Management and Corporate Ethics: Navigating an Ethical Dilemma

This report presents an analysis of an ethical dilemma encountered in a printing organization, focusing on unethical behaviors such as smoking in the workplace and the disregard for health and safety regulations. The report explores the situation from both smoker and non-smoker perspectives, discussing the application of deontological and utilitarian ethical approaches. It details the student's attempts to address the issue, including communication with management and the pursuit of solutions aligned with Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines. The report highlights the challenges faced, the eventual resolution, and the student's decision to leave the organization due to the unresolved ethical concerns. The report also provides references to relevant academic sources to support the analysis and arguments presented.

Running Head: MANAGEMENT 0
Corporate ETHICS

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Explanation of my Ethical Dilemma
This case is related to my current working organisation where I found several prevailing
issues that are unethical. This is a printing organisation where from day one of mine, some
individuals and seniors managers are reflecting unethical behaviour. In this essay, I would
like to share this dilemma as it is a typical and practical experience of my life. It reflects
various personal know-hows of mine both positive and negative.
During the working hours, I saw some of people smoking in production area and organisation
floor. It was more shocking for me when I noticed that nearby there is storage of various raw
materials and chemicals and those individuals already know that thing. I went to those
employees and try to give them advice, however, they ignored me. Later on, I again realize
that senior managers are also a smoker. This situation leads to me thinking that how the
organisation managed to clear the ISO audit where no individual was concerned about their
health as well as safety awareness (Koskela, 2014). As I could also lose my job if I tried to
explain this situation to the auditor. Hence, I did not tell this scenario to anyone, however,
only for a limited time. I need to search for another job so that I can break all sorts of link in
extent to this health hazard workplace.
As per my thinking, one should not work in such place where management or senior manager
also involved in such unethical practices. Moreover, this behaviour was also ignored by top
senior executives in the management as for them this is not a priority or focus area. I tried to
explain this concern with some other personnel, they stated that for them it is not possible to
leave this place as of some sorts of personal reasons. All over this procedure led to me
thinking that why I started my career with this organisation which is not backed by any sorts
of ethical principles or moral standards. At that time, I also get little bit depressed as there
were no support from any of my peers. Hence, my personal and social needs are not get fulfil
and cause me a dilemma.

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Business Situation Ethical Dilemma
Considering this scenario, two perspectives can be explored. The first perspective is of the
smoker and second represents non-smoker outlook.
To each individual, there is an equable right and justice as per non-consequentialist approach.
Also, for some of the smokers, it is very difficult to do less smoke or permanently stops. The
reason can be any like smoking brings up an image or style in them reflecting their egoism.
This shows why some smokers not able to control even during organisation working hour.
Analysing a scenario, when you walk around a road and somebody is smoking and that smell
feels all over your body, it makes you or anyone feels bad. Moreover, the worst part is that it
makes other people think that you are also a smoker as all small surrounded to your body.
Considering other perspectives, it is a non-smoker outlook where individuals try to decrease
this practice within an enterprise. As per deontology approach, it is my responsibility as
organisation personnel to inform the management about this issue (Liao et al, 2009). The
reason I gave to them is that MOH can incessantly watch up on the business firms without
prior notice and this can bring up various troubles in the future. Moreover, it can also cause to
imposition of various penalties and fines as well as diminish the brand reputation. In worst
case, the business firm will also be listed in MOH charge sheet. In future, this can be proved
to be a negative aspect as that firm cannot able to expand their business globally or also
cannot wish any sort of grant from government.
Other than this, I shall try to make the supervisor understand that other than employee, there
will be also a bad expression on our customers and suppliers when they these things on
production floor. Suppliers will rethink that whether they should do partnership with the
business or not and client will think that whether they have chosen right organisation to get
the respective services. However, I could not blame the manager for all these things as he was
not much qualified in terms of education at that time. He was not able to analyse business
from long term perspective that all this will hamper future growth potential of company and
also may lead to shutting down of business.
In solution of this issue and with deontology approach, I tried to communicate with some of
shareholders in the organisation so that they put pressure on the management with following
all rules of MOH i.e. “smoking is not allowed within the premises”. However, I again not get

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success as the manager is having larger portion of share in the firm. I finally understood that
this smoking issue cannot be easily resolved and the organisation life cycles are also
reducing. At last, I decided to end my relationship with the organisation as an employee.
Hence, I gave them resignation letter with a belief that all these issues will hamper my
personal traits and characteristics.
Proposed Solutions
For resolving this matter, I opt for deontology approach which shows me responsibility of an
agent. I was sure that this is correct approach as it is backed by moral theories that provide
direction to individuals relating to their choices. It is every employee right to put their
thoughts to the management. Considering business and employment ethics in an organisation,
a well-working environment will be beneficial for achieve of strategic goals.
Considering first step, I try to communicate with the management of building so that some
alternatives can be defined by smokers like a place in a form of shelter. However, it was
founded that there is no presence of such special location which can be effectively utilised by
the smokers. However, I was also muddled due to the rules of other places like strict
regulations on smoking in walkways and corridors. Many people wand to solve this issue by
undertaking a gain-gain situation. In utilitarianism approach, the goal is to build joy and
reduce agony to a larger level (Renouard, 2011).
Following my next move, I went to MOH as at organisation level the building administration
was incapable to give resolution of selected smoking area. The thoughts of building
management were like any one can smoke in any place where there is an open environment.
Considering guidelines of MOH, nearly all spaces are constrained. This confuses me as what
sort of value and reasons is government offering to community. As on one flank, they are
directing people not to smoke, however, on another side, they are similarly allowing sales of
cirgattee. This had creates so much misunderstanding in my head.
Again, I follow up management regarding this issue and suggest them that they should only
allow smoke in toilette with an intention that it factory area is small. I tried to stimulate them
with various perceptions with emphasizing on certain of legal aspects affirmed on website of
the regime. It looks to be a narrow approach however it is only the finest way to stop

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smoking at all places in an enterprise. With equable right and justice, the employees will able
to help the organisation in achieving their strategic goals (Ospina & Foldy, 2010).
As of long discussion, the manager boss finally accepted on some of points and it was
finalised that one can smoke only during lunch break comprising outdoor at coffee-break
time and inside (partial time will be toilet). It help the organisation to move according to
guidelines of MOH and not overlooking any sort of unethical behaviours. This is all about my
ethical dilemma faced in my first organisation.

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References
Koskela, M. (2014). Occupational health and safety in corporate social responsibility
reports. Safety Science, 68(1), 294-308.
Liao, Q., Gurung, A., Luo, X., & Li, L. (2009). Workplace management and employee
misuse: does punishment matter?. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 50(2),
49-59.
Ospina, S., & Foldy, E. (2010). Building bridges from the margins: The work of leadership in
social change organizations. The Leadership Quarterly, 21(2), 292-307.
Renouard, C. (2011). Corporate social responsibility, utilitarianism, and the capabilities
approach. Journal of business ethics, 98(1), 85-97.