Scenario Analysis
An ethical dilemma is considered as a state whereby an individual is faced with a situation that he or she must choose between two choices and make a decision that best suits the situation (Slade & Prinsloo, 2013). In an ethical dilemma, no particular decision is considered to be the best solution. An ethical dilemma is best understood upon the distinction of law and policies, morals, values, and ethics (Pollock, 2017). Based on this scenario as the union president of the patrol police officers, I am faced with an ethical dilemma on whether to choose to work for the satisfaction of my colleagues or my employers.
The union representing the patrol officers has been advised by the administration that due to financial constraints, layoffs are likely. The members of the union advocate to conduct a slow down if laying off is actualized. As the president of the union, I am expected to represent the interest of the workers well. Similarly, as a patrol police officer, I am supposed to work diligently as per the expectations of the administration. If I support the slowdown, the administration might lose trust in me; thus, I might be even the first worker to be terminated. If I do not support my fellow workers, suspensions, collective layoffs, and permanent suspensions might negatively affect them since they will lose their main source of income. As such, I will lose the good relationship I had with my colleagues. Key stakeholders affected by this situation include both the administration and the patrol police officers. Similarly, the citizens might be affected by the slowdown since crime rates are likely to increase.
Due to the budget cuts, the normal payment will be affected. To safeguard the interests of the workers and the administration, it is vital to come to an agreement with the involved stakeholders. As such, I would advocate for reduced spending on other expenditures in the police departments that are not vital. I would explain the situation to the workers whose interest I represent and urge them to expect a change in the normal operations of the department as a result of the budget cut. Rather than the layoffs, I would discuss with the workers on the possibility of having a small cutoff in their salaries that would serve as a way of preventing laying off of any worker. However, such a decision would be met with the discussion with both the workers and the administration. As such, I would have satisfied both parties.
Based on the decision, there might be dissatisfaction among some workers who would not be satisfied with the decrement in their salaries. Similarly, there might be dissatisfaction as a result of change that is not cordially embraced by most people (Pollock, 2017). There might be a disruption in the running of normal activities within the department such as reduced spending on meals and other expenditures aimed at maintaining the comfortability of the police officers. The administration might face financial constraints as it tries to match the spending to the budget allocated. Significantly, the operations of the police officers on patrol are not expected to be altered since the slowdown will be prevented hence the citizen with continue enjoying their safety.
Utilitarianism is a moral theory that asserts a decision is right in an ethical dilemma if it helps the greatest number of people (Gray & Schein, 2012). The best action is considered as the one that utilizes utility, which is the well-being of all the stakeholders involved. Based on this theory, my decision is meant for the welfare of all the stakeholders involved including the administration, workers, and the general public. Jayawickreme et al. (2014) explain that virtue ethics is an approach that emphasizes on the character of a person rather than their duty obligations. As such, the consequence of an action highly affects the decision. I settled upon the decision for the welfare of all stakeholders based on the outcomes expected.
As a union leader, the decision is ideal since it satisfies both the workers I represent and the administration I work for. In essence, a decision is ideal if it represents the welfare of all the involved stakeholders or satisfies majority of the people affected by the scenario. Therefore, it is always vital to analyze the possible implications of any decision when faced with an ethical dilemma to avoid any adverse undesirable effects.
References
Gray, K., & Schein, C. (2012). Two minds vs. two philosophies: Mind perception defines morality and dissolves the debate between deontology and utilitarianism. Review of Philosophy and Psychology, 3(3), 405-423.
Jayawickreme, E., Meindl, P., Helzer, E. G., Furr, R. M., & Fleeson, W. (2014). Virtuous states and virtuous traits: How the empirical evidence regarding the existence of broad traits saves virtue ethics from the situationist critique. School Field, 12(3), 283-308.
Pollock, J. M. (2017). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice, (9th ed.). London: Cengage.
Slade, S., & Prinsloo, P. (2013). Learning analytics: Ethical issues and dilemmas. American Behavioral Scientist, 57(10), 1510-1529.
