Business Ethics: Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas at Work Report

This report delves into the complexities of ethical dilemmas within the workplace, using a case study of an account assistant, Linda, facing pressure and potential fraud. It defines employment and classifies Linda's worker type, referencing relevant employment laws and regulations, including the significance of employment contracts, salary information, and employee rights. The report also examines the concept of constructive dismissal and advises Linda on its potential application in her situation. Furthermore, it analyzes the case through different ethical perspectives, specifically the utilitarian and rights approaches, to guide Linda's decision-making process. The conclusion summarizes the key points, emphasizing the importance of understanding employment laws and ethical codes of conduct in navigating workplace challenges. The report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the ethical issues, offering practical advice and highlighting the importance of ethical behavior in professional settings.

Ethical dilemmas at work

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK ..............................................................................................................................................3
Define employment and explain type of worker Linda is...........................................................3
Explain common rules regarding employment law ...................................................................4
What is Constructive dismissal and advise Linda over the opinion to be considered or not......5
Discuss the case in relation to different ethical perspective at play and advise Linda
accordingly..................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Ethics are those rules and regulations that makes discipline and order to be formed at
workplace. In this an organization prepares framework which makes various processes within an
organization run in organized manner. Through this goals and objectives is achieved through
efficiency. Ethical dilemma is that type of problem which takes place within an organization in
relation over its process. In this problems makes direct impact over decision making within
which two opinion exists upon particular project at same time. Such problems is mainly related
with ethics existing within an organization. Ethical dilemma is related to ethical code of
employment which focuses more upon working of employees within an organization. Scope and
nature is wide of ethical dilemma as they can directly impact working of an organization. In this
case study is been given and questions has to be answered based on it.
TASK
Case study: Under the case scenario it can be seen that Linda has been working as
account assistant at a Local Retail organization. As she is not able to commute with work due to
coming late for work. Also her probation period of six months is not yet over. During work she
noticed about fraud that has been conducted by Chief accountant Charles who has offered her job
and also interviewed her. Linda reported about it to Heather but this was ignored by him. After
few days she was going for work and in this both Charles and Heather were seen by her in
nearby bar. Linda pretended that she did not saw them but later Heather brought topic up in
office within joking way. Both Heather and Charles has attempted to buy Linda by inviting here
to join at social wine bar. Also Charles wrote cheque of 20k euros for buying car that is helpful
for her. On her birthday Charles turned up with gift and welcomed Linda. At the time of leaving
couple of tickets were given to her of a resort in Spain. After a week later organization went
through administration and questioned were asked about fraud. Now Linda was also involved
within fraud (Neill and Weaver, 2017).
Following questions has to be answered:
Define employment and explain type of worker Linda is
Employment laws these are the laws which has been helping in formation of tripartite
relationship between employer and employee that makes enhancement possible in more effective
manner. These laws are considered as part of labour laws and contains various acts like

Employees Rights act 1996 and Minimum wages act 1998. Employment laws deals over forming
of those agreements which makes employment be more safe for employee. In this employee has
been providing various services. In relation to this employment various things like paying salary
upon both hourly and monthly basis. Such kind of laws makes sure that conflicts existing within
organization is deal in proper manner. Regarding employment paid salary is based upon hourly
and monthly basis. Such agreement can be terminated by parties also (McComb, 2020). As per
the agreement an individual employee with the help of verbal exchange or written document can
initiate the agreement. The offer of employment can be implied in an interview or written in a
formal.
The above case scenario it has to be observed that Linda is working as a trainee at the
post of junior accountant. So, it can be identified that she is not permanent employee and can be
terminated if involved within unethical behaviour of any kind.
Explain common rules regarding employment law
Employment laws are the laws that is important in nature and helps in dealing with
employment through forming of employment agreement. As per laws various important rules has
been explained as follows:
Describe terms and conditions of an employment contract: This is one of the most effective
rule which has to be followed by an organization. In this terms and conditions has to be
explained by employer to employee. Also it covers about duration of probation period which is 6
month as per the employment law. At this stage all important points is been discussed which is
important for employee working duration within an organization (Linehan and O’Brien, 2017).
Information over paying of salary: As per this information in relation to salary and incentives to
be given has been discussed or disclosed in front of employee's. Further in this payment
regarding national insurance number, tax code and salary pay time must be told to employee.
Then salary cycle should be discussed and explained to employees. Salary is most important
aspect of employment should be discussed in proper manner.
Procedure describe: This is one of the most important thing which makes employer agreement
over basic idea which has been explained. Under this principle employee has been understanding
over work which has is been done by him. All policies of an organization is been explained
within the contract over problems faced by employees.

