Wgu Hr Task 2
Human Resources
Task #2
A.(1) Decision Alternative
The three possible alternatives that could be implanted to resolve the whistle problem are as follows:
The company could consider reproducing and repackaging the whistles since it did not meet the lead requirements.
The company could consider changing the market age group; the product could be targeted for kids above 8 years old.
The company could send the shipment to another country whose lead requirements meet the amount detected in the whistle.
A.(2) Decision-Making Process
The decision-making process that was used to develop the decision alternatives listed above to resolve the whistle problem was the decision making model #3. During this decision process the following …show more content…
steps provided guidelines that led to the selected alternatives:
1. Identified the pending decision by outlining the desired goals and results
2. Listed possible options by gathering information
3. The advantages and disadvantages of each option was considered
4. Chose the best option from the list created and carried it out
5. Evaluate the decision to ensure that the expected results will be achieved A.(3) Alternative Considerations
Advantages Disadvantages Financial Considerations Legal Considerations Ethical Considerations
Reproducing and Repackaging • Lead free
• Safety
• Integrity • Lost time
• Overtime • Cost
• Overtime pay • Avoid law suits
• Avoid fines Maintain company’s integrity.
Send Items with no changes • Avoid reproduction
• Avoid Overtime • Item may not sell
• Items returned • Profit loss • Fines
• Law suits
• Criminal charges Loss of integrity
Employee turn over
Ship to another country • New client
• Company Exposure • Lost time • High shipping cost Lead requirements
Business laws Honesty
Integrity
Safety
Reproducing and repackaging the whistles- If the company chooses to reproduce, the advantages the company will gain is that the whistles will meet the legal lead requirements. The company will be sure that the new whistles will be safe of the children. The company continues to maintain its integrity with its partners and the community. Some of the challenges the company may face is that they may have to require their production to work overtime; this might put a financial burden on the company because they will have to pay workers for overtime hours. However, in the legal aspect of it the company will avoid possible law suits and the criminal charges.
Send whistles with no changes- If the company is able to send the items without having to make changes, they will be able to avoid reproduction costs and overtime hours. There is the possibility that the information may be made aware to the consumers about the lead found in the whistles and the items may not sell. There is also the possibility that the buyer may send the items back, which will be a huge financial loss for the company. The company may lose future contracts with its current business partners and or other potential partners. The reputation of the company will be destroyed; no one will ever consider buying any product from them even if they do decide to make better ethical decisions in the future. The company will have to face legal charges and may have criminal charges brought up against them.
Shipping whistles to another country- The advantages the company gains from shipping to another country are promising. The company gains new business partners and becomes exposed to new and maybe better business options. The company avoids losing time with reproducing new whistles and the need for overtime will be eliminated. The shipping cost may be financially straining depending on where the company plans to ship the whistles to. The company will have to inquire about the lead requirements for the shipping location, if the proper information and research are not conducted then there is the possibility the items may also not sell with the new client. In order to build a solid business relationship with its new client, the company should maintain its integrity by providing all the necessary information. The company should be open, honest and forth coming with information regarding the amount of lead discovered in the whistles.
B. Alternate Recommendation
The recommendation that will be suitable to resolve the whistle problem would be to reproduce and repackage the items. This will be the best alternative because if the company ships out the current batch knowing that the traces of lead found exceeds acceptable legal amount the company may face fines and possible law suits. B.(1) Recommendation Justification
The reasons why this will be the best option for the company is listed as follows:
• The new product will be lead free and safe for use for the intended age group.
