An article of ABC newspaper (2018), states that more than 40% of the employees in the nation of Australia are victims of workplace. Recent researches have shown that these incidents of workplace not only affect the performance of these individuals but at the same time affect the safety as well as the wellbeing of these individuals as well (Kelloway, Nielsen & Dimoff, 2017). In addition to these, the various incidents of bullying also adversely affects the culture of an organization and it is seen that engagement level of the employees as well (Trépanier, Fernet & Austin, 2015).
In the case under discussion here, Sally McDow is the victim of workplace bullying and this not only affects the quality of the work that she does but at the same time affects the overall decisions taken by the organization as well. For example, she explicitly mentions that there is a culture within the organization Origin wherein the senior members of the organization bully the junior members, the employees are yelled at, abused and even physically intimidated so as make them yield to the decisions made by the management team (Slezak, 2018). In addition to these, she also enumerates the incidents of the various meetings wherein she was forced to yield despite being correct and at the same time was made to keep quiet regarding the various unethical and also wrong practices of the organization (Slezak, 2018). This kind of treatment can not only shake the confidence level of an individual on his or her abilities but also raise serious doubts regarding the nature or the kind of work that they are performing (Kelloway, Nielsen & Dimoff, 2017). Furthermore, these activities of bullying and physical intimidation can also affect the mental as well as the physical health or the wellbeing of the employees (Trépanier, Fernet & Austin, 2015). Thus, it can be said that the various incidents of bullying does indeed pose a significant amount of threat to the health and the safety of the employees and therefore needs to be seen as a serious issue by the organization.
Marker’s Comments: The marker will provide feedback here.
(High Distinction) 85-100% Exceeds Expectations (Distinction) 75 – 84% Meets Expectations
(Credit) 65 – 74% Meets Expectations
(Pass) 50 – 64% Below Expectations
(Fail) below 50%
Demonstrates a balanced and very high level of detailed knowledge of core concepts by providing a very high level of analysis. Utilises current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates a balanced and high level of knowledge of core concepts by providing a high level of analysis. Utilises mostly current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates a good level of knowledge of some of the core concepts by providing some level of analysis. Utilises some current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates limited knowledge of core concepts by providing a limited level of analysis. Utilises few current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates little, if any, knowledge of the core concepts with extremely limited, if any, analysis. Utilises little, if any, current, appropriate and credible sources.
Quality of writing at a very high standard. Paragraphs are coherently connected to each other. Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. Quality of writing is of a high standard. Paragraphs are mostly well structured. Few grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Quality of writing is of a good standard. Few grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Some problems with sentence structure and presentation Frequent grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes. Use of inappropriate language. Quality of writing is at a very poor standard so barely understandable. Many spelling mistakes. Little or no evidence of proof reading.
The assessment presents a detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; drawing clear and well thought-out conclusions. The assessment presents a fairly detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; drawing fairly clear and well thought-out conclusions. The assessment presents a somewhat detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; providing some evidence of conclusions. The assessment provides limited detail with no clear summary of the ideas presented; drawing limited conclusions. The assessment fails to provide any clear evidence of the ideas presented; drawing no clear conclusions.
The term “conflict of interest” generally refers to the scenarios in which there is a disagreement between the individuals or the entities, who are associated in the process (Johnston, 2017). In other words, it can be said that “conflict of interest” arises when there is an incompatibility between the decisions or the actions that two or more individuals are trying to make. Furthermore, “conflict of interest” also arises when it is seen that one of the individuals involved in the process of decision making tries to make the decision on the basis of their personal interests or relations and this substantially limits the quality of the decisions or the actions (Rohr, 2017). Caplan and Redman (2018) are of the viewpoint that this has emerged as one of the most common issues or challenges faced by the contemporary organizations and thus the decisions or the actions taken by the organizations should be made on the basis of ethical or moral considerations.
The case of Origin Energy clearly indicates that there is a “conflict of interest” regarding the decisions of the organization between the organization and the employees of the organization and also the mandates of the national government. For example, as per the article of Slezak (2018) the management of the organization finds it more profitable to pay the penalties to the national government rather than to follow the stipulations of the government. Furthermore, some of the employees of the organization like Sally McDow and others have tried to highlight the ineffective as well as unethical practices followed by the organisation for the drilling of oil and gas however they were suppressed through acts of bullying and physical intimidation. This unethical decision making of the organisation can be explained on the fact that they not only fail to use the various ethical theories for the conduct of their business but at the same time fail to take into effective consideration of the employees as well (Rohr, 2017). The management team of the organisation is solely motivated by the personal benefits and also the organisational benefits that the use of these unethical decisions can offer them. Thus, it becomes apparent that “conflict of interest” can lead to unethical-decision making.
Marker’s Comments: The marker will provide feedback here:
(High Distinction) 85-100% Exceeds Expectations (Distinction) 75 – 84% Meets Expectations
(Credit) 65 – 74% Meets Expectations
(Pass) 50 – 64% Below Expectations
(Fail) below 50%
Demonstrates a balanced and very high level of detailed knowledge of core concepts by providing a very high level of analysis. Utilises current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates a balanced and high level of knowledge of core concepts by providing a high level of analysis. Utilises mostly current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates a good level of knowledge of some of the core concepts by providing some level of analysis. Utilises some current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates limited knowledge of core concepts by providing a limited level of analysis. Utilises few current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates little, if any, knowledge of the core concepts with extremely limited, if any, analysis. Utilises little, if any, current, appropriate and credible sources.
Quality of writing at a very high standard. Paragraphs are coherently connected to each other. Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. Quality of writing is of a high standard. Paragraphs are mostly well structured. Few grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Quality of writing is of a good standard. Few grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Some problems with sentence structure and presentation Frequent grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes. Use of inappropriate language. Quality of writing is at a very poor standard so barely understandable. Many spelling mistakes. Little or no evidence of proof reading.
The assessment presents a detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; drawing clear and well thought-out conclusions. The assessment presents a fairly detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; drawing fairly clear and well thought-out conclusions. The assessment presents a somewhat detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; providing some evidence of conclusions. The assessment provides limited detail with no clear summary of the ideas presented; drawing limited conclusions. The assessment fails to provide any clear evidence of the ideas presented; drawing no clear conclusions.
The case of the Origin Energy when analyzed under the AAA ethical decision making model reveals the fact that not only the organization failed to take into effective consideration the various theories of ethics but at the same time even failed to followed the stipulations of the national government as well. For example, a close analysis of the allegations of Sally McDow reveals the fact that the organization failed to use the ethical theory of Utilitarianism. One of the most important precepts of Mill’s theory of ethics is the fact that the organizations as well as the individuals needs to take the help of the kind of activities or actions which are likely to provide the highest amount of benefits or advantages to the society and also the other individuals (Mill, 2016). However, the case clearly reveals the fact that the organization and the management team of the organization were only motivated by the desire to fulfill their personal desires (Slezak, 2018). Furthermore, the organization by not paying the taxes to the national government of the nation deprived the government of “tens of millions of dollars of revenue” which could have been utilized for the development of the nation (Slezak, 2018).
The organization Origin Energy at the same time failed to take into effective consideration the theory of harm principle. The theory states that the organization or the individuals can take power in their hands only if it ensures that the rights of the other individuals are safeguarded (Harcourt, 2015). However, in the case of the organization Origin Energy it becomes clear that power was utilized by the senior employees to not only ensure the fact that the unethical practices of the organization are not brought to light but also to bully the employees of the organization into submission (Slezak, 2018). Thus, it can be said that the said that the organization and its employees purposely disregarded the ethical theories to ensure the fulfillment of their own desires and needs
Marker’s Comments: The marker will provide feedback here.
(High Distinction) 85-100% Exceeds Expectations (Distinction) 75 – 84% Meets Expectations
(Credit) 65 – 74% Meets Expectations
(Pass) 50 – 64% Below Expectations
(Fail) below 50%
Demonstrates a balanced and very high level of detailed knowledge of core concepts by providing a very high level of analysis. Utilises current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates a balanced and high level of knowledge of core concepts by providing a high level of analysis. Utilises mostly current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates a good level of knowledge of some of the core concepts by providing some level of analysis. Utilises some current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates limited knowledge of core concepts by providing a limited level of analysis. Utilises few current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates little, if any, knowledge of the core concepts with extremely limited, if any, analysis. Utilises little, if any, current, appropriate and credible sources.
