Essay Sample on Ethical Crisis in America

Introduction

The need to get ahead either in school, advancing in careers or making money can be quoted as the main reason for the ethical crisis in America (Carucci, 2016). Former secretary of state expressed his concerns in his speech when he warned that the U.S. is experiencing a growing crisis of integrity and ethics (Atwood, 2018). Several examples illustrate ethical issues in America despite improving social behaviors.

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A study conducted by scholars of academic integrity indicates that high school, college, and graduate students admitted to cheating. The IRS reports cases of tax evasion costing the government billions in a year (Callahan, 2011). Corporate entities with big names such as Enron, real estate and the mortgage industry are being involved in corporate scandals. Major professions such as medicine with the conflict of interest openly displayed between doctors and pharmaceutical companies (Callahan, 2011).

Almost everyone resents the legal profession and the accounting sector being involved in numerous scandals. In sports, athletes such as Lance Armstrong have been accused of using enhancing drugs while theft and occupational fraud is killing the working environment of most entities (Callahan, 2011). Many businesses are also exploiting their customers by overcharging their products.

Ethical Decision Making

When faced with ethical decisions, some tests may be helpful, and these are the stench test, that provides if an action produces an odor that stinks, then we should choose the right thing. The next test is the front page test and this questions how one would feel if their actions were the headline of the newspapers, and the last test is the mom test, think what your mom will do or act if she found out about your decisions.

In organizational contexts, employees' behaviors, attitudes, and patterns of decision making can be improved through empowerment by giving employees more power over their work and make them find a reason to act more ethically (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2016). Improve communication between employees and managers.

Enforce consequences for violations to improve discipline and instill change on employee behaviors by enforcing ethics policy. Organizations should also integrate ethics into business culture and plan for ethical challenges and how to tackle them. Professional should join trade associations that promote ethical standards.

How to Learn Ethics

Ethics is the ability to distinguish right from wrong while business ethics involves more than just obeying laws and regulations, but it includes being honest, competing fairly, not putting personal interests above the company's and not harming others (Maxwell, 2007).

Learning attributes such as honesty, responsibility, trust, and good behaviors will improve our ethical practices. Ethics is learned from parents, schools, and society in general because the ethical principles define our personality and values of life (Wang & Calvano, 2015).

Ethics can also be learned through a positive approach in life because it helps us set goals and targets in our life. The code of ethics and the business culture are the foundation of our ethical standards in organizations. The business ethics provide a set of believes that we can learn from and follow.

How to Conduct Yourself in a Work Environment

Work environment success relies heavily on professionalism, and I learned how to conduct myself professionally in my workplace. I practiced several simple practices such as being punctual because it demonstrates commitment while chronic lateness depicts disrespect. I focused on being positive no matter how bad some days proved to be. I concentrated on the positive energies to make bad situations better.

Teamwork and collaboration to accomplish tasks and goals reflect well on the entire organization, and this is one skill I heavily relied on to achieve my dreams. I managed to look clean and neat at all times by practicing good hygiene.

Respecting others opinions and views builds respect in a work environment, and I practiced this by accepting the assistance of others. I always stayed in control and respected the office etiquette.

Personal Ethics and Work Standards

Ethics play a significant role in decision making, and the choice between right and wrong depends on personal integrity and ethical decisions. Ethics define our behaviors as either good or bad, whether in private life or professional life (Maxwell, 2007).

My ethics are based on my values, culture, experience, and education which are the factors that drive my senses to what is right or wrong. My ethical codes determine the moral decision I make.

Professional ethics, on the other hand, are determined by attributes such as honesty and integrity. Work ethical standards have values that measure our standards and qualities, and these values can be personal, organizational or social. Work ethical standards have set values and codes of rules that we must adhere to the workplace.

The comparison between my personal and professional ethics correlates to the same values and beliefs, and corruption either area affects the other. Therefore, it is essential to maintain both personal and professional ethics because they help us make the right decisions.

Effects of Ethical and Unethical Decision Making to Stakeholders

Corporate ethics has come under strict scrutiny due to the headline-grabbing cases of big companies such as the Enron and WorldCom, where unethical behaviors of managers and officers affected the stakeholders of the companies. A stakeholder is a group or individual affected by the activities of an organization. Unethical actions harm the company's image and value.

Business ethics affect the stakeholder's trust, and ethical behavior is the foundation on which this trust is built (Armstrong & Green, 2013). Business ethics also affect the publicity and reputation of stakeholders such as directors and employees.

Unethical practices such as fraud, falsifying financial records and embezzlement put the stakeholders at extreme risks of facing legal implications and investigations. Ethical standards employed by managers and directors in decision-making processes instill confidence in stakeholders. Companies with strong ethical behaviors attract investment and increase share value.

Personal Experience of Ethical Dilemma

An ethical dilemma involves a moral decision of choosing between right versus right decision, but neither of which is acceptable or preferable. I once logged into a colleague's email address unbeknownst to him and found out that he was committing fraud. I was in an ethical dilemma between informing my superiors of my colleague's unethical issues because logging into someone's email address was a violation of the organization's code of conduct.

Reporting this behavior would mean admitting to violating the company's information technology (IT) regulations and warning my colleague would also mean revealing my source of information. I decided to warn my colleague because revealing the source of information to him was much easier than facing the company's consequences of violating IT regulations.

I later felt so guilty about the decision because I was dishonest to the company by withholding the truth about the unethical behaviors of a colleague and by breaking the company's IT regulations.

References

Armstrong, J. S., & Green, K. C. (2013). Effects of corporate social responsibility and irresponsibility policies. Journal of Business Research, 66(10), 1922-1927.

Atwood, K. (2018). Rex Tillerson warns of "growing crisis of integrity and ethics." Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rex-tillerson-warns-of-growing-crisis-of-integrity-and-ethics/

Callahan, D. (2011). Are Americans Becoming Less Ethical? | Up For Discussion | Zocalo Public Square. Retrieved from http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2011/05/22/are-americans-becoming-less-ethical/ideas/up-for-discussion/

Carucci, R. (2016). Why Ethical People Make Unethical Choices. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2016/12/why-ethical-people-make-unethical-choices

Maxwell, J. C. (2007). There's no such thing as" business" ethics: There's only one rule for making decisions. Faithwords.

Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge.

Wang, L. C., & Calvano, L. (2015). Is business ethics education effective? An analysis of gender, personal ethical perspectives, and moral judgment. Journal of Business Ethics, 126(4), 591-602.