Prepare your high school students for the real world with this in-depth "Ethical Choices at Work" workbook! Designed to foster critical thinking and self-reflection, this resource covers 10 key workplace dilemmas that students might face in their future careers. From dealing with "borrowed" supplies and plagiarism to clocking in early and managing work-life balance, this workbook encourages students to explore the consequences of ethical decision-making in a professional environment.

What’s Inside:

• 10 Realistic Workplace Scenarios: Each section presents a detailed situation students could encounter at work, such as deciding when borrowing becomes stealing or whether to exaggerate a customer complaint.
• Diverse Activities: Reflection questions, group discussions, case studies, role-playing exercises, and pros/cons lists engage students in active learning.
• Final Comprehensive Activity: Students apply all their knowledge in a culminating exercise that challenges them to navigate multiple ethical dilemmas in a fictional workplace, using critical thinking to make informed decisions.
• Reflection and Code of Conduct Creation: Students wrap up the workbook by reflecting on what they’ve learned and developing their own ethical code of conduct for a workplace.

Why This Resource is Essential for Your Classroom:

• Promotes Deeper Learning: Engages students in meaningful conversations about ethics, integrity, and responsibility in the workplace.
• Critical Thinking: Students are encouraged to evaluate multiple perspectives, consider consequences, and make well-informed decisions.
• Real-World Application: Helps students recognize the importance of ethics in professional environments, setting them up for success in their future careers.
• Versatile Tool: Perfect for use as an engaging lesson, homework, or sub plans.

This resource Includes 10 sections, each focusing on a unique ethical challenge, and culminates in a final activity where students apply everything they’ve learned. The workbook is a great tool for fostering deeper learning, critical thinking, and discussions, and can also be used as sub plans for independent work.

Scenarios Include:

1. The "Borrowed" Supplies: When Does Borrowing Become Stealing?
   A coworker takes office supplies home without permission, insisting it’s just borrowing. Students explore the difference between borrowing and stealing and discuss its impact on workplace culture and trust.
2. The Time Clock Tango: Rounding Hours & Clocking In Early
   Some employees clock in early or out late to gain extra pay. Students debate whether this practice is a minor issue or qualifies as time theft, and explore its effects on both employees and employers.
3. The Copycat Caper: Avoiding Plagiarism in the Workplace
   Under pressure, an employee considers copying material from the internet without credit. Students reflect on the ethical implications of plagiarism in the workplace and its potential consequences.
4. The White Lie Labyrinth: When to Be Honest vs. "Sugarcoat"
   An employee is asked to promote a product known for poor quality. Students explore the balance between honesty and tact, and discuss when honesty should take priority over making a sale.
5. The Expense Report Enigma: Separating Business from Personal
   An employee adds a personal meal to a business expense report. Students evaluate the ethical line between legitimate business expenses and crossing into dishonest reporting.
6. The Social Media Spy: When Online Monitoring Goes Too Far
   An employer monitors personal social media accounts and disciplines an employee for off-work behavior. Students examine the balance between workplace policies and employees’ right to privacy.
7. The Budget Blues: Cutting Corners vs. Ethical Practices
   A manager suggests cutting safety measures to save money. Students weigh the benefits of cost-cutting against the risks to safety and quality in a business environment.
8. The Discount Dilemma: Using Employee Discounts Ethically
   A coworker uses their employee discount for friends and family, despite company policy. Students reflect on the fairness and ethics of using employee benefits for non-employees.
9. The Overtime Conundrum: Working Hard vs. Burning Out
   An employee is overwhelmed with extra work but doesn’t want to say no. Students explore how to balance hard work with maintaining mental and physical health to avoid burnout.
10. The Customer Complaint Charade: Fact or Fabrication?
    Some coworkers fabricate customer complaints to gain refunds or discounts. Students discuss the ethical consequences of dishonesty in customer service and its impact on business integrity.

Teacher Cheat Sheet

This comprehensive Teacher Cheat Sheet provides detailed sample answers for all activities and scenarios included in the Ethical Choices at Work workbook. From reflections and case study responses to role-play outcomes and ethical decision-making processes, this guide helps teachers facilitate meaningful discussions and provides clear, thought-provoking answers for each section. Perfect for ensuring smooth lesson implementation, this cheat sheet supports classroom discussions, group work, and individual student understanding of key workplace ethics topics.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze ethical dilemmas and the potential consequences of workplace decisions.
• Develop critical thinking skills by reflecting on personal values and professional responsibility.
• Understand how ethical decision-making impacts both individual careers and workplace culture.
• Foster collaboration and communication through group discussions and role-play activities.

Common Core Standards:

• ELA: RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.8, W.9-10.1, SL.9-10.1: Analyzing complex texts, engaging in discussions, and forming well-supported arguments.
• Social Studies/Career Readiness: Supports the exploration of ethical behavior and professionalism in real-world scenarios.

Courses Perfect For:

• Business Education
• Career & Technical Education (CTE)
• Workplace Readiness
• Ethics in Social Studies
• High School Advisory Programs

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