Model Answer

Options Available to Bhushan

Bhushan faces a challenging situation where he must choose between loyalty to his friend, professional integrity, and responsibility to the company. The following are the options available to him:

1. Avoid Reporting the Matter

Bhushan could decide not to report the fraudulent activities involving Manoj, fearing the potential repercussions for his friend.

Merits:

• This option demonstrates loyalty to his friend, preventing Manoj from facing potential job loss or punishment.
• It is compassionate, showing understanding of Manoj’s financial struggles that may have contributed to his actions.
• Given the relatively small financial loss, Bhushan might feel that reporting the issue wouldn’t significantly impact the company.

Demerits:

• Bhushan would be compromising his professional responsibility to the company.
• It could lead to a lack of accountability and encourage future unethical behavior by allowing employees to evade consequences.
• If the matter comes to light in the future, Bhushan could face scrutiny for failing to report the issue sooner, potentially risking his own job and reputation.

2. Report to Higher Management

Bhushan could choose to report the issue to higher management, fully disclosing Manoj’s fraudulent activities.

Merits:

• This ensures that Bhushan fulfills his professional duties and upholds the company’s ethical standards.
• It helps prevent further financial losses by addressing the issue immediately.
• Bhushan would be seen as acting with integrity, demonstrating honesty and responsibility within the company.

Demerits:

• Bhushan risks damaging his personal relationship with Manoj, who may feel betrayed.
• Bhushan could also be questioned as to why he waited until Manoj was leaving the company to report the issue, reflecting poorly on his proactivity.

3. Encourage Manoj to Report the Issue Himself

Bhushan could privately ask Manoj to report the issue to management, with the understanding that if Manoj refuses, Bhushan will do so.

Merits:

• This option allows Bhushan to balance his loyalty to his friend with his professional obligations.
• It shows emotional intelligence and empathy, giving Manoj the opportunity to take responsibility for his actions.
• Bhushan would avoid direct confrontation and maintain his friendship while still upholding ethical standards.

Demerits:

• Manoj may refuse to report the issue, which could strain their relationship.
• If Manoj doesn’t take action, Bhushan will still need to report the matter, potentially facing backlash from both Manoj and his colleagues.

Conclusion

The most balanced approach would be to encourage Manoj to take responsibility for his actions, as this allows Bhushan to preserve his friendship while maintaining his professional integrity. If Manoj refuses, Bhushan should then report the issue to the company, demonstrating empathy for Manoj’s circumstances while fulfilling his duties as an employee.

Model Answer

Understanding the Situation

In this situation, the dilemma involves deciding whether to report a friend who has seen unauthorized examination answers. While friendship and empathy towards the individual are important, the decision must also consider ethical obligations, fairness, and the long-term consequences for both parties.

Friendship and Empathy

The first approach is to prioritize the friendship and discuss the situation with the friend. A direct, empathetic conversation may help them understand the severity of their actions. By addressing the issue with understanding, I could encourage my friend to take responsibility before it leads to any academic misconduct charges. This approach shows concern for their well-being and future, emphasizing that using the unauthorized answers could cause long-term harm to their reputation and career.

Moral Responsibility

As a member of the academic community, there is a duty to uphold the integrity of the examination process. Encouraging my friend to come clean about the incident would be the morally right choice. This reflects a commitment to ethical conduct and ensures fairness in the academic system. Resorting to reporting immediately might seem harsh, but guiding the friend to self-correct is the most compassionate approach, allowing them a chance to avoid the negative consequences.

Preventing Unfair Advantage

Another crucial factor is fairness. By persuading my friend to refrain from using the answers, I help maintain the equity of the evaluation process. Academic assessments should be based on the students’ abilities and not on unfair advantages gained through dishonest means. If the friend refuses to come forward, reporting them to university authorities becomes a necessary step to preserve the integrity of the system.

Conclusion: Ethical Responsibility and Long-term Impact

If my friend remains unwilling to disclose their actions, reporting to the authorities aligns with my ethical responsibility. This helps prevent further misconduct and reduces potential harm to both our academic careers. It also serves as a deterrent for others, reinforcing the importance of academic honesty and integrity.

In conclusion, the decision hinges on balancing empathy with ethical responsibility. Initially, I would try to resolve the situation through conversation, but ultimately, reporting the issue may be necessary to protect the integrity of the academic community.

Model Answer

Option 01: Terminate the Employee with Immediate Effect

Pros:

• Company Image Protection: Immediate termination can help protect the company’s reputation and reassure investors.
• Deterrent Message: Sending a strong message to other employees about the potential professional consequences of inappropriate personal conduct.
• Support for Female Employees: Demonstrates the company’s commitment to addressing gender violence issues, reassuring female employees that their concerns will be taken seriously.

