The assigned video presentations by Dr. Bruce
Weinstein (The Ethics Guy) and Chuck Gallagher, were quite eye opening. I can see the personal and professional
ethical behaviors of the organization where I am currently employed. I must admit that I have unconsciously
participated in unethical behavior at my workplace; however my eyes are wide
open, and I am aware of how and why such actions happen. I’m more cognizant to break the pattern and
stay off of the slippery slope that leads to unethical behavior. Just last year, I witnessed a situation (forging
travel documents and lying about it) where a coworker was unethical which led
to that persons termination. The only
problem was others in the office had done a lot worse and were still employed. It is funny how leadership picks and chooses
which situations are worth addressing and which ones are not. To me it is a very sad situation, when you
witness unethical practices and there is no accountability for such actions. Nepotism, cronyism and discrimination happen
on a daily basis as if it were common practice.
The most disturbing of all is that it does not really matter where one
works or it that organization holds itself to a higher standard or it society
holds an organization to a higher standard unethical practices will occur. It is a common practice for certain employees to
claim work time they did not work. Now,
I will be fair and say recently this issue has been addressed. However, we all know that other situations of
an ethical nature will surely arise. Gallagher
points out that the choices we make will define one’s life forever. I take that statement very seriously and
think of unethical men like Bernie Madoff and Kenneth Lay who are more infamous
than famous. No one wants to be
remembered like that. Although it been
over a year ago, I wonder if my former coworker thinks about the mistakes they
made and what they learned from the situation.
One thing that sticks out to me is that at one time this person may have
had the highest standards of ethics.
These same ethical standards slowly fade when one starts to live by the
old saying, “when in Rome do as the Romans do”.
The problem is one often forgets that Rome burned down. I wonder what this experience really taught him.
As Gallagher stated he needs to hear the words, “although you did make a
terrible mistake, your not one. (Gallagher, 2013)
Gallagher, C.
(2013). Business Ethics Keynote Speaker - Chuck Gallagher – shares
Straight Talk about Ethics! Retrieved
from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUJ00vNGCPE
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