Ethical Dilemma In Social Work - Essay Example

Ethical dilemma in social work 1.1 Introduction Ethical dilemma is mainly a complex situation. It leads to mental conflicts among moral imperatives. It is also referred as ethical paradox. In social life human beings have a very complex relationship. For instance, if a neighbor has a desire to kill you it will result in mental illness. Societies have criminal justice systems and mostly diffuse such criminals. Therefore, organizations do face ethical dilemmas and conflict within the premises. 1.2 Summary of the conflict There is conflict in my own social service organization. Being an executive director of the company, me and my colleagues formed an alliance to introduce sex education and prevention program in the company to educate and provide information to the students. Through a plan we identified the main goal and funds to be raised to support the health care system. We also included potential members in this program such as local schools, church, health clinic and youth representatives. This is an ethical behavior of choice. But some conflicts are created in this program, some person have rumored to the board chairperson that me and the other colleagues are providing condoms to the girls and I am asked to discontinue this program otherwise I will be fired. This is the major conflict in the organization I’m asked to make choice among two behaviors one of which is unethical and false. 1.3 Ethical dilemma Human beings in an organization have complex social relationships. They have both negative and positive aspects towards a person. They show ethical behavior to each other but at back they pass unethical rumors about a person. Same is the case in the dilemma of this organization. People have harsh feelings towards others it can be any party, the colleagues, social circle and higher professionals. It is an ethical value to teach girls the pros and cons of sex and health care should have abundance recourses to guide them. There are mental conflicts among moral imperatives. I, as an executive director of the company, have given choices among two actions; firstly to educate the girls in relation to sex education and secondly, due to an inappropriate rumor have also ordered to stop the action otherwise I would be fired. One choice prevents selection from the other or in this case it can be rightly said choosing between good and bad alternatives. Therefore, it can be considered as an ethical dilemma. 1.4 Values Business can earn profits only through principles and values. These give competitive advantage to a company. In accordance to the dilemma the values that are in conflict are discussed below: Empathy It refers to paying attention what is happening in the world. There is conflict in the empathy in relation to the organization some people are willing to understand the needs of their customers. But employees and stakeholders are creating a hurdle in it. Originality There should be originality and innovation in the organization. In this social work company, instead of innovation students are suffering from sex addiction and results are quite negative. There is a lack of communication relationship among employees and students. People should try to implement innovative products and policies in the organization and to do so chairperson, employees and students all should participate in it. Integrity It means everything is done rightly by students, company and employees. There is a conflict in relation to integrity. Students are not doing right in the organization; they are involved in a practice without much knowledge of it. Employees have considered this matter after much time; this means there is lack of monitoring system and chairperson have less trust on employees, he mostly believes on what he hears and told, rather than controlling a system through proper ethical principles. Courage It means taking courage on standing up for what one believes. I as an executive took this attempt for the benefit of company and made all remedial measures to control the present situation of the company but a conflict is created in my practice and I’m told to drop this program which is beneficial for the company (McGregor Kirsty, 2011). 1.5 Resolution of this dilemma As conflicts are identified on the basis of ethical values therefore it can be resolved effectively on the basis theories and practices of ethics. Virtue Conflict can be solved by the theory of virtue. It focuses on improving behavior of persons in an organization. This will help to improve the irregular behavior of the students in relation to sex matters. I should implement motivation systems for the students so that they can share their thoughts and beliefs with the seniors and persons moral should be considered. Then only I will be able to know the demands of students. If once the environment is studied appropriate systems should be implemented in the company which will lead to innovation and production. Students nature should be studied i.e. if they are doing any unethical behavior then supervisors can easily detect what is the reason behind this action. So practices of virtue theory should be implemented in the organization in order to resolve the conflicts. Rights Rights theory should be adopted to control conflict among employees and board members. People in the organization should know their rights and duties. There should not be bias among employees like the way done with me. Employees should not speak ill of other staff members in front of chairperson. All people in the company should be given their rights in accordance to their position. For instance, I am executive director of the company; I have a right to implement any program for the development of students. If any employee did rumor to the board director of any ill practice regarding me in this case firstly he should evaluate the program implemented by me and my colleague or he can direct talk to me about the program and it goals rather than just listening to other people. If in case director do finds any unethical behavior in program then remedial measures should be taken. But decision should not be made through improper judgment. Utilitarianism It basically focuses on the consequences of a particular action. It provides many choices and helps to identify the difference between ethical and unethical choice. Through this action it will not only help the board director to make the right choice but this will also help students to identify the difference between good and bad behavior. This theory provides benefit to make right decision. A program should be used to compare solutions which are predicted to be similar and point system should be used to identify the choice which will be beneficial for both employees as well as students and which is ethical in accordance with the principles and values. A whole argument and comment session should be conducted in which each person shall discuss the impact of choices and in end a final solution should be identified. 1.6 Conclusion Ethical dilemma can create conflict within an organization. It can be at many levels within peers, students, employees and supervisors. The result of which can lead to demotivation, employee turnover and may harm profitability of the company, therefore it is important to identify the main cause of these conflicts taking into account the values of ethical behavior in an organization. Supervisors of company should take remedial to control ethical conflicts in the enterprise by focusing on the theories and research conducted by other companies than only present condition of organization can be improved. References  McGregor, Kirsty. (2011). Ethical dilemma for social workers. Working paper on the professional capabilities framework, Social Work Reform Board. Read More