Identify personal information: In this stage personal information is required to be updated about
employee and is done by management. Further security has to be maintained regarding privacy
and its is to be seek that privacy is not infringed in any manner. Information like marital status,
address and telephone numbers is shared. This has to be protected from any kind of misuse.
These are deal within private policies.
Explain agreed ways of working with employer: The rule is been followed in order to make
development in relation to health and safety standards in an organization. These health and safety
measure is been improved with the help of developing better working environment. Different
things like sick leaves and maternity leaves has been mentioned. As it makes employees feel
safe and secured (Lilach, 2020).
What is Constructive dismissal and advise Linda over the opinion to be considered or not
Constructive dismissal is the condition inside which employee is been voluntarily make
to quite from the job due to any kind of conduct from employers side. These kind of practices
result in making working environment negatively or change in employment changes. Such kind
of dismissal results in making employee leave their boss or change team but not the organization.
So, employee makes resignation on the basis of employer then it results into constructive
dismissal. Under the condition employee is required to show the cause and has to prove that
action done by employer has impacted job sustainability of employee.
In this case scenario Linda can use this as a weapon in order to make Heather and Charles
face consequences over the fraud that has been done by them. Advice given by to Linda is that
using such dismissal she can make ethical code of conduct to be followed.
Discuss the case in relation to different ethical perspective at play and advise Linda accordingly
The Utilitarian Approach: This is that kind of approach which makes analysis of
caused within action is been covered. Also the approach covers about individual affect over
aspect which is covered with greatest benefit and less harm. Such approach is been used for
making positive and negative impact done on business activity (Davies and Heyward, 2019).
The Right Approach: The approach makes organization follow pattern related to ethical
pattern with human rights. Under this approach human rights is been applied for making ethics
applied in relation to human rights. The approach is used with human rights to make applied in
an organization.

These approach is helpful regarding case law in an way that cause of action is been
identified and also help in maintaining human rights in relation to working process of an
organization.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the discussion that employment laws are those laws which
protect rights and duties of individual followed by employer and employee. Also Ethical
dilemma is problems related to ethics. Then file covers case study which explains about
probation period which is six months. Further rule has been explained to be followed under
employment law. In the end two approaches is given which is related to ethical code of conduct
in relation over case study.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Lilach, M., 2020. [Not] speaking truth to power: Ethical dilemmas of teacher candidates during
practicum. Teaching and Teacher Education. 89. p.103002.
Linehan, C. and O’Brien, E., 2017. From tell-tale signs to irreconcilable struggles: The value of
emotion in exploring the ethical dilemmas of human resource professionals. Journal of
Business Ethics. 141(4). pp.763-777.
McComb, L., 2020. Ethical Dilemmas in Power and Authority: A Social Work Student
Confronts Her Own Power. Ethics and Social Welfare. 14(4). pp.425-431.
Neill, M.S. and Weaver, N., 2017. Silent & unprepared: Most millennial practitioners have not
embraced role as ethical conscience. Public Relations Review. 43(2). pp.337-344.
Tal–Alon, N. and Shapira–Lishchinsky, O., 2019. Ethical dilemmas among teachers with
disabilities: A multifaceted approach. Teaching and teacher education. 86. p.102881.
Xie, X., Qi, G. and Zhu, K.X., 2019. Corruption and new product innovation: Examining firms’
ethical dilemmas in transition economies. Journal of Business Ethics. 160(1). pp.107-
125