Case Study

Facebook $($B$)$

Based on her Google search and the Facebook photographs, Miranda Shaw concluded that Rick Parsons would not fit in with the professional work environment at the company and of the team in particular. She knew how much time and money could be wasted on hiring the wrong person. She concluded that she should offer the position to Deborah Jones.

While she was mostly proud of her resourcefulness, Shaw was a little uneasy about her decision. Although information on the internet was public and people controlled what they posted online, Shaw was not certain that it was fair to use web information in her hiring decision. After all, the candidate had not offered it willingly, and Shaw had not told Parsons or Jones that she would be researching them online. She did not, however, have either the time or resources to waste on hiring another bad fit. She was sure that most employers used Google and other internet sources in hiring, though few admitted it$.$ Nonetheless, she was not comfortable with her research methods and wondered how long this discomfort wouldtlast.

Source: This case was prepared by Bidhan Parmar $($MBA$,\text{'}07),$ Jenny Mead, Senior Ethics Research Associate, and R$.$ Edward Freeman, Elis & Signe Olsson Professor of Business Ethics. It was written as a basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. Copyright $($C$)2008$ by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation, Charlottesville, VA$.$ All rights reserved.

Questions

If Miranda hires Deborah, should she explain to Rick the issue that damaged his chances? Why or why not?

If Miranda does tell Rick, how should she do so$?$ In answering, consider the chapter sections Basic Principles of Effective Communication and Provision of Explanations.