Ethics

The objectives of a company cannot be achieved without adherence of employees to the code of conduct. Managers in companies are usually charged with the responsibility of ensuring adherence to this code of conduct. To do this, they usually have to make decisions. This is not always easy and sometimes they find themselves in a dilemma especially when actions with good intentions have other bad consequences. Theories of ethics such as deontological and utilitarian can be used by managers to help them make decisions.

Deontological ethics judges the rightfulness or wrongfulness of an action based on whether or not it adheres to a given set of rules instead of its consequences (Johnson, 2006). Morality according to deontologists point of view is strictly following the laid down rules without deviating even when the consequences of doing the prohibited action will yield good results. Deontologists focus is usually on moral rules that prohibit people from doing certain things (Johnson, 2006).
       
On the other hand, utilitarian ethical point of view is that the wrongfulness or rightfulness of an action is judged based on its results (Johnson, 2006).The consequences of an action are more important than the action itself. An action is usually considered morally right if it brings happiness to most people. There are several variations of utilitarian ethical point of view. The utilitarianism known as Act says that in a situation where one is supposed to choose between actions, its important that one first considers the potential consequences of the actions and then chooses an action that will bring the greatest happiness (Johnson, 2006). Another variation known as Rule utilitarian says that in a situation where one is supposed to choose between actions, one should consider the consequences of constantly doing that action. If doing something results in more happiness than not doing it, then that thing must always be done (Johnson, 2006)
       
Based on deontological ethical point of view, its important to first consider the rules laid down regarding use of computers in the office during working hours. If use of computers for personal gain is prohibited, then the employees actions are wrong. This is regardless of the results that this action brings. For example use of the computers by the employees to chat with friends is wrong regardless of the fact that the employees feel happier. Installation of spyware software in employees computers is a form of intrusion to privacy. Morally, this is wrong regardless of whether it will make the employees more productive. Utilitarian ethical point of view on the other hand, will consider the consequences arising from employees spending too much time on the computers attending to their personal matters instead of working. The consequences are lowered productivity which is a bad consequence and this makes their action wrong. Installation of spyware will be an intrusion to the employees privacy and the consequences will be unhappiness among the employees. Another consequence of this action will be increased productivity. Based on utilitarianism ethical view, the head of department should choose the action that will bring the greatest happiness to most of the people (Johnson, 2006). This will be not to install the spyware.

Applying the two ethical approaches will lead to the same decision and that is not to install the spyware. This is because according to deontological point of view, intrusion of privacy is a rule that should not be broken regardless of its consequences. Utilitarian point of view will also not support installation of the software. This is because its installation will not cause happiness to the majority.
       
As the manager, I would decide to install the spyware. This is because according to ethics of work which dictates the guidelines to be followed by workers, workers are supposed to be productive (Johnson, 2006). Another reason is that ethics dictate that workers do what is proper and not what makes them happy (Johnson, 2006). Its the responsibility of the company to ensure that the code of ethics is followed and installing the spyware will ensure that this happens.