Ethics require organizations to lead by showing good examples to their employees on matters relating to compliance with the moral values. Teaching people about ethical values without explaining the positive side of abiding by the ethics guidelines may not effectively change the behavior and perception of the people towards their moral and ethical values. Although the Department of Defense argues that using bad examples when teaching ethics helps in changing unwanted ethical behaviors, I feel that it is not the best approach for building an ethical culture in an organization or community. Ethics involve leading people to a desired ethical or moral values not pointing out the downside or failures of ethical regulations. For instance, companies can ensure their employees abide by the set guidelines regarding its culture but remain unethical. From the DoD approach, ethical teachings focus on enlightening people on how to stay out of trouble instead instilling the need to consider ethical and moral values in decision-making. Moreover, individuals must be able to integrate rational thought and their moral and ethical stands regarding issues.
Question Two
From the above examples, the act of a supervisory special agent using her credentials to undermine a traffic stop is the most offensive ethical behavior. All citizens are required to abide by the law irrespective of their positions in the government. The fact that she is an agent does not exempt her from undergoing a traffic check when it is deemed necessary. Since the agent was not in official business, she was not supposed to demand a free pass. Another example is the case where an army brigadier general tries to lobby for a contractor and get a job in the same firm. Although the Brigadier was serving his personal and the contractor’s interest in getting a job, he should not have been allowed to retire at the same pay grade. The case of the two executives at Naval Undersea Warfare Center is the least offensive. Although the two executives used the religious compensatory time to play golf and other activities, they were not charged the offense. The executives had other times during vacation and should have been charged for using religion to defraud the government.
Question Three
Government employees working both in the Federal and State governments enjoy job security and thereby tend to use their positions to commit unethical acts. They are not practicing high ethical standards since the governments try to protect them to some extent. For instance, officials are only reprimanded but allowed to retire receive their pensions after retirement. Such provisions not only reduce the public confidence in the leaders but also make them ignore the importance of abiding by the set regulations. Policymakers have different views regarding the issue of application of the law to private and public employees. Others believe that laws should be universally applied to everyone irrespective of their areas of operations or position in the society.
It is crucial to impose more strict rules on government employees in order eliminate their tendencies of engaging in unethical acts. Both government and private sector employees must take the role of corporate social responsibility and business ethics in transforming the society very seriously. Moreover, government officials must understand their role in promoting law abidance in the society. Becoming stricter on them will promote legal responsibility hence effectively promoting positive values and adherence to the law. Unlike public corporations, private firms strictly follow the set laws to prevent numerous lawsuits and bad reputation that may adversely affect their brand image and relations with the customers and other key stakeholders. Thus, government employees must subscribe to high standards compared to their counterparts working in private organizations.
Question Four
There is a difference between how public and private organizations respond to ethical issues. While government employees use their positions and networks to cover up their unethical acts, private sector workers have to be accountable for their actions and thus, must adhere to the regulations to avoid being charged for a criminal offense. An ethical dilemma that is common to employees from both sectors is the need to balance personal ethics, business ethics, and social responsibility. Balancing the tissues in an environment where organizations do not lead from forefront demoralize employees hence diverting their attention to unethical and immoral choices. As a result, they tend to serve their interests first before examining the effects of their actions on the organization or the society.
Question Five
If I were to create an encyclopedia focusing on unethical behaviors, I would want to let the society understand the negative consequences of immoral and unethical acts. Organizations have different cultures and possess different views on given subjects. A least of unethical behavior relies on an organization’s moral goals and challenges they seek to address. I would enlighten people on the role of ethics and moral values in an organization or society. Moreover, individuals must understand that ethics starts from a person to society. Although ethical and moral values are relative than absolute, people must examine their immediate environment and the set regulations before deciding on their next course of actions.
