Read case 4.2, What to Do. Should Matt have been privy to the information? What responsibility, (if any) does Matt have to Bob? What do you believe would be the appropriate ethical action?

What to Do?

Matt Snipes has been with the Turner Foods grocery store chain for one year. During that time, he has gone from assistant manager to manager of his own store in five months. The company is now promoting Matt to a store twice as big that does twice as many sales. Matt is 26 years old, married, and has one son. This company has been good to Matt and feels that he has a promising career with the company. Matt is hoping to move into the corporate office once he has his degree, which he is working on at night.

Bob Lindsey is the manager of another Turner Foods store in the district. Matt and Bob have become friends, and their families get together as often as their schedules permit. Bob may not be as good a manager as Matt, but he tries. Bob and his wife have two children, with another on the way. They want to buy a bigger house and feel that, if they cut back and budget, they can afford an increase in house payments. Bob has worked with this company for seven years and doesnt have a lot of career options.

While visiting with the district manager, Matt was told that Bob was probably going to be demoted back to assistant manager. Matt feels that because Bob is his friend he should warn him. If Matt does this, however, he could lose his job.