• The company eliminates the possibilities of fines and legal problems
• The company continues to maintain its integrity accompanied with good ethics practices
• The company will stand out amongst other company and will be known for always doing what is right at all costs
• The customers and business partners are confident that the company will always make their satisfaction and safety their top priority
B.(2) Recommendation Analysis
The decisions that a company makes effects not only the customers but the employees and partners are affected by the decisions as well. When a company makes a decision that is not considered to be the “right “ thing the damage is a ripple effect and everyone is hit by it. A consumer wants to be assured that the company providing services to them will:
• Be reliable
• Be honest
• Abide with required laws and regulations
• Place their safety as a primary priority
• Not cut corners with products for the sake of profit
The employees who work for the company are also considered to be customers, even though they are internal customers they have expectations that they require the company to fulfill. An individual wants to be certain that the company that they work for practices good business ethics. A company that will follow the guidelines, standards and regulations set by both State and Federal laws regarding business ethics. An employee wants to work for an employer that will:
• Keep the morale of the employees up
• Set good examples for the employees to follow
• Be honest
• Be trustworthy
Customers and employees have invested something into the company, i.e. time, money and support, they expect their investment to have a successful outcome. In order to fulfill the expectations of its customers the company will strive to conduct business fairly and morally right according the laws and regulations of business ethics. The decision to reproduce the whistles will have a positive outcome for the company with its customers, employees and the community. Customers with small children will be relieved about the company’s decision to reproduce the whistles because the safety of their children could have been at risk if the company decided to distribute the whistles with lead in them. The company will be known for its integrity and will capture the interests of several individuals who may become interested in working for the company. B.(3). Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical theory that individuals and organizations are obligated to act on in order to benefit the society at large. It is also a duty that every individual must perform to assure that the balance between the economy and the ecosystems are maintained. The toy company has demonstrated that it is socially responsible based on the decision about the whistles with lead. The company recognizes that allowing the whistles to be distributed will pose potential health risks, thus failing on its part to do what is right for the benefit of the society at large. A company that is socially responsible demonstrates certain characteristics to show their care and value for the society. A company that values good business practices is being socially responsible. Listed below are some characteristics that define a socially responsible company.
Maintaining a work environment that is founded on dignity and respect for all employees
Making the employees feel that their jobs are important
Cultivates the full potential of its employees
Encouraging the individuals pursuit to balance work/life
Protecting the well-being of individuals and their families through compensation, benefits, policies and practices
Developing great leaders at all levels, who will excel in managing people and yield success
Appreciates and recognizes the contributions of its employees
Establishes and communicates the standards for ethical behavior and integrity that its employees must practice
Gets involved with community endeavors and public policy
Considers the human toll before making business decisions
Social responsibility played an important role with final decision on what would be done about the whistle with lead. The effects of decision on the community were taken into consideration before the final decision was made. It is important that the community feel that their safety is not being taken for granted and that the company will do its very best not to compromise their safety in any manner. The company’s final decision on the whistle problem was to show the community the greatest value they place on the lives of the members of the community.
C. Actions
In order for the company to ensure that it will continue to make ethical decisions at all levels within the company, the following policies will be implemented to assist the employees in achieving and maintaining this practice. The company will implement the use of an ethical decision model that will be utilized by employees on all levels of the organization when making ethical decisions. Below is a sample of the decision making model that will be used in the company. The second strategy that would be implemented by the company to ensure that all its employees have a strong foundation in ethical decision making will be to offer periodical training. Every year the company will provide mandatory training on the steps and effective strategies of making ethical decisions. To ensure that the employees have mastered this skill, during the annual evaluation an ethical problem will be posed and the employee is required to demonstrate the steps on how to reach a decision.
C.(1) Code of Ethics
Codes of ethics are incorporated by companies to assist its employees to identify the difference between right and wrong and using the understanding to guide them with decision making. Most individuals learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age from their parents. A child may be taught that taking a cookie from the jar without asking is wrong. The child incorporates this rule and learns that stealing in any situation is wrong. The benefit of having a code of ethics is that is sets a positive and healthy corporate culture improves the morale among workers in the organization, which may increase productivity and employee retention; this, in turn, has financial benefits for the organization. Higher levels of productivity improve the efficiency in the company, while increasing employee retention reduces the cost of replacing employees. The incident with the whistles is an opportunity for the company to show that it lives by its code of ethics, and that every ethical decision the organization makes is based around its code of ethics. The whistle incident will prove to the company’s partners, customers and employees that the company does not only believe in its code of ethics but it lives by it. C .(2) Code of Ethics Analysis
The company that I chose to analyze its code of ethics is Wal-Mart stores. I have been a loyal Wal-Mart customer for many years. One of the things that I admire most about Wal-Mart is their popular logo with states to “expect more”. Although this statement is short in length, it delivers as strong and lasting messages to the customers. The statement could be interpreted to mean that each time you come to Wal-Mart, you should expect more savings. It could also mean that when you shop at Wal-Mart you should “expect more” customer friendliness. It could be interpreted in several ways depending on which one of your needs Wal-Mart fulfills.
