Ethical Issues - Case Study Example

ETHICAL ISSUE CASE CHEATING YOURSELF Summary of ethical issue involved Sarah, a second-year in the university attends remedial teaching to improve her mathematics ability. The institution offers a program to help students who have joined the university enhance their mathematics skills despite having a negative perception towards the subject. Regular assessment is done to evaluate improvements made by the students after they have been vigorously taught. Unfortunately, the learning process does not change Sarah’s attitude on the subject; in fact, it does her more harm than good. Al, the professor in charge of the program discovers her plight in advance and sorts to help her, In a twist of events. Al in turn makes a shocking revelation after a student who is not familiar to him hands over an examination booklet with Sarah’s name on it. The institution does not condone any form of cheating a matter that all the parties are aware. It is at this particular point that Al comes to an ethical dilemma. The ethical issue involved in the case study is an action by Sarah to organize her boyfriend to sit for her exam that is against the rules of the institution. The tutor who well informed about Sarah’s plight and the rules of the university finds himself at a crossroads on which course of action is supposed to take (PFS, 2014). Resolving the ethical dilemma and possible ramification Making decisions on the ethical dilemma is not an easy task. Al needs to investigate thoroughly and come up with comprehensive findings on factors that led Sarah to cheat. Although it is clear that she used to struggle with the subject that fact alone cannot be used to condemn her. Other reasons could have led to do so, it is imperative to understand factors that affect the behavior of people in certain circumstances (PFS, 2014).Al also needs to consult with his close friends whom he trusts so that they can give him their views on how to handle the situation to arrive at the best alternative. Sarah’s inability to perform well in mathematics seemed to be a blow for her in pursuing her career dream, and it is for this reason that she may have resorted to what she did. On the other hand, the ethical programs of the university are a set of values that cannot be at whatever cost. Various judgments may be carried out regarding the case of Sarah. Firstly, Al may decide to suspend Sarah and her boyfriend for a certain period. During the period, the two are supposed to attend motivational seminars organized by mathematics practitioners. Through the seminars, Sarah’s perception of mathematics is likely to change, and she may end up loving the subject. The second alternative decision that can be is discontinuing both students from the academic institution. Since was a second-year student, it is common knowledge that she must have been conversant with the university disciplinary policy on cheating. Most academic institutions offer induction programs for their freshmen. During the induction, they are taken through the rules and regulations of the institution and consequences of not adhering to them are well outlined in students handbooks. Examination multi-practices are not tolerated in learning institutions because it lowers the quality of education offered. Accepting examination multi-practices leads to the production of half-baked university graduates who are not competent enough to fit in the job market. Unemployment levels then become unbearable and influences the unemployed graduates to participate in criminal activities where some of them end up being murdered brutally (CIPD, 2014). Course of action Given the facts that have been analyzed the most appropriate activity that can be undertaken is discontinuing the two students. It is important to manage ethics in the institution effectively because it has a number of benefits. Ethics programs help maintain moral course in institutions, cannot be flexible, and applied with favoritism or through unclear ways (PFS, 2014). Position and supporting reasons Based on the university standards, it will be appropriate for Alto forward the two students to the administration for actions to be against them. The background reasons for decisions are not only rational but also well thought. They provide concrete reasons for supporting the decision taken to dismiss Sarah and her boyfriend. Although it is said to err is to human, some mistakes cannot be tolerated especially when they are knowing. Adhering to ethical standards will discourage other students who have intentions to commit examination multi-practices in future (PFS, 2014). Although Sarah was weak in mathematics, it was unjustifiable for her to subcontract the boyfriend socially to sit for the exam on her behalf. The institution does not tolerate cheating, a fact she knew well. Given that she had managed to complete her first year successfully means that she must have passed most of those her exam. Further, the fact that she wanted to major in a field that required mathematics as a basic language indicates she was destined to fail in the area due to her attitude towards mathematics (PFS, 2014). Al is an example employee who faces an ethical dilemma in organizations. Managing ethics in the workplace calls for the collective responsibility of every worker. It will be prudent enough for joining hands with the rest his colleague in defending the ethics of the university. Discontinuing Sarah, and the boyfriend cannot ruin their lives and career as it may claim, rather it is at making become responsible in adhering to the ethics. The two must wake up to the fact that even if they graduate, they are likely to be hired in organizations that have their ethical standards. The students may be expected to observe at all cost (PFS, 2014). Summary and conclusion The process of resolving ethical dilemma requires for the analysis of the consequences of both sides of the coin. It is wise to evaluate both aspects of the alternatives that can be and their severity. Effective, ethical leadership begins with the way leaders perceive and conceptualizes events that happen around them. The professor should demonstrate ethical leadership because it is inseparable from organization ethics and social responsibility. How ethical leaders relate to and understand things that happen around them require them to judge prudently ethical dilemma they face. In addition, the role of the professor is to guide his students to embrace ethical practices that liberate rather constrain their imagination and judgments when faced with similar ethical dilemma. Ethical leadership must be effective, efficient, and excellent and should not derail efforts that have been made by the organization in maintaining ethical standards. Expelling Sarah from the institution of higher learning does not doom her life and that of her boyfriend. In order to maintain quality education standards in institutions of higher learning, cheating may be eliminated using all means possible. As an ethical leader, the professor has the power to make the right decision but he must also be about the plight of those affected with the decision. Having made the difficult decision of expelling both students, he must ensure that he organizes ways through which learners may be given admission another institution so that they can continue with their learning. Dismissing them without giving them, an alternative decision can entirely ruin their lives. In addition, if they fail to get an opportunity in another institution they are likely to be discouraged in life. The efforts they have made in life will be watered down because of a single mistake which can be excused. A punishment can also work well in solving the dilemma. However, if such acts are entertaining such behaviors will only encourage the growth of the vice (PFS, 2014). References PFS, (2014).How to handle an Ethical Dilemma. [27.11.2014].Retrieved :< http://www.thep fs.org/membership/ethical-dilemmas/how-to-handle-an-ethical-dilemma/>. CIPS, (2013). How would you deal with an ethical dilemma at work? [27.11.2014].Retrieved :< http://www.cipd.co.uk/pm/peoplemanagement/b/weblog/archive/2013/04/19/how-would-you deal-with-an-ethical-dilemma-at-work.aspx>. Read More