How to Write an Ethics Report 1 Identify

How to Write an Ethics Report

1) Identify the Relevant Facts Who are the key people in the case What are the key facts in the case. List them

2) What are the Ethical Issues List all the ethical issues in the case These issues should be written as questions

3) Who are the Primary Stakeholders Can be Owners Employees Customers Suppliers Shareholders Government Agencies Community Social Groups

4) What are the Possible Alternatives What are the options that can be done List all the options

5) What are the Ethics of the Alternatives What is good or bad about the options that can be done. Again list them as questions Ask from the utilitarian perspective Ask questions from the “rights and duties” viewpoint Which way provides greatest benefit to the most people What right does each stakeholder have Ask questions from the “justice and fairness” perspective Which alternatives distributes the benefits and burdens most effectively

6) What are the Practical Constraints What are the major risks and issues with the options Will anyone get hurt? Can it be done?

7 What Actions Should be Taken What should be done

Example Case: Might Makes Right 1) What are the relevant facts? Janice is John’s Boss Janice’s supervisor hased her to create an innovative program but the pressures of her job have prevented this John designs a creative software package which he shares with Janice hoping it will bring him a promotion and a raise Janice is thinking of taking credit for John’s program. If John objects, she will fire him: if he agrees she will give him a promotion and a raise

Example Case: Might Makes Right What are the ethical issues? If the software is developed on company time, to whom does the program belong? Is John being treated justly? Are his rights being protected? Is Janice stealing? When, if ever, is it ethical for the manager to take credit for the work of a subordinate?

Example Case: Might Makes Right Who are the primary stakeholders? The company Janice John and his family Janice’s boss

Example Case: Might Makes Right What are the possible alternatives? Janice can proceed to take John’s work Janice can create a team environment in which the team, in this case, Janice and John, present the work together Janice can give John full credit and print the package to her boss in such a way that it makes Janice and John look good.

Example Case: Might Makes Right What are the ethics of the alternatives? Utilitarian: Which provides greatest benefit to the most people How would cost and benefit be measured What is the value of public knowledge of ownership Rights and Duties: What rights does each stakeholder have? Who has the right of ownership for a program developed on company time Justice and Fairness: Which alternative distributes benefits fairly If John receives the promotion and raise are the benefits being distributed to him fairly if Janice takes ownership of the program

Example Case: Might Makes Right What are the practical constraints? Janice will incur a lot of personal risk for claiming to won the program. It is called plagiarism and would damage her career if anyone found out.

Example Case: Might Makes Right What actions should be taken? What do you think should happen? What action should Janice take?