ETHICS: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Back
Knowing and applying ethical standards are often two different experiences. Discussions and role play help move ethical decision-making from a set of good ideas to a set of actions.

Category

  • Life Skills
  • Ethics

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe examples of professional behavior standards.
  • Describe how to resolve ethical issues in the workplace.

Supplies

  • Pen or pencil
  • What Would You Do? activity sheet, one copy per person (see resources)
  • Ethics Journal activity sheet, one copy per person (see resources)
  • Ethical Problem-Solving summary sheet, one copy per person (see resources)

Advisor Note

Text in italics should be read aloud to participants. As you engage your post in activities each week, please include comments, discussions, and feedback to the group relating to Character, Leadership, and Ethics. These are important attributes that make a difference in the success of youth in the workplace and in life.

Activities

INTRODUCTION

Ask the Explorers if they have ever had an ethical problem that was hard to resolve. Ask for volunteers to share their experiences. Remind the Explorers not to use anyone’s real name.

Share the Ethical Problem-Solving summary sheet. Take a minute and have everyone read it.

Ask:

  • What makes a decision ethical?
  • How could they use these steps to make a more ethical decision?
  • Would it have been easier to resolve the problem using the steps?

Activity 1

What Would You Do?

Pass out the What Would You Do? activity sheet. Ask the Explorers to follow the steps they have learned to resolve the ethical problem on the activity sheet. Tell the participants to write under each step how they have applied that step to the problem. After Explorers have had enough time to complete the activity sheet, lead a group discussion about the problem and their thoughts on a solution.

Activity 2

Ethics Journal

Pass out the Ethics Journal activity sheet. Explain to participants they are to record their thoughts about each question. Remind them there is not a right or wrong answer; they are simply to write what they think about each question. After they have had enough time to complete the activity sheet, ask for volunteers to share their thoughts.

Advisor Note

Some sample questions are below. They are designed to help the participants apply what they have learned to their own interests. You are welcome to use these questions or develop your own questions that relate to the post or your specific focus area.

Reflection

Focusing Questions

  • What are ethics?
  • What are some ethical challenges you reflected on during today’s activities?

Analysis Questions

  • Why is it sometimes harder to come up with the “correct” answer to ethical problems?

Generalization Questions

  • Can you see yourself using the steps of ethical problem-solving to answer questions?
  • What do you learn by sharing your thoughts on ethical problem-solving with other people?