Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas: Case Study on Company Computer Usage

This case study examines an ethical dilemma faced by a security administrator, Joseph, who is tasked with monitoring his colleagues' online activities without their explicit consent. The central conflict involves balancing the company's need to ensure productivity with employees' right to privacy. The assignment analyzes the interests of various stakeholders, including Joseph, the employees, the boss, and the company itself. It highlights the importance of autonomy and trust as key values in resolving the dilemma. The solution proposes that the company should establish clear contracts and penalties related to computer usage. It also references the ACS code of ethics and the Privacy Act 1988. The case study concludes with the student's reasoned decision and reflections on the ethical considerations involved.

Running head: ETHICS, PROFESSIONALISM AND GOVERNANCE 1
Ethics, Professionalism, and Governance
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date

ETHICS, PROFESSIONALISM AND GOVERNANCE 2
Case Study 5 – Use of Company Computers
In this case, the moral dilemma that is present is that Joseph as a security administrator
at his job has been given the task to monitor his workmate's activities while they are online. He
has to do this even though he knows that they did not sign any contracts that allowed them to
be monitored by the company and what they are doing they have a right to do their work
privately without being watched without permission. On the other hand, he has to monitor them
so that they can ensure that people are spending time doing their assigned job duties at office
hours them (Skeels and Grudin 2009, May).
In this case, the interested parties are Joseph the security administrators, the workers at
his office, the boss and also the company. The company is expected to respect the privacy of
the employees and also Joseph should perform his duties as he has been given a job and thus
it is his duty. The values that have to be considered in resolving this dilemma is autonomy and
trust in the employees (Nelson Phillips and Steuart 2014).
First, the company should draw up contracts for employees to sign that will allow them to
monitor their activities while online during office hours. Also, clear penalties should be set for
when these rules are broken by the workers. When these courses of action are taken, it will
ensure that employees are informed of what is expected of them. Hence, it will lead to an
increase in levels of production because they are using their time well doing office work. Also, it
will help the relations between Joseph and the other employees as they will now the company’s
expectations that they are being monitored hence making his work easier (Kaplan and Haenlein
2009).
Another similar case is where a network administrator was tasked with monitoring
people's activities online, and he found an employee had accessed sites about health and
medicine for their child. His dilemma was whether or not to report the worker, he did report them
and the employee was only given a warning. It was different to this case as the employees had
signed contracts about being monitored. According to discussions held on this dilemma I came
to the decision that Joseph should go on with the task that he has been assigned as this is his
job description. However, he should first suggest to the company that they formulate contracts
that will inform the employees of their intention to monitor them (Skeels and Grudin 2009, May).
Some of the ACS code of ethics relevanthere honesty, competence, and professional
development. Also, some of the professional code of ethics for this case are;
 recognize the intellectual stuff of people.
 inform stakeholders any possible clashes between your expert duties and legal
or other recognized conditions.
 defend and endorse the well-being and security of individuals touched by your
job.
 differentiate between your job and own views and guidance.
 counsel your company when you consider a planned venture, service or product
does not suit them.
and the law that is associated with this case is the privacy act 1988 (Bynum 2008).

ETHICS, PROFESSIONALISM AND GOVERNANCE 3
I am comfortable with making this decision as I am sure it will be in the best interest of
the parties involved. I would be pleased to tell people that this is the decision that I made as it is
the best decision possible. People may follow my example as I know I made the decision
without discrimination and I believe I took all factors into consideration. Thus I am sure I can live
with it.

ETHICS, PROFESSIONALISM AND GOVERNANCE 4
References
Bynum, T., 2008. Computer and information ethics.
Kaplan, A.M. and Haenlein, M., 2009. The fairyland of Second Life: Virtual social worlds and
how to use them. Business horizons, 52(6), pp.563-572.
Nelson, B., Phillips, A. and Steuart, C., 2014. Guide to computer forensics and investigations.
Cengage Learning.
Skeels, M.M. and Grudin, J., 2009, May. When social networks cross boundaries: a case study
of workplace use of facebook and linkedin. InProceedings of the ACM 2009 international
conference on Supporting group work (pp. 95-104). ACM.