dynamic business law essentials 3e 2016 chapter 02

Chapter 2 Ethical DilemmaWhat is the best source for ethical business practices: The individual employee, or the business organization itself?. To what extent should individual employees

Chapter 2

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Chapter 2 Ethical Dilemma

What is the best source for ethical business practices: The individual employee, or the business organization itself? To what extent should individual employees be allowed to lend input in the creation of a code of ethics for a business organization? In the event that an individual employee’s ethical standards differ from his/her employer’s code of ethics, what can/should be done to resolve those

differences?

Chapter 2 Case Hypothetical and Ethical Dilemma

As hiring coordinator for Hennessey Networking Solutions, Inc., (Hennessey) Andrea Templeton knew that her position was of utmost importance to her company in terms of hiring candidates who were well-qualified, and who would best contribute to the company’s overall success On her desk was the employment application and resume of Timothy Carraway Andrea had just finished her interview of Timothy, who was the last in a long line of interviewees who had applied for an entry-level information technology (IT) position at Hennessey Hennessey only had one (1) opening available During Timothy’s interview, the candidate revealed that seven (7) years ago, he had been tried and convicted in federal court for selling a significant amount of cocaine Timothy had also revealed the conviction on his employment application Timothy went to great lengths to explain to Andrea that he sincerely regretted the indiscretions of his youth, and that he had spent the last seven (7) years of his life “paying penance,” and reforming his life After serving three (3) years in federal penitentiary, Timothy had earned his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, graduating with honors

Timothy’s interview had gone very well In fact, Andrea felt that in terms of his personality and education, he was the best “fit” for the position Andrea was obviously concerned about Timothy’s criminal background, but she was also concerned about the young man should he not find an employment opportunity after graduating from college Without a legitimate employment option, would Timothy revert back to his “criminal ways? Does Andrea Templeton and Hennessey

Networking Solutions, Inc have an ethical obligation to hire Timothy Carraway? Should Andrea’s

“hire” decision be based exclusively on Timothy’s qualifications for the job? Why or why not?

Chapter 2 Case Hypothetical and Ethical Dilemma

John Harrison is the owner of Harrison Enterprises, Inc., a small metal fabrication shop located in Poughkeepsie, New York Andrew Jameson, an employee of Harrison Enterprises, has approached John with a request Andrew is the proud parent of a newborn son, and he would like to take the next two (2) weeks off from work in order to

“bond” with his new child John knows that Andrew does not have any accrued vacation time (shortly before his son was born, Andrew had taken a final “two-person family” trip to Florida with his wife, Sara) He also knows that Harrison Enterprises is not legally required to comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), since the company only has seventeen (17) employees (FMLA mandates that businesses employing more than fifty people provide their workers with up to twelve weeks’ unpaid leave every year

for a host of specified reasons, including the birth of a child)

John wonders whether his company has an ethical obligation to comply with the “spirit” of the Family and Medical Leave Act, even though he does not have a technical, legal obligation of compliance Advise John whether his company has such an ethical obligation Should John Harrison allow Andrew Jameson to take his requested two (2)

weeks of leave from work?

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

•Ethics: The study and practice of decisions about what is good or right

•Business Ethics: The application of ethics to the problems and opportunities experienced

by businesspeople

•Ethical Dilemma: A problem about what a firm should do for which no clear, right

decision is available

•Social Responsibility of Business:

Expectations that the community imposes on firms doing business inside its borders

The “WH” Process of Ethical Decision Making: W—WHO

(Stakeholders)

•Consumers

•Owners or Investors

•Management

•Employees

•Community

•Future Generations

Primary Values and Business Ethics

•Freedom

•Security

•Justice

•Efficiency

Primary Values and Business

Ethics: Freedom

•To act without restriction from rules imposed

by others

•To possess the capacity or resources to act

as one wishes

•To escape the cares and demands of this world entirely

Primary Values and Business

Ethics: Security

•To possess a large enough supply of goods and services to meet basic

needs

•To be safe from those wishing to interfere with your property rights

•To achieve the psychological condition

of self-confidence such that risks are welcome

Primary Values and Business Ethics:

Justice

•To receive the products of your labor

•To treat all humans identically, regardless of race, class, gender, age, and sexual preference

•To provide resources in proportion to need

•To possess anything that someone

Primary Values and Business Ethics:

Efficiency

•To maximize the amount of wealth in society

•To get the most from a particular output

•To minimize costs

The “WH” Process of Ethical Decision Making: H—HOW

(Guidelines)

•The Golden Rule

•Public Disclosure Test

•Universalization Test

Six Ways To Interpret “The Golden Rule”

•Do to others as you want them to gratify you

•Be considerate of others’ feelings as you want them to be considerate of yours

•Treat others as persons of rational dignity like you

•Extend brotherly or sisterly love to others, as you would want them to do to you

•Treat others according to moral insight, as you would have others treat you

•Do to others as God wants you to do to them