5. 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.

5A. Which type of ethics is described in this situation?

a. Social ethics

b. Individual ethics

c. Professional ethics

Consider this scenario and then answer the following questions.

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 universitys 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 Sloans university to confirm her graduation date, they had learned she had not yet graduated.

5B. Was the Universitys decision to communicate that Sloan had not yet graduated illegal?

a. Yes

b. No

5C. Which of the following questions, included in the framework for ethical decision making, should Sloan have considered when making her decision?

a. Does the decision comply with company values?

b. Is the action illegal?

c. Does the action comply with my values?

d. Does the action comply with the companys policies and guidelines?