Ethics Test Key Points

 

                                              Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Key Points

Is it ever morally justifiable to break the law? If so, under what circumstances? (10 marks | 150 words)

·         We need to respect and follow the law of the land

·         Exceptions

·         Salt March 1930

·         Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr

·         Bombing on H and N/Jalianwala bagh Massacre/Hitler’s Order

·         Letters vs Spirit of the law

·         Personal gain vs Public Welfare

·         To cause Violence vs Protect the people

What is ’emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions? (10 marks | 150 words)

Development of Emotional Intelligence

·         Self awareness – Self introspection

·         Self management – Open to new ideas; self control;

·         Social awareness – Empathy; Talk to others; spend time with others

·         Relationship management – Do not judge/advice unnecessarily, forgiveness; communication skills

EI and taking ethical decisions

·         Self Control – Do not get influenced by temptations

·         Empathy - Can understand suffering of others.

·         Social Awareness - Aware of organizational goals

·         Communication skills - Implement programs - poverty alleviation, tribal welfare, farmer's productivity etc.

·         Flexible - Take the decisions in accordance to the needs of time and circumstances.

A building permitted for three floors, while being extended illegally to 6 floors by a builder, collapses. As a consequence, a number of innocent labourers including women and children died. These labourers are migrants of different places. The government immediately announced cash relief to the aggrieved families and arrested the builder.

Give reasons for such incidents taking place across the country. Suggest measures to prevent their occurrence.

Reasons

·         Regulatory bodies – Monitor and action/Resources

·         Builders – Empathy; Respect/fear – law of the land

·         Customers – Cheap rates/Dream fulfill vs law of the land

·         Labourers – No awareness/poverty

·         Media – Not much focus/awareness

Measures

Short-term

·         Identify illegal buildings and take appropriate action; Strict action against law violators

Long-term

·         Review the laws..fill the gaps..correct the loopholes

·         Awareness – laborers, customers and common public

·         T and A – granting permits;

·         Use of technology – remote sensing

·         Use of e gov – reduce corruption

·         Continuous upgradation of rules

A civil servant is asked by their supervisor to manipulate data in a report to make it more favorable to a particular policy or decision. The civil servant knows that the data is inaccurate and that the manipulation would be unethical.  How can the civil servant maintain their integrity and uphold ethical standards in the face of pressure from their superiors? (10 marks | 150 words)

·         Seek clarification - To ensure no miscommunication

·         Know the regulations and policies

·         Keep a record of all communications

·         Discuss concerns internally - Trusted colleagues or superiors

·         Consult with legal or ethics experts

·         Seek advice and support from professional organizations/unions

·         Refuse unethical requests - Politely but firmly decline

·         If necessary, escalate to higher authorities

·         Keep the public interest in mind

·         Self-care - Emotional well-being - counseling

          

With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.

Means and End both are imp

·         Right thing….right way

·         Gandhi – Means – Seed, End – Tree

·         Wrong means – Quick results…Sustainable? Scams

·         False encounter -> credibility of the justice system

·         We can choose the means; ends are not in our control

But

·         Torturing terrorist; Maa Saraswati; Lati charge

So

·         Wrong means – Public interest and as a last option

What does the following quotation mean to you? “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” – Abdul Kalam.

Corruption – What and why?

Father and Mother

·         Happiness

·         Selflessness vs Healthy self interest vs Selfishness

·         Parents - Role models

·         Mistakes of parents => accept and correct; appreciate the child

·         Refined Knowledge

Teacher

·         Role Model – words and action

·         Not as the all-knowing sage - providing information

·         Guide or mentor - Curiosity to know

·         Facilitators and motivators ->empower the students

·         Inculcate the values – Sports and cultural activities

·         Visit - farm lands, police station, administration office, factories etc

You are the manager of a spare parts company A and you have to negotiate a deal with the manager of a large manufacturing company B. The deal is highly competitive and sealing the deal is critical for your company. The deal is being worked out over a dinner. After dinner the manager of manufacturing company B offered to drop you to the hotel in his car. On the way to hotel he happens to hit motorcycle injuring the motorcyclist badly. You know the manager was driving fast and thus lost control.

The law enforcement officer comes to investigate the issue and you are the sole eyewitness to it. Knowing the strict laws pertaining to road accidents you are aware that your honest account of the incident would lead to the prosecution of the manager and as a consequence the deal is likely to be jeopardized, which is of immense importance to your company.

·         What are the options available to you?

·         Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons. (20 marks| 250 words)

Options

1.      Withhold information/provide a misleading statement

2.      Speak privately with the manager of company B

3.      Tell the truth to the law enforcement officer

Response

·         Dharmo rakshathi rakshithah

·         Kant – Categorical Imperative

·         Plato – Cardinal Virtues/Gandhi’s Talisman

·         Honest description of the whole incident

·         Business deal – trust and honesty..may appreciate

·         Integrity – within org and outside org

·         I may lose deal…may have to face problems…moral courage

A fresh engineering graduate gets a job in a prestigious chemical industry. She likes the work. The salary is also good. However, after a few months she accidentally discovers that a highly toxic waste is being secretly discharged into a river nearby. This is causing health problems to the villagers downstream who depend on the river for their water needs. She is perturbed and mentions her concern to her colleagues who have been with the company for longer periods.

They advise her to keep quite as anyone who mentions the topic is summarily dismissed.  She cannot risk losing her job as she is the sole bread-winner for her family and has to support her ailing parents and siblings. At first, she thinks that if her seniors are keeping quiet, why should she stick out her neck. But her conscience pricks her to do something to save the river and the people who depend upon it.  At heart she feels that the advice of silence given by her friends is not correct though she cannot give reasons for it. She thinks you are a wise person and seeks your advice.

a)      What arguments can you advance to show her that keeping quiet is not morally right?

b)     What course of action would you advise her to adopt and why? (250 words)

Arguments

·         Acting against injustice increases self respect.

·         The future of her company is in danger

·         Doing wrong and accepting the wrong

·         Guilty in her own court of conscience.

·         Doing good => emotional and mental well-being

·         Fresh graduate - more opportunities

·         Integrity is non-negotiable and nonselective.

Course of Action

·         Ground research and come up with concrete report

·         Persuade to the immediate boss;

·         Remind the company CSR

·         Credibility - long term interest of the company

·         Previous Case studies/incidents

·         Environmental laws and punishment

·         Senior management

·         Leave the job…..complaint….awareness among people

You are the District Collector of a flood-prone region. Due to unexpected heavy rains, floods have devastated villages, displacing thousands. The government has allocated limited relief resources, including food, medical aid and rescue boats. However, you are faced with several challenges:

(a) Resource Shortage: The relief supplies are not enough to cover all affected areas equally.

(b) Political Pressure: Local politicians are pressuring you to prioritise aid for their constituencies.

(c) Media Scrutiny: News agencies are covering the relief efforts, questioning transparency in resource distribution.

·         How will you allocate limited resources fairly and efficiently? Will you yield to political pressure or ensure equitable distribution of aid?

·         What steps will you take to maintain transparency and public trust in relief operations? (250 words | 20 marks)

Fair and Efficient Allocation of Resources

·         Objectivity – Data based on drone survey, satellite images, social media

·         Utilitarianism – Population affected

·         Justice approach - More need – Severity/life-threatening/urgency /Senior Citizen/Differently-abled

·         Political Neutrality – Do not yield to the political pressure; Respectful explanation

Transparency and Public Trust

·         Public Information System – Website/WhatsApp – Affected villages/criteria for distribution/Present Status

·         Community Involvement – NGOs, Volunteers, Media

·         Media Communication – Press Meets, Share data

·         GRM – 24 * 7 Helpline and Monitoring

·         Documentation – Resources – Procurement, allocation, usage/What, where, why, how etc

Audit – Internal and External