Professionalism, Ethics, and Governance: Ethical Dilemma Case Study

This assignment presents a detailed case study analyzing an ethical dilemma faced by a data analyst, Maureen, working for a government agency. The case revolves around Maureen's actions of taking sensitive client data home, potentially compromising data privacy and violating workplace ethics. The assignment requires an analysis of the consequences of Maureen's actions, including the potential impact on other employees and the organization's reputation. It also involves identifying relevant sections of the ACS Code of Professional Conduct, specifically focusing on honesty, competence, professional development, and professionalism. The student evaluates the actions, makes a decision based on the analysis, and suggests strategies to prevent similar situations from recurring, emphasizing the importance of maintaining work ethics and professionalism. The assignment also references Australian legislation and relevant standards.

Running head: RESOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
RESOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Section 1:
Case Study
Name &
Number:
RESOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
Step Process/Step Issues/Results
Step
1:
Analyze - The
Consequences There are certain rules and regulations of the
organization which an employee needs to follow and the
major of all is the maintaining the workplace ethics within the
organization 11.
Here, in this case if Maureen is allowed always to take
files home and do the same thing again and again that is forget
the USB every time then a time will come when most of the
people will come to know about the confidential things that
was not supposed to be disclosed by anyone of the
organization as a USB can be accessed by anyone, anytime.
Besides, other employees will also get effected by this as then
everyone will ask for the same thing and it would create a
trouble for Max to help employees with this.
Both, Max and Maureen will have that extra dose of
stress when the work is brought to home by Maureen. Though
Maureen can have a schedule that is flexible enough for her
and even she can do the work laying on her sofa with her cozy
clothes on more comfortably as she doesn’t have to take down
a cab or transport and this will save her money and most of all
there would not be any distraction from the office side.
But a problem will arise when there will be a communication
gap between the two ad there would be difficulty in analyzing
and understanding the current situation faced by both of them
at that particular time.
Step
2:
Analyze - The
Actions
If this action continues, other employees of the
organization will think that an extra preference is given to
Maureen over all others which would create a sense of
inequality among the employees and they will not make
efforts to complete work on time because of the mental

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instability caused by this situation.
It will also create an impact of disrespecting other
employees feeling and moral by repeating the same. The
moral or principle that an individual has helps in governing
the group as well as person’s behavior.
The focus here must be on the idea that helps in
making a correct ethical standard 8.
Step
3:
Make A
Decision The final step after analyzing the consequences and
action is making decision on the basis of analysis done. It is
very important that an employee stays motivated, focused and
complete the assignments or tasks on or before deadlines
given 9.
This would help in creating a balance between his/her
personal and professional life and a sense of job satisfaction
will also be there. Here, Max has to take a firm decision
regarding the situation faced and since Maureen did it for the
first time it can be considered but Max needs to warn
Maureen for further not repeating this; else a severe action of
penalty would be taken and if continued further it may so
happen that Maureen could be fired for not maintaining the
proper ethics of the organization and having a bad influence
on other employees.
Max can inform Maureen about the decision taken by
him and ask her to cooperates or face the consequences,
whatever she chooses will be her call for action taking place.

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Section 2:
Part 1:
Case Study: RESOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
(Name & Number)
ACS Code of Professional Conduct Value & Section: 1.2.?
1.2.3 honesty: a professional should be honest and must not breach the trust of public as
this would not be acceptable as a professional conduct.
ACS Code of Professional Conduct Section: 1.2.?
1.2.4 competence: it is important to be competent enough to perform and obtain
individual’s advice to qualify appropriately.

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ACS Code of Professional Conduct Section: 1.2.?
1.2.5 professional development: colleagues must be encouraged to adopt new technologies
and standards and support education, training and development in ICT which would reflect
the need of individual professionalism.
ACS Code of Professional Conduct Section: 1.2.?
1.2.6 professionalism: discrimination is unprofessional. The ACS is endeavouring to
improve public confidence in the ICT industry.
Part 2:
Case Study:
Australian Legislation
It was a negligent behaviour on the part of Maureen and this will come under the
legislation of civil liability ‘Interpretation Act 1987 No 15’.
AS/ISO/IEC Standards

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Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975)
Section 3:
1. What were the most important professional ethics issues/dilemmas for you in your
scenario? (Reference at least two core issues)
Here, in this case if Maureen is allowed always to take files home and do the same thing
again and again that is forget the USB every time then a time will come when most of the
people will come to know about the confidential things that was not supposed to be
disclosed by anyone of the organization as a USB can be accessed by anyone, anytime.
Besides, other employees will also get effected by this as then everyone will ask for the
same thing and it would create a trouble for Max to help employees with this.
2. What do you believe are the most appropriate decisions to be made here for
management, organisation and employees?
An equality must be maintained throughout and should be same for everyone. Besides,
none should be allowed to take tasks or properties of the office to home as it may leak the

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confidentiality of the organisation and this is considered as an unprofessional behaviour7.
3. Who is responsible for taking what action here and why? (Name names!)
Max being the head or the owner here is responsible for taking the action in order to
maintain the professionalism in the organisation.
4. What can be done, or what strategies can be implemented to ensure that a similar
situation does not occur again?
Employees can be told about the punishments and penalties if not stopped or repeated
again and again. This would create a sense of fear of being punished by the superior.
5. What did you learn from reading this scenario?
Maintaining work ethics is very important. It helps in developing a professionalism in the
employee and he/she develops more as a person. The focus must always be on the need for
finding a best-suited solution that is a win-win situation for both the parties 10.

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REFERENCES
(7) Cohen, T.; Panter, A.; Turan, N.; Morse, L.; Kim, Y. Moral Character In The
Workplace. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2014, 107 (5), 943-963.
(8) Congress, E. What Social Workers Should Know About Ethics: Understanding And
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas. Advances in Social Work 2000, 1 (1), 1-25.
(9) Moore, P. Virtue at work.
(10) Wharam, B.; Lazarou, L. Ethical Considerations In An Era Of Mass Drug
Administration. Parasites & Vectors 2013, 6 (1).
(11) Cheng, J.; Chang, S.; Kuo, J.; Cheung, Y. Ethical Leadership, Work Engagement, And
Voice Behavior. Industrial Management & Data Systems 2014, 114 (5), 817-831.