Ashley Castro
Case Analysis
PAFF 6310 -01V
Spring Mod II
Case Study Analysis
Case #2 Odd One Out
Introduction
This case involves many unethical and moral questions and concerns. Jenny was recently hired on at her dream job. Jenny has recently observed many unethical and moral issues taking place in the work place. Jenny tries to do the right thing and confront Matt, her boss, about the suspicious circumstances she has witnessed. Matt replies by acknowledging what Jenny believed to be true. Matt advises Jenny there is nothing going on and pretty much tells her see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Jenny is concerned and put in a dilemma due to the unethical and morally wrong ideals her company has demonstrated. Jenny is faced with leaving the company or stay and deal with the wrong ideals her company has shown.
Ethical Issue/ Problem
The moral agents in this case are Jenny and Matt. Once hired on, Jenny began to see unethical and moral practices done at her work to include mismanaged and misallocated grant funds, using county owned material for personal use, and cheating on hiring tests. Jenny did the right thing by speaking up and bringing the suspicious circumstances up to her boss. What Jenny did was not illegal, it was morally right to bring the circumstances to her boss’s attention. Jenny acted in accordance Aristotle’s views.
Matt is considered another moral agent. Once Jenny brought what she believed was going on towards the fore front Matt did not deny but instead suggested she not mention anything to anyone. Based off Matt’s response, he knows what is going on and refuses to correct or address the problem. This shows Matt is being unethical and is not making the right moral decisions on behalf of the organization. Based off Matt’s decision not to act, Matt believes in Hume’s theory on free will.
Kohlberg stage of Moral Development
Jenny is placed at Stage 4 of Kohlberg’s stage of Moral Development. Jenny accepts rules and sees rules as something everyone is to follow. Being in stage 4, Jenny believes she is obligated and has a duty to uphold laws and rules. Jenny understands what is going on and believes them to be unethical and morally wrong. Jenny steps up and confronts her boss regarding the situation.
Matt is placed at Stage 3 of Kohlberg’s stage of Moral Development. Matt seeks the approval of others and wants to be portrayed as the “nice guy”. Matt understands the organization is doing things morally and ethically wrong but sees it as no harm, no foul. Matt expects Jenny to address the issues the same way by turning the other way. Matt seems to want to be liked by everyone if the ethical issues are brought up Matt takes the chances of loosing his position or people leaving to work for other organizations.
As the Moral Agent(s) did they:
Jenny acted with integrity. Jenny provides a high standard of service and does act in a way that promotes trust in her profession. Jenny does treat others with respect. It appears Jenny does take responsibility for her actions.
Matt does not act with integrity. Matt may provide a high standard of service towards those working in the organization, but he does give those applying to same opportunity if they are not known by a current employee. Matt does not provide a sense of trust to others applying to the organization but there is a sense of trust with the organization however not Jenny. Matt may treat those in the organization with respect but does not show respect to the those applying to work for the organization. Matt does not take responsibility for his actions or the organization’s actions.
What would you have Done?
I would have expressed my concerns to my boss like Jenny did. After receiving the response from Matt, I would have felt the need to leave the company. Although Jenny likes her job, I personally feel associating my name with an organization who does not have the same priorities or values is not an ideal job. I would have the courage to apply elsewhere and not be associated with the organization.
Alternative Actions
The actions taken by Jenny are in line with ASPA or ICMA codes of Ethics. However, the actions taken by Matt are not in line with ASPA or ICMA codes of Ethics. As previously stated, I would have left the organization and avoided working for a company who believes in unethical and morally wrong ideals.
