Eth & Legal Iss Week 6

2/11/2014 Eth & Legal Iss in Professions

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“Wooden” is a large factory in Littlebury. Littlebury is a small town with a population of approximately 1,200 people. Wooden is the largest

employer in the town. In Littlebury, everyone knows each other, as they are either related or friends. Wooden specializes in creating

wooden objects from shaving and shaping logs. The factory takes in approximately 1,000 logs a day and operates on a 24/7 schedule.

The activity generates an enormous amount of wood dust. There is dust at least an inch thick on all of the equipment, flat surfaces and

ceiling rafters. There are some areas in which the dust could be as much as three inches thick.

Wood dust is a combustible material and, given the right circumstances (ignition source, amount of dust, etc.), can be explosive. Also,

inhaling fine wood dust can create respiratory illnesses.

Employees have complained over the years about the dust, but the employer still has not created a method to frequently clean the

factory. One day Karen, a co-worker, tells you that while she was operating her machine she noticed three quick sparks in the air near her

work station. Karen informed her Section Manager about this incident, but the response was that she shouldn’t worry about it. She is now

scared that the factory may explode at any moment.

Print

S c e n a r i o

Sce nario Summary – Are We Safe ?

Your Assignme nt

You are an employee at this factory. You have worked there for over 10 years and know everyone from the owner

to the co-workers. This situation has you nervous as well, but you don’t know what to do because you do not want

to get anyone in trouble. You decide to speak with several people at the factory. Based upon their responses

2/11/2014 Eth & Legal Iss in Professions

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(listed below), answer the following questions:

1. Would you report this situation to anyone else? If so, who and why?

2. If you choose not to report the situation, explain your decision.

3. What are the possible consequences if you were to report this situation?

4. What are the possible consequences if you fail to report the workplace condition?

5. Let's assume that you have reported the workplace condition. Is this whistleblowing? If so, would it be

morally justified in this situation?

K E Y P L A Y E R S

Jason Rhine , Safe ty Coordinator Back to Top

"There is no way an explosion could occur. Everyone knows that wood dust is not

explosive. Karen probably just saw some type of light reflection. Look, in order to ease

your mind, I will schedule a major clean up of the facility next month. Just sit tight."

Ale x Riv e ria, Are a M anage r Back to Top

2/11/2014 Eth & Legal Iss in Professions

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"Do not make any trouble. A major clean-up of the entire facility will stop production for

at least two days. Just clean your work area. I have been in this industry for over 30

years, I know a dangerous situation when I see it. Let the experts handle this."

Kare n Parse , Co-Worke r Back to Top

Please contact OSHA. You can make a complaint and they will investigate and handle

it. I can’t call since I was just hired two weeks ago. I cannot make any waves, but you

have been here long enough. You won’t have any problems. I am so scared because a

plant back in my hometown exploded about two months ago because of wood dust.

This is really dangerous!

Tony Lord, Owne r Back to Top

"You cannot prove that there is an explosion hazard here. You should only come to me

when you know definitely that there is a safety issue. I will consider anything else as

slander against me and my company. I do not take too well to disloyal employees."

2/11/2014 Eth & Legal Iss in Professions

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You will read the case summary, accompanying character descriptions and answer the questions. You should also write a two (2) page

Word Document (.docx) outlining the rationale for your answers. The assignment must conform to APA formatting standards. You should

include principles that you have learned so far in this course. Be sure to provide adequate information to support your decision.

Note to the stude nt: You are being graded on your demonstration of reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical abilities in applying what

you are learning about market research. If you use your text or outside sources of information, please provide in-text citations and

references using APA formatting.

Grading Rubric:

Cate gory % De scription

Content 50% Answers each question. Provides sufficient information to support each answer (including

definitions, examples, etc.)

Analysis 35% Applies concepts from the course material to analyze each issue. Properly applies facts to

theories/concepts to come to a logical conclusion.

Mechanics/Organization 15% Writes answers clearly and succinctly using strong organization and proper grammar. Citations are

properly used throughout the assignment.

Total 100 A quality paper will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.

Y O U D E C I D E

Activ ity or Assignme nt

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For

instructions on how to use the Dropbox, please click here.

2/11/2014 Eth & Legal Iss in Professions

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See the Syllabus section "Due Dates for Assignments & Exams" for due date information.