ETHICS COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP Choosing Tools for Doing the Right Thing In composing messages or engaging in other activities on the CAREER APPLICATION. One of the biggest accounting firms job, business communicators can't help being torn by conflicting uses an ethical awareness survey that includes some of the fol- loyalties. Do we tell the truth and risk our jobs? Do we show lowing situations. You may face similar situations with ethicalis- loyalty to friends even if it means bending the rules? Should we sues on the job or in employment testing. be tactful or totally honest? Is it our duty to make a profit or be socially responsible? YOUR TASK. In teams or individually, decide whether each of Acting ethically means doing the right thing given the circum- the following ethical issues is (a) very important, (b) moderate- stances. Each set of circumstances requires analyzing issues, important, or (e unimportant. Then decide whether you (a) evaluating choices, and acting responsibly . Resolving ethical strongly approve of (b) are undecided about , or (c) strongly dis- Issues is never easy, but the task can be made less difficult if you approve of the action taken." Apply the ethical tools presented know how to identify key issues. The following questions may here to determine whether the course of action is ethical. What be helpful alternatives might you suggest? Is the action legal? No matter who asks you to do it or how Recruiting. You are a recruiter for your company. Although important you feel the result will be avoid anything that is you know company morale is low, the turnover rate is high prohibited by law. Bribing a buyer to secure a large order is and the work environment in many departments is deplor illegal, even if you suspect that others in your field do it and able, you tell job candidates that it is a great place to work." you know that without the kickback you will lose the sale. Training program. Your company is offering an exciting Would you do it if you were on the opposite side? Looking training program in Hawaii. Although you haven't told at both sides of an issue helps you gain perspective. By anyone, you plan to get inother job shortly. You decide to weighing both sides of an issue, you can arrive at a more participate in the program anyway because you have never equitable solution been to Hawall. One of the program requirements is that participants must have "long-term career potential with the Can you rule out a better alternative? Would the alterna- firm tive be more ethical? Under the circumstances, is the alterna- tive feasible? Thievery. As a supervisor, you suspect that one of your employees is stealing. You check with a company attorney Would a trusted advisor agree? Suppose you feel ethi- and find that alle detector test cannot be legally used. Then cally bound to report accurate information to a client-even you decide to scrutinize the employee's records. Finally, you though your boss has ordered you not to do so. Talking find an inconsistency in the employee's records. You decide about your dilemma with a coworker or with a colleague to fire the employee, although this inconsistency would not In your field might give you helpful insights and lead to normally have been discovered possible alternatives Downsizing. As part of the management team of a company Would your family, friends, employer, or coworkers that makes potato chips, you face the rising prices of pota approve? If the thought of revealing your action publicly toes. Rather than increase the cost of your chips, you decide produces cold sweats, your choice is probably not a wise to decrease slightly the size of the bag. Consumers are less one. Losing the faith of your friends or the confidence of your likely to notice a smaller bag than a higher price, customers is not worth whatever short term gains you might realize . Read the attached Exercise and answer the following questions about each scenario: Is the action you are considering legal? How would you see the problem if you were on the opposite side? What are the alternative solutions? Consider all dimensions of other options, Can you discuss the problem with someone whose opinion you value? How would you feel if your family, friends, employer, or coworkers learned of your action? For each of the issues, also state whether the ethical issue is (a) very important, (b) moderately important, or (o unimportant. Then decide whether you (a) strongly approve, (b) are undecided, or() strongly disapprove of the action taken