presents Alternative Courses of Action BY LARRY CHONKO

presents Alternative Courses of Action BY LARRY CHONKO, PH. D. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

Alternative Courses of Action Available in Ethical Situations • • • Not think about it • Secretly blow the whistle Go along and get along • Publicly blow the Protest whistle Conscientiously object • Secretly threaten to Leave blow the whistle Alternative Courses of Action

Alternative Courses of Action Available in Ethical Situations ACTIONS NOT THINK ABOUT IT GO ALONG & GET ALONG PROTEST ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES • The risk of going in the • Avoids the danger of wrong direction getting into a zero-sum game with colleagues • Same as “not think about it” • Individuals slowly conform… maybe to the wrong direction • Individual feels good • Organization disregards about making effort to protest & punishes stop unethical behavior protester Alternative Courses of Action

Alternative Courses of Action Available in Ethical Situations ACTIONS ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES CONSCIENTIOUSLY • Makes clear statement that one • Few organizations recognize person feels that action is individual rights to object OBJECT unethical • LEAVE • • Person feels good about self for making effort to stop unethical behavior Signals that organization will lose good people if unethical behavior continues Person who leaves may join a competitor, feels better because he/she did not cooperate with unethical behavior • May hurt chances for rewards and advancement • Most people are replaceable and if replacement cooperates with unethical behavior, what is gained? Alternative Courses of Action

Alternative Courses of Action Available in Ethical Situations ACTIONS ADVANTAGES SECRETLY BLOW THE WHISTLE • • PUBLICLY BLOW THE WHISTLE • • SECRETLY THREATEN TO BLOW THE WHISTLE • • DISADVANTAGES Can be very effective If whistle-blower remains secret, retaliation cannot occur • Feelings of cowardice Creation of atmosphere of mistrust • Can be effective Whistle-blower may be treated as a hero by many • What will whistle-blower do if confronted by firm - tell the truth or lie? Organization may attack the whistleblower Can be very effective When it works, organization is not hurt by bad publicity • It is difficult to interact with those one is criticizing • It may be difficult to work with those who hold a grudge Does not permit dialogue between upper & lower managers • • Might prevent injured consumers or clients from receiving remedies Alternative Courses of Action