Communicating ethically Consider the example and determine which type of ethics is influencing behavior.
You work as a pharmaceutical sales representative. Since you are normally on the road meeting with clients, you have an annual technology stipend to help keep you connected. You and your coworker both use your annual supply budget to purchase iPads. The company does not have a policy about how the technology you purchase is used. You use your iPad exclusively for work because you feel it should not be used for personal matters. Your coworker allows her son to use her iPad. Which type of ethics is described in this situation?
A. Social ethics.
B. Individual ethics.
C. Professional ethics.
Consider this scenario and then identify the reason Bobby is making an unethical decision?
Bobby is a recent graduate with a business degree. After college, Bobby is hired to work as an entry-level assistant at a family friend’s bio-tech research firm. Although the position isn’t Bobby’s dream job, he sees it as a stepping stone into a promising company in an industry he is intent on entering.
Two months into the job, Bobby has distinguished himself and been promoted to assistant account supervisor. Even the head of the division has noticed Bobby’s potential and mentioned it to the CEO, who is a friend of Bobby’s family. Shortly after his promotion, Bobby’s supervisor asks him to complete a few forms to report the allocation of federal grant money the division received for a two-year study.
While he is preparing the forms, Bobby notices that there are reporting discrepancies between actual expenditures and the figures in the report. When he brings the issue to his supervisor’s attention, the supervisor tells Bobby, "Camouflage the gaps."
Bobby is concerned by his supervisor’s request. He is uncomfortable and doesn’t want to do it, but he considers what a hassle it would be if he doesn’t comply with his supervisor’s request, so he falsifies the documents. Why did Bobby make an unethical decision in this situation?
A. He rationalized his choice.
B. He did what he had to do in order to win.
C. He took the most convenient option.
Select the best response to each of the following questions.
Corporate social responsibility means that:.
A. Corporate officers are required to consider the well-being of the communities where they do business before they consider profits.
B. Companies are legally obligated to protect the planet.
C. Companies consider the public’s interest in their business practices.
What is the benefit of applying an ethical framework for decision making?
A. You gain valuable insight into human behavior.
B. You preserve your integrity and reputation.
C. You learn the difference between right and wrong.
Consider this scenario:
Sloan was offered a full-time position at a well-known investment bank. After she verbally accepted the offer the recruiter asked her to complete some standard paperwork. One of the questions she answered was "Have you graduated from college or university?" Sloan checked the "Yes" box.
The problem is that Sloan had completed all of her coursework for graduation, but she had not yet completed her university’s internship requirement. She had heard from friends that the university sometimes allowed students to apply their first three months of full-time employment toward the internship requirement.
After accepting the offer, Sloan moved across the country to begin working at the investment bank. She signed a year-long apartment lease and was eager to begin her career. Two weeks into her job, she was asked to meet with her supervisor and a representative from human resources. Sloan was terminated for providing inaccurate information on her application materials and escorted from the building. When the human resources department at the investment bank contacted Sloan’s university to confirm her graduation date, they had learned she had not yet graduated. Was Sloan’s decision to check "Yes" illegal?
A. Yes
B. No
What should Sloan have done?
A. Sloan should have checked "Yes" on the box and explained the situation to the recruiter.
B. Sloan should have checked "No" on the box and explained the situation to the recruiter.
C. Sloan shouldn’t have answered the question on the form.
D. Sloan should have checked "No" on the box and hoped no one would carry out a background check.