BMEM 5103 ETHICS FOR MANAGERS

QUESTION 1

Trevino and Nelson (2014) offer eight steps to sound ethical decisionmaking in business that

aim to integrate the three types of analysis (such as: Focus on consequences; Focus on duties,

obligations and principles; and Focus on integrity). However, some corporations and other

organisations have designed ethical decision-making tests that incorporate some of the steps

described in this module/textbook.

With the above senario, conduct an interview with your own organisation or any other

organisation, which, preferably, is at least a middle size organisation and report your findings

in accordance to the following :

1.0 Introduction

Ethics is very difficult to define in the work place. Generally being ethical involves

conducting oneself in accordance with accepted principles of right and wrong. Ethics is the

matter of using integrity based decisions making procedures to guide in decisions and actions.

In the work place being ethical involves acting morally right, being honest, not cheating to

the employer, sub ordinates, customers. Other ethical situation may involve inappropriate use

of internet at work place, harassment. Different types of unethical behavior in work place

include:

1.1 Inappropriate Computer Use

Employees may use company computers to engage in unethical behavior. For

example, an employee who is not permitted to use the Internet for personal reasons commits

an unethical act by shopping online while at work. Random Internet surfing takes away from

the time she spends on work-related activities. Employees sometimes use company email to

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spread inappropriate websites or videos to co-workers, some of which could be deemed

offensive by the recipients.

1.2 Time Misuse

Unethical behavior can include "stealing" time from the company, as the company is

compensating employees and receiving no productivity in return. In addition to time spent on

aimless Internet surfing, time misuse can consist of extending breaks beyond the allotted

time, congregating around the water cooler or engaging in lengthy gossip sessions during

working time, falsifying time sheets, coming into work late or leaving early and running

personal errands while traveling on company business.

1.3 Sexual Harassment and Bullying

An employee could commit unethical behavior by sexually harassing co-workers.

This could involve making lewd comments, touching inappropriately or making unwanted

sexual advances. Bullying typically involves attempting to intimidate a co-worker by making

demeaning comments about him, spreading gossip or even making verbal or physical threats.

In general, a bully attempts to make the workplace as uncomfortable as possible for a co-

worker. In some cases, ongoing bullying can escalate into violence in the workplace.

1.4 Illegal Acts

Some unethical acts can also be illegal. For example, an employee who has access to

a company's financial records, such as a bookkeeper or accountant, could use her access and

expertise to embezzle company funds. An employee having access to personnel files, such as

a human resources representative, could commit identity theft and use employees' Social

Security numbers to raid bank accounts or fraudulently obtain credit cards. In cases such as

the 2001 Enron scandal, top company executives used questionable accounting practices to

manipulate the company's stock price for their own financial gain.
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 Ethics today means the principles of conduct which has influences todays most of the

organizations. Its important for managers to know the legal and ethical responsibility to

maintain privacy and confidentiality being in the social media. In an effort to avoid the

occurrence of ethical behavior in the work place, because of social networking manager

needs to play significant role. A manager should have the highest moral standards and ethical

conduct in the everyday actions and decision making. They must know the standards and

expectations relative to competencies for privacy and confidentiality. They have to set

themselves as a good example that is followed by the employees.

All the employees in the organization must know about the organizations policy,

ethical code of conduct and procedures on social networking. The ethical climate of the

organization also has important influence on the ethical behavior of employees which

improves relationship with the organization, employees attitudes and behaviors which helps

to enhance the organizations performance. Ethical behavior is a critical social problem for all

the organizations which is very complex and requires an in depth understanding of the factors

which helps in the decision-making of the employers to behave ethically. Both ethics and

social media are important in the work place. The important thing here is to find out the best

way to manage them. So, its important to in cooperate ethics into the social medial policy, by

setting the expectations conducting training and holding people accountable. Managers are

the key personnel to implement ethical culture making strict social networking policies in the

organization which shows the impact in the whole organization. Ethics must begin at the top

of the organization.

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2.0 Provide clear and relevant information on the background of the organisation. Do

not disclose the name of the organisation unless you have obtain permission from the

management.

Blending the serenity of a state rich in cultural heritage and well known as the home

of the olde4st rainforest in the world, ABC Resort is idyllic Malaysian Resort located on the

luxury stretch of Kuantan, on the east coast of Malaysian Peninsula. This 5 Star Hotel Resort

is 20 minutes drive from Kuantan Airport and mere five minutes way from cultural

attractions, the culinary science and the central business district of Kuantan city.

With 330 rooms, including luxury Club rooms and suites housed in the cluster style

low rise building, this hotel in Kuantan is surrounded by beautifully land scaped lawns and

two outdoor swimming pools with swimming vista of South China Sea.

Various Kinds of Services are available in this Resort. There is 3 restaurants, Bistro, 4

Banquet Halls,2 Ballrooms, Business Center, easy Reception, the Concierge and free Wi-Fi

services.

Resort includes The Regency Club Rooms for the VIP Guests. This Resort have well

designed spa.gym on the ground level and 3 swimming pool in just close to the beach taking

concentration of good views of sea as well as relaxation.

The total number of employees in ABC Resort is 228.This hotel represents the quote

we offer careers not jobs. It is not just a business its calling evidence in the thousands of

decisions and interaction made every day by passionate employees through the company.

Here the employees experience with the same degree of hospitality that the hotel guests

experience so this Hotel celebrates Celebrate Our People every year for one week by

recognizing and acknowledging the employees as the most important assets to the

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organization. The caring and rewarding environment of hotel fosters a fully engaged work

place.

This Hotel has the long history of developing leaders through the commitment to hire

and develop the best service focused employees in the industry and invest their future. This

organization is focused on the development and support individual career paths and the

curiosity to learn and grow which helps the employees to have the quality of good leaders

through good moral principles as leadership ca exist at all the levels. The vision of this

organization is to ensure the development, motivation and retention of the valuable assets

(hotels employees) ethically.

3.0 Discuss and evaluate the ethical decision-making steps that are available in the

organisation of your choice as compare to eight steps to sound ethical decision making in

business as suggested by Trevino and Nelson (2014).

4.1 From the findings, which ones (steps) are being used in the organization? Which are not?

If you had to make up an ethical decision-making process for your company, what would be

in it? Why?

QUESTION 2

As discussed in this module (Topic 1), you and your employer have a special relationship,

and each owes the other a degree of loyalty based on that relationship. Since you are a

corporate representative, you are considered an agent of your company. This means that

your actions can be considered as the actions of the company.

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With the above senario discuss your responsibilities to your employer in the following areas:

1. Use of company resources such as:

a.Use of company reputation

b.Use of company financial resources

c.Providing honest information/data

2. Why is it an ethical problem? Discuss.

3. What is the cost of misuse or abuse of company resources? Discuss.