In the district where you are posted, roads have been built only a few months ago, To make more profit, the road building firm used sub-standard quality raw material, as a result, the road started breaking down and huge potholes formed on the road. Due to these pits, accidents often started happening on the road. When people made a written complaint about this, then an inquiry committee was formed to check the quality of the road. You have been made the chairman of the road quality inspection committee. The inquiry committee found that low-quality material was used in the construction. of the road and the work was not done properly, due to which the road was crumbling and potholes were being formed in it at many places. You were getting the report of the inquiry committee typed for sending, when you get a call from the owner of the road construction firm. He has come to know from secret sources what report you are going to give. He asks you to change the report. He asks you to make a report that his firm has done quality work and that it is clear that the road is damaged due to natural causes. If you obey him, he will give you a good amount, so that your family will not be short of money for years, otherwise he threatens you to be ready to face the consequences. You are aware of the criminal tendency of the owner of the firm and his high clout.
- What kind of ethical dilemmas are you facing in the above case?
- What are the options available to you in this situation?
- In this case, review the pros and cons of the course of action you would take.
Ethical dilemmas
The ethical dilemmas in this case include conflict professional ethics versus personal safety, truthfulness versus deception and accountability versus corruption. As the chairman of road quality inspection committer, I am between altering a file I am risking by integrity of refusing it I face potential threats and intimidation.
Option available
– I can accept the offer and alter the file which would compromise my Integrity and ethics.
– I can refuse the offer and submit true report and doesn’t compromise my integrity and ethics.
-I can resign to avoid to it but it would abandon my responsibility.
– report the incident to higher authorities
– seek support from colleagues, mentors
Pros and cons
-By accepting the offer I get financial gain but compromise my integrity
– by refusing it I uphold by my integrity but increase the risk of threats
– by resigning I avoid my responsibility.
– reporting the incident uphold law and order but risk retaliation.
Best action
The best action is to refuse the bribe and submit truthful report. This holds ethics and integrity.
Conclusion
I am a public servent, my responsibility is to serve the public interest not my personal gain or interest.