Subject - Business Ethics

Case Study 1

Welcome to Acme Marking Inc. Acme Marketing Inc. is based in Saint John, NB Canada. The company was established in 2001 with three employees. They specialize in digital marketing. Today the company has over 200 employees and business has been booming. In this case study, you will follow four employees who face some ethical dilemmas. Please read all scenarios and decide in each scenario what the individual should do or how should they respond. For each scenario identify the values involved in the scenario and list three possible solutions for the ethical dilemma.

This to keep in mind with each case study:

- Add cover page

ID 5 Issues in the Company

Recommend 3 Changes to Culture Needed

Recommend 3 Changes to Policies or Practices

- Recommend 3 New Controls and what results are you seeking

Ethical Dilemma #1

Jacob Martin is the newest employee in the Account Management division of Acme Marketing Inc. He has been with the company for three weeks and is loving his new job. Hes feeling very fulfilled and everyone seems to be impressed with his work. As Jacob is heading out of the office to meet a client, he runs into Lance Friedman. Lance is an account manager at Acme as well.

The following conversation takes place:

Lance: Hi Jacob! How is the newest employee doing? Jacob: Things are going very well, Im very busy but I am loving it. Lance: Thats great to hear. See you at the meeting this afternoon. Oh, and by the way, I wanted to say, its great to have another man on the team. I was starting to feel like I was working in an estrogen pod. Good for those career women, having it all. However, account management is really mens work. We are much better at negotiating deals. See you later, man! Lance leaves Jacob standing there. Jacob: Jacob is shocked by what Lance has just said. Jacob is not sexist. He wonders if he should have confronted Lance for his comments or just let it go. What should Jacob do?

Ethical Dilemma #2

Tim Smith is the senior programmer analyst at Acme Marketing Inc. Tim has been in the position for 8 months. In a weekly meeting with Tims supervisor, Jillian Teakle, the following conversation occurs at the end of the meeting:

Jillian: Before we end the meeting Tim, I wanted to ask you about a resume I received from Paul Daigle. Paul works at your previous employer TeamGo Enterprises. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about him or if you would recommend him. Tim: Before Tim responds to Jillians question, Tim is trying to decide his response. Tim and Paul are good friends. However, Paul has been unreliable in the past. Paul has been late for work, missed many deadlines, and been difficult to work with. Tim is trying to decide how he will respond to Jillian. He values his friendship with Paul, but he also feels loyalty to his employer. How should Tim respond?

Ethical Dilemma # 3

Vicki Ferguson and Marlene Baxter have become great friends during their time at Acme Marketing Inc. Vicki is the supervisor of the Digital Publishing Department. Marlene is currently an analyst in the IT department. Marlene asks Vicki for lunch one Wednesday afternoon at their favorite restaurant. After some general conversation, Marlene tells Vicki the reason why she has asked herto lunch. Marlene: The reason I have asked you out to lunch is to share with you some good news. I have applied to the Digital Publishing Department. I have an interview on Friday. Vicki: That is wonderful news. We could really use your expertise in the department. Marlene: Im glad you are happy about it. I am wondering what I should ask for salary. You know the salaries of your team. What amount should I ask for?. Vicki: Before Vicki responds to Marlenes request, Vicki is trying to decide her response. Vicki and Marlene are good friends, but the salaries of employees are confidential. Vicki values Marlenes friendship but will not betray the company by discussing confidential information. How should Vicki respond?

Ethical Dilemma # 4

Meghan Acker is a junior accountant at Acme Marketing Inc. For the last month, Meghan has been working 70-hour weeks to get ready for the end-of-quarter meetings. It is Friday afternoon and Meghan is very excited to have the first weekend off this month. She is going away for the weekend with her husband for some quality time. At 3 pm her supervisor Fred calls Meghan into his office. Here is the conversation: Fred: Meghan they have moved up the end of the quarter meeting to Monday instead of Wednesday. I know you have been working a lot of hours lately and I greatly appreciate it. However, I need you to double-check these reports by Monday morning the meeting is at 8 AM. Meghan: Fred, I have plans this weekend and I was really looking forward to some downtime. Fred: Im sorry about the meeting on Monday instead of Wednesday, they need to be proofed this weekend. I am sorry to ask but it is vital these reports are ready for 8 AM on Monday. Meghan:

Meghan is so angry. She was looking forward to spending some time with her husband. She has been working so much she has barely had any quality time with him. She is tired and needs to recharge her batteries. However, this work needs to get done. She has been working very hard to prove herself at the company. What should Meghan do?