Follow all the details on “Ethics Advisory Memo Instructions” pdf

Making Ethical Decisions
WRD 202x – WQ2020
Marta Shcherbakova

Adopted from Josephson Institute of Ethics

What is Ethics
Ethics refers to principles that define behavior as right, good, and proper.
Such principles do not always dictate a single “moral” course of action, but provide a means of evaluating and deciding among competing interests.

The Six Pillars of Character
(Source: Josephson, Making Ethical Decisions)‏
3. Responsibility
4. Fairness
5. Caring
6. Citizenship
2. Respect
1. Trustworthiness

Trustworthiness
Honest in conduct (not stealing or cheating), Integrity, Reliability (promise-keeping) and Loyalty
Our business is based on a strong tradition of trust.  It is the reason our customers come to us. Honesty and integrity are cornerstones of ethical behavior – and trustworthiness and dependability are essential to lasting relationships. Our continued success depends on doing what we promise – promptly, competently and fairly.  (American Express Company Code of Conduct)

Respect

Civility (courtesy and decency), Autonomy and Tolerance
Treat others with dignity – the way you would like to be treated.  Be civil and decent with all employees, customers and business partners.

Responsibility

Accountability and Self-restraint
Conduct business efficiently and honorably in a manner that permits employees, suppliers, vendors, customers and members of the local community to make informed judgments and hold the company accountable. 

Fairness

Impartiality and Equity
Seek to be impartial; employ independent objective judgment on merit, free from conflicts of interest – both real and apparent.  Compensate all employees equitably; minimize wage disparities.

Caring

Charity and Compassion
Demonstrate a genuine sense of compassion and concern for the welfare of others – inside and outside the company walls. 

Citizenship

Volunteerism (doing your share), Environmental protection and Law abidance
Honor and respect the principles and spirit of democracy. Demonstrate a commitment to the environment and to social responsibility that goes beyond legal requirements.

Making Effective Decisions
1. Recognizing important decisions
a. Could you or someone else suffer physical harm?
b. Could you or someone else suffer emotional pain?
c. Could the decision hurt your reputation, undermine your credibility, or damage important relationships?
d. Could the decision impede the achievement of any important goal?

Effective Decisions
2. Effective decision
a. Did it accomplish what I wanted?
b. Did it affect my quality of life in a positive way?
c. Is this the best I could have done given the circumstances?

3. Stakeholders – people involved/affected by the situation
Effective Decisions

Obstacles to Ethical Decisions
1. If it’s necessary, it’s ethical
2. The false necessity trap
3. If it’s legal and permissible, it’s proper
4. It’s just part of the job
5. It’s all for a good cause

Obstacles to Ethical Decisions
6. I was just doing it for you
7. I’m just fighting fire with fire
8. It doesn’t hurt anyone
9. Everyone’s doing it
10. It’s okay if I don’t gain personally

Let’s Practice
Let’s review a case and a sample Ethics Advisory Memo that responds to this case

WRD202-409 | Marta Shcherbakova | Autumn 2019

Ethics Advisory Memo

Overview
In this final assignment you need to write a longer memo providing options for action in
response to an ethical dilemma. Carefully study the instructions provided below to
determine the audience, style, tone, and structure of each document.

Background Knowledge
Review the Power Point (Internal Correspondence Packet) on writing successful memos
(available on our D2L page). Also, review Read: “Ethical Writing in the Workplace” (pp.
21-29) and Chapter 2 “The Writing Process and Collaboration at Work” from Successful
Writing at Work (specifically pages 35-55)

Learning Outcomes Transferable Skills

 Craft documents that address specific
audiences

 Compose documents that use
appropriate style choices for the
genre (and/or rhetorical situation)

 Produce documents that use standard
conventions of business genres

 Compose documents that are
grammatically and mechanically
sound

 Plan/ organize/ prioritize

 Resourcefulness

 Ethical reasoning and judgment

 Professionalism

 Information Technology
Application

 Written Communication

Writing Ethics Advisory Memo

Definition
“An ethical dilemma is a predicament in which a business person must resolve whether
an action, although benefiting the organization, individual, or both may be considered
unethical. An ethical dilemma may arise when two norms or values are in conflict”
(Bauer-Ramazani, 2017)

