Ethical Dilemmas in Management: A Guide for Students

Business and management continue to evolve at a rapid pace, bringing about fresh problems and ethical dilemmas for people to confront each day. When you work with different people and share different relationships with your colleagues, team leader, clients, and business partners, you might face a few ethical challenges. Your capacity to think critically and have the best solutions for your challenges can help you make a place among people and hold a strong reputation in your organisation. Knowing about ethical dilemmas can easily prevent the consequences for your organisation and make you a respected professional in the industry.

What is an ethical dilemma? 

An ethical dilemma is an issue or a problem that comes with your decision-making process. When you have to choose from two possible options, neither seems acceptable nor offers a great result. The ethical dilemma is also known as an ethical paradox or a moral dilemma. 

In management, people face many ethical problems that come with possible solutions, but still, these dilemmas are very challenging and require critical thinking. Everyone encounters these dilemmas in their personal and professional lives and finds them very complicated because sometimes they affect their decision-making capabilities. 

For instance, you are asked to do something wrong according to your ethical perspective. If you do it, then you will face consequences, and if you don't, then you will face repercussions for yourself and others. Whichever option you choose will put you in an ethical dilemma. This can happen for a few reasons, such as:

• Management pressure

• Ignorance

• Personal intentions

• Discrimination

This is all about what an ethical dilemma is, but the question is how to handle these ethical dilemmas. No worries because we are sharing a few steps that will help you solve these ethical paradoxes. Let's go deeper and discuss.

How to handle ethical dilemmas in management

The biggest challenge of having an ethical dilemma in the workplace is that it does not offer a straightforward solution. There might be some possible solutions, but they cannot align with ethical standards. Throughout history, people have faced dilemmas and found possible solutions to them. Here, we are sharing a few steps that can be your approach to handling dilemmas in the workplace. 

1. Analyse what is at risk

First, measure the advantages and disadvantages of the situation and see what is at risk. This will help you take an appropriate step.

For instance, if your colleague is stepping out of the office before the punch-out time every day, this falls under work theft. which is against ethical standards. But if he still completes the work on time and regularly, then nobody will see it as a situation of ethical concern. But if you see the risk that can happen because of this, and if the risk is high, then you must take an appropriate step. 

2. Rely on your ethical training

Every organisation provides some ethical training to every employee, especially the team leaders. When you find yourself in such an ethical dilemma, remind yourself of what you have learned in the training. What step can be appropriate in a specific situation? This training helps you navigate these dilemmas and mitigate the responsibility associated with these ethical paradoxes. You can completely rely on your ethical training.

3. Revise your company handbook

Employees get a company handbook in which the organisation outlines the structure and the behaviour that the company expects from them. Revise it before making any decision. You might find some information that can affect your decision. You may find that your decision goes against the company’s ethics. 

For instance, your company gave you a number to use confidentially to report some company violations or misconduct. Employees use it anomalously instead of reporting directly to the leaders, so they do not face any retaliation problems. 

4. Refer to industry guidelines

There are a few professions, like doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc., that need to follow some industry guidelines, rules, and regulations. They need to have ethical and moral behaviour in every situation. If they choose to violate, then it can lead them to some legal action, and they might lose their license. The same goes for the company’s ethics; every organisation has its own ethics outline. You can report any situation to the authorities for investigation if you see any ethical violations. 

5. Trust your gut

Sometimes you feel that something is going wrong, and if it's your gut feeling, trust it instead of ignoring it. Exploring and finding out what isn’t right can protect you and your company. If there is some unethical activity going on, then first investigate at your level and confirm it before taking any serious action.

For instance, if you see a colleague manipulating a junior or pressuring them for work for no reason, or if someone is manipulating the time clock, then look into the issue first before going to the authorities.

6. Have a direct conversation

Consider having a direct conversation with the person who is dealing with these ethical dilemmas or who is putting you in a dilemma. Having a clear conversation will help you gain perspective and guide you to make more ethical decisions. Your straightforwardness can be appreciated, and someone can be influenced and correct their decision.

If you see any extreme misconduct, violation, or some kind of harassment or discrimination, then communicating directly may not work. This approach can be hyped, and you must speak with the authorities or human resource management.

7. Remove yourself from the situation

If someone finds themselves in such dilemmas constantly within a team or with some particular person, then simply remove yourself from the situation. Try every attempt first, but if nothing is working out, then removing yourself from that situation is the only option. Finding out about the other job will help you remove yourself from that dilemma and create some ethical standards for yourself.  

A Few Bonus Tips for Handling Ethical Dilemmas 

1. Have a value theory approach.

2. Find out about other alternative solutions.

3. Ask directly instead of accusing and assuming the situation.

4. Make a workable plan before taking action.

5. Investigate your assumptions before accusing someone.  

Examples of Ethical Dilemmas  

1. Using the company’s internal information to make a profit for yourself. 

2. Showing a good product to the client but providing them with the worst.

3. Taking credit for others’ work. 

Final Thoughts

Ethical dilemmas can be complicated and challenging, but the right approach can guide you to fight them. This blog is a guide for every management student to get some understanding of the kind of challenges people face in the workplace and management. We have shared a few approaches and tips that might help you understand everything about ethical dilemmas. 

For students who are pursuing management and getting assignments on this concept, this blog might be helpful. Also, if you want more information, you can get management assignment help and get a clear insight into every management concept. Visiting any online assignment help site will help you excel in your concepts.  and academics as well.  to learn more about management and its concepts. These services will help you excel in your assignments and academics as well.