A framework the employees can use to make ethical decisions is the WH Framework. This set of business ethical guidelines consists of two aspects. The first aspect is the who which would require that employees consider who would be affected by the decision for the security breach. The second aspect of this framework is the how which is based off the guidelines of public disclosure, universalization, and the Golden Rule. These guidelines would help employees have a more moral approach and make a decision that would include treating others as they would want to be treated if they were affected in an ethical dilemma. Both aspects will make you question if the ethical decision you are making is fair and empathetic. These guidelines help businesses think about the implications of a decision and help to see how the decision will affect others through different perspectives. Advantages of using this framework are seeing the ethical dilemma through different perspectives by including interests of stakeholders. The company will be able to consider how the stakeholders will interpret and respond to the breach. It helps managers and employees make decisions by considering potential gains and losses from a decision. Management will be able to recognize how the decision will impact others giving them a sense of social responsibility. This guideline will give the company practical guidelines that will help to maneuver through complex situations. This framework will help the owners understand what the company needs ethically and help employees consider their values. Although there are many advantages to using this framework there can be some disadvantages. The company will have to acknowledge and notify others about the breach which could hurt their reputation. It could be time-consuming and cost the company money to implement these ethical guidelines. Using these guidelines could cause those that are making the decision to spend more time on if the breach should be reported or how it should be reported.
Management could over analyze what should be done, which can affect how a company makes ethical decisions or could not be supported by management to use this framework. The WH Framework is appropriate for this company because it is a structured method to address this ethical dilemma and those in the future. It will help management make responsible decisions and the company will be able to better understand their needs, morals, and ethics and employees will consider their values before making decisions. It will help management in the company to address complex ethical decisions quickly and evaluate their social responsibility. The WH Framework will ensure that the decision made is ethical and is done considering who it affects and how it will affect them. These guidelines help businesses make informed decisions that are socially responsible and fair. Using this framework lets businesses reflect on their ethical principles and morals that is guiding the decision for the breach. If Steve would've used these guidelines when discovering the breach, he would've been able to better understand the impact the breach