CONCEPT PAPER – AN ETHICAL ISSUE
In the year 2000, I applied for the position of Manager of Information Technology for ABC School District. Technology issues were at an all time peek as Y2K had just come and gone and the boom in Silicon Valley was emerging in the form of what we now call the dot com era. Companies were looking for leadership and direction in IT to make the most efficient use of the emerging technologies within their organizations. After several tests and panel interviews I was offered the position and accepted.
I had managed staff and projects previously, but they were small in comparison to what lie ahead. I was young and ambitious and ready to change the world. There was a short “honey moon” phase when all went smoothly. Very quickly however, staff began to test their boundaries. What can I get away with the new guy? Many of these staff members I have known for many years. Some were personal friends. Now, they were staff, subordinates, and union members. I was shocked by the amount of time that would forever be taken by staff personnel issues. Those issues are largely ethical issues and tests of rules and boundaries. In this paper I am going to discuss and analyze a recent ethical issue I am dealing with at work regarding an employee’s attendance. To protect the innocent, we will call this employee Carla.
In early 2006, Carla was a model employee. She was cheerful, helpful, and knowledgeable about her position. Her position was that of technical support for the central District Offices. The responsibilities of her position included providing technology support to approximately 350 staff members. Many of these staff members hold the highest positions in the organization. She was well respected for her knowledge, speed and thoroughness of which she completed her tasks.
In mid 2006, Carla received news that her brother was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease as it is more commonly known. Her brother had known there was an issue...