Module 5: Ethical

Decision-Making:
Personal and
Professional
Contexts

By: Mark Anthony C. Gacol

6-Step
Approach OBTAIN THE RELEVANT FACTS. IDENTIFY THE ETHICAL ISSUES
FROM THE FACTS.
DETERMINE WHO IS AFFECTED BY
THE OUTCOME OF THE DILEMMA
AND HOW EACH PERSON OR

in Resolving
GROUP IS AFFECTED.

Ethical
Dilemmas IDENTIFY THE ALTERNATIVE IDENTIFY THE LIKELY DECIDE THE APPROPRIATE
AVAILABLE TO THE PERSON WHO CONSEQUENCES OF EACH ACTION.
MUST RESOLVE THE DILEMMA. ALTERNATIVE.
Case: Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

Bert Cruz has been working for 6 months as a staff assistant for a law firm,
Alvendia and Castro. Currently, he is assigned to the case of Rayon
Manufacturing Company under the supervision of Carlos Reyes, an
experienced senior lawyer. There are three junior legal assistants assigned to
the case, including Bert, Carlos, and a more experienced assistant, Martha Sy.
Case: Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

During lunch, Carlos says, “It will be necessary for us to work a few extra hours
on our own time to make sure we come in on budget. This case is not very
profitable anyway, and we don’t want to hurt our firm by going over budget.

We can accomplish this easily by coming in a half-hour early, taking a short

lunch break, and working an hour or so after normal quitting time. We just
won’t write that time on our time report.”
Case: Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

Bert recalls reading the firm’s policy manual that working hours and not charging for them on
the time report is a violation of Alvendia and Castro employment policy. He also knows that
seniors are paid bonuses, instead of overtime, whereas staff are paid for overtime but get no
bonuses.

Later, when discussing the issue with Martha, she says, “Carlos does this on all of his jobs. He is
likely to be our firm’s next manager. The partners think he is great because his job always
comes in under budget. He rewards us by giving us good engagement evaluations, especially
under the cooperative attitude category. Several of the other senior staff follow the same
practice.”
Ethical Issue

Is it ethical for Bert to work hours

and not them as hours worked in
this situation?
Who is affected and How is each affected?

Bert Martha Carlos

Staff assigned
Alvendia and Other staff in
to Rayon Mfg.
Castro the firm
in the future
Bert’s available alternatives

• Refuse to work the additional hours.

• Perform in the manner requested.
• Inform Carlos that he will not work the additional hours or will charge the
additional hours to the engagement.
• Talk to the manager or partner about Carlos’ request.
• Refuse to work on the engagement.
• Quit working for the firm