Thursday, May 16, 2024

Creating a Positive Corporate with Ethics - A systematic approach - Activity - 1

 Icebreaker Activity: "Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace"

Objective:

The objective of this activity is to introduce participants to ethical decision-making in a fun and engaging way. Participants will learn how to recognize ethical dilemmas, discuss different perspectives, and identify appropriate responses to ethical issues in the workplace.

Instructions for Trainer:

1. Preparation:

   - Print or write down several ethical dilemma scenarios relevant to the manufacturing industry on separate cards or pieces of paper.

   - Ensure you have enough scenarios so each small group will have one or two to discuss.

   - Prepare a whiteboard or flip chart to note key points from group discussions.


2. Introduction (5 minutes):

   - Welcome participants and explain the objective of the activity.

   - Briefly explain what an ethical dilemma is and why it's important to address these in the workplace.


3. Group Formation (5 minutes):

   - Divide participants into small groups of 4-5 people each.

   - Ensure each group has a mix of roles and departments to encourage diverse perspectives.


4. Distribution of Scenarios (5 minutes):

   - Give each group one or two ethical dilemma scenarios.

   - Instruct groups to read their scenarios and discuss the following questions:

     1. What is the ethical issue in the scenario?

     2. What are the possible actions to take?

     3. What are the potential consequences of each action?

     4. What would be the best course of action and why?


5. Group Discussion (20 minutes):

   - Allow groups 20 minutes to discuss their scenarios and answer the questions.

   - Circulate among the groups to provide guidance and answer any questions they may have.


6. Group Presentations (20 minutes):

   - Ask each group to present their scenario and their conclusions to the larger group.

   - After each presentation, facilitate a brief discussion to allow other participants to ask questions or provide additional insights.


7. Debrief and Conclusion (10 minutes):

   - Summarize the key points from the discussions.

   - Highlight common themes and important takeaways about ethical decision-making.

   - Emphasize the importance of discussing ethical issues openly and considering multiple perspectives before making decisions.


Instructions for Participants:

1. Introduction:

   - Listen to the trainer's introduction about the activity and the objective of recognizing and addressing ethical dilemmas in the workplace.


2. Group Formation:

   - Join the small group assigned by the trainer. Ensure you introduce yourself to your group members if you haven't met before.


3. Scenario Discussion:

   - Read the ethical dilemma scenario(s) provided to your group carefully.

   - Discuss the following questions within your group:

     1. What is the ethical issue in the scenario?

     2. What are the possible actions to take?

     3. What are the potential consequences of each action?

     4. What would be the best course of action and why?


4. Engage in Discussion:

   - Share your thoughts and listen to the perspectives of your group members.

   - Aim to reach a consensus on the best course of action for each scenario.


5. Group Presentation:

   - Select a spokesperson (or multiple people) to present your group's scenario and conclusions to the larger group.

   - Be prepared to explain your reasoning and answer questions from other participants.


6. Participate in Larger Discussion:

   - Listen to the presentations from other groups.

   - Ask questions and share additional insights based on your own experiences or thoughts.


7. Debrief:

   - Pay attention to the trainer's summary and key takeaways from the activity.

   - Reflect on what you have learned about ethical decision-making and how it can be applied in your own workplace.


Ethical Dilemma Scenarios (Examples):


1. Scenario 1:

   - You discover that a coworker has been taking home small items from the company storeroom without permission. What do you do?

ஒரு சக பணியாளர் அனுமதியின்றி நிறுவனத்தின் ஸ்டோர்ரூமிலிருந்து சிறிய பொருட்களை வீட்டிற்கு எடுத்துச் செல்வதை நீங்கள் கண்டுபிடித்தீர்கள். உங்கள் நடவடிக்கை என்ன?

2. Scenario 2:

   - A supplier offers you tickets to a major sporting event in exchange for ensuring their contract renewal. How do you respond?

ஒரு சப்ளையர் அவர்களின் ஒப்பந்தத்தை புதுப்பிப்பதை உறுதி செய்வதற்காக ஒரு பெரிய விளையாட்டு நிகழ்வுக்கான டிக்கெட்டுகளை உங்களுக்கு வழங்குகிறது. நீங்கள் எவ்வாறு கையாளுவீர்கள்?

3. Scenario 3:

   - You notice a significant error in the production process that could lead to defective products. Reporting the error will delay the project and incur costs. What is your course of action?

