Ethical Issue and Action Plan
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Write a 5 page report in which you complete the following:
Brainstorm several alternatives for resolving the ethical dilemma in the case.
Analyze alternatives for resolving the ethical dilemma and come to a conclusion.
Analyze and document the possible ramifications for at least three alternatives. Then, choose a course of action.
Apply ethical codes and standards to support the plan of action.
Explain the research methods used in multiple research studies relevant to the case, and present the findings.
Explain your course of action, using research findings from at least two studies to support your plan. You can use (but are not required to use) additional research beyond the two studies to support your plan.
The following is the recommended structure for organizing your assessment:
Create a title page: Write a title that reflects the purpose of your work. It is suggested that you use the APA Paper Template [DOCX] to format your paper according to the APA manual (current edition).
Write an introduction: For the introduction section of your paper, include the title at the top of the first page. (In APA format, the word Introduction is not used as a heading.) Briefly summarize:
The ethical issue in the case you have chosen.
How professional standards and other resources, in general terms, point toward solutions.
How the issue in general relates to larger societal problems.
Create a heading titled Applied Ethical Principles and Standards: Use the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct to assess which of the principles and standards relate to the particular ethical issue in this case, and analyze how they do so.
Create a heading titled Alternative Solutions:
Brainstorm several alternatives for resolving the ethical dilemma in the case. Thoroughly analyze the possible ramifications for at least three alternatives and document them. Then, choose a course of action.
Explain your chosen course of action and support it based on both ethical principles and current psychological research (published within the past decade).
Sample Solution
In the case provided, an ethical dilemma arises when a business owner is presented with the choice to either terminate a long-time employee or risk losing financial support from a major donor. One potential alternative for resolving this dilemma would be to discuss options with the employee in question and negotiate an agreement that benefits both parties. This could involve offering early retirement or severance packages, as well as providing job placement services such as career counseling, resume writing classes, etc. (Gillespie-Lynch et al., 2019). Doing so helps ensure that the employee does not leave empty handed and can transition into a new position without any major disruption.
Another approach would be to consider other sources of funding outside of the current donor. This might include applying for grants, seeking out sponsorships or donations from other organizations within the local community (Jones et al., 2016). Finally, if neither of these alternatives are feasible, then it may be necessary to accept what was offered by this particular benefactor while still doing some form of damage control. For instance, if allowed by contract law it might help to provide additional severance pay or compensation packages beyond what was promised in order to maintain good faith (Karp & Clear 2017).
There is no easy answer when dealing with ethical dilemmas like this one; however taking time to explore all available options before making any decisions can lead towards better outcomes for everyone involved and ensure that everybody’s needs are taken into consideration. Ultimately, each situation should also be approached on a case-by-case basis since every individual has unique circumstances which require tailored solutions in order for justice to prevail.