Wessex Training

Where Do You Draw the Line? is a 50 minute, real time, face to face, structured experience. Participants are formed in groups and analyse a series of ethical situations. These are structured in a way to reveal the assumptions that each group uses to make ethical judgments. The set of situations is modular. The first module requires approximately 20 minutes, subsequent modules require approximately 10 minutes. All modules may be completed in one 50 minute session or in a series of sessions depending on your needs.

 

Where do you draw the line teaches;

1. That there is a discrepancy between the ethical system which most people subscribe to and the ethical system which they actually use.

2. That the ethical system which they actually use is based on a number of assumptions which are rarely made explicit or examined.

3. That some of the assumptions which many people often use to guide them as they make ethical decisions are:

a. It's OK to cheat just a little.

b. It's OK to cheat a large, rich or powerful organisation.

c. It's OK to cheat if everyone else is cheating.

d. It's OK to cheat if you do not know the person who will be hurt.

e. It's OK to cheat if no one will find out about it.

f. It's OK to cheat if no one will be hurt.

g. Small bribes are OK.

h. It's not a bribe if you are not explicit about what the person being bribed is supposed to do.

i. It's not a bribe if everyone does it.

j. It's not a bribe if it is out in the open

k. It's OK to cheat on one's income tax if one is poor, needs the money or won't get caught.

4. That whenever large numbers of people act on such assumptions, there are costs to society.

5. That it is important to understand the unstated assumptions of an ethical system as well as the stated ones when one is making decisions about ethical matters.

6. That most people believe they are morally superior to people in business and the general public.

 

In groups, participants make a judgement about the acceptability of the behaviour of individuals, groups and organisations as described in a series of case studies. They then use their decisions as the basis for developing an ethical system. Communication between members is vital if a consensus on ethically correct behaviour is to be reached.

 

Where Do You Draw The Line? is split into two phases. Key issues raised during the first phase include how to distinguish between gratuity and bribery, and whether or not it is more acceptable to steal from a stranger than a friend. In stage two, the groups' decisions are summarised and displayed to enable thorough evaluation.

 

After being divided into groups, participants make judgments about the acceptability of the behaviour of individuals, corporations and organisations as described in a series of vignettes. They then use their decisions as the basis for developing an ethical system.

 

Some of the issues which are raised during the first phase include: What is the difference between a gratuity and a bribe? Is it the amount of money involved? Motivation? The effect on others? Is it acceptable to break a law if one's actions make no practical difference? Is it more acceptable to “steal” from a stranger than a friend? From a rich person than a poor person? From a corporation than an individual?

 

No consumable forms are required. An overhead projector is desirable. However, if you do not have an overhead projector, the information can be written on a whiteboard or flip charts.

 

We know that games and simulations can bring fun, learning and challenge to the programmes you deliver. Therefore, we would welcome the opportunity to talk you through any of our wide range of activities to ensure that you obtain the maximum benefit from your purchase. Please contact us or call us on +44 (0) 1202 531133.

 

Who is it for? First line supervisors and middle managers

 

Duration: 1 hour

 

Number of Participants: 5 - 35