Posted: February 3rd, 2016

Consider this situation from a virtue ethics perspective. What virtues are at stake? Are some virtues at odds with each other?

A former employee who was fired due to poor quality work, absences, and lateness related to her drinking problems informs you that she has applied for a position at another company and has already given your name as a reference. She desperately needs a job.(she is a single parent with 3 kids) and she ask you to give her a good recommendation and not mention her drinking, which she assures you is under control. She also ask you to say that she voluntarily left the company to address a family medical crisis, and that the company was pleased with her work. you like this person and believes she is a good worker when she is not drinking. You doubt that she has really overcome her drinking problem, however, and you would not recommend your own company hire her back.

Consider this situation from a virtue ethics perspective. What virtues are at stake? Are some virtues at odds with each other?

Source:
Balassone, J(2011). Santa Clara University, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.