CASE STUDY

Watch: Playing by the Rules: Ethics at Work - The Run Coal Memos, PBS (Access free at https://www.pbs.org/video/the-run-coal-memos-bi9lqs/ )Links to an external site.

Safety in the Workplace

In its third episode, Playing by the Rules: Ethics as Work looks back at the Massey Energy company and the disaster at Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia. Massey was run by the hard-charging, larger than life CEO, Don Blankenship. Prosecutors say that his resistance to regulation led to the deadly mining disaster. They would not only put Blankenship on trial but also the companys culture.

Supplemental Case Readings:

• The People v. the Coal BaronLinks to an external site. (The New York Times, June 20, 2015)
• Don Blankenship, ex-Massey Energy CEO, sentenced to a year in prison Links to an external site.(CNN, April 6, 2016)

Reflection Questions:

1. Describe the parties involved and their interests.
2. Describe the conditions at Massey which led to the mining disaster.
3. Masseys internal investigation reached its own conclusion about the disaster, not supported by other external reports. Describe the conclusions of the other reports.
4. Why were employees and board members afraid to confront Blankenship?

Critical Thinking

• What ethical responsibilities do organizations have to their employees?
• Describe Blankenships motivation for violating regulatory rules.
• Should businesses be trusted to self-regulate? Why or why not?

DIRECTIONS

Instructions for all case studies:

Prepare a paper that is longer than one full page.

At a minimum discuss:

1. The particulars of the case
2. The critical issues
3. The applicable points from the readings that apply
4. Personal experience with similar issues
5. Questions brought up in the exercises, and
6. How you believe most people would act in a similar circumstance.