Real-Life Decision Making
You have just been hired to do pipefitting for a manufacturing plant. You
will be working with Adam, another pipefitter. Adam has been with the company
for five years.
On your first day at work, he lets you know that he isn't keen on
having you around. Until now, he has been the only pipefitter in the shop
and he doesn't want interference from somebody new. Since he strikes
you as being a difficult person to deal with, you decide to do your own work
and leave Adam alone.
One of your tasks is to take a turn performing a number of safety inspections.
Some of the checks must be completed daily. Others are completed weekly and
others are completed monthly.
Each morning, one of you picks up a form and makes the rounds.
As you perform the inspection, you indicate on the form that the safety check
has been completed, then you sign the form for verification.
However, there is a problem. Although you are very careful about doing
your inspection regularly, when it is Adam's turn, you have discovered
that he is "fudging" the tests. He is not completing the safety inspection
but is signing the form to indicate that everything has been tested.
You know that this is dangerous, and that it is against the rules. You
are worried that an accident might happen some day. You decide that you have
to talk to Adam about the situation. You approach him and you tell him that
you know he has not been doing the tests.
Adam looks at you and says, "So do them yourself if you are so worried.
And don't get any ideas about reporting it. I've been here five
years. I have union seniority. Nobody will take your word against mine."
You believe that Adam is right. If you report him, people may not believe
you, and he will certainly be unpleasant to work with afterwards.
On the other hand, if you don't report him, the plant's safety
may be jeopardized. You could always do what he suggested and perform the
checks yourself, but you wonder what will happen if you are away sick or on
vacation. Plus, it is not fair that you be expected to do his share of the
work.
What do you do?