ELJAMES G.

LAGAT
BSA3

The six-step approach in resolving ethical dilemmas:

a) Obtain the relevant facts.

 Bert is one with the other junior legal of assistants with Carlos and more experienced
Martha.
 They handled case is not very profitable and Carlos didn’t want to over budget it so he want
and ask his assistants to work extra hours on their own.
 Working hours and not charging for them on the time report is a violation of Alvendia and
Castro employment policy.
 Seniors are paid bonuses, instead of overtime, whereas staffs are paid for overtime but get
no bonuses.
 The partners think Carlos is great because his job always come in under budget.
 Junior assistants are rewarded by good engagement evaluations and several senior staffs
follows the same practice.
 And several other staffs follow the same practice.

b) Identify the ethical issue from the facts.

 Practicing inappropriate operation to achieve business concerns.
 Saving cost but un-ethically oppressing over the subordinates.
 Over working without compensation.
 Inequality of compensation.

c) Determine who is affected by the outcome of the dilemma and how each person or group is
affected.
Bert
 If he agree to Carlos he will violate the firms policy if he consent extra hours of work.
 He will work more and he might be paid less.
 He will get good evaluation from his senior.
 He might be discourage in the firm.
  He might do the same when he became promoted.

Martha
 She will also violate the firms policy if he consent extra hours of work.
 She will work more and might she will be paid less.
 She will get good evaluation from his senior.
 She might be discourage in the firm.
 She might do the same when she got promoted.

Carlos
 He will make good impression to the firm.
 He will work more hours.
 He might get bonus.
 He might be punished from his violation if Bert and Martha will report him.

Alvendia and Castro

 Their imposed policy is not faithfully complied.
 They might lose employees victim of their senior staffs violation.
 The performance of the firm might be affected.
 They might earn less profit because of under valued billings.
 More clients might come because of referrals that their services is cheap.

Staff assigned to Rayon Manufacturing in the future

 May result in unrealistic time budget
 May result in unfavorable time performance evaluation
 May result in pressures to continue practice of not charging for hours worked

Other staffs
 Following the practice might motivate others to follow the same practice in their own
engagement.

d) Identify the alternatives available to the person who must resolve the dilemma

1. Bert can refuse to work more hours without compensation.

 2. Just agree with the senior.
3. Ask for additional compensation or overtime payment.
4. Ask the management so re-assign him.
5. Report Carlos to management if he pursue or force his request.
6. Quit from the firm.

e) Identify the likely consequences of each alternative.

1. Conflict from Bert and his supervisor Carlos may arise.

2. He will be working more hours but not reported hence might no additional
compensation.
3. The supervisor might agree but most probably not because he’s always doing it.
4. He might be questioned of his appeal, and if he couldn’t convinced the management for
different reasons secret of Carlos and other staffs might spill.
5. Carlos will answer his violation or Carlos might be favored against Bert.
6. He might suffer loss of earning for a time of his un-employment but he was free from
abuse.

f) Decide the appropriate action.

Talking to the management about the violation of some supervisors has no assurance of resolve.
The unethical practice might be allowed and permitted by implicitly acting as blind of these
instances. For me I might consider this risk and will just make myself work for it, accept and adapt.
Since paid off can be expected like promotions or more compensations if I can get good
evaluations. Being too honest will just make Bert loss a lot of opportunities from his career. If he
quits and find another firm and unfortunately end up to the same situation quitting might not be
worth it. The most ethical here is where you can make greater impact. Possible gain for myself is
greater than some of my values. But I believe violating ones self values does not invalidate how
good we are as a person. Sometimes we just have to commit in practical decisions even it
consequences what we believe is right. Our decisions is not always just for us but also for the
other people that will benefit from our choice. “But the appropriate actions for this dilemma is
to disagree with Carlos request.”