Quality of writing at a very high standard. Paragraphs are coherently connected to each other. Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. Quality of writing is of a high standard. Paragraphs are mostly well structured. Few grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Quality of writing is of a good standard. Few grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Some problems with sentence structure and presentation Frequent grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes. Use of inappropriate language. Quality of writing is at a very poor standard so barely understandable. Many spelling mistakes. Little or no evidence of proof reading.
The assessment presents a detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; drawing clear and well thought-out conclusions. The assessment presents a fairly detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; drawing fairly clear and well thought-out conclusions. The assessment presents a somewhat detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; providing some evidence of conclusions. The assessment provides limited detail with no clear summary of the ideas presented; drawing limited conclusions. The assessment fails to provide any clear evidence of the ideas presented; drawing no clear conclusions.
Zhang, Liao and Yuan (2016) are of the viewpoint that it is the moral as well as the ethical responsible of the individuals to bring to light the unethical and also the unfair practices used by the various individuals or the organizations. In this regard, the role played by the various whistleblowers becomes very important since these individuals by bringing to light various unethical as well as the unfair practices of the diverse organizations and also the national governments of the various nations of the world do a significant amount of good to the society (Vandekerckhove, 2016). However, there are various steps that the whistleblowers need to follow, namely, collection of the necessary evidence which is likely to support the allegations that they are making, taking the help of the law order and order and also the media channels to ensure the fact that the information regarding the unethical actions are reaching to the public and others. (Zhang, Liao & Yuan, 2016)
The actions of Sally McDow, the whistleblower who brought to light the unethical practices of Origin Energy clearly indicates that she followed the concept of ethics for her actions. For example, her actions and the allegations clearly indicates that the actions of the organizations were causing good just to the organization and depriving the people of the nation and also the national government of the benefits that were supposed to provide. It is also pertinent to note that Sally McDow tried to make the organization realize the fact that the actions of theirs were completely unethical however instead of paying heed to her they simply bullying (Slezak, 2018). Thus, in the scenario it can be said that the actions of Sally McDow are completely ethical since by highlighting the unethical practices of the organization she actually worked for the benefit of the people as well as the national government of the nation.
Marker’s Comments: The marker will provide feedback here. Mark (5):
(High Distinction) 85-100% Exceeds Expectations (Distinction) 75 – 84% Meets Expectations
(Credit) 65 – 74% Meets Expectations
(Pass) 50 – 64% Below Expectations
(Fail) below 50%
Demonstrates a balanced and very high level of detailed knowledge of core concepts by providing a very high level of analysis. Utilises current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates a balanced and high level of knowledge of core concepts by providing a high level of analysis. Utilises mostly current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates a good level of knowledge of some of the core concepts by providing some level of analysis. Utilises some current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates limited knowledge of core concepts by providing a limited level of analysis. Utilises few current, appropriate and credible sources. Demonstrates little, if any, knowledge of the core concepts with extremely limited, if any, analysis. Utilises little, if any, current, appropriate and credible sources.
Quality of writing at a very high standard. Paragraphs are coherently connected to each other. Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. Quality of writing is of a high standard. Paragraphs are mostly well structured. Few grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Quality of writing is of a good standard. Few grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Some problems with sentence structure and presentation Frequent grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes. Use of inappropriate language. Quality of writing is at a very poor standard so barely understandable. Many spelling mistakes. Little or no evidence of proof reading.
The assessment presents a detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; drawing clear and well thought-out conclusions. The assessment presents a fairly detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; drawing fairly clear and well thought-out conclusions. The assessment presents a somewhat detailed and focused summary of the ideas presented; providing some evidence of conclusions. The assessment provides limited detail with no clear summary of the ideas presented; drawing limited conclusions. The assessment fails to provide any clear evidence of the ideas presented; drawing no clear conclusions.
