Making Ethical DecisionsMaking Ethical DecisionsEthical Decisions occur when there are several Ethical Decisions occur when there are several possible courses of action and it is not obvious which possible courses of action and it is not obvious which is the correct course of actionis the correct course of action

Decisions will have ramifications that will affect Decisions will have ramifications that will affect those involvedthose involved

Ethics often involves choosing the Ethics often involves choosing the mostmost morally morally correct action over other choicescorrect action over other choices

To Play or Not to PlayTo Play or Not to Play

Read the Situation presented on Read the Situation presented on Page 12 of Ethical Decision Making in Page 12 of Ethical Decision Making in the Workbook.the Workbook.

““Jamie has just been named the head Jamie has just been named the head coach of her sport organization. She coach of her sport organization. She has noticed that one of the athletes has noticed that one of the athletes seems to suffer from a knee ...”seems to suffer from a knee ...”

Decision Making ProcessDecision Making ProcessForFor

Ethical ThinkingEthical Thinking1.1. Get all the facts and both sides of the issueGet all the facts and both sides of the issue2.2. Ask yourself, is it a legal matter or ethical?Ask yourself, is it a legal matter or ethical?3.3. Identify the issues, what is at stake in this Identify the issues, what is at stake in this

decisiondecision4.4. Identify possible actions to take and the Identify possible actions to take and the

potential consequences of eachpotential consequences of each5.5. Assess the Pros and Cons of each of actionAssess the Pros and Cons of each of action6.6. Select a course of actionSelect a course of action7.7. Implement the decisionImplement the decision

1. Getting The Facts1. Getting The Facts

Take time to get information before Take time to get information before giving a response. Think before you giving a response. Think before you speak.speak.

Be sure to act only after hearing all Be sure to act only after hearing all sides of the story. Don’t decide sides of the story. Don’t decide based on one person’s spin.based on one person’s spin.

Write the facts in point form Write the facts in point form

FactsFactsThe athlete is a minorThe athlete is a minor

The athlete shows symptoms of injury The athlete shows symptoms of injury

Everyone (coach, parents, athlete, doctor) agree on symptomsEveryone (coach, parents, athlete, doctor) agree on symptoms

Parents demand their child participate. Refer to opinion of the Parents demand their child participate. Refer to opinion of the Family MD to justify no riskFamily MD to justify no risk

No written proof from a doctor on their opinion/diagnosisNo written proof from a doctor on their opinion/diagnosis

Coach background leads her to believe situation serious and could Coach background leads her to believe situation serious and could have long term health consequenceshave long term health consequences

Athlete is talented with a shot at the provincial teamAthlete is talented with a shot at the provincial team

Policy of the organization gives coach final say on allowing an Policy of the organization gives coach final say on allowing an athlete to participateathlete to participate

Another policy says written medical permission is needed to return Another policy says written medical permission is needed to return to the sport after an injuryto the sport after an injury

Before the competion the athlete confirms the pain but is willing Before the competion the athlete confirms the pain but is willing to playto play

Provincial coach came a long way to scout the athlete todayProvincial coach came a long way to scout the athlete today

2. Legal or Ethical2. Legal or Ethical

Any issue of abuse (mental or Any issue of abuse (mental or physical) is a legal matter.physical) is a legal matter.

Any issue that breaks the law is a Any issue that breaks the law is a legal matter.legal matter.

If the issue is a legal matter notify If the issue is a legal matter notify the authorities and they deal with it.the authorities and they deal with it.

If the issue is not a legal matter If the issue is not a legal matter proceed with the decision processproceed with the decision process

This is not a legal issue. This This is not a legal issue. This has ethical implication has ethical implication

Continue on with the decision Continue on with the decision process to the next step and process to the next step and determine what issues are at stake.determine what issues are at stake.

3. Issues At Stake3. Issues At StakeYour action or non action can affect your authority as coach and the Your action or non action can affect your authority as coach and the

respect and discipline of the team as well as its supporters toward respect and discipline of the team as well as its supporters toward you.you.

In this section you write down the issues at risk depending on your In this section you write down the issues at risk depending on your action or non action as coach. List what is at risk.action or non action as coach. List what is at risk.

• Issues at stake:Issues at stake:• Long term health of the athlete is at riskLong term health of the athlete is at risk• Respect for the policies of the organization Respect for the policies of the organization • Responsibility of the coach to make the decisionResponsibility of the coach to make the decision• Appropriate use of power (as a coach to an athlete and a parent’s Appropriate use of power (as a coach to an athlete and a parent’s

authority over their child)authority over their child)• Individual goals – the chance to compete provinciallyIndividual goals – the chance to compete provincially

4. Possible Actions and 4. Possible Actions and ConsequencesConsequences

List the possible actions you could take. Do List the possible actions you could take. Do this in clear words and in point form.this in clear words and in point form.