Assignment
First, think of an ethical issue that may occur at a workplace. According to Heart-
Repreneur website, the four most common categories of the work-related ethical issues
include: accounting, discrimination and harassment, privacy/technology, and social
media. You can choose an issue within one of these categories or you can come
with an issue of your own. If you are having trouble coming up with your own details,
browse the Internet for a case (similar to one we went over in class) and respond to the
ethical issue(s) described in that case. Some websites with the cases on Business
Ethics:

1. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/cases/
2. https://businessethicshighlights.com/2019/01/04/top-10-business-ethics-stories-of-2018/

https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/cases/

Top 10 Business Ethics Stories of 2018

WRD 202-409 | Marta Shcherbakova | Autumn 2019

Second, following the early learned guidelines and requirements, write a 2-page memo
(single-spaced), in which you analyze the ethical issue(s) and offer a course for action.
To organize your memo, please use the following headings in boldface: Introduction,
The Situation, The Ethical Dilemma, The Stakeholders Affected by the Dilemma,
Alternative Courses of Action & Tradeoffs, Solution, and Conclusion. You will write
a paragraph (about 5-7 sentences) for each section.

Sections Explained
Introduction
Write an introduction (2-3 sentences) which briefly states the situation. Then write
your thesis statement, which should include the purpose of the memo and give a
preview of what the body of the memo will discuss. You need to include, as keywords,
all of the headings/topics you will address in the memo (listed above).

The Situation – State the facts; describe the situation.
In short, simple sentences, write a paragraph describing who was involved, where the
situation took place, when this happened, and what was going on.
Begin with a topic sentence that contains the keywords and answers the
questions who? where? when? Then in short, simple sentences, answer the
question what happened/what was going on? All supporting sentences that follow
must provide more details, facts, explanations about these questions. Please note that
this is most likely in PAST TENSE, so check all verb endings!

The Ethical Dilemma – Discuss the values and norms that are in conflict.
Describe in detail what the ethical dilemma/issue is. Why is this a problem?
Begin with a topic sentence that contains the keywords from the heading (ethical
dilemma) and answers the questions what is the ethical dilemma confronting the
person? Then in short, simple sentences, answer the question which ethical values
are in conflict? Who will be hurt? Who will benefit? All supporting
sentences that follow must provide more details, facts, explanations about these
questions.

***For ethical values (or 6 Pillars of Character), review the Power Point on Ethics and
Ethical Decisions we went over in class. For example, you can say something like:
“Such values as respect and citizenship are at stake in the given situation.” Then
explain how each of the chosen values are being at stake/jeopardized.

The Stakeholders Affected by the Dilemma – List them. Describe their involvement.
Why/In what way are they stakeholders?
Begin with a topic sentence that mentions all of the stakeholders that are affected by
this situation. In the rest of the paragraph, answer the questions How is each
stakeholder involved? and How will the dilemma affect them? (Why/In what way
are they stakeholders?).

WRD 202-409 | Marta Shcherbakova | Autumn 2019

Alternative Courses of Action & Tradeoffs (benefits/costs)
Discuss 3 possible ways to solve the ethical dilemma/issue(s). What are
the tradeoffs (benefits/costs) of each course of action for the stakeholders involved?
For each one, discuss the benefits and costs (who will benefit and how; who will see
negative consequences and which ones?)
Begin with a topic sentence that mentions the keywords alternative courses of
action and tradeoffs. In the rest of the paragraph, discuss each alternative in detail and
show how this alternative will affect each of the stakeholders involved positively or
negatively.

Solution – Discuss how the dilemma should have been solved. Begin with a topic
sentence that states which of the alternative courses of action would be the best
solution.

Also, consider the following questions: How many stakeholders will benefit from this
alternative vs. the other ones? Who will be affected negatively? Which values are
more important?

Conclusion
Write a concluding paragraph (2-3 sentences) in which you restate the thesis statement
from the introduction. Briefly restate your suggested solution and why this is the best
solution.

Draft #1 – Thursday, February 6, before class (upload to D2L)

Draft #2 – Sunday, February 9, before class (upload to D2L)

Grading Rubric

Criteria Excellent Good Inconsistent Below Average Poor

Clarity 10 points 8 points 6 points 4 points 2 points /10

Conciseness 10 points 8 points 6 points 4 points 2 points /10

Comprehensiveness 10 points 8 points 6 points 4 points 2 points /10

Honesty/Accuracy 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point /5

Document Specific Concerns 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point /5

Rhetorical Awareness 10 points 8 points 6 points 4 points 2 points /10

Total /50