Reference no: EM133102119
Ethical Issues and Problems in Corporate World
Case 1: Not Taking "No" for an Answer
Nadine's coworker James has been through a break-up. He drops comments on a few occasions that he is lonely and needs to find a new girlfriend.
Nadine and James have been friendly in the past and have had lunch together in local restaurants on many occasions. James asks Nadine to go on a date with him. Nadine likes James and agrees to go out with him.
Nadine enjoys her date with James but decided that a relationship is not a good idea. She thanks James for a nice time but explains that she does not want to have a relationship with him.
James waits two weeks and then starts pressuring Nadine for more dates. She refuses, but James does not stop. He keeps asking her to go out with him.
- When James first asked Nadine for a date, is this an act of sexual harassment?
- Nadine cannot complain of sexual harassment because she went on a date with James. True or False?
Nadine complains to her supervisor, and the supervisor (as required) reports her complaint to the person designated by her employer to receive complaints. James is questioned about his behavior, and he apologizes. He is instructed by the designated person to stop. James stops for a while but then starts leaving little gifts for Nadine on her desks with accompanying love notes.
The love notes are not overtly offensive, but James' behavior is starting to make Nadine nervous, as she is afraid he may start stalking her.
- Should Nadine report James' behavior? True or False?
Case 2: Just Mike
Mike was required to perform a job that involved conducting some drain digging. Mike was onsite with several other employees of the business. The first thing that Mike did was to determine the position of the existing pipe-work.
It is a normal industry practice for Mike to dig a few pot-holes to determine where the existing pipe is located. The practice involves digging several potholes close to the length of the proposed ditch to be dug to determine the position of the existing pipes.
Mike followed proper procedure and directed the other employees to commence digging the ditch. Towards the end of the job, the machine struck a portion of the existing pipe.
It struck the portion of the pipe because of an unforeseen bend in its position, which was not noticed during the standard pre-work check.
The pipe did not break fully. Mike called his supervisor to advise what has occurred. Moments later, Mike received a call from the owner of the business. The owner was yelling at Mike and was furious about what occurred.
Mike tried to explain to the owner how the accident occurred, and that proper procedure was followed. The owner was merely dismissive of the reasons Mike gave him.
Mike then assisted other employees to repair the damage to the pipe.
That afternoon, Mike went back to the workshop and was told that his employment had been terminated. Mike's supervisor had a termination letter in hand that he gave to Mike.
Mike did not even have an opportunity to advise his employer what had occurred.
- Is Mike illegally dismissed from work? True or False?
Case 3: Gerald's Priority
Gerald is a full-time IT professor at the University of Ghosting. He has been doing a side job as an IT Consultant for profit at ABS-GMA.
Responding to a request from ABS-GMA, he received permission from the University to offer the consultancy every Wednesday afternoon.
Gerald, then signed documents regarding his side job and promised the University that he will never abandon his primary work as an IT professor.
The ABS-GMA offered a competitive salary to Gerald even though the job is only temporary.
Due to complications on work schedules, Gerald began to frequently change his class schedule at the University. He ended up giving priority to his side job, canceling classes, and missing staff and committee meetings at the University.
- Gerald is now facing a conflict of interest. True or False?