The Ethical frame offers a new way to interpret situations from an ethical perspective. It is a systematic approach to problems with moral dilemmas. These can be issues arising from external or internal sources. This lens can help make better decisions that promote transparency within the organization. By utilizing this approach organizations can identify issues that might affect product safety, treatment of employees or environmental responsibility. I think this frame captures what is missing in a lot of profit driven companies that fail to see the ethical outcome.
1. Briefly restate your situation and your role.
In 2008 the housing market crashed. At that time, I was the Office Administrator and co-owner of the business BC Constructing LLC. The business was new with under ten employees, and we operated like a family. The business had been driven by public works projects that were in abundance because of rapid growth in the state and housing market. After the housing market crash, the number of jobs decreased and large companies who had never looked at smaller, low dollar jobs, were bidding on every job posted. Work was scarce and companies were scrambling to cover payroll to keep employees working. BC Constructing was also bidding on all jobs possible to keep its employees working. The company process was that all jobs were started after the contract was signed with the customer. The job involved in this situation was now the only job BC Constructing was working on and started on time. One of the subcontractors notified BC Constructing that the delivery for the main pump was not going to be on time. This created a situation with a domino effect on the schedule. The other trades that followed could not perform their part sequentially and in a timely manner causing the project to be in breach of contract with the city. BC Constructing was faced with having to determine whether to hold payment from the subcontractor and enter litigation or move forward and deal with penalties for breach of contract with the customer/city.
2. Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.
Looking at the four ethical communities in relation to my situation I find purpose is an underlying theme in all four of the communities. BC Constructing had a defining purpose and employees were aware of the values and purpose of BC Constructing. Teams were given the latitude to be part of how their work was completed and what would yield the best results most efficiently. Authorship was highly valued and employees were trusted in their knowledge and skill in the company. Employees often made decisions on the jobsite keeping with the values of the company and work scope. Bolman and Deal (2017) found that “caring begins with knowing; it requires listening, understanding and accepting” (p. 416). Employees at BC Constructing were considered as a core group of family. The extended family of employees were known and included in company events. Leadership talked openly about the needs of the employee and how BC Constructing could help employees reach their goals. Through the ethical communities of Factory and Extended Family, the influence on the situation was only positive. BC Constructing was respected in their field and the quality of their work had no negative contribution on the situation.
BC Constructing operated as a team, all working in cohesion with each other. Employees on jobsites were trusted with how they would be completing their work. Collaboration was a common theme in the daily work plan and ultimately the purpose of the company was to complete the project with value and integrity. Employees stood behind their work just like the company stood behind the employee. Viewing the ethical community of Jungle and Temple solidifies that the company valued the employees and sought to faithfully serve out its purpose.
3. Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical communities for an alternative course of action regarding your case.
Applying the Jungle ethical community to the situation would have placed more power with the employees and could have been used to come up with an alternative solution. BC Constructing had openly discussed with the employees the situation of the slowing construction market and sub-contractor issue in missing the contracted delivery dates. Giving more power to the employees could have given them the opportunity to find a workable solution. Collaboration could have yielded unforeseen options.
The purpose of the company was foundational to how the company operated and that was the justification behind keeping everyone working. Laying off employees sooner may have allowed the company to keep the business going longer, but that seemed akin to the values of the company. Utilizing all avenues of options could have produced another solution.
4. Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned about ethics.
From what I have learned through the ethics lense I would have definitely given the employees more opportunity to see if there was a workable solution that the owners did not see. Perhaps the employees would have collectively decided to take temporary layoffs, which could have helped in the interim. I am not sure that would have been enough to eliminate the situation as a whole. Including other frames in conjunction with the ethics lense might have been a better plan.
The housing market crash of 2008 played the most vital role in the situation. It is not known if allowing the employees to collaborate on a decision would have changed the final outcome. The situation did not arise from a lack of ethical standards that I can see. Ultimately the employees of BC Constructing were a valuable asset and a big consideration in the choices made.
