Ethical Decision Making in Rehiring

This assignment presents a case study about rehiring Harry, a former employee at FABIO. It requires students to analyze the ethical implications of this decision by considering relevant rights and duties, applying Kant's Categorical Imperative, and proposing a defensible ethical solution. Students must outline steps to implement their chosen decision ethically.

Running head: ETHICS
Ethics
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Question 1........................................................................................................................................3
Question 2. Ethical analysis and decision-making process.............................................................3
Step 1. Understanding of the situation.........................................................................................3
Step 2. Isolation of Ethical dilemma............................................................................................4
Step III.........................................................................................................................................4
Consequentialism:....................................................................................................................4
Rights and Duties:....................................................................................................................5
Kant’s Categorical Imperative:................................................................................................5
Step IV. Making a decision.........................................................................................................6
a) A defensible ethical decision...............................................................................................6
b) Steps to implement the ethical decision..............................................................................6
Reference list...................................................................................................................................7

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Question 1.
In view of the complexities in the business process and its dynamic nature, unethical practices
and cases of frauds have increased significant. This has necessitates organization to adopt
stringent policies that would help the management to effectively minimize any potential threats.
Notably, a large amount of database is dealt with in the normal course of business. Thus, an
organization remains at a constant threat of breach of confidential information (Armstrong &
Taylor, 2014). In this regards, organizations are required to hire security experts that helps in
prevention of such contingencies. In context to this, it is noted in the case study, Brockley
Smetherton, the Executive head of IT department at FABIO is faced with an ethical dilemma in
regards to hiring of Harry, one of the former employees of the organization. Notably, Harry was
previously sacked by Brockley when it was found that harry was involved in working of his own
in addition to his employment at FABIO. However, the owner of FABIO, Iris Bigg showed her
interest to hire Lock Smith, another name of Harry. In this regards, the executive head of the
organization is faced with an ethical dilemma and needs to take into consider all the factors that
may affect his decision (Ford & Richardson, 2013).
Question 2. Ethical analysis and decision-making process
Step 1. Understanding of the situation
a) The relevant facts of the case study includes,
 Harry was one of the former employees at FABIO
 A software designed by Harry was rejected by the Jill, the head of IT department of FABIO
 Harry was sacked by Jill on account of working independently alongside his employment at
FABIO

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b) Ethical issue:
 Ethical issues in regards to sacking of Harry from the organization
 Ethical dilemma regarding rehiring of Harry on request of the owner of the organization
c) The stakeholders involves are as follows:
 Harry, one of the former employees at Fabio Inc
 Jill, head of IT department of FABIO
 Brockley Smetherton, the Executive head of IT department at FABIO
 Iris Bigg, owner of FABIO
Step 2. Isolation of Ethical dilemma
The ethical issue in regards to the case study includes, sacking of harry, one of the employees of
the organization on vague reasons. In addition to that, the executive head of the IT department is
faced with an ethical dilemma in regards to rehiring of Harry on request of the owner of the
department (Crane & Matten, 2016).
Step III.
Consequentialism:
A. If any action is taken in regards to the issues identified above, it may lead to serious
consequences. If Harry is rehired, it is likely that, he will not be enthusiast in working with the
same interest in the organization.
B. If any action is taken in regards to the issues identified above, the parties that will be affected
most are Jill, head of IT department of FABIO and Brockley Smetherton, the Executive head of
IT department at FABIO.

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C. In order to mitigate the issues that has arised in FABIO in light of the current incidents, it
would be feasible for Brockley Smetherton to explain the facts o the current situation to Iris and
seek her suggestions on the matter (Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K2016).
D. If any action is taken in regards to the issues identified above, the most benefitted person will
be Harry.
E. If any action is taken in regards to the issues identified above, the most benefitted persons will
be Brockley Smetherton and Jill.
F. It would be feasible for Brockley Smetherton to explain the facts o the current situation to Iris
and seek her suggestions on the matter. Accordingly, decision to rehire Harry must be taken
(Crane & Matten, 2016)..
Rights and Duties:
G. List of relevant abridged rights and neglected duties:
 Duties of Harry as an employees of the organizations
 Abridge of rights of an employee of the organization
Kant’s Categorical Imperative:
H. If any action is not taken in regards to the issues identified above, the person that may be
treated with disrespect is Brockley Smetherton, the Executive head of IT department at FABIO.
I. If any action is not taken in regards to the issues identified above, the person that may be
treated with disrespect is Brockley Smetherton, the Executive head of IT department at FABIO.
J. The option to rehire Harry as an employee of the organization would be viable and is the best
alternative for the management.

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K. If any action is taken in regards to the issues identified above, the person that may be treated
unlike others is Brockley Smetherton, the Executive head of IT department at FABIO.
L. If any action is not taken in regards to the issues identified above, the person that may be
treated unlike others is Harry, one of the former employees of the organization
M. The option to rehire Harry as an employee of the organization would be viable and is the best
alternative for the management.
N. The benefits that may be reaped if action is taken in regards to rehire of Harry, includes
recruitment of an efficient employee, expertise knowledge of Harry, effective management of
business operations.
O. If harry is not hired as requested by the owner of the organization, then the organization may
lose one of the efficient employees of the organization.
P. The option to recruit Harry in the organization is a significant one and thus, would acts as the
best alternative of the organization.
Step IV. Making a decision
a) A defensible ethical decision
In regards to the issues identified in the case study, it would be ethical for Brockley Smetherton,
the Executive head of IT department at FABIO to explain the entire relevant facts o the current
situations in the organization to Iris and seek for her advice in context to hiring of Harry (Craft,
2013).
b) Steps to implement the ethical decision
The steps that are needed to be implemented are as follows:

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 Critical analysis of the current organizational situation
 Identification of all the best possible options available
 Consultation with the owner of the organization in regards to decision
making

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Reference list
Armstrong, M., & Taylor, S. (2014). Armstrong's handbook of human resource management
practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
Craft, J. L. (2013). A review of the empirical ethical decision-making literature: 2004–
2011. Journal of Business Ethics, 117(2), 221-259.
Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and
sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Ethical decision making: A review of the empirical literature. InCitation classics from the
Journal of Business Ethics(pp. 19-44). Springer Netherlands.
Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do
it right. John Wiley & Sons.