Michaelson et al. (2014) have suggested that the focus of the various business enterprises of the world have shifted from the various processes of their business to just the concept of profitability. The business enterprises of the contemporary times thus try to take the help of different processes which not only ensure the growth of their enterprise but at the same time ensure the fact that they have a higher rate of profitability as well (Hoffman, Frederick & Schwartz, 2014). This is important from the perspective of the business enterprises and also from the perspective of the diverse shareholders as well as the stakeholders who are associated with the enterprise. However, for the attainment of this particular end the various business enterprises often take the help of diverse kinds of measures which are not only unethical but at the same time unfair as well (Goodpaster, 2015). Recent researches suggest that these unethical as well as unfair means can enhance the profitability of these organizations on a short-term basis but in the longer run they end up causing more harm than good (Trevino & Nelson, 2016). Thus, it can be said that the various business enterprises for the process of their business operation need to take the help of decisions which are not only ethically but morally correct as well.
The case of Origin Energy clearly indicates that the organization has been taking the help of unethical as well as unfair practices and the use of these practices as a matter of fact dates back to as early as 1936 (Slezak, 2018). For example, as per the allegations of Sally McDow the company purposefully and willingly avoids the use of the regulations or the stipulations of the national government of Australia (Slezak, 2018). Furthermore, the management team of the organization deems it to be much more economical as well as profitable to pay the penalties to the national government of the nation than to implement the stipulations of the national government within the framework of their company (Slezak, 2018). This has not only enabled the company to save millions of dollars worth of tax money but at the same time by not reporting the actual amount of gas or oil drilled by them in their various offshore fields they can actually save a substantial amount of money which they would have to pay to the national government of the nation (Slezak, 2018).
The practices of the organization clearly indicates that there is a conflict of interest between the ethical considerations that the organization is required to follow for the process of its business and also the prudential considerations of the management team, its shareholders and others. This conflict of interest stems from the desire of the organization to enhance the amount of profitability of the organization. Furthermore, the allegations of Sally McDow clearly reveals that she had tried to show the unethical practices followed by the company several times to the management team of the organization but to no result. In addition to these, during the various board meetings of the company in which more than 35 managers of the company participated she realized the fact that almost all these managers are aware of the unethical practices of the company but they had decided to overlook of the prudential and the financial benefits that the use of these practices provided to the organization (Slezak, 2018). However, the thing that really bothered her was the fact that these unethical practices of the company were actually causing much harm not only to national government of the nation but also to the environment as well. For example, in some of the cases it was seen that the containers of the company and also the oil-fields of the company were realizing radioactive elements and other harmful ingredients into the ocean which can actually damage the ecosystem of the world yet they have chosen to overlook it and at the same time not report it (Slezak, 2018).
There is a need for the organization to take the help of various kinds of ethical theories as well as moral concepts for the process of their business operations which will not only help them to resolve these problems but at the same time provide long-term benefits as well. Furthermore, the effective use of the various ethical theories like Utilitarianism and others would at the same time help the organization to improve its brand or market image as well which in-turn will help the organization to have a larger number of customers (Michaelson et al., 2014). This will enhance the sale of the products offered by the organization and this in-turn will increase the profit earned by the organization. In addition to this, paying adequate amount of taxes which the national government of Australia rightfully owes to the company and also paying the right amount of royalties to the government which help the organization to contribute in a substantial manner towards the process of national economic growth. It is seen that a significant proportion of the capital which are being paid by the organizations and also the private citizens of a nation goes on to fund the various development projects of a nation (Crane & Matten, 2016). Thus, if the organization is following the various ethical theories and paying the taxes and the royalties to the nation government will be able to not only help in the process of national development but at the same time reap benefits from the same as well. For example, the development of the nation would mean that the concerned organization would have access to better kinds of technological, labour and other resources which will in turn help in the process of its own growth.
It is true that the organization is being able to reap the benefits of the unethical and unfair practices that it is utilizing currently for the process of their business by earning a higher amount of profit. However, the allegations of Sally McDow has adversely affected the brand image of the company and the best possible manner in which the company can regain its lost status and also image is to use the various ethical theories and practices for the process of their business operations. The effective usage of these ethical theories will at the same time improve the culture of the organization in a substantial manner as well. As per the allegations of Sally McDow, the organizational culture of the company is the one where bullying and physical intimidation are a common phenomenon. Weiss (2014) is of the opinion that the entity of organizational culture is directly linked to the job productivity of the employees. For example, in the organizations where a congenial work environment and culture prevails the employees are being able to work in a much productivity manner and vice versa. Thus, it can be said that the effective usage of the various ethical theories or an ethical program for the process of their business operations is the best option that the company has at its disposal at the current moment which will help it to mitigate the adverse effects of its unethical practices.
