Reference no: EM132887427

Suvekshya works as a clerk for Deurali environment services, a small toxic-waste disposal company locate at Bhairahawa. The company has a contract to dispose medical waste from a local hospital. During the course of her work, Suvekshya comes across documents that suggest that Deurali has actually been disposing some of its medical waste in a local municipal landfill. Suvekshya is shocked. She knows this practice is illegal. And even though only a small portion of medical waste that Deurali handles is being disposed this way, any amount at all seems a worrisome threat to public health. Suvekshya gathers together the appropriate documents and takes them to her immediate superior, HariBansal. Hari says, "Look, I don't think that sort of thing is your concern, or mine. We are in charge of recordkeeping, not making decisions about where this stuff gets dumped. I suggest you to drop it." The next day, Suvekshya decides to go one step further, and talk to Pritha Maskey, the company's operation director. Pritha is clearly irritated. Pritha says, "This isn't your concern. Look, these are the sorts of cost-cutting moves that let a little company like ours compete with our giant competitors. Besides, everyone knows that the regulations in this area are overly cautious. There are no real danger to anyone from the tiny amount of medical waste that "slips" into the municipal dump. I consider this matter closed." Suvekshya considers this situation.

The message from her superiors was loud and clear. She strongly suspects that making further noises about this issue could jeopardize her job. Its always tough getting a job in Nepal. Further, she generally has faith in the company's management. They've always seemed like honest, trustworthy people. But she was troubled by this apparent disregard for public safety. On the other hand, she asks herself whether may be Pritha was right in arguing that the danger was minimal. Suvekshya looks up the phone number of an old friend who worked for the local newspaper2. What are the reasonable limits on loyalty to one's employer?