Unit 8 Assignment: Sandwich Blitz

Introduction to Management
Unit 8 Assignment

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MT140-03

Jessica Hoover

August 3, 2015

In this paper I will provide an analysis on the steps that Sandwich Blitz Inc. can take to make an ethical decision regarding the recently passed health codes and the government inspector’s proposal regarding approval of their current set-up. Local health codes have been updated, and Sandwich Blitz must comply with these. They currently have a few infractions of the new codes, but the government inspector has told a unit manager that if Sandwich Blitz caters their holiday party they will be approved to continue doing business as is without making changes. Dalman is aware of this proposal from the inspector
and must decide what is ethical for his business. I will analyze which of the eight steps proposed by Stratford Sherman can be used in this case.
The Stanford University Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2013) states: "We are each responsible for our own integrity; the best of us create environments that nourish the integrity of others.” With this in mind, Dalman needs to consider that any decision he makes for his company will also affect his employees and their moral thinking; which will also affect how those same employees decide to treat customers and business assets they are in charge of at each location.
Sherman (2003) states that the Eight Steps Toward Integrity are a) Doing what we say we will do; b) Doing the right thing; c) Taking responsibility; d) Supporting or own weight; e) Holistic thinking; f) Respecting others; g) Checking the mirror; and h) Defining the rules and values. Dalman can use these steps to help him make the decision to either follow the law or take the easy way out. Following the law and making the necessary changes may cost money, money that Sandwich Blitz doesn’t want to spend, but taking the easy way out may compromise the company’s reputation from within; these steps will help Dalman determine which path is the best path for Sandwich Blitz. Doing the right thing means making choices from many possible answers after determining what is right for the decision maker and, in this case, the larger company culture. Dalman will need to use this step and determine what he feels is right for himself and what is right for his corporation and employees. If he decides that taking the inspector’s offer is the right thing it could be likened to offering a bribe to pass the health code standards. Dalman needs to inform the inspector that he will not be taking his offer because it is not the right thing to do for himself and his employees. Deciding the follow the health codes and making the appropriate changes may cost the company money, but Dalman is setting an example for his employees to follow. The next step for Dalman to consider is taking responsibility, once Dalman decides to do the right thing and not take the inspector’s offer he has to examine what needs to be done to ensure all of his locations that fall within the new health codes are up to standards.
This may mean they have to move existing outbuildings further from the property line, or away from the main business structure. They may need to lease additional land, or work out an easement with other existing businesses. Dalman needs to take responsibility for the new changes that are necessary, he might need to negotiate with other business owners or hire contractors to make sure that the work is completed and within
standards. Once Dalman rejects the inspector’s offer he is following the step to respect others, he is respecting his employees, his business partner, investors, and even the inspector that tried to bribe him.
By not taking the bribe Dalman is giving the inspector a chance to redeem himself and to do the right thing. Dalman is also doing what he says he will do, as we’ve read in previous scenarios Dalman is an ethical person, he has created a corporate culture based on his integrity and that of his employees, so by maintaining his integrity and not taking the bribe Dalman is leading by example and doing what he says he will do. With every decision we make, as either a manager, owner, leader, or human being we should always check the mirror, this means that we should look at what we are doing, is it what we really want, or is this who I really am, by asking himself these questions and contemplating the decision he is preparing to make Dalman is able to use that reflection when explaining his decision to his employees, investors, or partner. Once he feels as though he has looked at all the steps that apply and is making a solid decision then he can move on to the last step that fits this
situation. The lessons that Dalman’s location managers and employees will learn from this situation will only make their company stronger. By defining the rules and values that Sandwich Blitz is going to follow employees will gain insight into what exactly is expected of them from upper management. Dalman is leading by example, and his employees will have a mentor to follow. In my opinion these are the steps that pertain to this situation, and will help Dalman strengthen his company’s moral and ethical culture. Dalman has a hard decision to make, but by using Sherman’s Eight Steps Toward Integrity he will be able to make an ethical decision and turn the inspector down.

References
BATEMAN. (2013). M: Management, 3rd Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf version].
Retrieved from http://online.vitalsource.com/books/0077530667/page/66
Sherman, S. (2003). Rethinking Integrity. Leader to Leader, (28), 39-45.