Wal-Mart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962, and the company has been a value based company and ethically led company. There are three basic beliefs that surrounds the code of ethics of Wal-Mart, these beliefs are:
Respect for the individual
Service to our customers
Striving for excellence
These basic beliefs practiced by Wal-Mart are a strong and solid foundation that the company has laid to satisfy the needs of their customers and boost the morale of their employees. Below is a copy of Wal-Mart’s code of ethics.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT & CEO January 1, 2005
Dear Associates:
Our Company is committed to maintaining an environment in which our Associates are proud to work, our suppliers and other business partners know that they are being dealt with fairly, and our shareholders can invest with confidence.
In furtherance of these goals, we have updated our Company’s Statement of Ethics to take into account recent changes in laws and regulations. This revised Statement of Ethics applies to all of our Associates worldwide as well as the members of our Board of Directors. It is critical that you read this Statement of Ethics carefully.
As in the past, we ask that each of you make a special commitment to comply with the principles and policies set forth or referred to in this Statement of Ethics.
Wal-Mart’s business was built upon a foundation of honesty, respect, fairness and integrity. We must each strive to preserve that foundation by bringing these values to our job every day. To that end, we must all follow the Statement of Ethics. However, because this statement cannot possibly describe every practice or principle related to honest and ethical conduct, it is also our responsibility to apply common sense, together with a desire simply to
do the right thing, in making business and personal decisions where no stated guideline exists.
The Open Door allows each of us to be heard on any issue. Where ethics are concerned, our Company goes a step further. You are expected to raise any questions or concerns regarding business ethics.
We are all privileged to work for one of the most successful companies in the world. In order to sustain that success for future generations, it is our responsibility to preserve and strengthen the core ethical beliefs upon which our Company was founded. We are relying on each of you to help us fulfill this important responsibility.
S. Robson Walton
Chairman of the Board
H. Lee Scott, Jr.
President & CEO i
OUR THREE BASIC BELIEFS
When Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (“Wal-Mart”), he established the
“Three Basic Beliefs” to which we remain firmly committed:
◊ Respect for the Individual
◊ Service to our Customers
◊ Strive for Excellence
The Three Basic Beliefs go hand in hand with the integrity and ethical conduct that is the foundation of our business. GUIDING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES As Wal-Mart Associates and Directors, we must:
• Follow the law at all times;
• Be honest and fair;
• Never manipulate, misrepresent, abuse or conceal information;
• Avoid conflicts of interest between work and personal affairs;
• Never discriminate against anyone;
• Never act unethically - even if someone else instructs you to do so;
• Never ask someone to act unethically;
• Seek assistance if you have questions about this Statement of Ethics or if you face an ethical dilemma;
• Cooperate with any investigation of a possible ethics violation; and
• Report ethics violations or suspected violations. This Statement of Ethics provides an introduction to the responsibilities of all
Associates, along with an overview of certain important policies. This Statement of
Ethics is an important part of employment with Wal-Mart, but is not intended to create an express or implied contract of employment in and of itself. The policies of
Wal-Mart may be modified at our sole discretion, without notice, at any time.
Employment with Wal-Mart is on an at-will basis, where permitted by law, meaning
Associates are free to resign at any time for any or for no reason and Wal-Mart may terminate an Associate at any time for any or for no reason. C.(2a). Component Recommendation
Wal-Mart’s code of ethics in its entirety is well organized with strong and valid points that many companies should consider adopting into their code of ethics. The three components from Wal-Mart’s code of ethics that could be incorporated into development of the toy company’s code of ethics are as follows:
Follow the law at all times
Never manipulate, misrepresent, abuse or conceal information
Never ask someone to act unethically
These three components may seem straight forward and simple, but could become a challenge to adhere to when faced with a difficult ethical issue. These components would be insightful points that could assist with the dilemma the toy company is battling with concerning the problems with the whistles. During the decision making process if these components are kept in the equation the company will make positive decisions, however if these components are ignored it could lead to negative decisions.
