WORKPLACE ETHICAL DILEMMAS
Understanding real workplace situations
MODULE 5
MR. BOB KERVIN C. MANALANG
WHAT IS AN ETHICAL
DILEMMA?
A situation with difficult choices
Each choice has consequences
No clear right or wrong answer
WHY ETHICAL DILEMMAS
HAPPEN
CONFLICTING VALUES
This happens when two or more important
beliefs clash.
Ex: An employee values honesty, but also values
team harmony. They discover a coworker made a
mistake in a report that could affect the whole
company.
If they report it = they are honest but may
create conflict
If they stay silent = they protect the co-worker
but risk bigger problems
CONFLICTING VALUES
The dilemma:
Do you prioritize truth or relationships at
work?
PRESSURE FROM OTHERS
Sometimes people feel pushed to act a certain
way because of peers, authority figures, or
society.
Ex: A sales employee is told by their manager to
exaggerate product benefits to close deals.
If they follow = they meet targets but act
unethically
If they refuse = they risk losingg incentives or
even their job
PRESSURE FROM OTHERS
The dilemma:
Do you follow orders or stand by ethical
standards?
PERSONAL VS PROFESSIONAL
INTERESTS
Personal desires or relationships conflict with
one’s duties or responsibilities.
Ex: A hiring manager has a close friend applying
for a job. The friend is less qualified than the
other candidates.
Hiring the friend = helps personally, but is
unfair
Choosing someone else = fair professionally
but may hurt the friendship
PERSONAL VS PROFESSIONAL
INTERESTS
The dilemma:
Do you act in your own interest or uphold
fairness and professionalism?
LACK OF CLEAR RULES
Sometimes there are no clear guidelines on
what the “right” decision is.
Ex: An employee uses company time to answer
personal messages or do small tasks online. The
company has no clear rule about it.
Is it acceptable or misuse of time?
LACK OF CLEAR RULES
The dilemma:
Withoud clear guidelines, employees must
rely on personal judgment, which can differ
from others.
COMMON TYPES OF
ETHICAL DILEMMAS
TRUTH VS LOYALTY
This is when you choose between being
honest and being loyal to someone.
Ex: You discover your co-worker made a mistake
but asks you not to report it.
INDIVIDUAL VS COMMUNITY
This happens when what is good for one
person may not be good for the group.
Ex: A company considers laying off a few
employees to save the business.
SHORT-TERM VS LONG-TERM
This dilemma is about choosing between
immediate benefits and future consequences.
Ex: An employee is rushing to meet a deadline
and considers skipping quality checks on a
project.
JUSTICE VS MERCY
This involves choosing between fairness (rules)
and compassion (understanding the
situation).
Ex: An employee is late multiple times due to
family problems.
SELF VS OTHERS
This is when your personal benefit conflicts
with helping others.
Ex: You can take credit for a team project to get
promoted.
TRANSPARENCY VS CONFIDENTIALITY
This is about choosing between being open
and protecting private information.
Ex: A manager knows sensitive company
information.
STEPS IN ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING
Identify the ethical issue
Gather facts and information
List possible actions
Evaluate consequences of each choice
EXAMPLE 1 – CHEATING COWORKER
Coworker falsifies data
You notice the mistake
Choices: Report, confront, or ignore?
EXAMPLE 2 – TAKING CREDIT
Teamwork situation
Boss praises only you
Choices: Accept or correct?
EXAMPLE 3 – MISUSE OF RESOURCES
Using of supplies for personal use
Seems small but still company property
Choices: Continue or stop?
EXAMPLE 4: FAVORITISM
Manager gives special treatment to a friend
Unfair opportunities or rewards
Choices: Report, stay silent, or adapt
EXAMPLE 5: CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION
You have access to private company data
Friend asks about it
Choices: Share or protect information?
GUIDE QUESTIONS TO ASK
Is this action legal?
Is it fair to everyone involved?
How will it affect others?
Would I feel proud or guilty?
CONCLUSION
Ethical dilemmas are part of real work life.
Good decisions build strong character.
Integrity is more important than short-term
gain.
Always think before you act.
THANK YOU
for listening