Street-Level Ethics Workshop developed by: Chris Amrhein, AAI, Consultant

 To gain insight into ethical behavior  To understand why the terms “ethical” and “moral” are quite different (and why confusing them presents problems)  To become familiar with inherent conflicts in being ethical (if it weren’t hard, everyone would do it) Course Objectives

 To understand the value of a code of ethics  To gain practice in seeing the ethical dilemmas in common insurance situations  To exercise individual judgment and reasoning in addressing ethical dilemmas, relying upon accepted ethical approaches and applicable codes of ethics Course Objectives

 “Right vs. Wrong” decisions  “From the heart and the brain”  “Feels” like the right thing  According to the way I was taught, this IS the right thing Morality

 “Right vs. right” decisions  Come from the “head” (intellect)  Codes of expected behavior  Approved guidelines  Derived from morals Ethics

 Are they “moral” or “ethical” issues?  Corporate cheating, corruption  Corporate criminal behavior  Individual profiteering  Stock manipulation  Others? Today’s Headlines

A True Moral Crisis Is Not Solvable By an Ethical Process...Why?

Because… First Step in Solving “Moral” Crisis Is to Determine “Right” from “Wrong” -- NOT “Right” from “Right”

 Situation-Based  Rule-Based  People-Based Approaches to Ethical Decisions

Situation-Based What is the best possible outcome given these circumstances?

Rule-Based Follow the rules, and let the chips fall where they may

People-Based Follow the Golden Rule: what would you have others do if faced by the same situation?

 Situation-Based: Do the ends justify the means?  Rule-Based: What should the rules be?  People-Based: Who is to say if the moral code of the decider is good or bad? Codes of Ethics can help overcome weaknesses Inherent Weaknesses

 Provide set, agreed-upon guidelines for the behavior of those who adhere to them  Examples:  American Institute for CPCU  NAIW  CPIW Codes of Ethics

 Deciding Whether the Situation Has Ethical Dimensions  Gathering Information  Identifying and Evaluating Alternatives  Reaching the Decision  Monitoring the Decision Questions for Assistance in Ethical Decision Making

Case Studies

 Gain experience in working through possibilities  Gain comfort in decision making  Explore differences, consider options in a safe, controlled environment  Practice makes perfect Value

 Scenarios must be realistic, not “pie in the sky” purely theoretical discussions  Work through regular steps; do not try to solve all problems at once  Goal is to strengthen your “ethical muscles” for future crises Assumptions

 #1 – A Friend in Need  #2 – The Case of the Absent Audit Agent Case Studies

 #3 – The Life of a Field Underwriter  #4 – Who’s the Fairest of Them All? Underwriter Case Studies

 #7 – How Low Will You Go?  #8 – The Last Minute Certificate Crunch  #9 – E&S: When Is “Worse” Better?  #10 – Wrong Is Wrong, but Right for Client Original Agent Case Studies

 #11 – School’s Out  #12 – Ignorance Can Be Bliss  #13 – He Who Hesitates Gets Lost  #14 – Gone With the Wind Original Underwriter Case Studies

 #13 – He Who Hesitates Gets Lost  #14 – Gone With the Wind Original Claim Adjuster Case Studies

Now Go Forth and Be Ethical!!!

720 Providence Road · Suite 100 · Malvern, PA Phone (610) · Fax (610)