Current Ethical Issues in Business
Ethics In The Workplace Case Study
PHL 323
Date
Raj K. Bose
Ethics In The Workplace Case Study
Clearly define the issue.
What seems to be the basis of the issue?
What ethical change, deficiency, or conflict brought it about?
Which ethical systems were at work for key individuals in the organization-maagers, executives and employees?
How did the organization leadership come into play? How did ethical behavior and responsibility differ between employees and management? Pay particular attention to the role of middle management and executive management in causing or resolving the issue.
In this particular incident, an administrative assistant reported her manager who she believed had violated Wal-Mart’s ethical policy. She was asked to make copies of documents that looked they were in violation of the company’s ethical policy and she soon found out that because she reported unethical behavior on her boss, she had to find another job. Although she was encouraged to report anything she believed was unethical during her orientation, she was punished by doing so. The employee’s name was given to the senior management employee, the person who she accused of the unethical behavior, and she stated she was mistreated ever since she reported her. She did not want her name disclosed, but she was under the impression it was required to give her name. She requested to be transferred but she is not sure if she will get another job within the company after reporting a senior management employee. Their behavior differed because the employee reported what she believed to be unethical behavior and was punished for doing so. The senior manager retaliated against the employee making her feel uncomfortable in the department after the incident. Her direct manager acted as if the employee was required to disclose her name and did not explain to her that she had the option to remain anonymous.
PHL 323
Date
Raj K. Bose
Ethics In The Workplace Case Study
Clearly define the issue.
What seems to be the basis of the issue?
What ethical change, deficiency, or conflict brought it about?
Which ethical systems were at work for key individuals in the organization-maagers, executives and employees?
How did the organization leadership come into play? How did ethical behavior and responsibility differ between employees and management? Pay particular attention to the role of middle management and executive management in causing or resolving the issue.
In this particular incident, an administrative assistant reported her manager who she believed had violated Wal-Mart’s ethical policy. She was asked to make copies of documents that looked they were in violation of the company’s ethical policy and she soon found out that because she reported unethical behavior on her boss, she had to find another job. Although she was encouraged to report anything she believed was unethical during her orientation, she was punished by doing so. The employee’s name was given to the senior management employee, the person who she accused of the unethical behavior, and she stated she was mistreated ever since she reported her. She did not want her name disclosed, but she was under the impression it was required to give her name. She requested to be transferred but she is not sure if she will get another job within the company after reporting a senior management employee. Their behavior differed because the employee reported what she believed to be unethical behavior and was punished for doing so. The senior manager retaliated against the employee making her feel uncomfortable in the department after the incident. Her direct manager acted as if the employee was required to disclose her name and did not explain to her that she had the option to remain anonymous.
References: Gogoi, P. (2007). Bloomberg Businessweek. Wal-Mart’s latest ethics controversy. Retrieved From: http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-06-13/wal-marts-latest-ethics-controversybusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice