Ethics in the Workplace

An Ethical Dilemma

 It’s half-time and the neighbors who regularly get together to watch the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon begin to make their way to the kitchen to refill their snack plates.  While the others are out of the room, Evelyn lags behind to tell her neighbor, Jan, about Steve, her nephew, and his recent good fortune.  Steve and his wife are about to put down a deposit on their first house.  Steve works for JLT Cincinnati, a multi-state corporation with a campus in Cincinnati.  Evelyn describes how thrilled the two of them are about the house, especially its location, as it will mean a much shorter commute time for Steve.  Evelyn goes on to say how very much Steve appreciated Jan’s help last year in steering him to the open accounting position at JLT Cincinnati.  With Steve just finishing college and the job market the way it was, that accounting position was like a dream come true for him.

Jan, who works in the Human Resources Department at JLT Cincinnati, feels a knot in the middle of her stomach at the news.  She is aware that a decision has recently been made by the leadership at JLT Cincinnati to transfer the local accounting operation to JLT Wichita, corporate headquarters, a cost-saving move.  The decision won’t be announced for a few more weeks, but even so, Jan knows that Steve will most likely not be offered a comparable job at JLT Cincinnati or even be asked to move to Wichita to take one of the few accounting positions that will open up there.  He is the newest employee to join the group and seniority is always a major factor in downsizing activities at JLT. 

 

1.  What is the ethical dilemma Jan is faced with now?  What should she do?  Explain your answer. 

 

2.  What factors generally contribute to employees not operating ethically in business?  When faced with an ethical situation, what steps can an employee take to try to make the most appropriate decision?

 

3.  How can an organization help employees make appropriate decisions when faced with ethical situations?  What steps can an organization take to try to ensure that all parts of the organization operate ethically?