SOCIOLOGY

T2 2020: ICT303 Professional Ethics in Computing

Assessment 2: Ethical Analysis

Assessment type: Individual assignment one (1500 words)

Purpose: This assessment will allow students to conduct ethical analysis of the situation provided based on ethical theories presented in textbook.

This assessment contributes to Learning Outcomes a and b. Value: 20% Due Date: Week 5 Sunday 23:55

Task Details: Topic: Ethical analysis Assignment

Details: Background Smart technologies are on the rise. There is a body of literature discussing the key benefits of Smart Technologies, however smart technologies also introduce many ethical issues.

Requirements

1) Technologies such as google glass and smart watches are coming into the workplace. Given the intrusive natures of these technologies it is easy for employees to take videos or photographs of other people at work and share it with others. What ethical issues arise from the use of wearable technologies in workplaces?

2) Smart phones are being used by nurses for clinical communications and workflow in hospitals. Using smart phones to record patient data introduces ethical issues involving patient privacy. Identify what privacy risks arise in such a context and explain the risks in detail.

3) Driverless car technology has attracted significant interest in manufacturing industry over recent years. Identify what ethical issues arise from use of driverless cars. Will you embrace this emerging technology from an ethical perspective?

4) Cyberbullying has been a significant issue globally over the past few years. Cybertechnology has exacerbated this problem owing to the proliferation of mobile applications in the marketplace. You receive notification from a third party inviting you to participate in an event. You are not sure how they received your details. Discuss what security issues arise owing to the sharing of too much personal information on social media.

5) There are many apps available for download by consumers (for example, health monitoring, booking taxis, banking apps). While these apps are user friendly and improve user experience, there is also a security concern that hackers can use some loopholes in such apps to modify or delete customer information. Discuss how vulnerable these apps are and if there have been privacy breaches?

Is it ethical for companies to introduce apps with only basic level of security? Investigate and reflect upon one of the above scenarios using Ethical Guidelines published by organizations such as: EA and ACS. Students with ID ending with 0 or 5, answer scenario number 1 Students with ID ending with 1 or 6, answer scenario number 2 Students with ID ending with 2 or 7, answer scenario number 3 Students with ID ending with 3 or 8, answer scenario number 4 Students with ID ending with 4 or 9, answer scenario number 5 Students will prepare a business style report of approximately 1500 words which analyses the above scenario through the lens of each of the FOUR (4) ethical philosophies presented in lecture. For assistance in report writing techniques, see: http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/report/4b.html A suggested report structure is as follows.

• title page

• executive summary

• table of contents

• introduction

• ethical analysis

• conclusion

• references

• appendices

Submission Please submit an ELECTRONIC copy only in Microsoft Word or .pdf format via Moodle. Please refer to the “Subject Outline” for information regarding late assignments, extensions, special consideration, and plagiarism.

Verbal communication

1. List three attributes of both verbal and non-verbal communication.

Verbal Communication

Formal or informal speech

Differences in tone

Speed: Fast and slow

Non-verbal Communication

Gestures/sign language to converse without words.

Facial expressions can show feelings and can connect with individuals.

Written words, such as a letter or email communication.

• Briefly explain Laswell’s model of communication and how this differs with the Shannon and Weaver model of communication.

Laswell’s model of communication describes an act of communication by defining who said it, what was said, in what channel it was said, to whom it was said, and with what effect it was said. It is regarded by many communication and public relations scholars as “one of the earliest and most influential communication models.

The Shannon and Weaver Model of Communication argues that communication can be broken down into 6 key concepts: sender, encoder, channel, noise, decoder, and receiver.

Laswell created not too long after the Shannon Weaver model was made. The big difference between the two is that Laswell’s model studies mass communication, as opposed to a simple two-person conversation. A big factor in this model is predicting the effect the message has on the group.

• Why should you demonstrate respect in your communications at work in community services?

Activity 1B

1. Give details of the communication and how you made the information clear so this could be understood.

Asking if the information has been understood

Checking if further information is required

Repeating key points/information

Encouraging a discussion to confirm that understanding has been made

Providing supporting written information.

• How can networking help you within the workplace?

• Give an example of a situation where you have communicated information to another person.

Activity 1C

1. How can you confirm a person has understood you? Provide four examples of actions you can take.

• Give examples of how you would need to summariseinformation to clarify understanding.