When thinking of actions a good start is to When thinking of actions a good start is to think:think:

What would happen if I did nothingWhat would happen if I did nothingWhat would happen if I took the most What would happen if I took the most extreme pro actionextreme pro actionWhat would happen if I took the most What would happen if I took the most extreme con actionextreme con actionIs there a middle ground option?Is there a middle ground option?

What are your Options?What are your Options?

Coach makes no intervention and Coach makes no intervention and allows the parents to proceedallows the parents to proceed

Coach decides to allow the athlete to Coach decides to allow the athlete to competecompete

Coach decides not to let the athlete Coach decides not to let the athlete competecompete

5. Pros and Cons5. Pros and ConsList the possible action. Underneath write out all List the possible action. Underneath write out all

the pros you can think of for this action. Then the pros you can think of for this action. Then write out all the cons for the same action. Use write out all the cons for the same action. Use point form and clear language.point form and clear language.

Do this for each possible action you have identified.Do this for each possible action you have identified.

Coach makes no intervention and allows the Coach makes no intervention and allows the parents to proceedparents to proceed

The athlete competes and will have a The athlete competes and will have a chance to be selected; he/she will chance to be selected; he/she will run the risk of doing more damage to run the risk of doing more damage to the injury; the parents not the coach the injury; the parents not the coach are making the decision;the coach are making the decision;the coach abdicates her responsibilities for the abdicates her responsibilities for the athlete; a conflict with the parents is athlete; a conflict with the parents is avoided.avoided.

Coach allows the athlete to competeCoach allows the athlete to compete

The athlete will compete and will The athlete will compete and will have a chance to be selected; he/she have a chance to be selected; he/she runs the risk of doing more injury to runs the risk of doing more injury to to their body; the coach assumes his to their body; the coach assumes his or her decision-making authority; a or her decision-making authority; a conflict with the parents is avoided. conflict with the parents is avoided. The coach’s authority is enforced.The coach’s authority is enforced.

The coach decides to not allow the athlete to The coach decides to not allow the athlete to competecompete

The athlete will not compete and The athlete will not compete and his/her chances of being selected his/her chances of being selected may be compromised; he/she will not may be compromised; he/she will not run a risk of further injury; the coach run a risk of further injury; the coach assumes her decision-making assumes her decision-making authority; a conflict with the parents authority; a conflict with the parents may erupt; the provincial coach may erupt; the provincial coach came a long way for nothing.came a long way for nothing.

6. Before Selecting your Action 6. Before Selecting your Action consider such things as:consider such things as:

Choosing the decision that best reflects Choosing the decision that best reflects or preserves your valuesor preserves your values

Is the action consistent with team rules, Is the action consistent with team rules, expectations and past actions you have expectations and past actions you have taken; does it set a precedent?taken; does it set a precedent?

Ask is my decision just and fair for all Ask is my decision just and fair for all concernedconcerned

Consider if you have any bias that may Consider if you have any bias that may affect your judgmentaffect your judgment

Your Decision and DefenceYour Decision and DefenceI would allow the athlete to compete.I would allow the athlete to compete.

I cannot be certain the athlete’s I cannot be certain the athlete’s participation will cause further injury participation will cause further injury although I believe it is a risk. I have although I believe it is a risk. I have conveyed my feelings to both athlete and conveyed my feelings to both athlete and parents. Because the parents, athlete parents. Because the parents, athlete and, by their word, the family MD believe and, by their word, the family MD believe he can compete I concede to the parental he can compete I concede to the parental authority over mine as coach.authority over mine as coach.

Implementing the DecisionImplementing the DecisionOnce you have your decision you need Once you have your decision you need

to consider the best way to announce to consider the best way to announce it. Tact and sensitivity help people to it. Tact and sensitivity help people to understand your actions. Consider:understand your actions. Consider:Who needs to be toldWho needs to be toldWhen and where to tell themWhen and where to tell themWho else should be involvedWho else should be involvedBe prepared to justify your reasonsBe prepared to justify your reasons

Ethical DecisionsEthical Decisions

Your team has just lost a close game to a tough Your team has just lost a close game to a tough opponent. It was a rough game and one of your opponent. It was a rough game and one of your players is refusing to shake hands after the game players is refusing to shake hands after the game on the grounds he was mistreated by the other on the grounds he was mistreated by the other team. Her parents are in agreement and team. Her parents are in agreement and encouraging him to leave. It is a team rule that encouraging him to leave. It is a team rule that you shake hands after every game.you shake hands after every game.

What are the factsWhat are the factsClose gameClose gameTough gameTough gameAthlete felt disrespected, mistreatedAthlete felt disrespected, mistreatedAthlete is upset and angry ??Athlete is upset and angry ??Refuses to shake handsRefuses to shake handsParents don’t want her to shake handsParents don’t want her to shake handsTeam rule brokenTeam rule brokenYou are witnessing itYou are witnessing it

Is this a legal issueIs this a legal issue

NoNo

Treat it as an Ethical SituationTreat it as an Ethical Situation

Continue with decision processContinue with decision process

What are the IssuesWhat are the Issues

• SportsmanshipSportsmanship• Team rules being violatedTeam rules being violated• Coaches authority with playersCoaches authority with players• Leadership coach vs parentsLeadership coach vs parents• Team imageTeam image

Possible ActionsPossible Actions1.1. Do nothingDo nothing

2.2. Suspend athlete for a gameSuspend athlete for a game

3.3. Confront athlete and parents and insist athlete shake hands Confront athlete and parents and insist athlete shake hands on the spoton the spot

4.4. Have a meeting of team and parents before the next game to Have a meeting of team and parents before the next game to review the team tradition of shaking hands and its importance review the team tradition of shaking hands and its importance and to indicate it will not be tolerated in future.and to indicate it will not be tolerated in future.

5.5. Do nothing then, wait till later to talk to athlete and parents. Do nothing then, wait till later to talk to athlete and parents. Review rule and as a condition to stay on the team she must Review rule and as a condition to stay on the team she must apologize to team for action and understand another incident apologize to team for action and understand another incident could lead to more serious actioncould lead to more serious action

Weigh Pros and ConsWeigh Pros and Cons1.1. No ActionNo Action

By taking no action there is no ugly sceneBy taking no action there is no ugly sceneRule is disrespected and others may feel they don’t need to follow it eitherRule is disrespected and others may feel they don’t need to follow it eitherTeam image is hurtTeam image is hurtSome parents and athletes lose respect for coach and her authoritySome parents and athletes lose respect for coach and her authority

2.2. Suspend athlete for a gameSuspend athlete for a game

• May upset the athlete and parents who feel they did nothing wrongMay upset the athlete and parents who feel they did nothing wrong• Reinforces the rules and the coach’s authorityReinforces the rules and the coach’s authority• Preserves team imagePreserves team image

3.3. Confront athlete and parents and insist on shaking hands on the spotConfront athlete and parents and insist on shaking hands on the spot

• Too immediate and could result in an ugly scene with the parents/athleteToo immediate and could result in an ugly scene with the parents/athlete• May escalate the problemMay escalate the problem• Upholds coach’s authority, team rules, team image, respect from players and Upholds coach’s authority, team rules, team image, respect from players and

parentsparents

Weighing Pros and ConsWeighing Pros and Cons

44 Have a meeting of team and parents before the Have a meeting of team and parents before the next game to review the team tradition of next game to review the team tradition of shaking hands and its importance and to shaking hands and its importance and to indicate it will not be tolerated in future.indicate it will not be tolerated in future.

• Does not address the guilty partyDoes not address the guilty party• Unfair to those who follow the ruleUnfair to those who follow the rule• Team image suffersTeam image suffers• Coach’s authority weakenedCoach’s authority weakened

5.5. Do nothing then, wait till later to talk to athlete Do nothing then, wait till later to talk to athlete and parents. Review rule and ask athlete to and parents. Review rule and ask athlete to apologize to team and other coach for action apologize to team and other coach for action and understand another incident could lead to and understand another incident could lead to more serious actionmore serious action

• Avoids ugly sceneAvoids ugly scene• Gives athlete a second chanceGives athlete a second chance• Reinforces rulesReinforces rules• May show a lack of importance for the rule since there May show a lack of importance for the rule since there

was no immediate consequence for breaking the rulewas no immediate consequence for breaking the rule• Team image may sufferTeam image may suffer• Gives athlete the choiceGives athlete the choice

Select an ActionSelect an Action

Suspend athlete for a gameSuspend athlete for a game

Upon reflection this preserves Upon reflection this preserves mostmost of my values and is of my values and is something as coach I feel I can defend if questionedsomething as coach I feel I can defend if questioned

• Avoids ugly scene and escalation of problemsAvoids ugly scene and escalation of problems• Upholds the team rule with consequencesUpholds the team rule with consequences• Directed only at the offenderDirected only at the offender• Upholds team imageUpholds team image• Maintains authority and leadership of coachMaintains authority and leadership of coach

ImplementationImplementation• Must take place before the next practice or gameMust take place before the next practice or game• Have assistant coach presentHave assistant coach present• Be sensitive and understanding of the athlete and parents Be sensitive and understanding of the athlete and parents

feelings of upset but reinforce the importance of feelings of upset but reinforce the importance of sportsmanship and the team handshake as the prioritysportsmanship and the team handshake as the priority

• Clearly state that on this team you don’t play unless you Clearly state that on this team you don’t play unless you follow the team rulesfollow the team rules

• Be polite but firm in your stanceBe polite but firm in your stance