Cons:

• Unfair Without Evidence: Terminating the employee without confirming guilt would be unjust and could lead to legal challenges for wrongful dismissal. The company risks being seen as hasty in its judgment.

Option 02: Suspend the Employee Temporarily and Order an Internal Enquiry

Pros:

• Appease Stakeholders: A temporary suspension could help satisfy those pressuring the CEO for action, buying time while a thorough internal investigation is conducted.
• Opportunity for the Employee’s Defense: Provides the employee with the chance to explain his side of the story.
• Workplace Behavior Assessment: The internal inquiry can help evaluate the employee’s conduct within the workplace, particularly towards female colleagues.

Cons:

• Risk of Ineffectiveness: If the case is handled by police or other legal bodies, the internal enquiry might become irrelevant.
• Potential Panic Among Employees: Acting on a social media post alone might cause unnecessary panic, especially with concerns over the authenticity of the information, as deep fake content is becoming more prevalent.

Option 03: Register the Case with Authorities and Offer Work from Home (WFH)

Pros:

• Impartial Investigation: Involving the police ensures an unbiased investigation to confirm the employee’s innocence or guilt.
• Support for Employee: The WFH option allows the employee to continue working while being shielded from public scrutiny, offering mental and emotional support during the investigation.

Cons:

• Investigation Delays: Police investigations can be slow, and if the case goes to court, it may take even longer to resolve, delaying any firm action from the company.

Model Answer

Ethical Issues in Balancing Development and Preservation

1. Preservation of Cultural Heritage
   The demolition of historic buildings raises the ethical dilemma of preserving a city’s cultural and historical identity versus the need for modern infrastructure. Cultural heritage plays a key role in shaping the identity of a community, and losing these structures can undermine the city’s uniqueness. The decision to demolish or renovate these buildings often leads to debates about whether modernization should take precedence over history and tradition.
2. Community Rights and Livelihood
   Displacement of residents due to development projects raises significant ethical concerns about social justice and the well-being of affected communities. The potential loss of homes and livelihoods affects vulnerable populations, particularly those who may not have the resources or means to relocate. The ethical responsibility here is to fairly evaluate and mitigate the social impacts of such decisions on individuals and families.
3. Global Heritage Responsibility
   Governments have an ethical duty to protect their cultural heritage, especially when the city in question holds potential for UNESCO World Heritage designation. This responsibility not only preserves the city’s history for future generations but also honors global heritage obligations.
4. Inclusive and Equitable Decision-Making
   The unrest among citizens and cultural groups highlights the need for democratic and inclusive decision-making processes. Ethical governance requires that all stakeholders, especially local communities, have a voice in decisions affecting their cultural and physical environment.

Model Answer

Ethical Dilemmas Bhushan Faces

Bhushan encounters several ethical dilemmas throughout the situation, each presenting a conflict between personal relationships, professional integrity, and responsibilities. The main dilemmas are as follows:

Loyalty to the Company vs. Friendship with Manoj

Bhushan faces the challenge of balancing his loyalty to his company with his friendship with Manoj. As a part of the internal audit team, Bhushan is expected to act in the best interests of the organization by identifying and addressing any misconduct, including possible financial misappropriations by Manoj. However, his friendship with Manoj creates a conflict, as Bhushan may feel inclined to protect his friend from the consequences of his actions. The dilemma arises from the tension between doing what is professionally correct for the company and being there for a close friend in a difficult situation.

Professional Integrity vs. Personal Interest

Another ethical dilemma Bhushan encounters is the conflict between professional integrity and personal interests. His role requires him to maintain ethical standards, ensure transparency, and act impartially during audits. However, Bhushan is concerned that exposing Manoj’s wrongdoings may endanger his own job security, as such revelations could upset colleagues or superiors who are loyal to Manoj. This presents a dilemma where Bhushan’s professional ethics clash with his desire to protect his personal interests, such as maintaining job stability and safeguarding his career prospects.

Empathy vs. Responsibility

Finally, Bhushan faces the challenge of empathy versus responsibility. He understands and empathizes with Manoj’s personal struggles, which may have led to his dishonest actions. At the same time, Bhushan has a professional duty to ensure accountability and rectify any wrongdoings in the company. This creates an emotional conflict for Bhushan, as he must choose between supporting his friend and fulfilling his responsibility to report misconduct. While empathy for Manoj may make Bhushan hesitant to act, his duty to the company pushes him to make an objective decision for the greater good.

These dilemmas reflect the complex nature of ethical decision-making, where personal and professional considerations often collide.