Ethical Dilemmas and the Workplace

Contributor: Shannon Malkovsky. Lesson ID: 10089

Do you always know the right thing to do? Have you been troubled by others' actions? Learn why ethical behavior is important at work, school, and home!

categories

Interpersonal Skills

subject
Life Skills
learning style
Visual
personality style
Lion, Beaver
Grade Level
High School (9-12)
Lesson Type
Quick Query

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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While eating lunch, you realize you forgot to do your English homework which is due today! You're in a hurry and know you can find the answers online.

  • What do you do?
  • What should you do?
  • What do you do when faced with a difficult decision?
  • How do you make your decision?

Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.

  • What are ethics?

Ethics are moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior. They are the rules or standards by which one chooses to live and make decisions.

Here are some essential questions to consider.

  • Where do you think your morals come from? How are your morals formed?
  • Why are ethics important to you?
  • Why is it important to use ethical behavior?
  • Why would someone want to be ethical in life or at work?
  • Why would ethics be meaningful to employers?

Ethics in the workplace achieve the following.

  • → Create a more positive work environment.
  • → Help a company run smoothly.
  • → Help with productivity.
  • → Build valuable relationships with clients and customers.
  • → Promote teamwork among employees.
  • What are some other reasons why ethics are important to employers?

Brainstorm examples of unethical and ethical behavior that you have witnessed.

Use Top Ten Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Making an Ethical Decision from Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar as a guide when making ethical decisions.

  • Are these realistic guidelines to follow?
  • Would these guidelines make a difference in your decision-making?

Watch the following training video on why and how to build an ethical workplace.

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Continue to the Got It? section to examine some ethical dilemma scenarios.

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