Ethical Dilemma: Examining the Morality of a Contract Breach in Media

This report provides an analysis of an ethical dilemma involving a newspaper columnist who breaches a contract with one newspaper chain to accept a higher-paying position with another. The report explores the moral implications of the columnist's decision, contrasting it with the legal aspects to be decided by the courts. It discusses various approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas, including refuting the dilemma, applying value theory, and finding alternative solutions. The report argues that the columnist's behavior is unethical, referencing deontological principles that emphasize duty and loyalty to one's employer. It highlights the importance of ethical behavior in the workplace and concludes that the columnist's actions could negatively impact their future career prospects due to perceived disloyalty and unfaithfulness. The report emphasizes that ethical decision-making is crucial for professional success and overall moral integrity.

Running head: ETHICAL DILEMMA ANALYSIS
ETHICAL DILEMMA ANALYSIS
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1ETHICAL DILEMMA ANALYSIS
Introduction:
An ethical dilemma is a moral dilemma. It is an issue where there is a need to make a
decision between two options (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2016). Various sources can be the source
of dilemmas, such as the failure of personal character, the conflict between organisational goals
and personal values. The paper aims to analyse an ethical dilemma through a case study. The
paper will discuss her choice and the ethical dilemmas associated with it for the decision she
made.
Discussion:
A newspaper columnist working with a particular organisation has signed a contract with
the newspaper chain. After several months she is offered another position by another newspaper
chain that offers her a higher salary. Although the court will deal with the legal aspect of the
moral dimension of her decision is worth questing.
One of the biggest challenges that come with an ethical dilemma is that it always offers
complex situations. It is never common in the ethical dilemmas to find a situation that would
comply with the ethical norms (Haahr, Norlyk & Hall, 2014). Therefore, in order to solve an
ethical dilemma, there is a need for three main approaches:
• Refute the dilemma: The most important job of analysing an ethical dilemma is to understand
the situation and carefully analyse it. In a few situations, the existence of the dilemma can be
proven false logically.
• Value theory approach: Often is required to choose the alternative that would offer more and
greater good and lesser evil.

2ETHICAL DILEMMA ANALYSIS
• Finding an alternative solution: also, in many cases by reconsidering the problem, a new
alternative can be found.
Employment contracts are not intended to go on forever. However, regardless of their
short term duration, they are significant. The columnist had signed the contract in order to abide
by it. The purpose of a contract is to ensure certain aspects are taken good care in an appropriate
way. When there is a breach in contract organisations possibly take legal methods to protect the
resources that the company has taken (Macaulay, 2018). However, the columnist has not made
the appropriate choice. According to deontology, as stated by Immanuel Kant people need to
simply follow the rules and do their duty. Based on the same theory, an employee must commit
to being loyal to its company which is the duty of the employee. It is important to provide a
reasonable explanation that would prove the need for quitting the job. The next immediate
organisations will understand the employee as disloyal and unfaithful which will only work as a
barrier to the columnist’s growth in career. Being fair, honest and ethical are some major basic
human needs. Good ethical behaviour in a profession is the key to success along with another
objective of the work goals. Therefore, by quitting a job with the first newspaper chain, the
columnist has manifested unethical behaviour in the workplace.
Conclusion:
People, since the inception of humanity, have faced ethical dilemmas and there have been
several philosophers aiming to find a solution to the problem. In this particular situation, the
columnist is questioned about her morality. Ethics are highly essential in the workplace, and it is
essential to incorporate ethics with every decision made by an employee.

3ETHICAL DILEMMA ANALYSIS
References:
Haahr, A., Norlyk, A., & Hall, E. O. (2014). Ethical challenges embedded in qualitative research
interviews with close relatives. Nursing ethics, 21(1), 6-15.
Macaulay, S. (2018). Non-contractual relations in business: A preliminary study. In The Law
and Society Canon (pp. 155-167). Routledge.
Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and decision making in education:
Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge.