Ethics Q&A
Where do ethics come into play and why is ethics important?
Certain behavior in our society is regulated. Stealing and physically abusing others are examples of behavior that society has strict laws prohibiting. Many aspects of an industrial hygienist’s professional life are dictated by various governmental regulations. On the opposite end of the spectrum from regulated behavior is free will, where there are no constraints over how one behaves. In this domain we are free to do whatever we wish and act according to our free will. Ethics comes into play in between these two domains – regulated behavior and free will. It belongs to the domain where no regulations apply but, if certain actions were taken, some of our closely held values would be subverted or be diminished in some way. It is in this middle ground that ethical issues arise and difficult decisions about how to behave are made. Difficult professional ethical decisions must be guided by an understanding of our collective professional values as well as our personal values. If we do not make good professional ethical choices our careers and our profession suffers.
Is there a process that can be followed that will lead to better ethical decisions?
The answer is a resounding yes… The process currently being taught by the Joint Industrial Hygiene Ethics Education Committee (JIHEEC) to assist industrial hygienists make high quality ethical decisions was developed from materials published by Rushworth Kidder, Founder and President of the Institute for Global Ethics. The process is described in his book titled, “How Good People Make Tough Choices” and is summarized in the following paragraphs.
One of the first steps in resolving an ethical dilemma is determining its type. Kidder describes two types of ethical dilemmas. The first type, described as “right versus wrong” dilemmas are really moral temptations. In these cases one of the two choices may be very attractive but on closer examination selecting one of the choices would result in a violation of a law, a departure from the truth, or perhaps an unfulfilled duty or responsibility. A client withholding payment while requesting that an industrial hygienist alter a survey report such that, if the report were altered, would not properly described the seriousness of the survey findings is an example of this type ethical issue. Right versus wrong ethical issues can be identified by a quick test, or rather, by honestly answering a few simple questions. Is a law broken? Does the course of action make you feel uncomfortable? Would you feel awkward or ashamed to read about your actions on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper? Would an individual you really respect avoid behaving in this way? Would someone who cares deeply about you want you to avoid behaving this way? If any of these questions are answered affirmatively, the issue is most likely a moral temptation. Once a choice has been identified as being a “wrong” choice, the path forward is clear.
The more difficult ethical dilemmas are of the second type or “right versus right” dilemmas. In these instances a decision must be made between two right choices and the values supporting each. These are genuine dilemmas because they force us to examine and weigh deeply held beliefs. Rushworth Kidder describes four common paradigms in which right versus right ethical dilemmas arise. These are:
- Truth versus loyalty
- Individual versus community
- Short-term versus long-term
- Justice versus mercy
For example, an industrial hygienist many have knowledge that a friend and coworker, who has confided in her outside of their job, is immunocompromised due to chemotherapy treatment. The coworker, a skilled virologist, intends to continue handing highly infectious class 3 agents while being treated. This is work the virologist loves, is committed to and has spent years training to perform. If the industrial hygienist informs management about the condition, the coworker will likely be removed from this position and reassigned, potentially derailing his career. The industrial hygienist wants to be loyal to this worker and friend but also to speak truthfully to management regarding his condition. This represents a dilemma of the “truth versus loyalty” type. Industrial hygienists in their professional practice and personal lives are faced with ethical dilemmas of each of these types. An ethical dilemma can actually contain several of these paradigms but generally one will predominate. The process of evaluating the various paradigms and identifying the dominant paradigm is the next step in resolving true “right versus right” ethical dilemmas. This process helps one to focus on the key issues and begin identifying the competing values.
The next step is the application of a set of resolution principals. Three resolution principles are articulated by Rushworth Kidder – ends based or utilitarian principle (Do what’s best for the greatest number of people), the rule based or Kantian principle (Follow your highest sense of principle), and the care based principle based on the golden rule (Do what you want others to do to you). Although understanding these resolution principles is relatively easy, applying them can be quite difficult. One can not simply stick a dilemma into one end of the resolution process, turn a crank, and collect a resolved dilemma at the other end. Resolving a dilemma requires one to spend time clarifying his or her values, weighing competing values, and identifying a line of reasoning that seems most relevant and persuasive to the issue at hand. So, what does the resolution process look like? Each resolution principle is applied to the dilemma sequentially and its outcome (or the decision one would reach from applying the principle) weighted against the outcomes of the other resolution principles. This weighing and evaluation of outcomes forces an assessment of our individual and professional values, and by doing so, helps to clarify the issues and move us toward a satisfactory resolution. Since individuals may weigh values differently, individuals may reach different decisions regarding how to proceed when faced with an ethical dilemma. This is to be expected. The process is designed to help us clarify our own values and by doing so, assist us in making better ethical decisions. It does not magically make the decision for us. As you might imagine, applying these principles and following this process takes practice and the more practice one gets, the better one becomes at it. For this reason, JIHEEC’s PDC and workshop creates lots of opportunities to work through hypothetical ethical dilemmas and by doing so, improve each participant’s “ethical fitness.” This makes for an exciting and lively session participants will not soon forget.
How can I request a presentation on professional ethics at a local event?
If you would like to request a presentation by a member of the Joint Industrial Hygiene Ethics Education Committee, contact the current chair. Forty-five minute to one hour presentations can be made at local section meetings. Special arrangements can also be made for longer presentations.