The first component states that the law should be followed at all times. This may seem very easy to comprehend however if a company is faced with an issue that could financially straining this simple rule could become very difficult to follow. The current issue with the whistle is an example of how the law could be ignored because the reproduction and repackaging of the products is going to cost a significant amount of money. The toy company made the right choice by following the law, because the price of not following this rule would have cost the company much more than reproduction of the whistles would have cost them.
The second component which states that information should never be manipulated, misrepresented or abused. This component could also be applied to the problem the toy company was faced with the whistles. The company could have decided to withhold the information about the amount of lead that was discovered in the whistles. The amount was only slightly higher than the amount allowed, the company could have manipulated this information to avoid the hassle and cost of having to reproduce the whistles. The toy company made the right decision because if it was discovered that information was falsely reported, the company stands the chance of facing criminal charges which may also include the possibility of prison sentencing.
The third component also fits with the current whistle incident the toy company dealing with. The component states that nobody should be asked to act unethically. The toy company could have asked the inspectors to overlook the report that shows that the whistles contain a slightly high amount of lead that legally allowed. This request could lead to the offering and acceptance of bribing. The toy company in an effort to cut corners and try to save the cost of reproduction may decide to give monetary gifts to the individual who may be willing to help cover up the reports of the lead in the whistles. If the toy company makes the mistake of offering bribes and asking someone to act unethically the legal consequences the company would face will be a huge financial loss and there could also be the possibility of facing criminal charges and there is also the possibility of prison sentencing.
References
http://ethics.walmartstores.com/StatementOfEthics/BasicBeliefs.aspx
McGill Murphy, Richard.(2010, February). “Why doing good is good for business”. Contributor
Task #2
A.(1) Decision Alternative
The three possible alternatives that could be implanted to resolve the whistle problem are as follows:
The company could consider reproducing and repackaging the whistles since it did not meet the lead requirements.
The company could consider changing the market age group; the product could be targeted for kids above 8 years old.
The company could send the shipment to another country whose lead requirements meet the amount detected in the whistle.
A.(2) Decision-Making Process
The decision-making process that was used to develop the decision alternatives listed above to resolve the whistle problem was the decision making model #3. During this decision process the following …show more content…
steps provided guidelines that led to the selected alternatives:
1. Identified the pending decision by outlining the desired goals and results
2. Listed possible options by gathering information
3. The advantages and disadvantages of each option was considered
4. Chose the best option from the list created and carried it out
5. Evaluate the decision to ensure that the expected results will be achieved A.(3) Alternative Considerations
Advantages Disadvantages Financial Considerations Legal Considerations Ethical Considerations
Reproducing and Repackaging • Lead free
• Safety
• Integrity • Lost time
• Overtime • Cost
• Overtime pay • Avoid law suits
• Avoid fines Maintain company’s integrity.
Send Items with no changes • Avoid reproduction
• Avoid Overtime • Item may not sell
• Items returned • Profit loss • Fines
• Law suits
• Criminal charges Loss of integrity
Employee turn over
Ship to another country • New client
• Company Exposure • Lost time • High shipping cost Lead requirements
Business laws Honesty
Integrity
Safety
Reproducing and repackaging the whistles- If the company chooses to reproduce, the advantages the company will gain is that the whistles will meet the legal lead requirements. The company will be sure that the new whistles will be safe of the children. The company continues to maintain its integrity with its partners and the community. Some of the challenges the company may face is that they may have to require their production to work overtime; this might put a financial burden on the company because they will have to pay workers for overtime hours. However, in the legal aspect of it the company will avoid possible law suits and the criminal charges.