Activity 1D

1. Briefly describe what reflection skills are.

• What is motivational interviewing?

• Why should you use collaboration over confrontation at work?

 Activity 1E

1. What precautions can you take to ensure confidentiality is kept during verbal communication? Provide three examples.

Activity 2A

1. What information should you retain when receiving instructions? Provide three examples.

• What information should you write down when receiving a message? Provide four examples.

Activity 2B

1. Identify three types of additional services that you may recommend a client could use for their benefits.

• What types of service providers are there in the health care system? Provide two examples.

• What three national subsidy strategies exist in Australia?

Activity 2C

1. Give three examples of each the following:

• Workplace acronyms
• Workplace abbreviations
• Workplace slang
• Asap
• FYI
• Attn.
• EOD
• N/A
• COB
• TBD

For each example, give the term used and explain what it means or refers to.

Activity 2D

1. When you start working in a future community service organization how would you follow  the right communication protocols with your colleagues and managers?

Activity 3A

1. Identify three difficulties that you may experience at your future workplace as a career and explain how you would deal with each and report them.

• Highlight two of the issues facing health care in Australia?

Activity 3B

1. Identify an individual and a cultural constraint in communication that you can accommodate.

• What are cultural misunderstandings and how can they be avoided?

Activity 3C

1. Give an example of a situation where you have successfully defused and resolved an issue of conflict.

• Define a conflict of interest.

Activity 4A

1. What is the duty of care and legal requirements for your future work role as a career?

• What is an ethical dilemma? How could you deal with it in your future work setting? Who would you see for help or advice from and how?

Activity 4B

1. Give an example of each:

• Breach in the duty of care
• Non adherence to standard procedure
• Adverse event to client

For each, explain the issue, how you would report it and to whom.

Activity 4C

1. What rights and responsibilities do you have as a career? Provide three examples.

• Suggest two responsibilities that a client has?

Activity 4D

1. Suggest five ways of preventing conflict in the workplace?

• When and how should you refer an issue of conflict to your supervisor/manager?

Activity 5A

1. Complete the example of a work report/documentation that you would need to fill out for your work role as a career. Briefly explain what this is, when you would use it, and how this helps you and the service.

Activity 5B

1. Why should you ensure that you fully understand the workplace documents that you need to read?

• Provide five examples of documents that you would need to complete to organisational standards.

Activity 5C

1. Using “Help me out” policy and procedures describe the communication policy & procedures for the use of digital media.
   
   

• List five digital media communication tools
  
  

Activity 5D

Simulated activity:

A patient/client has visited your service to ask for assistance with a healthcare matter, for example, they require additional medication or have requested to see a specific worker. They are displaying signs of stress/agitation and have requested a quick response.

Provide an account of this below in a clear manner, for passing to the appropriate person.

When you are working as a career in your future organisation there is a client who is displaying signs of stress/agitation and clearly indicated an immediate additional help.

How would you use clear accurate and objective language when documenting this event and providing the right appropriate response for the client?

Activity 6A

1. Select two items from this list and explain why they are important for the care industry:

• A holistic and person-centred approach
• Promotion of the wellbeing of staff, clients and communities
• Early identification of problems
• Delivery of appropriate services
• Commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of people
• Commitment to empowering the person and/or the community
• Ethical behaviour
• Preventative strategies
• Exercise of responsibilities and accountabilities within the context of duty of care for clients.

• From the items selected identify an area that could be improved and answer the following:

• What is the issue?
• What could be improved about it?
• How would you achieve this?
• What would this solve?

Activity 6B

1. How would you improve your work practices in accordance with the organisation you are working for?

Activity 6C

1. How would you seek feedback for developing your skills and knowledge as a career and who would you seek this from?

Activity 6D

1. What options for skills development would you take into consideration when working as a career?

Activity 6E

1. How would you collaborate with your future colleagues using effective communications?

• What is the difference between collaboration and confrontation?

• Why is collaboration always better than confrontation in the workplace?

Q1.      In the space below, list four (4) signs of potential problem situations in the workplace?

Q2.      Follow workplace conflict procedures.

Click on the link below to view the workplace conflict procedures and answer the following questions?