குறைபாடுள்ள தயாரிப்புகளுக்கு வழிவகுக்கும் உற்பத்தி செயல்பாட்டில் குறிப்பிடத்தக்க பிழையை நீங்கள் கவனிக்கிறீர்கள். பிழையைப் புகாரளிப்பது திட்டப்பணியை தாமதப்படுத்தும் மற்றும் செலவுகளை ஏற்படுத்தும். உங்கள் நடவடிக்கை என்ன?

4. Scenario 4:

   - A colleague is consistently not following safety protocols, putting themselves and others at risk. How do you handle this situation?

ஒரு சக ஊழியர் பாதுகாப்பு நெறிமுறைகளை தொடர்ந்து பின்பற்றாமல், தங்களையும் மற்றவர்களையும் ஆபத்தில் ஆழ்த்துகிறார். இந்த சூழ்நிலையை நீங்கள் எவ்வாறு கையாளுகிறீர்கள்?

This activity aims to foster an understanding of ethical principles and improve decision-making skills in the workplace by encouraging participants to think critically and collaboratively about real-world ethical challenges.



Scenario Responses

Scenario 1: Taking Home Small Items from the Storeroom

Response 1:

"Approach the coworker privately and express your concern about their actions. Explain that taking company property without permission is against company policy and can lead to serious consequences. Encourage them to return the items and suggest they speak to their supervisor to clarify any misunderstandings about company resources. If the behavior continues, report the issue to your supervisor or HR."

Response 2:

"Report the issue anonymously through the company's ethics hotline or a similar confidential reporting mechanism. This ensures the issue is addressed without putting you directly in a confrontational situation with your coworker. Follow up with HR to ensure the situation is being handled appropriately."

Response 3:

"Discuss the situation with your supervisor, providing details about what you’ve observed. Express your concern about the potential impact on the company and the importance of maintaining integrity. Suggest implementing a reminder about company policies regarding property to prevent similar issues in the future."


Scenario 2: Supplier Offering Tickets for Contract Renewal

Response 1:

"Politely decline the offer from the supplier, explaining that accepting such gifts could create a conflict of interest and compromise your professional integrity. Inform them that all decisions regarding contracts are based on merit and adherence to company policies. Report the offer to your supervisor or the ethics committee to ensure transparency."

Response 2:

"Inform the supplier that accepting gifts violates the company’s ethics policy and that you must decline the offer. Document the interaction and immediately report it to your supervisor and the procurement or compliance department to maintain transparency and avoid any potential conflicts of interest."

Response 3:

"Thank the supplier for the gesture but firmly explain that company policy prohibits accepting gifts. Reinforce that the decision on contract renewal will be based on the quality of their services and adherence to terms. Report the incident to your supervisor and make a note in the supplier evaluation records to ensure the company maintains ethical standards."


Scenario 3: Significant Error in the Production Process

Response 1:

"Immediately report the error to your supervisor, explaining the potential consequences of releasing defective products. Highlight the importance of quality and safety, even if it means incurring additional costs and delays. Suggest possible solutions to fix the error and prevent future occurrences."

Response 2:

"Document the error thoroughly and notify the quality control team to assess the impact. Escalate the issue to the production manager and propose a meeting to discuss corrective actions. Emphasize the long-term benefits of maintaining high standards and the risks associated with defective products reaching customers."

Response 3:

"Gather relevant data and evidence of the error, then report it to both your supervisor and the quality assurance department. Recommend an immediate halt in production to address the issue. Propose a root cause analysis to prevent recurrence and communicate the importance of maintaining product integrity and customer trust."


Scenario 4: Colleague Not Following Safety Protocols

Response 1:

"Privately speak with the colleague, expressing your concern for their safety and the safety of others. Remind them of the specific safety protocols and the reasons they are in place. Encourage them to adhere to the guidelines and offer to assist them if they have any difficulties understanding the protocols."

Response 2:

"Report the behavior to your supervisor or the safety officer, providing specific examples of the colleague’s actions. Emphasize the potential risks involved and the importance of maintaining a safe working environment. Suggest additional training or reminders for the entire team on safety protocols."

Response 3:

"Document the instances of non-compliance and approach the safety officer or HR with your concerns. Propose a safety meeting or workshop to reinforce the importance of safety protocols and ensure everyone understands and follows them. Highlight the potential consequences of not adhering to safety measures, both for individuals and the company."

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