in this neighborhood. The ethics of care focuses on the justice and autonomy whereby traits such as nurturing and caring are considered. The agent-based theory emphasizes on the use of common sense intuitions in decision making. In reference to these notions, it is recommendable that you guide Owen to sell the property at the moment. However, you should urge him to keep the ABC Company information a secret so as to satisfy both parties as argued in virtue ethics.
References
Bruni, L., & Sugden, R. (2013). Reclaiming Virtue ethics for economics. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 27(4), 141-163.
Gensler, H. J. (2013). Ethics and the golden rule. New York: Routledge.
Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. New York: Routledge.