Procedures link

2a.       If the complaint involves the employee’s supervisor - the employee should schedule an appointment with that supervisor to discuss the problem that gave rise to the complaint within how many working days?

2b.       If the discussion with the immediate supervisor does not resolve the problem to the mutual satisfaction of the employee and the supervisor, or if the supervisor does not respond to the complaint, the employee may submit a what?

2c.       If the employee is dissatisfied with the decision of the director/department head, the employee may appeal this decision in writing to the HR department within how many working days working days.

Q3.      Click on the link below and watch the video, then answer the questions below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_nM3NBCo-M

The above video features a number of conflicts in the workplace.

Choose one of the examples from the video and answer the following questions.

3a.       What was the cause of the conflict?

3b        What technique was used to resolve the conflict?

Scenario

Julia just finished a certification appointment for Maria, a participant who has cerebral palsy. Maria has some difficulty speaking and uses a wheelchair for mobility. As they head toward the door, Maria says something to Julia.

Julia replies, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand what you said.” Maria repeats her comment.

Julia looks confused and says, “One more time please?” Maria repeats her comment in a louder voice.

Looking a bit flustered, Julia says, “Okay, well, maybe we can talk about that next time.” Julia reaches for the door and says, “Let me get that for you.”

Maria, at the same moment, angrily pushes the button for the automatic door and rolls away. Julia walks back to her office feeling embarrassed and that she is no good at working with disabled participants.

Q4.      What could Julia have done differently to avoid or minimize this conflict?

Scenario

A clinic in a diverse area employs several bilingual staff. There is a group of staff who speak Hmong, and they often converse in their native language at work.

John, an employee who doesn’t speak their language, feels self-conscious and sometimes wonders if they are talking about him. He frequently complains to his friend at work about other staff not speaking English.

One day John walks into a meeting room and several staff are already there, speaking in Hmong. John walks in and says, “Hello.” The other staff say “Hello” back and then resume their conversation, which John does not understand. John rolls his eyes and sits down on the other side of the room to wait for the meeting to start.

Q5       Why might the bilingual staff choose to speak in their native language?

Q6.

The objective of the WHS Act is to ensure that a safe workplace is created free from risk or illness or injury. List four (4) workplace systems where compliance to the Act must be demonstrated.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Q7.

Define Negligence?

Q8.      Mandatory notifications are important and situations of urgency and concern that fit into this category should be reported. List five (5) mandatory reporting issues.

Q9.      Rights and responsibilities

Employees and employers have rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

Referring to the Rights and responsibilities box.

Place the numbers for all the employee’s rights

into the employee’s rights box.

Place the numbers for all the employer’s rights Into the employer’s rights box.

Workplace Conflict Procedures

Step 1: Discussion with supervisor

Initially, employees should bring their concerns or complaints to their immediate supervisor. If the complaint involves the employee’s supervisor, the employee should schedule an appointment with that supervisor to discuss the problem that gave rise to the complaint within five working days of the date the incident occurred.

The immediate supervisor should respond in writing to the complaint within five days of the meeting held with the complainant employee.

Step 2: Written complaint and decision

If the discussion with the immediate supervisor does not resolve the problem to the mutual satisfaction of the employee and the supervisor, or if the supervisor does not respond to the complaint, the employee may submit a written complaint to the employee’s director/department head. Employees may request assistance with writing their complaints from the human resource (HR) department.

The employee’s director/department head should forward a copy of the complaint to the HR department.

The submission of the written complaint is due within five working days of the response from the supervisor. The complaint should include:

The problem and the date when the incident occurred.

Suggestions on ways to resolve the problem.

A copy of the immediate supervisor’s written response or a summary of his or her verbal response and the date when the employee met with the immediate supervisor. If the supervisor provided no response, the complaint should state this.

Upon receipt of the formal complaint, the director/department head must schedule a meeting with the employee within five working days to discuss the complaint. Within approximately five working days after the discussion, the director/department head should issue a decision both in writing and orally to the employee filing the complaint.

Step 3: Appeal of decision

If the employee is dissatisfied with the decision of the director/department head, the employee may, within five working days, appeal this decision in writing to the HR department.

The HR department may call a meeting with the parties directly involved to facilitate a resolution or refer complaints to a review committee if it believes that the complaint raises serious questions of fact or interpretation of policy. The HR department may gather further information from involved parties.