Debre Birhan Polytechnic College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
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DEBRE BIRHAN POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
Ethiopian TVET-System
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SUPPORT SERVICE
Level I
LEARNING GUIDE # 3
Unit of Competence: Demonstrate work values
Module Title : Demonstrating work values
LG Code : ICT ITS1 M10 L03 3
TTLM Code : ICT ITS1 TTLM10 0811
LO 3: Deal with ethical problems
Learning Guide Date: 05-2014 Page 1 of 4
1st Revision Author: Addisu B, IT – DBPTC
Debre Birhan Polytechnic College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
INTRODUCTION Learning Guide # 3
This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following content
coverage and topics –
How to deal with ethical problems
This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to –
Access and apply company ethical standards, organizational policy and guidelines on the
prevention and reporting of unethical conduct in accordance with transparent company ethical
standard, policies and guidelines.
Report and/or Resolve work incidents/situations in accordance with company
protocol/guidelines.
Use resolution and/or referral of ethical problems identified as learning opportunities
Learning Activities
1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.
2. Read the information written in the “Information Sheets 1” on page 3.
3. Accomplish the “Self-check” in page 4.
4. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “Lap Test” on pages 5. However, if your rating is
unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go back to Learning Activity#1.
5. Do the “LAP test” (if you are ready) and show your output to your teacher. Your teacher will evaluate
your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, your teacher shall advice you on
additional work. But if satisfactory you can proceed to Learning Guide 34.
Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, your
teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory you can proceed to the next topic.
Learning Guide Date: 05-2014 Page 2 of 4
1st Revision Author: Addisu B, IT – DBPTC
Debre Birhan Polytechnic College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Information Sheet 1 How to deal with ethical problems
Raising Ethical Issues at Work
Responding to intense pressure for short-term results, people working for corporations
often cut corners that they shouldn't. We use all kinds of rationalizations to excuse these
behaviors—everything from "everyone does it" to "nobody's getting hurt by this" to "I'd get fired
if I complained."
Most of us want to behave ethically, and we also know when something isn't right. But it
can be very hard to speak up in support of our beliefs.
Here's how you can deal with ethical issues in the workplace.
First, realize that ethical dilemmas are a normal and predictable part of your job. Every
manager, every finance officer, every marketing professional has to sort out complex (or not so
complex) ethical issues. It goes with the territory, and recognizing this reduces the stress that
can limit your confidence and capability to address these issues effectively.
Second, treat an ethical issue like any other business issue. Don't make self-righteous
little speeches; instead, marshal your evidence and arguments, figure out who you need to talk
to, and then make a strong business case for doing the right thing.
Third, tackle the rationalizations head-on. If "everyone really does it," why do we have a
policy against this behavior? If "it's not hurting anyone," why have customers sued other
companies for this same practice? And so on.
Fourth, learn to play to the psychological biases of your listeners. For example, people
have trouble focusing on long-term consequences, so try to identify short-term wins that would
result from more ethical behavior. How you frame a problem makes a difference. Participants in
a recent class discussion about a potential product recall over safety concerns became more
open to the idea when the question put to them focused on how they could craft a message for
the press and the buying public, rather than whether that message was the ethical approach to
the situation.
When raising an ethical issue, people seem to be most effective when they script what
they'll say and how they'll proceed. It often helps to get some peer coaching, as well. It occurred
to me recently that it might be interesting to do some scripting and peer coaching in this space
(anonymously, where appropriate).
With that in mind, I invite you to share a story of a time when you found a persuasive
argument or approach for voicing your values. Alternatively, share a situation you're thinking
about right now (with details disguised, of course) and invite suggestions from peers for how to
deal with it.
Learning Guide Date: 05-2014 Page 3 of 4
1st Revision Author: Addisu B, IT – DBPTC
Debre Birhan Polytechnic College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Learning Guide Date: 05-2014 Page 4 of 4
1st Revision Author: Addisu B, IT – DBPTC