Send whistles with no changes- If the company is able to send the items without having to make changes, they will be able to avoid reproduction costs and overtime hours. There is the possibility that the information may be made aware to the consumers about the lead found in the whistles and the items may not sell. There is also the possibility that the buyer may send the items back, which will be a huge financial loss for the company. The company may lose future contracts with its current business partners and or other potential partners. The reputation of the company will be destroyed; no one will ever consider buying any product from them even if they do decide to make better ethical decisions in the future. The company will have to face legal charges and may have criminal charges brought up against them.
Shipping whistles to another country- The advantages the company gains from shipping to another country are promising. The company gains new business partners and becomes exposed to new and maybe better business options. The company avoids losing time with reproducing new whistles and the need for overtime will be eliminated. The shipping cost may be financially straining depending on where the company plans to ship the whistles to. The company will have to inquire about the lead requirements for the shipping location, if the proper information and research are not conducted then there is the possibility the items may also not sell with the new client. In order to build a solid business relationship with its new client, the company should maintain its integrity by providing all the necessary information. The company should be open, honest and forth coming with information regarding the amount of lead discovered in the whistles.
B. Alternate Recommendation
The recommendation that will be suitable to resolve the whistle problem would be to reproduce and repackage the items. This will be the best alternative because if the company ships out the current batch knowing that the traces of lead found exceeds acceptable legal amount the company may face fines and possible law suits. B.(1) Recommendation Justification
The reasons why this will be the best option for the company is listed as follows:
• The new product will be lead free and safe for use for the intended age group.
• The company eliminates the possibilities of fines and legal problems
• The company continues to maintain its integrity accompanied with good ethics practices
• The company will stand out amongst other company and will be known for always doing what is right at all costs
• The customers and business partners are confident that the company will always make their satisfaction and safety their top priority
B.(2) Recommendation Analysis
The decisions that a company makes effects not only the customers but the employees and partners are affected by the decisions as well. When a company makes a decision that is not considered to be the “right “ thing the damage is a ripple effect and everyone is hit by it. A consumer wants to be assured that the company providing services to them will:
• Be reliable
• Be honest
• Abide with required laws and regulations
• Place their safety as a primary priority
• Not cut corners with products for the sake of profit
The employees who work for the company are also considered to be customers, even though they are internal customers they have expectations that they require the company to fulfill. An individual wants to be certain that the company that they work for practices good business ethics. A company that will follow the guidelines, standards and regulations set by both State and Federal laws regarding business ethics. An employee wants to work for an employer that will:
• Keep the morale of the employees up
• Set good examples for the employees to follow
• Be honest
• Be trustworthy
Customers and employees have invested something into the company, i.e. time, money and support, they expect their investment to have a successful outcome. In order to fulfill the expectations of its customers the company will strive to conduct business fairly and morally right according the laws and regulations of business ethics. The decision to reproduce the whistles will have a positive outcome for the company with its customers, employees and the community. Customers with small children will be relieved about the company’s decision to reproduce the whistles because the safety of their children could have been at risk if the company decided to distribute the whistles with lead in them. The company will be known for its integrity and will capture the interests of several individuals who may become interested in working for the company. B.(3). Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical theory that individuals and organizations are obligated to act on in order to benefit the society at large. It is also a duty that every individual must perform to assure that the balance between the economy and the ecosystems are maintained. The toy company has demonstrated that it is socially responsible based on the decision about the whistles with lead. The company recognizes that allowing the whistles to be distributed will pose potential health risks, thus failing on its part to do what is right for the benefit of the society at large. A company that is socially responsible demonstrates certain characteristics to show their care and value for the society. A company that values good business practices is being socially responsible. Listed below are some characteristics that define a socially responsible company.
Maintaining a work environment that is founded on dignity and respect for all employees
Making the employees feel that their jobs are important
Cultivates the full potential of its employees
Encouraging the individuals pursuit to balance work/life
Protecting the well-being of individuals and their families through compensation, benefits, policies and practices
Developing great leaders at all levels, who will excel in managing people and yield success
Appreciates and recognizes the contributions of its employees
Establishes and communicates the standards for ethical behavior and integrity that its employees must practice
Gets involved with community endeavors and public policy
Considers the human toll before making business decisions
Social responsibility played an important role with final decision on what would be done about the whistle with lead. The effects of decision on the community were taken into consideration before the final decision was made. It is important that the community feel that their safety is not being taken for granted and that the company will do its very best not to compromise their safety in any manner. The company’s final decision on the whistle problem was to show the community the greatest value they place on the lives of the members of the community.