To conclude, the concept of business ethics has emerged as one of the most important ones within the contemporary business world. The prominence attained by the concept can be explained on the basis of the fact that the majority of the business enterprises of the present times in order to enhance the amount of profit earned by them often resort to the use of unethical as well as unfair business practices. The extensive usage of these unethical practices not only limits the future prospects of the organization in the longer run but at the same time adversely affects the growth of the nation in which they are operational since they are utilizing the resources of the nation for their growth yet they are not contributing any substantial amount towards the national growth. In this light, it can be said that the effective usage of the various ethical theories is the best possible option that the company Origin Energy has at their disposal currently.
References:
Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Goodpaster, K. E. (2015). Business ethics. Wiley Encyclopedia of Management, 1-6.
Hoffman, W. M., Frederick, R. E., & Schwartz, M. S. (Eds.). (2014). Business ethics: Readings and cases in corporate morality. John Wiley & Sons.
Michaelson, C., Pratt, M. G., Grant, A. M., & Dunn, C. P. (2014). Meaningful work: Connecting business ethics and organization studies. Journal of Business Ethics, 121(1), 77-90.
Slezak, M. (2018). Origin Energy ignores coal seam gas well leaks, whistleblower says. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/27/origin-energy-ignores-coal-seam-gas-well-leaks-whistleblower-says
Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right. John Wiley & Sons.
Weiss, J. W. (2014). Business ethics: A stakeholder and issues management approach. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
ABC News. (2018). Half of all Australians experience workplace bullying, survey finds [online]. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-09/half-all-australians-experience-workplace-bullying-survey-finds/7916230
Kelloway, E. K., Nielsen, K., & Dimoff, J. K. (Eds.). (2017). Leading to Occupational Health and Safety: How Leadership Behaviours Impact Organizational Safety and Well-Being. John Wiley & Sons.
Slezak, M. (2018). Origin Energy ignores coal seam gas well leaks, whistleblower says. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/27/origin-energy-ignores-coal-seam-gas-well-leaks-whistleblower-says
Trépanier, S. G., Fernet, C., & Austin, S. (2015). A longitudinal investigation of workplace bullying, basic need satisfaction, and employee functioning. Journal of occupational health psychology, 20(1), 105.
Caplan, A. L., & Redman, B. K. (2018). Conflict of Interest. In Getting to Good (pp. 465-513). Springer, Cham.
Johnston, M. (2017). Conflict of interest (Vol. 1). LE Publishing.
Rohr, J. (2017). Ethics for bureaucrats: An essay on law and values. Routledge.
Slezak, M. (2018). Origin Energy ignores coal seam gas well leaks, whistleblower says. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/27/origin-energy-ignores-coal-seam-gas-well-leaks-whistleblower-says
Harcourt, B. E. (2015). From the harm principle to harm decisionism: Hart, Feinberg, and the eclipse of Millian ambiguity. The Tocqueville Review/La revue Tocqueville, 36(1), 185-211.
Mill, J. S. (2016). Utilitarianism. In Seven Masterpieces of Philosophy (pp. 337-383). Routledge.
Slezak, M. (2018). Origin Energy ignores coal seam gas well leaks, whistleblower says. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/27/origin-energy-ignores-coal-seam-gas-well-leaks-whistleblower-says
Slezak, M. (2018). Origin Energy ignores coal seam gas well leaks, whistleblower says. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/27/origin-energy-ignores-coal-seam-gas-well-leaks-whistleblower-says
Vandekerckhove, W. (2016). Whistleblowing and organizational social responsibility: A global assessment. Routledge.
Zhang, F. W., Liao, J. Q., & Yuan, J. M. (2016). Ethical leadership and whistleblowing: Collective moral potency and personal identification as mediators. Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 44(7), 1223-1231.
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download