Running head: DB FORUM 1 – THREAD 1
As a Christian and knowing Ramona likely is as well, my advice to her takes into
consideration our mutual world and eternal views but irrelevant of our mutual views, my advice
is the same based on moral grounds.
I would advise her to not sign the employment contract because, knowing in advance she
has concerns about the accuracy of their statements, the lack of integrity with which they conduct
themselves, and the obvious incongruity by which the leader talks and acts puts her at risk as
well. Once she begins activities as a representative of the organization, should the law be charged
against them, she could also be liable for her role in perpetuating the injustice that she
recognized in advance.
I believe the law to be a respecter of individuals living together in a mutually beneficial
society having agreed to live according to traditions and norms that “must be obeyed and
followed… subject to sanctions or legal consequences…” for violating the trust of each placed
upon the other to honor that agreement (Meiners, Ringleb, Edwards, 2012, p. 4).
Although it would seem that the law is a respecter first of society, I believe the more
accurate statement is that it is instead a protector of each member of the society that it governs.
In Theodore Roosevelt’s Third Annual Message, he discusses the successful creation of the
Department of Commerce and Labor. “No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do
we ask any man’s permission when we ask him to obey it.” (Peters & Woolley, 2015). In other
words, the laws created by a society are to be held by all who are a part of it.
Roosevelt speaks also of “the consistent policy of the” government…”to hold in check
the unscrupulous man.” He describes the requirement to treat both parties, whether corporation,
union, or individuals equally:
DB FORUM 1 – THREAD 2
that it is drawn on conduct, the effort being to treat both… alike;
asking nothing save that the interest of each shall be brought into
harmony with the interest of the general public, and that the
conduct of each shall conform to the fundamental rules of
obedience to law, of individual freedom, and of justice and fair
dealing towards all (Peters & Woolley, 2015).
He indicates that “the one vital fact” to be considered is “whether or not the conduct of
the individual or aggregate of individuals is in accordance with the law of the land” (Peters &
Woolley, 2015).
I sang in a high school quintet. We travelled regionally to perform at schools and
churches. Our arranger was a fan of harmonies that “clashed” in such a way that the intricacy of
the music was brought to life for the listener. What mattered was not that we sang the same
notes, but that, when voiced according to the standards of each piece, the listener was treated to a
magical experience. In the same way, Roosevelt’s idea of “harmony” when the law is followed is
the foundational element of this whole speech, wrapping the rightness of the principle around
something that people can feel. He captured the hearts and minds of generations of students who
have studied this address, inspiring us to believe that when the law is obeyed by all, the society
in which we live indeed feels harmonious.
Ramona, as an honor graduate, indicating she has a solid work ethic, was recruited by
several national companies. With multiple offers, she is not facing limited choices. Following the
pattern of the work required to achieve academic honors, she took the time at the airport to learn
more about her potential employer, which again aligns with the other indications of her work
ethic. The case study also indicates that she “eagerly accepted the invitation” to attend the Next
DB FORUM 1 – THREAD 3
Step recruiting event. So emotions are a part of the equation for her. It is likely she feels
confused, perhaps facing the possibility of unethical practices, yet hoping they wouldn’t be true.
She showed courage by asking the recruiter about her findings. The opportunity to explain was
answered with egotistical statements about lawyers and “the greatest PR people in the world”
going so far as to admit that they stretched the truth. She also responded that their “industry
leading ethics code” was met with an admission that they were in place only to attract investors
and pacify government regulators.
Having an industry leading ethics code not backed up by policies and procedures to
encourage adherence is incongruous to success. Aside from the fact that the recruiter “poo-
pooed” her ethics question, the fact is:
If compensation and promotion practices are closely tied to bottom
line performance measures, they will undercut the company's code
of ethics by signaling that the code is simply window dressing.
Corporate ethics also requires that executives practice what they
preach (Skeel, 2005).
The recruiter, noting that Ramona was likely a Christian, being a graduate of Liberty and
could “talk the talk” without mentioning that she might also “walk the walk”, indicates that the
ethics of this particular employer do not align with their stated moral obligation to follow the
spirit of the law, not to mention the law itself.
As enticing as it might be for Ramona to accept such a generous offer and compensation
package, she is not likely to ever feel the harmony promised by Roosevelt when a society lives in
accordance with their moral obligation to each other. If she does not “feel right” about it now, if
the ‘harmony” of the opportunity is missing before the position even begins, it is not likely to
DB FORUM 1 – THREAD 4
magically appear after she accepts. If she does accept the position, the only feeling she is likely
to experience is disgust with herself for her choice to ignore the obvious signs and take the bait
of a large paycheck rather than aligning with an organization of which she has doubts.
Taking the contract knowing that their methods were immoral and likely illegal would
put her at risk if any of the “distributors” she recruited were to sue. Making sales knowing that
she was making false statements or at the very least questionable ones, makes her guilty. If, in
fact, she truly believes the company’s tactics to be unethical, she also has a moral responsibility
to alert her school career office. The school will likely have to investigate and make their own
judgment, but should certainly be alerted about her concerns. What happens to her classmate
who might receive a similar offer but who had not done the same “homework”? What damage
might be done to the reputation of Liberty University by allowing an unethical company open
access to its students, perhaps through an on campus career fair, which implies moral and ethical
alignment.
Ramona, being enticed with gifts, hype, an $80,000 base paycheck plus commissions and
a junior management position is facing an emotional decision that must be turned to logic. God
knows our hearts and reminds us that we should turn to Him, particularly when we feel confused.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).
DB FORUM 1 – THREAD 5
References
Kubasek, N. K., Brennan, B. A. & Browne, M. N. (2015). The legal environment of business: A
critical thinking approach (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Meiners, R.E., Ringleb, A.H., & Edwards, F.L. (2012). The legal environment of business (11th
ed.). Mason, Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning.
Peters, G., & Woolley, J.T. (2015). The american presidency project. Theodore Roosevelt: "Third
Annual Message," December 7, 1903. Retrieved from
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29544.
Skeel, D.A., Jr. (2005). Icarus and american corporate regulation. The Business Lawyer, 61(1),
155-177. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/228464964?
accountid=12085.
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