C. Actions
In order for the company to ensure that it will continue to make ethical decisions at all levels within the company, the following policies will be implemented to assist the employees in achieving and maintaining this practice. The company will implement the use of an ethical decision model that will be utilized by employees on all levels of the organization when making ethical decisions. Below is a sample of the decision making model that will be used in the company. The second strategy that would be implemented by the company to ensure that all its employees have a strong foundation in ethical decision making will be to offer periodical training. Every year the company will provide mandatory training on the steps and effective strategies of making ethical decisions. To ensure that the employees have mastered this skill, during the annual evaluation an ethical problem will be posed and the employee is required to demonstrate the steps on how to reach a decision.
C.(1) Code of Ethics
Codes of ethics are incorporated by companies to assist its employees to identify the difference between right and wrong and using the understanding to guide them with decision making. Most individuals learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age from their parents. A child may be taught that taking a cookie from the jar without asking is wrong. The child incorporates this rule and learns that stealing in any situation is wrong. The benefit of having a code of ethics is that is sets a positive and healthy corporate culture improves the morale among workers in the organization, which may increase productivity and employee retention; this, in turn, has financial benefits for the organization. Higher levels of productivity improve the efficiency in the company, while increasing employee retention reduces the cost of replacing employees. The incident with the whistles is an opportunity for the company to show that it lives by its code of ethics, and that every ethical decision the organization makes is based around its code of ethics. The whistle incident will prove to the company’s partners, customers and employees that the company does not only believe in its code of ethics but it lives by it. C .(2) Code of Ethics Analysis
The company that I chose to analyze its code of ethics is Wal-Mart stores. I have been a loyal Wal-Mart customer for many years. One of the things that I admire most about Wal-Mart is their popular logo with states to “expect more”. Although this statement is short in length, it delivers as strong and lasting messages to the customers. The statement could be interpreted to mean that each time you come to Wal-Mart, you should expect more savings. It could also mean that when you shop at Wal-Mart you should “expect more” customer friendliness. It could be interpreted in several ways depending on which one of your needs Wal-Mart fulfills.
Wal-Mart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962, and the company has been a value based company and ethically led company. There are three basic beliefs that surrounds the code of ethics of Wal-Mart, these beliefs are:
Respect for the individual
Service to our customers
Striving for excellence
These basic beliefs practiced by Wal-Mart are a strong and solid foundation that the company has laid to satisfy the needs of their customers and boost the morale of their employees. Below is a copy of Wal-Mart’s code of ethics.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT & CEO January 1, 2005
Dear Associates:
Our Company is committed to maintaining an environment in which our Associates are proud to work, our suppliers and other business partners know that they are being dealt with fairly, and our shareholders can invest with confidence.
In furtherance of these goals, we have updated our Company’s Statement of Ethics to take into account recent changes in laws and regulations. This revised Statement of Ethics applies to all of our Associates worldwide as well as the members of our Board of Directors. It is critical that you read this Statement of Ethics carefully.
As in the past, we ask that each of you make a special commitment to comply with the principles and policies set forth or referred to in this Statement of Ethics.
Wal-Mart’s business was built upon a foundation of honesty, respect, fairness and integrity. We must each strive to preserve that foundation by bringing these values to our job every day. To that end, we must all follow the Statement of Ethics. However, because this statement cannot possibly describe every practice or principle related to honest and ethical conduct, it is also our responsibility to apply common sense, together with a desire simply to
do the right thing, in making business and personal decisions where no stated guideline exists.
The Open Door allows each of us to be heard on any issue. Where ethics are concerned, our Company goes a step further. You are expected to raise any questions or concerns regarding business ethics.
