How to Deal With Ethical Dilemmas at Work

A workplace can be a second home. And just like in the home, raising uncomfortable issues or accusing someone of impropriety can affect the entire group. Ethical dilemmas in the workplace have implications not only for those suffering from a crisis of conscience, but also for coworkers and clients. If you believe your company is acting in an unethical manner or you believe your rights are being infringed upon by coworkers, there are several steps you can take to deal with ethical dilemmas responsibly and effectively.

Instructions

1. Involve all the stakeholders in an ethical dilemma. If the ethical dilemma concerns multiple parties in a company, involving them in a discussion to resolve the dilemma is essential. A company's ethical practices affect employees and clients alike. By including all parties, an ethical dilemma can be rectified more effectively and a solution can be reached that benefits all parties.

2. Refer to your company's ethics training materials. Most companies have instituted guidelines that can help navigate a dilemma. If you are unclear about whether or not your behavior or your company's is violating a personal or corporate ethical code, ethics guidelines can help clarify the situation. They can also provide insight as to what steps to take if ethical codes are being breached.

3. Practice ethical mediation skills. Even if you have identified an ethical conflict of interest between yourself and your company, taking steps to fix the problem can be difficult. Raising an ethical issue inside a company can affect your coworkers. Put good listening into practice to be sure to hear all sides of an ethical debate and assess accordingly.

4. Take action and, just as importantly, be assertive. When a decision has been made, act upon it. If there is a clear breach of ethics at your company, stand up to it.

References

• ERIC: Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace