Holt Consulting Services, "Questions for Ethical Decision-making"

SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE

THE PROCEDURE ITSELF

1. Has all the information about the dilemma been presented honestly and correctly?
2. Who are the individuals or groups inside and outside the organization whose interests are at stake?
3. What are the possible courses of action?
   1. Are they legal?
   2. Are they fair?
   3. Do they accord with company standards, codes, guiding principles and ground rules?
4. Do these actions support the organization's purpose?
5. What are the short- and long-term risks and rewards of each course of action for the organization and for you?
6. What is the motive for each course of action?
7. What are your responsibilities and those of the organization?
8. Has a precedent or common practice been set already?
   1. If so, is it a good one?
   2. Will this decision set a precedent for future decisions?
9. Will the decision stand the scrutiny of others?
10. Are you (and others affected) willing and able to follow through on the action required?
11. How will the action be received by employees and other managers?
12. What steps are necessary to carry out your decision?

WALT'S CHECKLIST

• This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
  • has easy access to stakeholders [step 10]
  • has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features" [step 1]
  • has keen insight into human motivation [step 6]
  • has plenty of time for investigation and analysis [step 5]
  • is skilled in case-based, precedent-based or example-based reasoning [step 8]
  • is skilled in causal or consequential reasoning [step 5]
• This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
  
  • that will change little over time
  • where the decision-maker is also a stakeholder [step 10]
• This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
  • share ethical codes or policies [step 3c]
  • share laws and legal precedents [step 8]

Index