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Introduction
In a workplace setting, employees and employers are faced with ethical, legal and moral dilemmas, which at times conflict with their personal values. As such, it is always important to ascertain what one would do in situations whereby company policies and protocols conflict with personal values. This paper shall set out to address this issue by applying various ethical theories that provide viable solutions to this dilemma.
Literature Review
David (2006), states that personal values play a pivotal role in shaping one’s character. However, since these personal values govern how individuals behave in various situations, a conflict between such values and organizational protocols may pose a serious threat to the overall well being of the organization. In order to avoid such conflicts, Chappell (2006) asserts that if faced with this type of conflict, one may leave the workplace (quit), do what is required, or come up with a strategy that addresses the issue within the organization.
Unfortunately, making such a decision is not always easy because such choices have the ability to shake one’s core values. As such, ethical theories may be applied to facilitate effective decision making in such cases. The utilitarianism theory focuses on majority versus minority interests. According to Shafer-Landau (2012), this theory states that an action is good if its yields are beneficial to many people. This theory advocates for the “end justify the means” concept. As such, personal values bear no weight under this theory. A utilitarian will focus on what is best for the organization because it is the only way to benefit the majority even though the task is unethical, immoral or in some cases illegal.
On the other hand, the deontological theory places more emphasis on duty. This means that personal values play a pivotal role in the decision-making process (Chappell, 2006). An individual applying this theory will quit rather than conform to protocols that may cause harm, are unfair, or deny others the justice they rightfully deserve (Shafer-Landau, 2012). With the above facts in mind, the answer to the question “What do you do if your personal values are in conflict with organizational/interpersonal business protocols?” depends on an individual. Crane and Matten (2007), state that the ability to follow organizational protocols and standards depends on the willingness and morality of the workforce.
Discussion
Personally, I would take the third option and try to solve the issue using the prescribed code of conduct adopted by the organization. Organizations hire people so that they can work towards attaining the set organizational goals. This means that employees are expected to do what they are told without question. As such, if organizational protocol conflicts with my personal values, I would use the set reporting procedures to voice my position on the issue. Codes of conduct act as guidelines to what is considered to be ethical or unethical practice within a given organization. Consequently, such standards can be used to form a legal or ethical argument in situations whereby a set protocol seems illegal or unethical. In addition, these ethical codes can be used to influence positive change and efficient conflict resolution mechanisms within the organization.
Conclusion
Conflicts are a part of our lives and should be viewed as such. Establishing codes of conduct ensure that organizational and interpersonal conflicts are effectively resolved within an organization. While personal values play a pivotal role in character building, their role in organizational decision making should be minimal. By following the set codes of conduct, the conflict between personal values and organizational protocols would be minimal.
References
Chappell, T. (2006). Values and virtues: Aristotelianism in contemporary ethics. London: Oxford University Press.
Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2007). Business ethics: managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. London: Oxford University Press.
David, F. (2006). Strategic management: concepts and cases, (10th Ed.). Chicago: Prentice Hall.
Shafer-Landau, R. (2012). Ethical Theory: An Anthology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
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