We are all privileged to work for one of the most successful companies in the world. In order to sustain that success for future generations, it is our responsibility to preserve and strengthen the core ethical beliefs upon which our Company was founded. We are relying on each of you to help us fulfill this important responsibility.
S. Robson Walton
Chairman of the Board
H. Lee Scott, Jr.
President & CEO i
OUR THREE BASIC BELIEFS
When Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (“Wal-Mart”), he established the
“Three Basic Beliefs” to which we remain firmly committed:
◊ Respect for the Individual
◊ Service to our Customers
◊ Strive for Excellence
The Three Basic Beliefs go hand in hand with the integrity and ethical conduct that is the foundation of our business. GUIDING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES As Wal-Mart Associates and Directors, we must:
• Follow the law at all times;
• Be honest and fair;
• Never manipulate, misrepresent, abuse or conceal information;
• Avoid conflicts of interest between work and personal affairs;
• Never discriminate against anyone;
• Never act unethically - even if someone else instructs you to do so;
• Never ask someone to act unethically;
• Seek assistance if you have questions about this Statement of Ethics or if you face an ethical dilemma;
• Cooperate with any investigation of a possible ethics violation; and
• Report ethics violations or suspected violations. This Statement of Ethics provides an introduction to the responsibilities of all
Associates, along with an overview of certain important policies. This Statement of
Ethics is an important part of employment with Wal-Mart, but is not intended to create an express or implied contract of employment in and of itself. The policies of
Wal-Mart may be modified at our sole discretion, without notice, at any time.
Employment with Wal-Mart is on an at-will basis, where permitted by law, meaning
Associates are free to resign at any time for any or for no reason and Wal-Mart may terminate an Associate at any time for any or for no reason. C.(2a). Component Recommendation
Wal-Mart’s code of ethics in its entirety is well organized with strong and valid points that many companies should consider adopting into their code of ethics. The three components from Wal-Mart’s code of ethics that could be incorporated into development of the toy company’s code of ethics are as follows:
Follow the law at all times
Never manipulate, misrepresent, abuse or conceal information
Never ask someone to act unethically
These three components may seem straight forward and simple, but could become a challenge to adhere to when faced with a difficult ethical issue. These components would be insightful points that could assist with the dilemma the toy company is battling with concerning the problems with the whistles. During the decision making process if these components are kept in the equation the company will make positive decisions, however if these components are ignored it could lead to negative decisions.
The first component states that the law should be followed at all times. This may seem very easy to comprehend however if a company is faced with an issue that could financially straining this simple rule could become very difficult to follow. The current issue with the whistle is an example of how the law could be ignored because the reproduction and repackaging of the products is going to cost a significant amount of money. The toy company made the right choice by following the law, because the price of not following this rule would have cost the company much more than reproduction of the whistles would have cost them.
The second component which states that information should never be manipulated, misrepresented or abused. This component could also be applied to the problem the toy company was faced with the whistles. The company could have decided to withhold the information about the amount of lead that was discovered in the whistles. The amount was only slightly higher than the amount allowed, the company could have manipulated this information to avoid the hassle and cost of having to reproduce the whistles. The toy company made the right decision because if it was discovered that information was falsely reported, the company stands the chance of facing criminal charges which may also include the possibility of prison sentencing.
The third component also fits with the current whistle incident the toy company dealing with. The component states that nobody should be asked to act unethically. The toy company could have asked the inspectors to overlook the report that shows that the whistles contain a slightly high amount of lead that legally allowed. This request could lead to the offering and acceptance of bribing. The toy company in an effort to cut corners and try to save the cost of reproduction may decide to give monetary gifts to the individual who may be willing to help cover up the reports of the lead in the whistles. If the toy company makes the mistake of offering bribes and asking someone to act unethically the legal consequences the company would face will be a huge financial loss and there could also be the possibility of facing criminal charges and there is also the possibility of prison sentencing.
References
http://ethics.walmartstores.com/StatementOfEthics/BasicBeliefs.aspx
McGill Murphy, Richard.(2010, February). “Why doing good is good for business”. Contributor