Reference
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership
(7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
In 2008 the housing market crashed. At that time, I was the Office Administrator and co-owner of the business BC Constructing LLC. The business was new with under ten employees, and we operated like a family. The business had been driven by public works projects that were in abundance because of rapid growth in the state and housing market. After the housing market crash, the number of jobs decreased and large companies who had never looked at smaller, low dollar jobs, were bidding on every job posted. Work was scarce and companies were scrambling to cover payroll to keep employees working. BC Constructing was also bidding on all jobs possible to keep its employees working. The company process was that all jobs were started after the contract was signed with the customer. The job involved in this situation was now the only job BC Constructing was working on and started on time. One of the subcontractors notified BC Constructing that the delivery for the main pump was not going to be on time. This created a situation with a domino effect on the schedule. The other trades that followed could not perform their part sequentially and in a timely manner causing the project to be in breach of contract with the city. BC Constructing was faced with having to determine whether to hold payment from the subcontractor and enter litigation or move forward and deal with penalties for breach of contract with the customer/city.
2. Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.
Looking at the four ethical communities in relation to my situation I find purpose is an underlying theme in all four of the communities. BC Constructing had a defining purpose and employees were aware of the values and purpose of BC Constructing. Teams were given the latitude to be part of how their work was completed and what would yield the best results most efficiently. Authorship was highly valued and employees were trusted in their knowledge and skill in the company. Employees often made decisions on the jobsite keeping with the values of the company and work scope. Bolman and Deal (2017) found that “caring begins with knowing; it requires listening, understanding and accepting” (p. 416). Employees at BC Constructing were considered as a core group of family. The extended family of employees were known and included in company events. Leadership talked openly about the needs of the employee and how BC Constructing could help employees reach their goals. Through the ethical communities of Factory and Extended Family, the influence on the situation was only positive. BC Constructing was respected in their field and the quality of their work had no negative contribution on the situation.
BC Constructing operated as a team, all working in cohesion with each other. Employees on jobsites were trusted with how they would be completing their work. Collaboration was a common theme in the daily work plan and ultimately the purpose of the company was to complete the project with value and integrity. Employees stood behind their work just like the company stood behind the employee. Viewing the ethical community of Jungle and Temple solidifies that the company valued the employees and sought to faithfully serve out its purpose.
3. Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical communities for an alternative course of action regarding your case.
Applying the Jungle ethical community to the situation would have placed more power with the employees and could have been used to come up with an alternative solution. BC Constructing had openly discussed with the employees the situation of the slowing construction market and sub-contractor issue in missing the contracted delivery dates. Giving more power to the employees could have given them the opportunity to find a workable solution. Collaboration could have yielded unforeseen options.
The purpose of the company was foundational to how the company operated and that was the justification behind keeping everyone working. Laying off employees sooner may have allowed the company to keep the business going longer, but that seemed akin to the values of the company. Utilizing all avenues of options could have produced another solution.
4. Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned about ethics.
From what I have learned through the ethics lense I would have definitely given the employees more opportunity to see if there was a workable solution that the owners did not see. Perhaps the employees would have collectively decided to take temporary layoffs, which could have helped in the interim. I am not sure that would have been enough to eliminate the situation as a whole. Including other frames in conjunction with the ethics lense might have been a better plan.
The housing market crash of 2008 played the most vital role in the situation. It is not known if allowing the employees to collaborate on a decision would have changed the final outcome. The situation did not arise from a lack of ethical standards that I can see. Ultimately the employees of BC Constructing were a valuable asset and a big consideration in the choices made.
Reference
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership
(7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Using the ethical communities frame lens when reviewing a company problem provides a more comprehensive understanding of ethical dilemmas. By examining the problem through this perspective I have the opportunity to review both internal and external ethical issues that might be overlooked to find appropriate solutions. It also enhances my understanding of the way colleagues view critical issues so it requires complete transparency of practices. Learning about the process of diverse perspectives improves my understanding and ability to evaluation situations better.