List which Learning Exercise you are solving at the start of your analysis and provide a brief summary of the case. Be sure to apply an appropriate problem-solving/decision-making model (Traditional Problem-Solving Process, Managerial Decision-Making Model, The Nursing Process, or the Integrated Ethical Problem-Solving Model) in determining what you should do. Justify your decision with supporting evidence.Writing Expectations3 to 4 pages, double-spaced, in length, not counting title page and references. APA format required (title page, citations in body of paper, and reference list). The steps of the problem-solving or decision-making model chosen should be used as subheadings for the paper. Each analysis should include a brief introduction and conclusion. Be sure to identify numerically which Learning Exercise is being analyzed.Learning exercise 13.8Friendships and TruthYou are a middle-level manager in a public health department. One of your closest friends, Janie, is a registered nurse under your span of control. Today, Janie calls and tells you that she injured her back yesterday during a home visit after she slipped on a wet front porch. She said that the homeowners were unaware that she fell and that no one witnessed the accident. She has just returned from visiting her doctor who advises 6 weeks of bed rest. She requests that you initiate the paperwork for workers’ compensation and, disability because she has no sick days left.Shortly after your telephone conversation with Janie, you take a brief coffee break in the lounge.You overhear a conversation between Jon and Lacey, two additional staff members in your department. Jon says that he and Janie were watersking last night, and she took a terrible fall and hurt her back. He planned to call her to see how she was feeling.You initially feel hurt and betrayed by JanieTecause you believe that she has lied to you. You want to call Janie and confront her. You want to deny her request for workers’ compensation and disability. You are angry that she has placed you in this position. You are also aware that proving Janie’s injury is not work related may be difficult.ASSIGNMENT:How should you proceed? What are the political ramifications if this incident is not handled properly? How should you use your power and authority when dealing with this problem
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Learning Exercise 13.8: Friendships and Truth
Students Name
Institution affiliation
Professors Name
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Submission Date
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Introduction
In this scenario, a middle-level manager in a public health department faces a challenging
situation that necessitates making a professional and moral decision. The issue at hand involves a
case scenario about dishonesty from a close friend and colleague regarding the specifics of an
ailment incurred. Janie claimed that her back injury originated while on work duty, while a
conversation between two other colleagues revealed otherwise. This paper utilizes the
Managerial Decision-Making Model to navigate the complexity of this scenario and reach an
appropriate course of action.
Managerial Decision-Making Model
Problem Definition
Janie, a registered nurse, suffered a back injury during a home visit and requested
workers compensation and disability benefits. However, the manager overhears a conversation
between two other colleagues, where one claims that Janies injury resulted from recreational
waterskiing. The managers initial response includes feeling hurt and betrayed, suspecting Janie
of dishonesty. However, it would be wise to gather more information and handle the situation
professionally rather than act on impulse. The veracity of Janies claims raises both a moral and
ethical conundrum since if confirmed that she lied about the facts, then an impact on the moral
and financial standing of her coworkers is expected. Cherry (2002) asserts that social
responsibility and trust are essential in any healthcare system. Fraudulent claims, therefore,
undermine the foundations of these two tenets by diverting resources from individuals who need
them most.
The responsibility of making decisions that frequently impact a company’s worth and
viability falls on managers. “Managerial decision-making is the systematic process by which
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managers assess various options, based on available information, to select the most appropriate
course of action that aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives” (Daft & Marcic, 2016).
Inaction on the managements part may lead to a toxic workplace culture that supports unethical
behavior (Zhang et al., 2020). Such a culture could have a negative impact on overall
productivity and employee morale.
Using the Managerial Decision-Making Model to Guide Course of Action
Problem Identification
Identifying the problem is the step that kickstarts the decision process. In this scenario,
the problem is multifaceted. It involves Janie’s reported injury during a home visit and her
request for workers’ compensation and disability benefits. Simultaneously, the manager has
overheard contradictory information suggesting the injury occurred during a recreational activity.
The primary problem is determining the accuracy of Janie’s claim and how to respond to it while
maintaining professionalism and fairness.
Information Gathering
The next step is to gather all relevant information. The manager must ensure they have a
complete understanding of the situation before proceeding. This includes talking to Janie to
understand her perspective, documenting her explanation, and verifying the injury’s cause. The
manager should also consult with the doctor, review medical records, and gather any additional
information required to establish the facts.
Generating and Evaluating Alternatives
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With the information at hand, the manager should generate and evaluate possible alternatives
for addressing the situation. Key alternatives may include:
Accepting Janie’s explanation and processing her workers’ compensation claim.
Confronting Janie with the contradictory information and seeking clarification.
Engaging HR or legal counsel for guidance in handling the situation.
Offering Janie support, such as access to counseling services if personal issues are
impacting her professional life.
Each alternative should be carefully evaluated in terms of its ethical considerations,
organizational policies, and potential consequences.
Making a Decision
After a thorough evaluation, the manager must make a decision based on the available
information, ethical principles, and organizational policies. The decision should prioritize
fairness, professionalism, and the best interests of both the organization and Janie. In this case,
it’s vital to address the issue of Janie’s claim while ensuring the decision aligns with legal and
ethical standards.
Implementing and Monitoring
Once the decision is made, it should be implemented effectively. In this context, the
manager may need to communicate the decision to Janie, HR, or relevant authorities, and ensure
any necessary paperwork or processes are initiated promptly. It’s also important to monitor the
situation to confirm that the chosen solution is correctly executed.
Political Ramifications
Inappropriate handling of the scenario could have far-fetched political ramifications for
the organization. Employee morale and productivity could be harmed by such a situation, which
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could lead to failure to meet organizational objectives. If it appears that Janie is receiving
preferential treatment due to her personal relationship with the manager, it may create a
perception of favoritism. This can be damaging to the morale of other employees and lead to
internal conflicts. Further, the reputations of Janie, the management, and the company could also
be negatively impacted. Therefore, proper handling of the scenario will serve as a reminder of
company values, ethics, and processes. Additionally, it will be a sign that the organization aims
to foster a healthy work environment, based on moral and legal foundations.
Managerial Power and Authority
In this scenario, the manager must strike a middle ground between upholding moral
standards and exercising power and authority. Morality should be used to determine the ethicality behind Janies claims. Power and authority should be used to establish organizational
principles that support or deny Janies claims and uphold them. As a manager, it is important to utilize authority to enforce and uphold organizational policies and procedures. If uncertain about
how to handle a complex situation, the manager shouldnt hesitate to seek guidance from HR.professionals, legal experts, or senior management. It is in the interests of all parties involved.that the scenario is handled in the best possible manner that denotes the organizations
commitment to morality and fairness.
Conclusion
In summary, the managerial decision-making model justifies the manager’s actions as
they navigate a challenging situation involving a moral and professional dilemma. By following the model’s structured approach, the manager ensures that the decision is made based on a
complete understanding of the situation, adheres to ethical principles, and prioritizes fairness and.professionalism, ultimately serving the best interests of both Janie and the organization.
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References
Cherry, M. (2002). The search for a global bioethics: fraudulent claims and false promises. The
Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 27(6), 683698.
https://doi.org/10.1076/jmep.27.6.683.13792
Daft, R. L., & Marcic, D. (2016). Understanding Management. 8th. Edition. South-Western
Cengage Learning.
Zhang, X., Liang, L., Tian, G., & Tian, Y. (2020). Heroes or Villains? The Dark Side of
Charismatic Leadership and Unethical Pro-organizational Behavior. International Journal
of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155546
