Ethical Decisions
James P. Lewis
Jones International University

Abstract
A synopsis of the learning from this course. It gave lessons on generated decision making to conduct yourself in a professional manner. Scenarios were performed in a “simulated game.” Although the decisions were yours to make, the simulation tried to persuade you to go their way. In the end it teaches you how to make the right decision for everyone including yourself.
Ethical Decisions
The scenarios throughout the “game” was geared towards a specific work climate based on potential issues that could come up in a real setting. G-Biosport was the company name and it dealt with workout supplements and vitamins. The scenarios put me in different leadership positions throughout the company to get into the tougher decision making processes.
Decisions
In this first section of my paper I am going to include all the decisions for all the scenarios to see if there is trend within my decision making. I will have it by each of the cases in the order we did the scenarios. Also, the reason why I came to my decision.
The Case of the Mysterious Roses. I have decided to promise my employee confidentiality. If the situation involves possible sexual harassment, advising my employee that I'll handle the situation informally. If it goes informally I will inform the necessary parties to handle this situation as smoothly as possible while protecting the employees involved and being fair to the rest of the parties involved. My reason: Being intelligent is very key and instrumental in trying to handle any situation, it does not have to be just a harassment situation. In any possible situation that may arise it is imperative to be smart and understanding. I came to my decision based on trying to help and satisfy my employee at the same time. I weighed all the options possible to ensure no one else would be harmed or the integrity of the company be compromised.
The Case of the Great Off-Site. I have decided to talk to Peter privately and warn him that, if his inappropriate behavior continues, he will receive further disciplinary action up to and including termination. My reason: This situation is much different from my previous experience. Although this maybe the male employees first official offense without professional help, this may or may not be his last. I made my decision based on that. People need that wake up call to bring them back to reality. Granted alcohol was a key factor, the underlying issue is that he might have had thoughts of acting that way before. Without speculating until fact is brought out, when I talk to him privately I will strongly suggest he seek professional help for alcohol abuse and sexual harassment training. I also believe people need that second chance to make themselves better. He is one of my best performers and I would hate to lose him over one incident. However, I will be prepared to lose him, if this situation happens again. The Case of the Mysterious Blogger. Use the information from my tech to discipline employee blogger for violating the NDA. Cautioned my tech about his unsanctioned illegal activity. My reason: I have come to the conclusion that people need a wakeup call although the potential for future blogging is there. I think that people should be given the benefit of the doubt. Now the back end of this decision could back fire and I am prepared for that. Now there is a paper trail started and an open eye watching them. Now if the employee decides to put out critical information again then that employee will not have any ground to stand on in litigation.
The Case of the Veiled ID. My decision: Implement photo I.D. requirement. Allow exception for this particular employee. My reason: This was a tough one for me to make. On one hand you have to implement a security net around your company because of a serious incident that left a person injured in the hospital. On the other you have to accommodate to one's religious beliefs. I may not be the most knowledgeable person when it comes to religious beliefs other than you should not intrude onto them and try your best to accommodate them in hopes you or the company won't be taken to court for religious rights infringement. Since we have to get this program off and running quickly for the peace of mind for the other employees and to prevent another mishap.
The Case of the Missing Forms. My decision: Include all study results in your official report. Correct the problem that resulted in the duplicate consent forms being misfiled. My reason: After careful consideration of the facts. The reason I decided this was because we needed to take action against the misfiling of the forms. Also, we needed to include the results of all the testing. It is the right thing to do to divulge all the facts of the testing. In hoping we can get those consent forms signed as well that would make things a lot easier. The Case of the Fudged Results. My decision: Apply uniform criteria to verify that researchers incorporate adverse data into trial design and disclosures. Allow Phase III testing to proceed as scheduled. My reason: After reviewing the information the decision I have made was simple. In order to make the shareholders and the primary stake holders comfortable in proceeding with the next product. Continuing to the phase three of testing would important for the division. We just have to be careful in the reporting procedure so the FDA won't shut it down totally. We can tweak the anomaly and get it right before the product goes public. The Case of the Slick White Paper. My decision: In order to be a good leader and mentor your colleague, actively engage the junior writer in the writing of the article, list her as a co-author, and attribute the ghostwriter in the acknowledgments. My Reason: Bottom-line it comes down to doing the right thing. I know it was my fault for not starting sooner and I had just kept putting it off because of the many other things going on. After contemplating whether or not to use my friends’ advice to use a ghostwriter and to also incorporate my subordinate’s article, it seemed like a logical thing to do. One reason would be that it would help my subordinate get a promotion and recognition for her hard work. Another, would be to give accolades to the ghostwriter which could bring more work for him in the future. Also, I meet my deadline that was set by my VP and I still meet the guidelines set forth for the journal to publish the article. The Case of the Cold Feet. My decision: Inform Dr. Waters that you are initiating an in-house investigation. Explain your concerns without mentioning the junior researcher. My reason: By informing my colleague that I will be conducting an in house investigation may make him nervous, but in the end it is the right thing to do. The data that will be found through the investigation will shed more light on where the data came from initially in hopes of targeting the individual that brought the data to my attention in the beginning. I will not mention how or why the investigation was initiated other than we need to have some integrity when we process our work. It is imperative that we have conclusive data to protect our shareholders and stakeholders. The Case of the Hot New Market. My decision: Take conflict of interest precautions and disclose financial support. Agree to product placement and allow physicians to discuss named products. I made this decision pretty simple really, do it. Take the precaution to where we do not create the conflict of interest by disclosing all the information necessary to raise no questions. It'll benefit everyone in a good way, all the way around. The Case of the Competing Suitors. My decision: Tell Lucia's about the inquiry from St. Sebastian. Allow them to decline further partnering if they wish. If not, tell St. Sebastian's that you are already committed for this product. My reason: I personally think that we have not completed our agreement with Lucia's. An opportunity to conduct better trials on real athletes opens the potential for professional sports to buy our product and get more concrete results. Although, for ethical reasons we did make an agreement with Lucia's that at the time showed promise for trials. We should inform all parties of any other activity regarding the trials so there won't be a disputes between companies. The Case of the Really Sweet Deal. My decision: Decline invitation to Cirque du Soleil event. Decline business opportunity in order to avoid potential conflict of interest. Bottom line after weighing the options and who it will effect in the end it was in the best interest of the company and myself to decline the invitation. It is a direct conflict of interest. It is pretty much cut and dry decision. I have weighed different options to possibly come to different conclusions but in the end it is a direct violation of the ethical lenses. It is a tough break for a good opportunity but it has to be done the correct way and the proper channels. The Case of the Clever Pitch. My decision: Balance presentation between optimistic estimate of revenue potential and disclosure of research anomalies and off-label sales limitations. My reason: Balance presentation between optimistic estimate of revenue potential and disclosure of research anomalies and off-label sales limitations. Although all the decisions were pretty much generated for us, it still was something to think about. Every day on the job you have to make decisions whether to do something or not to do something. It is up to you to make the right decision that will benefit everyone involved. Doing the right thing can be stressful at times because other people put that pressure onto you. In the end it is imperative that you make the most professional decision that will not jeopardize your job or anyone else’s that is also doing the right thing. References
The Ethics Game, https://www.ethicsgame.com/Exec/site/index.html https://courses.jonesinternational.edu/display.jkg?courseSectionId=34208&uid=61127&tpl=frameset Modules, 1-8