Ethics, Professionalism & Governance: Decision-Making Case Study

This case study examines an ethical dilemma faced by Stella, a recruitment manager at 'Jobs For You' agency, who is asked to make indirect discriminatory notes against employees involved in a lawsuit. The analysis involves assessing the parties involved, the values at stake based on the ACS Code of Ethics (honesty, professionalism, confidentiality), and the burdens and benefits of different courses of action. It emphasizes Stella's moral and ethical duty to comply with the ACS code of ethics and relevant legislation like the Limited Liability Act 2008, concluding that she should not engage in making discriminatory notes. The document references the ACS code of ethics and professional conduct, emphasizing the importance of upholding ethical standards in professional environments. Desklib offers a platform for students to access similar case studies and solved assignments.

Running Head: ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
Name of the Student:
Name of the university:
Author note

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ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
The moral dimension:
In this scenario the employment agency ‘Jobs For You’ had been sued y the employees
as they had been wrongfully terminated without any justifiable grounds. However, Jobs For You
in their defense had stated that the employees who had been terminated had exhibited
negligence and irresponsibility on their part. The agency had kept records of such negligence of
employees. However it was feared by the agency that such agency might face accusations of
keeping records of employees. They also feared that the employees might think the agency was
practicing workplace discrimination. Hence in this scenario Stella, the recruitment manager had
been advised by the management to make indirect discriminatory notes to be used against the
employees as evidence in courts.
Assessing the parties
The parties involved in this case are ‘Jobs For You’ agency, the employees and the
Stella, the recruitment manager.
Values involved:
The values involved in this dilemma in accordance with the ACS code of Ethics are
enumerated below (Acs.org.au 2018):
 Honesty- The ACS code of ethics mandates the members of the Australian computer
society to maintain Honesty while conducting the professional duties
 Professionalism- It can be stated that the members of the Australian Computer Society
are required to maintain professionalism while conducting their duties.
Further it can be said ACS code of conduct provides guidelines to the members of the
Australian computer society about how to perform their duties (Acs.org.au 2018). The code of
conduct needs to be strictly followed by all the members of the society. The codes relevant to
this scenario are:
 Code 3.c- Professional and personal opinions are to be differentiated
 Code 3.e- Not to form judgments or professional based on insufficient and limited
knowledge
 Code 1g- Confidentiality and Privacy of information must be maintained
 Code 6e: Never indulging or manipulating another member to indulge in any activity
which would breach any of the codes of professional conduct.

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ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
 Code 1.a: All the members of the computer society must consider the interest of the
parties who might be affected by the work of such member.
Assessing the burdens and benefits
It has been provided to the case study that Stella has the role of an recruitment manager in the
organization. As a manager it is a duty to act in accordance to the code of ethics provided by
ACS. On the other hand as she has a fiduciary relationship with 'jobs for you' it is also her
fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the organization
Adherence to legal and organizational rules
The legislation which has been found to be the most relevant in the given situation is the limited
liability Act 2008.
Discussion
Through the above discussion in relation to the was provided in the case study it can be
analyzed that an ethical as well as moral duty to comply with the code of ethics provided by
ACS along with the code of moral conduct existed on the part of Stella. She does not have any
right through which she can make discriminatory notes in relation to the Employees under the
provisions of both the code of ethics and the code of conduct. In case it is found that she does
not involved in such action she would subsequently violet the provisions of the above discussed
legislation.
Making the decision
Through the discussion of the above discussed facts in the light of the code of professional
conduct it can be evidently provided that it is moral obligation of Stella not to make
discriminatory notes against the employees where she feels that a misrepresentation of fact has
been done.

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ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
Reference List:
Acs.org.au. (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-
documents/Code-of-Ethics.pdf [Accessed 16 Mar. 2018].
Retrieved From- https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-documents/Code-of-Ethics.pdf
Acs.org.au. (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/rules-and-
regulations/Code-of-Professional-Conduct_v2.1.pdf [Accessed 16 Mar. 2018].
Retrieved From- https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/rules-and-regulations/Code-of-
Professional-Conduct_v2.1.pdf
Legislation.gov.au. (2018). Law of Negligence and Limitation of Liability Act 2008 (NI). [online]
Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016Q00058 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2018].
Retrieved From- https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016Q00058