Background
The study is aimed at establishing and addressing an application of ethical theory and the ACS code of ethics regarding employees of an organization that provides energy to the public in Australia. From a perspective of an IT department worker in that power shop/ energy provider company the major focus of this paper-based on analyzing the ethical dilemma concerning applying ethical theory and the ACS code of ethics. The Powershop Company in Australia provides green energy original energy within New Zealand and Australia. In the study, it has been observed that after the Meridian group December 2021 announced that the company will be sold to the shell company which is a global fossil fuel business organization. For this reason, the studies going to perform a structured analysis of the issues involved in this transformation process related to professional ethics as well as focus on creating a decision-making model to identify the various decision options for the workers.
This part of the study is focused on discussing the alignment of the IT professional ethics while working at a power shop company in Australia by the Meridian group.
In the contrast to the consequentialist views, they are also nonconsequential prospect exist that defines that morality is dependent on different aspects of action better beyond consequences. In the study, two types of non-consequences theory can be followed such as deontology and agents virtue. the reason behind choosing this theory is that it discusses is the action produced after a transformation of a power shop company in Australia that may have some consequences that can be equally bad or good for the environment and people. In this case, the shield company announced the acquisition of a power shop in Australia for providing energy to Australian houses and other areas. However, there are around 185000 customers in Australia by the company which is certified as climate active because of its focus on green energy usage (DEVLIN and MCGILVARY 2017). Working in a search company is pleasing due to its sustainable approach through green credentials.
The power shop company was inaugurated in 2007, certified after being granted as the company became Carbon neutral which helps to achieve carbon credit to offset emissions. The company also invested in renewable energy through wind and hydropower to boost its green or renewable credential (Digweed 2021). However, after the shell company announced on taking over the power shop company create a model of conflict among the customers and the employees of the Powershop Company that can be described through this non-consequentialist theory. Before Shell company takeover of the Powershop, the users in Australia along with the employees were very much satisfied with their service and efforts towards sustainability (Gui and MacGill 2019). For this reason, based on the employees’ perspective for the non-consequentialism, the actions towards taking loyalty bonus during the transaction period would be wrong for the employees as it violates the other’s rights towards using nonrenewable energy by Shell Company.
Moral status is one of the most relevant concepts of a non-consequentialist theory depending on the model requirement based on the user’s interest. in this case, a sales company taking over the Meridian group in Australia leads to making the employees of the Powershop position at stake whether their employability will be at stake or not. However, after the approval of the process, the shell company’s management addresses that all the employees under the Powershop will get a loyalty bonus quarterly for 2 years to ensure employees retention (Jones et al. 2021). Therefore these situations create conflicts among the employees whether to be more moralistic by not taking this bonus and leaving the organization or receiving all the facilities from the shell company by forgetting the future consequences. Depending upon the theory of non-consequentialism involving inviolability constraints the employees are also responsible for their families more than their responsiveness towards the environment (Littlechild 2020). As a large number of families of the employees depends upon the wage and bonus not taking the bonus by working at Powershop may endanger their families which is also against the model right of the family members and the employees also have right not to harm their rights even if how good or bad the consequences are. However, see seeking other work or other companies that work with renewable energy sources can be a positive approach by following both ethical standards.
Non-Consequentialist Theory and Ethical Dilemma
There are six ethical values to be maintained to be followed in work. These are as follows:
- Public Interest- This reflects that all conflicts must be resolved that are focused on public interest. In this case, Shell Company is not 100% renewable and the customers of Powershop are mostly green. For this reason, it is highly essential to take public interest first which includes the safety and health of the customers as well as the environment (gov.au, 2021).
- Quality of Life- In the case of a power pop company in Australia after being owned by the Shell Company there arises the immense possibility of several negative impacts on public health as well as the environment in Australia. Hence, the ethical approach should be to minimize this effect by promoting health and safety (aer.gov.au, 202).
- Honesty- All professional decisions must be bounded with honesty and integrity. There can be different circumstances that may arise where being deceptive may benefit a person in the workplace. Such types of actions oppose ACS conduct. In this case, Shell Company pays a loyalty bonus to the power shop staff. This approach seems unethical as the Shell Company may have owned the solar farm or may introduce single renewable credentials but most of the business is opposed by the public due to the usage of renewable energy.
- Competence- It is focused on providing proper services and product that matches the financial and operational need of the stakeholders (AU 2018). This case of Powershop, Australia shows that after Shell employees and customers are shifting from their services to another green production organization.
- Professional Development- This involves up-gradation of knowledge and awareness for resolving issues. In this case employees of Powershop Company need to encourage others for professional development.
- Professionalism- This is related to following guidelines and working with pride in the profession as well as promoting Professionalism.
This model involves a 6-step approach to be anticipated for effective decision making. This study evaluates the possible decisions to be taken by the employees of Powershop after Shell Company owns this company. In this model according to Beemsterboar and Atchison, using past information and experiences can be effective for taking future decisions.
Ethical Dilemma- After the Shell company, the global giant of fossil fuels takes over Powerhouse Australia which was a 100% carbon-free and completely renewable source of electricity provider in Australia, customers began to switch their service providers due to fear of increasing pollution through because of Shell. Many small and medium companies in Australia run campaigns encouraging Powershop customers to switch to different other providers (Shell.com, 2021).
Information Gathering- The employees at Powershop have seen that a lot of customers have shifted to other renewable service providers like ABC Company. In total around 6000 customers left Powershop because of this reason. This may impact the existing employees at Powershop.
State Options- To avoid any significant complexities, the employees at Powershop need to look for different opportunities. For example, many renewable companies are operating within Australia such as Actual, AGL, Enova Energy, Diamond Energy, Nectr Energy, and more. Among some other companies like ABC, Energy Local has faced a huge sudden increase in several customers after shell companies’ announcements (Simshauser 2021). Hence to give service to this number of customers additional will be required. Employees can switch companies. However, in long term, all energy company knows that the future is green energy and companies are also switching to clean energy and employees can work with Powershop.
Applying Ethical Principles- While applying the options it becomes challenging to determine what options to choose. Working in Powershop under Shell subsidiary company can be beneficial in terms of investments and resources for the employees. The company is also connected to three hydropower generation and two wind farms governed by the ‘Offtake agreements’ and ‘Power Purchase Agreement’. Employees can also involve in other renewable companies but may face challenges during transition (gov.au, 2021).
Make a Decision- In this stage, a decision needs to be taken depending upon the evaluation of ethical principles among the options. In the case of Powershop under Shell, employees will get opportunities to be involved in green energy initiatives with more resources, infrastructure, and knowledge under Shell Company. Although customers show great opposition to shell companies after taking over Powershop, in the long run, this initiative by Shell may greatly improve the clean energy sector in Australia.
Implementation of Decision- In this phase, the employees who decided to work at Powershop need to work towards a sustainable energy mission as well as be responsive to blow the whistle in case of any issues arise within the project or climate in Australia.
Conclusion
The study discusses the ethical aspects from the perspective of employees in Powershop in Australia, taken over by Shell Company. The study highlights that Shell after the takeover of the power shop company the employees become disappointed. The Powershop Company reported a huge surge in the number of customer inquiries from those people sincere announcement by the cell company these people are looking to switch to other renewable energy providers. Non-consequentialists theory of ethics has been used to determine the ethical aspects among employees and Beemsterboer’s Ethical Decision Making Model address the possible opportunities for the Powershopp employees and possible decisions. The study can be concluded that it is an ethical duty to support the environment through clean energy. Shell being a fossil fuel giant has faced barriers after taking over Powershop. However, the mission and goals of the company regarding clean energy are clear and have prospects that need to be supported and appreciated.
References
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Simshauser, P., 2021. Renewable Energy Zones in Australia’s National Electricity Market. Energy Economics, 101, p.105446.
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