You are working as an executive in a nationalised bank for several years. One day one of your close colleagues tells you that her father is suffering from heart disease and needs surgery immediately to survive. She also tells you she has no insurance and the operation will cost about 10 lakh. You are also aware of the fact that her husband is no more and that she is from a lower-middle-class family. You are empathetic about her situation. However, apart from expressing your sympathy, you do not have the resources to fund her. A few weeks later, you ask her about the well-being of her father and she informs you about his successful surgery and that he is recovering. She then confides in you that the bank manager was kind enough to facilitate the release of 10 lakh from a dormant account of someone to pay for the operation with a promise that it should be confidential and be repaid at the earliest. She has already started paying it back and will continue to do so until it is all returned. (a) What are the ethical issues involved? (b) Evaluate the behaviour of the bank manager from an ethical point of view. (c) How would you react to the situation? Case Study: (20M, 250 words) [GS-4: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude]

Introduction:

The scenario under consideration presents a classic ethical dilemma, embodying the age-old debate between Means vs Ends, encapsulating the philosophical clash between Deontology and Utilitarianism.

Main Body:

(a) Ethical Issues:

• Transparency and Accountability Compromised:
  Example: The bank manager releasing funds from a depositor’s account without due process.
• Misuse of Authority:
  Example: The manager’s exercise of power for personal gain, violating ethical standards.
• Personal Relationships Over Professional Ethics:
  Example: Prioritizing familial ties over the duty to uphold professional conduct.
• Favouritism and Breach of Fairness Principle:
  Example: Granting preferential treatment, undermining the principle of fairness.
• Misconduct to Fulfil Personal Responsibilities:
  Example: Colleague resorting to unethical means to fulfill personal obligations.
• Unethical Means for a Compassionate End:
  Example: Releasing funds to save a colleague’s father, blurring ethical lines.
• Inadequacy of State/Public Hospitals:
  Example: The larger issue of limited access and affordability in public healthcare facilities.

(b) Evaluation of Bank Manager’s Behavior:

Ethical Values Upheld:

• Compassionate behavior towards employees.
• Building a positive and approachable image.
• Moral duty to save a human life (colleague’s father).
• Perceiving the end as justified.
• Lower risk to the organization, considering the account’s dormancy.

Breach of Ethical Principles:

• Overlooking rules and regulations.
• Breaching objectivity.
• Violating integrity and honesty.
• Misusing authority.
• Potential long-term consequences, setting a precedent.

(c) Reaction to the Situation:

• Confrontation and Conveyance: Confront the friend about the misconduct and breach of professional code.
• Empathetic Encouragement: Encourage repayment while empathizing with the friend’s situation.
• Dialogue with Bank Manager: Approach the manager, discussing the ethical concerns and advocating objective methods.
• Advocacy for an Alternate Mechanism: Engage with the manager and relevant authorities to establish an alternate emergency support system for employees.

Conclusion:

Upholding Professional Integrity: Following rules to build public trust in institutions.

Gandhi’s Wisdom: “If one takes care of the means, the end will take care of itself.”

Balancing Means and Ends: Emphasizing the importance of justice in both means and ends.

In conclusion, adherence to ethical principles by both employees and management is crucial for fostering trust in public institutions, and a delicate equilibrium between means and ends must be maintained, echoing the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi.