Example: Situation

Don Sutton applied for a payroll clerk job with Search Services, a market research firm. To improve his chances in getting the job, he exaggerated his work experience on his rsum. Based on this rsum, Don was hired. After one year, he received above-average ratings during his annual performance review. Shortly thereafter, his boss met Dons former supervisor and learned the truth.

Instructions

Use the three-step checklist to help determine whether or not Dons action demonstrated ethical behavior. (Suggested answers are provided here.)

1. Is the action illegal? No. Overstating qualifications is not illegal, but the employer could terminate your employment.

2. Does the action violate company or professional standards? No. Don was neither an employee of the company nor a member of any profession.

3. Who is affected, and how, by the action? Don: He obtained employment, but now he could be terminated. If retained, he could have difficulty being promoted. Other applicants: More highly qualified applicants lost an opportunity for employment. Search Services: Managers may lose trust in employees.

Based on the above analysis, Dons actions were unethical.

Situation 7 answer situation 7&8

Howard Beckley works for a not-for-profit organization. Recently, he found a list of computer passwords near a photocopier. He started using these passwords to look at other employees e-mail files.

1.Is the action illegal?

2.Does the action violate company or professional standards?

3.Who is affected, and how, by the action?

Situation 8

Tomas Garcia is in college and works as a sales clerk in a bookstore. Occasionally, the scanner in the store is unable to read a bar code on a customers selection, and the clerk must enter the code using the keypad. Tomas sometimes makes mistakes when he enters the code. As long as the customer does not object, Tomas thinks its unnecessary to correct his mistakes.

1.Is the action illegal?

2. Does the action violate company or professional standards?

3.Who is affected, and how, by the action?