Deontology in Action: Whistleblowing and Ethical Responsibility

The moral philosophy that has most demonstrably influenced the outcome of an ethical dilemma I’ve witnessed is deontology. Deontology, as championed by philosophers like Immanuel Kant, emphasizes duty and following universal moral rules, regardless of the consequences. This philosophy played a crucial role in a situation I encountered at a previous retail company (Company X).

The Ethical Dilemma:

Company X faced pressure to meet unrealistic sales quotas. This pressure led some store managers to engage in unethical practices, such as pressuring employees to add unauthorized warranty plans to customer purchases without their knowledge. This deceptive practice boosted sales figures but clearly violated customer trust and ethical business conduct.

The Deontological Whistleblower:

One employee, Sarah, a cashier at Company X, became aware of this practice. She was deeply troubled by the deception. Sarah felt a strong sense of duty to expose this wrongdoing, even though she feared potential consequences like job loss or retaliation.

Deontological Influence on the Outcome:

Sarah’s moral compass, guided by deontology, compelled her to report the unethical practice to her district manager. Despite the potential repercussions, Sarah prioritized her moral duty to act ethically and protect customers.

Impact on the Organization:

While Sarah initially faced some resistance, her deontological commitment to reporting the wrongdoing ultimately led to a positive outcome. An internal investigation confirmed the practice and disciplinary actions were taken against the managers involved. Company X also implemented new policies and training to prevent similar occurrences.

Deontology’s Role in Positive Change:

This situation exemplifies how deontology can influence ethical decision-making within organizations. Sarah’s actions, driven by a sense of duty and universal moral principles, exposed unethical behavior and ultimately led to corrective measures that protected customers and ensured fairer business practices.

It’s important to note that deontological approaches might not always lead to the most beneficial outcome in every situation. However, in this case, Sarah’s commitment to her moral duty sparked positive change within the organization