Criminal Justice Library Tips
Place yourself into the following scenario. You will take on the role of union president and use the facts presented in the scenario to make a plan of action in dealing with the ethical dilemmas.
A union represents employees’ best interest in their employment by ensuring employees are treated fairly and lawfully by their employers. They represent employees in negotiations for pay and benefits and file grievances on behalf of employees who allege mistreatment due to violations of their collective bargaining agreements or violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
You hold a position of a patrol officer in your police department or a guard in a correctional facility, and you have recently been elected by your peers as union president. As the union president, you have a responsibility to your membership to represent their best interests regarding their employment. As an elected union president, you are a leader. You need to consider the employees’ best interest. The union has recently been advised by administration that due to budget cuts, layoffs are likely. Your membership is calling for a work slowdown if staffing cuts occur.
A work slowdown is when a union informs its membership to only complete the minimum work necessary to meet their responsibilities. This allows them to complete the minimum work needed so they will not be subject to termination or other discipline for refusing to work.
In a 1–2-page short paper, discuss the ethical dilemmas you face and identify what the best course of action is to take. Address the potential impact your decision will have on the employees of the organization as well as other stakeholders. Include the reasoning behind your decisions. Support your reasoning with the textbook or other research.
This scenario analysis short paper will help you prepare for your final project because you are analyzing the ethical dilemmas and how to handle them in a leadership role, as you will need to do for your final project.
Prompt
Your short paper should include the following critical elements:
1. Introduce the ethical dilemma(s) and the various stakeholders affected by it.
2. Propose a solution to the ethical dilemma. Explain the actions needed to properly address all stakeholders concerns.
3. Explain the impact of the solution. Discuss the effect your decisions will have on the various stakeholders.
4. Support your reasoning behind your solution with the textbook or other sources.
Refer to the Criminal Justice Library Tips for support in finding and citing outside resources.
What to Submit
Your short paper should be 1–2 pages, in 12-point Times New Roman font, double spaced, and follow appropriate APA formatting.
Sample Solution
Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Union President As the newly elected union president, I am facing a number of ethical dilemmas. The most pressing dilemma is whether or not to support a work slowdown if staffing cuts occur. On the one hand, I have a responsibility to represent the best interests of my membership. The members have made it clear that they are willing to take action if layoffs occur. A work slowdown would be a way to show the administration that the members are serious about their concerns.Full Answer Section
On the other hand, I am also aware of the ethical implications of a work slowdown. A work slowdown could potentially put the public at risk. For example, if a work slowdown occurs at a police department, it could mean that there are fewer officers available to respond to calls for service. I am also concerned about the impact a work slowdown would have on the morale of the membership. A work slowdown could be seen as a sign of weakness, and it could lead to further layoffs. Best Course of Action After careful consideration, I believe that the best course of action is to try to negotiate a solution with the administration that does not involve a work slowdown. I will meet with the administration and explain the concerns of the membership. I will also propose alternative solutions, such as wage freezes or furloughs. If the administration is unwilling to negotiate, I will then have to make a difficult decision. I will need to weigh the potential risks and benefits of a work slowdown. If I believe that a work slowdown is the best way to protect the interests of the membership, I will support it. However, I will only do so after careful consideration of all the factors involved. Conclusion The ethical dilemmas faced by the union president are complex and challenging. There is no easy answer, and the best course of action will vary depending on the specific circumstances. However, I believe that the best way to resolve these dilemmas is to engage in open and honest communication with the administration and the membership. By working together, I believe that we can find a solution that protects the interests of everyone involved. Additional Considerations In addition to the ethical dilemmas discussed above, the union president should also consider the following factors when making a decision about whether or not to support a work slowdown:- The impact on the public: As mentioned above, a work slowdown could potentially put the public at risk. The union president should carefully consider the potential impact on public safety before making a decision.
- The impact on the membership: A work slowdown could also have a negative impact on the morale of the membership. The union president should consider the potential consequences of a work slowdown on the long-term health of the union.
- The likelihood of success: The union president should also consider the likelihood of success of a work slowdown. If the administration is unlikely to be swayed by a work slowdown, then it may not be worth the risk.