Ethical dilemma:
The ethics of taking the blame
June 2005
You have been part of a team working on a large and complex project. You have heard that a fairly major error has shown up as part of the financials for the project. Apparently your boss feels that one of your colleagues is to blame for this, however, you are certain that the mistake is actually your fault.
The colleague your boss is blaming is someone you do not particularly get along well with. You feel he is incompetent and you have a suspicion - which you cannot prove - that he has embezzeled funds from your company.
You feel that it would benefit your company for your colleague to be 'let go' and him being blamed for such a major error may, along with other factors, contribute to this happening.
Ethical questions:
- What are the issues?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- What should you do?
- What would you do?
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