PE19_19 Assignment 1: Ethical Dilemma Case Study - Ilnaz

This assignment presents a case study involving Ilnaz, a young woman from Iran, who faces an ethical dilemma in her new job at an Australian company. The core issue revolves around her religious and cultural beliefs, which conflict with the workplace arrangement of sharing an office with a male colleague. The solution provided analyzes the situation using Thomas White's methodology, which includes analyzing the consequences of different actions and making a decision based on ethical principles. The assignment also references relevant clauses from the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Code of Ethics, particularly those concerning public interest, quality of life enhancement, and professionalism. The solution recommends that Ilnaz communicate her concerns to her manager to find a resolution that respects her beliefs while allowing her to continue working. The assignment provides a comprehensive approach to resolving the ethical dilemma, highlighting the importance of considering both personal values and professional responsibilities.

Running head: ETHICS
Ethics
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

1ETHICS
Table of Contents
Ethical Dilemma..................................................................................................................... 2
ACS Code of Ethics and Clauses...........................................................................................2
Recommendation to Resolve the Situation.............................................................................2
References............................................................................................................................. 4

2ETHICS
Ethical Dilemma
In this situation, the main ethical dilemma faced by Ilnaz was whether to leave the job
for his religion and culture or not.
ACS Code of Ethics and Clauses
It needs to be mentioned that certain codes as well as clauses of Australian
Computer Society (ACS) Code of Ethics are relevant in this case of Ilnaz for the resolution of
this ethical dilemma. These are discussed below:
1.2.1. The Primacy of the Public Interest
Public interest takes superiority over personal, private and sectional interests and it is
needed to safeguard the public interest which are the stakeholder’s interest. The relevant
clauses are as follows:
a) Identification of those who are impacted by the work and openly take into consideration
their interests (acs.org.au 2019).
1.2.2. The Enhancement of Quality of Life
The development of information and communication technology (ICT) has impacted
the way of life both positive and negative manner. This leads to the need to develop an
ethical approach for recognizing and minimizing these negative effects. The clauses are as
follows:
b) Protection and promotion of the health and safety of those who are affected by the work.
d) Effort for increasing the feelings of personal satisfaction, competence and control of those
who are affected by the work (acs.org.au 2019).
1.2.6. Professionalism
It is vital to maintain professional standards for the improvising and enhancing image
of the industry, especially in the workplace. The relevant clauses are as follows:
c) Challenge the attempts of limiting workplace diversity while ensuring the employment
opportunities, progression, remuneration and other working conditions on the basis of
employees’ skills and performance.
i) Have pride in the profession while protecting and promoting professionalism (acs.org.au
2019).
Apart from this, Principle 2 of the WorkCover Code of Conduct is applicable in this
situation which is Promoting the Public Good. The requirements are to be responsive of
the public interest, managing public resources and others (worksafe.qld.gov.au 2019).
Recommendation to Resolve the Situation
The earlier part of the report discusses about the ethical dilemma of Ilnaz and this
problem can be resolved with the help of Thomas White’s Methodology. There are three
steps of this approach and these are discussed below:
Step 1: Analysis of the Consequences
In case Ilnaz leaves the job due to the issues, she would harm her career and loss
the job in a good company that would affect her career in the long run. On the other hand,
there might be a solution in case she communicate with the manager about the issue (White
2013).
Step 2: Analysis of the Actions

3ETHICS
There would be the violation of Ilnaz’s religious principles, believes and cultures in
case she decided to work in the existing condition with her male colleague. However, there
is not any harm in communicating the issue with the manager since it might fetch a suitable
solution of the issue for her (White 2013).
Step 3: Make a Decision
Ilnaz should take the issue to her manager for communicating this issue property with
him. This can lead to a solution of her ethical dilemma (White 2013).

4ETHICS
References
Acs.org.au. 2019. ACS CODE OF ETHICS. [online] Available at:
https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-documents/Code-of-Ethics.pdf [Accessed 1
Aug. 2019].
Acs.org.au. 2019. ACS Code of Professional Conduct Professional Standards Board
Australian Computer Society. [online] Available at:
https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/rules-and-regulations/Code-of-Professional-
Conduct_v2.1.pdf [Accessed 1 Aug. 2019].
White, T.I., 2013. Resolving an ethical dilemma. Retrieved from: bourbon. usc.
edu7engr102-p09/ethics. pdf, Accessed, 18.
WorkSafe Queensland. 2019. Code of conduct. [online] Available at:
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/about-us/workcover-queensland/corporate-governance/
code-of-conduct [Accessed 1 Aug. 2019].