Ethical Boundaries of Using Internet at Work

You work for a company that has no specific policies regarding non-work related issues of computers and internet. They also have no electronic monitoring devices to determine what employees are doing on their computers. Are any of the following actions unethical?? Explain your position on each. A. Using the Company’s e-mail system for personal reason during work day. B. Playing computer games during work day. C. Using your office to do Internet Shopping during day. D. Looking for a mate on an Internet dating-service, web site during work day. E. Visiting “adult” websites on your office computer during work day. F. All of the above activities conducted before or after normal work hours. G. For Telecommuters working from home, using a computer and internet-access line paid by employer to visit Internet shopping or dating-service site during normal working hours.

INTRODUCTION

Ethics or Moral Philosophy is a branch of Philosophy that deals with questions about morality – concepts such as evil and good, right and wrong, virtue and vice, right and wrong etc.

Business or Corporate Ethics is a form of applied ethics that examine and address moral problems that occur in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations.

Work Ethics is again a form of applied ethics that addresses the moral dilemmas relating to individuals at work. Work ethics include not only how one feels about their job, career or vocation, but also how one does his/her job or responsibilities. This involves attitude, behavior, respect, communication, and interaction; how one gets along with others. Work ethics demonstrate many things about whom and how a person is.
Work ethics involve such characteristics as honesty and accountability. Essentially, work ethics break down to what one does or would do in a particular situation. The begging question in a situation involves