Ethical Decision Making

Ethical decision making is the process in which you aim to make your decisions in line with a code of
ethics. To do so, you must seek out resources such as professional guidelines and organizational
policies, and rule out any unethical solutions to your problem.

Making ethical decisions is easier said than done. Maybe your coworker lied to a client about
a deal, but you personally like this colleague and want to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Or, perhaps you're tempted to lie to your boss to avoid admitting your team missed a
deadline. Whatever the case, it's critical you have a tangible set of steps to follow the next
time you need to apply your ethical decision making skills at work. Let's take a look at those
steps now.
Ethical Decision Making Model
When you're making a major decision for your company, it can be tempting to choose the
easiest or most cost-effective course of action -- even if that option isn't the best from an
ethical standpoint. The PLUS model, a set of questions designed to help you make a
decision from an ethical point of view, can ensure you're doing the right thing.

The PLUS model is especially objective because it doesn't focus on revenue or profit, but
rather urges leaders to take a legal and fair approach to a problem.
PLUS Model:
P = Policies and Procedures (Does this decision align with company policies?)
L = Legal (Does this decision violate any laws or regulations?)
U = Universal (Is this decision in line with core values and company culture? How does it relate
to our organizational values?)
S = Self (Does it meet my standards of fairness and honesty?)

Once you've considered potential solutions using these questions as a guide, you're ready to
implement the six necessary steps to make your decision.
Ethical Decision Making Process

When you come across a difficult problem that threatens your company's integrity or beliefs
(or could be illegal), you'll want to employ these six steps to make an ethical decision.

Step One: Define the Problem

Use PLUS filters to define your problem, and how it might affect one of the PLUS
acronyms. Is it illegal, or does it violate your company's values? Make sure you've
outlined the full scope of the problem -- be honest with yourself about it, even if
you're partially at fault.

Step Two: Seek Out Resources

It can be difficult, if not impossible, to reach an objective solution on your own. To fairly
evaluate your problem, you'll want to seek out all available resources. These resources
might be mentors, coworkers, or even friends and family, but they could also be professional
guidelines and organizational policies. Make sure you've armed yourself with knowledge to
understand the extent of the damage.
Step Three: Brainstorm a List of Potential Solutions

When you're brainstorming a list of potential solutions to your problem, you don't want to
only consider what's been done before. Stay open to new and different ideas, and urge other
people to share their advice. Consider outside resources, including what other companies
have done. Ultimately you'll want a list of at least three to five potential solutions. This way,
you avoid feeling like it's an either/or situation.
Step Four: Evaluate Those Alternatives

Dive into your list of potential solutions, and consider all positive and negative consequences
of taking each action. It's important you consider how likely those consequences are to
occur, as well. You'll again want to refer to resources, guidelines, and standards. For
instance, you might decide one solution has only one negative consequence, but that
negative consequence has a high likelihood of happening. Another solution has two negative
consequences, but both are extremely unlikely. These are important factors to weigh when
making your decision.
Step Five: Make Your Decision, and Implement It

At this stage, you've got all the information you need to make a fair and ethical decision. If
you've made the decision alone but need to share it with your team, create a proposal
outlining why you chose this route, and what alternatives you considered, so they can
understand your steps. Transparency is key. Your team needs to understand you used
appropriate and objective measures to find a solution.
Step Six: Evaluate Your Decision

Now that you've implemented your solution, decide whether your problem was fixed or not. If
there are unforeseen consequences, perhaps you want to consider alternative measures to
combat the problem, or refer to outside guidance.

Ethical Decision Making

Ethical decision making is the process in which you aim to make your decisions in line with a code of
ethics. To do so, you must seek out resources such as professional guidelines and organizational
policies, and rule out any unethical solutions to your problem.

The PLUS model

- a set of questions designed to help you make a decision from an ethical point of
view, can ensure you're doing the right thing.
-The PLUS model is especially objective because it doesn't focus on revenue or
profit, but rather urges leaders to take a legal and fair approach to a problem.

P = Policies and Procedures (Does this decision align with company policies?)
L = Legal (Does this decision violate any laws or regulations?)
U = Universal (Is this decision in line with core values and company culture? How does it relate to
our organizational values?)
S = Self (Does it meet my standards of fairness and honesty?)

Ethical Decision Making Process

1. Define the Problem

2. Seek Out Resources
3. Brainstorm a List of Potential Solutions
4. Evaluate Those Alternatives
5. Make Your Decision, and Implement It
6. Evaluate Your Decisio

Reporter:
BAHADE, CARMELLE Y. (A.K.A CARMZ)
ODCHIGUE, MA. VIA D.
NAME: BAHADE, CARMELLE Y.
COURSE & YEAR: BSBA 1
DATE: MARCH 17, 2020
Case Study 1
The Municipal Government of Suntok sa Buwan, Province of Walang Pangarap will be
having its annual town fiesta starting March 18, 2020. A week before the kick-off of the
celebration, a storm surge hit one of the 19 barangays under the jurisdiction of the
Municipality. The Municipal Mayor had 2 choices in mind.
1. To cancel some of the major celebration such as Miss Gay Pangkalawakan, Mutya sa
Ilalim ng Puting Ilaw and the Sayaw- Sayaw Festival.
2. To continue the entire celebration.
Requirement:
1. Present all the positive and negative impacts of items 1 & 2.
Positive impact :
(Choices #1)
 The Municipal mayor and other officials will have its full attention and support to
help those barangay who’s affected with the storm surge.
 Those barangay will be easily retrieve because of the assistance from the
Municipal and it will be a big help to the people in that barangay in order for them
to sustain their basic needs (e.g. relief goods, water, and or clothing )
(Choices #2)
 If the mayor will continue the entire event/celebration it will cause a great
happiness to the people in the community .
 Tourists will have its place to come and visit.
 It is an advantage to the sellers and vendors to have their opportunity to sell
more and raise income.

Negative impact :
(Choice #1)
 The budget for the said events will be used instead.
 It could means a lot of disappointments to the people and as a results it could
give negative feedbacks to the officials especially the mayor.
 The entire celebration would be monotonous.
(Choice #2)
 It would be difficult to the mayor to proposed immediate budget for the needs
of affected areas.

2. If you are the Municipal Mayor, to what decision will you pursue? Explain.
 If I were a Municipal mayor, the decision that I will pursue is to cancel all the events .
I need to risk one to save others. I have to prioritize first those who really need my support
and attentions , though it’s hard to make a decisions especially in these kind of dilemmas.
There’s a lot of time to re-settle the event, but the lives and security of the people is very
important. It might not be a good decision to some, but at least I help those people with all
my will.