TEACHING NOTE
Xenic Insurance Company: Ethical Dilemma of an Employee
Background
Case study: Xenic Insurance Company: Ethical Dilemma of an Employee is designed to
be taught in BBA/MBA/PGDM/BTech/BA course or other courses that covers business ethics,
professional conduct, corporate governance, corporate ethics, morality at workplace or similar
ethics related issues. The case is about an employee named Mohan Sharma of one of the fastest
growing insurance companies. The employee is facing an imminent moral dilemma wherein he is
unsure about his future course of action. Mohan, a bright student and post graduate in insurance,
joined Xenic Insurance company Limited, which is a leading public sector insurance company.
His ultimate aim of life is to serve the society through developing an exhaustive but affordable
health insurance product to serve bottom of pyramid. Accordingly, he declines job offer from
private companies and joined government company in claim department. While analyzing claim
files of Group Mediclaim Policy of a leading telecommunication company, he observes certain
discrepancies. When he reports the same to his branch manager and then subsequently to his
divisional manager then he is transferred to some other branch. He is the sole bread winner of the
family and his mother and unmarried sister rely on him fully. Case ends with a moral dilemma
for Mohan.
Learning Objectives
After analyzing the case, students would be able to: -
Identify the moral dilemma faced by an individual in the organization and understand
personal and organizational implications of various course of actions.
Understand various organizational and extra-organizational mechanisms and networks
through which individual’s value manifest.
Differentiate between different approaches to business ethics like teleological,
deontological and emotive approaches.
Understand the fact that personal ethics, personal need of the hour and organizational
circumstances and needs may contradict.
*The case is purely hypothetical and is not related to any real settings.
Understand various provisions of whistle blower act and its larger implications.
Assignment Questions
1. Who is Mohan Sharma? Discuss his values, motivation, future aspirations and family
conditions.
2. What should be the future course of action for Mohan? Discuss implications of each
alternative available with Mohan.
3. What are the legal provisions against corruption as per Indian Penal Code? Also discuss
statutory provisions of whistle blower protection.
Teaching Plan
Introduction
Ask students to get into the shoes of Mohan.
Q.1 Who are you? (5- 10 min)
The question bears paramount importance and should be repeated again and again to reinforce
the importance of ‘getting into the shoes of Mohan’. Diverse responses including name, student,
learner, human etc. should be negated till students get into the role of Mohan. Nobody can
assume the mental and psychological challenge of Mohan until and unless one becomes Mohan.
So, correct answer of the question is ‘Mohan Sharma.
Q.2 Who is Mohan Sharma? Discuss his values, motivation, future aspirations and family
conditions. (10 min)
Although question seems very simple and easily answerable but its answer has deep
ramifications. Honest and deep evaluation will help learner in understanding the personality,
perception and motivation of main character of the case. Following are the few responses to the
question ‘Who is Mohan Sharma’. Students should be allowed to brainstorm to reveal maximum
personality traits of Mohan.
Employee of Xenic Insurance Company
Victim of corrupt system
A bright learner with a passion for excellence
*The case is purely hypothetical and is not related to any real settings.
A brave man with never to die spirit (remind he has already raised his voice to branch
manager and divisional manager and has decided to meet regional manager)
A researcher or have research intent (published paper as student of PG)
Most importantly, he is a man with a heart, which is filled with love, affection and
compassion for needy people
Second part of the question is quite interesting to answer as values, motivation, future aspirations
and family conditions are all interlinked and intermingled. Two- three facts inscribed in case
study hints towards Mohan’s strong commitment and feeling for downtrodden people. These
facts include learning of insurance analytics and actuarial science for product development, his
business plan and research paper’s theme, he declines lucrative private sector jobs to serve public
sector company. His academic achievements and extra-curricular credentials highlight his talent,
hardworking intent, competitive spirit, theoretical expertise of subject matter and zeal for
excellence. His family conditions are also a bit challenging. He is the sole bread earner of the
family. His sister depends upon his for her studies. Additionally, Indian wedding also puts
additional burden on bride’s side. Also, he would also need some cuisine against probable health
issues of his old-aged mother. Looting of public money leaves Mohan sleepless, it reflects his
inclination for transparency, accountability and good governance. He seems to be a honest and a
man with impeccable integrity.
Q.3 What should be the future course of action for Mohan? Discuss implications of each
alternative available with Mohan. (30-40 min)
Alternative 1: Leave the office of Regional Manager silently and without discussing his
hardship. And concentrate on constructive work and wait for opportunity to fulfil his dream to
serve the needy people.
Alternative 2: Meet Regional Manager and discuss whole incident informally (without formal
complaint of corruption).
Alternative 3: Meet Regional Manager and give written complaint with all proofs.
Alternative 4: Come back silently and submit complaint to Chief Vigilance Commissioner and
seek anonymity and protection under Whistle Blower Protection Act, 2011.
Alternative 5: Write an anonymous letter to Chief Vigilance Officer and mark various
authorities like Prime Minister Office, Department of financial services (Insurance Division),
*The case is purely hypothetical and is not related to any real settings.
Ministry of finance, CMD of the company, CEO of Telecommunication company, IRDAI and
honorable Supreme Court of India.
Alternative 6: Meet branch manager and divisional manager and get involved in corrupt
practice. Ask for his share of loot.
Alternative 7: Leave the job and utilize his talent, expertise and skills in a private company.
Now, students should be encouraged to discuss personal, organizational and societal
implications of Mohan’s decision. In general rewards for bringing corruption to light are letter of
appreciation or recognition by higher officials but repercussions are numerous and are often
dangerous. Personal repercussions may include transfer to far-flanged areas like north-east India,
organizational witch hunting in the form of false charge sheets, audit and vigilance, denial of
leaves, training and promotion opportunities, ostracism at workplace, bad behavior and
victimization. Non-action may lead to loss of confidence, self-belief, self-efficacy, value
degradation, loss of trust in company and system. Mohan may become indifferent towards such
activities and may loss courage to speak up again. More than personal loss, students should be
motivated to devote some time in exploring organizational repercussion like loss of a talented,
young and enthusiastic human resource, demoralization of other employees due to grapevine,
financial loss to the company, enticement for other employees who are susceptible to get
engaged in corrupt practices.
Q.4 What are the legal provisions against corruption as per Indian Penal Code? Also discuss
statutory provisions of whistle blower protection.
Students should be encouraged to go through relevant statutory provisions of the same.
*The case is purely hypothetical and is not related to any real settings.
