Business Ethics Response

Below is a classmate response; reply with 300 or more words.

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DISCUSSION BOARD 1 CASE STUDY

Ramona should sign the contract with Next Step Herbal Health. Ramona could be the change champion that this organization needs. The scenario mimics a similar biblical story in the book of Esther. This has become a favorite story of the bible because it illustrates so much and represents matters of the heart that we deal with as Christians. In Esther 4, we can find a scriptural example of how God wants and direct our hearts. Verse 14 reads, for if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NKJV) There is plenty that can be taken from this verse and applied to how Ramona should operate as a Christian. Esther risked her life by coming before the King. She gives us a model to follow when dealing with a difficult or dangerous task. Ramona is in a similar situation. Should she keep quiet when she knows something isn’t right? What happens if God wants to use Ramona to be the light this organization needs.

Several unethical practices were mentioned in the scenario that would hinder Ramona’s beliefs and would not change right away if employment was accepted. It goes without saying, the culture of the organization is in desperate need of change. It can be concluded through the evidence presented through the statements of the recruiter, Next Step Herbal Health has an exposed corporate culture of dishonesty. They do not value a code of ethics as stated by the recruiter. The recruiter hinted that the current code specifically serves as a means to attract investors and to pacify government regulators which is legally covered. Next Step Herbal Health has even attempted to mask or hide reviews from people who speak out against them by stating that their lawyers will have the “gripe site” shut down. The CEO represents his company as focused on good health and talks about how he genuinely cared about people but later demonstrates no respect to others which is mimicked through the corporate sermon and the manner in which he spoke to the mother of the crying infant. Additionally, the CEO also thought it was appropriate to mention to Ramona that having a Christian background will make it easy for her to continue with the deceitful practices of the organization. The organization is in desperate need of change. It is impossible to make changes or incorporate change without the support of members of the organization.

Ramona if given the opportunity can influence change. A company’s values are the core of its culture (Coleman, 2013). With this being said, it is now more important than ever for Ramona to take on more of a strategic role as a junior manager which will greatly impact decisions, organizational policies, and procedures. The work of the organization cannot be completed without people and the vital roles that they play to accomplish the mission. Managers of a business must fully understand the organization in which they are assigned. Knowledge of the mission, concurring with its goals and effectively communicating change are needed as a manager. According to Boone and Kurtz, 2011, employers highly value honest and integrity, having integrity means adhering to deeply felt ethical principles in business situations. (Boone & Kurtz, 2011 p.42)

Once Ramona is employed she can develop a code of ethics that is shared with the organization which embodies integrity without compromising what the organization seeks to accomplish. No company can build a coherent culture without people who either share its core values or possess the willingness and ability to embrace those values (Coleman, 2013). Each supervisor, employee, and manager will offer fresh ideas and different combinations of personalities and strengths in which this organization is in great need of. Once Ramona takes a stand and proves herself to be a professional who embodies ethics, others will be hopefully join her.

Professionalism in my opinion means being able to conduct yourself as a professional and being able to perform the skills and apply the knowledge that is required in your desired profession. If Ramona conducts herself in an ethical and professional manner change will occur in the organization. The overall culture will determine how employee conduct themselves. It is important to note there will be some resistance to change and Ramona may even be faced with uncomfortable talks or threats. Nevertheless, as the scripture says, what, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) The lord will provide and take care of his people and this is an excellent scripture for reassurance. God has prearranged footsteps for us to walk in and the enemy wants us to stay in a state of fear. Ramona must not fall short and trust on the lord and understand that not every task will be easy. Fortunately, there are laws they will protect Ramona from being unlawfully targeted or retaliated against for refusing to perform an act on ethical grounds or due to illegal activity.

Stated broadly, a claim of wrongful discharge in violation of public policy requires proof by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) an employee performed an act which is encouraged as a matter of public policy; or (2) an employee refused to perform an act which is discouraged as a matter of public policy; and (3) the employee was disciplined; and(4) the motivating factor behind the discipline was to retaliate against the employee for acting in the public's interest (Winterbauer, 1992, p. 391)

This is not to say that Ramona will win but there are laws that are set to protect the employee if unlawful actions were to take place. A recent case involving a more than 3-million-dollar settlement in which an employee won against retaliation for reporting questionable contracts proves the judicial system works. In 2014, a Cook County jury found that Crowley was unfairly fired, making it the first verdict resulting from a whistleblower claim filed under the state ethics act, which includes protections for employees who disclose activities they believe are illegal (St. Clair & Cohen, 2016).

Therefore, it is in Ramona’s best interest to sign the contract and allow the organization and others employed the opportunities to be touched by her spiritual and ethical practices.

Reference

Boone, L. E., & Kurtz, D. L (2011). Contemporary Business. (14th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, John & Sons, INC

Coleman, J. (2013). Six components of a great corporate culture. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2013/05/six-components-of-culture

St Clair, S., & Cohen, J.S. (2016, March 2). Appellate court backs fired Chicago State University whistleblower in landmark case. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-state-whistleblower-appeal-20160302-story.html

Winterbauer, S. (1992). Wrongful discharge in violation of public policy: A brief overview of an evolving claim. Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law, 13(2) 391. Retrieved from http://scholarship.law.berkeley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1210&context=bjell