Chapter 2 Ethical Dilemma
Chapter 2 of the textbook cites “The Golden Rule” as a guideline for ethical decision-making, noting the following ways to interpret this principle:
1. Do unto others as you want them to gratify you;
2. Be considerate of others’ feelings as you want them to be considerate of yours;
3. Treat others as persons of rational dignity like you;
4. Extend brotherly or sisterly love to others, as you would want them to do to you;
5. Treat others according to moral insight, as you would have others treat you;
6. Do to others as God wants you to do to them.
Is it truly possible to follow The Golden Rule and operate a business successfully? For example, would this principle require you to “extend brotherly or sisterly love” to a business competitor or a government regulator? Can a business owner be “considerate of others’ feelings” and simultaneously seek to maximize profits?
2-2
As hiring coordinator for Hennessey Networking Solutions, Inc.
(Hennessey), Andrea Templeton knew that her position was of utmost importance to her company in terms of hiring candidates who were well-qualified, and who would best contribute to the company’s overall success. On her desk was the employment application and resume of
Timothy Carraway. Andrea had just finished her interview of Timothy, who was the last in a long line of interviewees who had applied for an entry-level information technology (IT) position at Hennessey.
Hennessey only had one (1) opening available. During Timothy’s interview, the candidate revealed that seven (7) years ago, he had been tried and convicted in federal court for selling a significant amount of cocaine. Timothy had also revealed the conviction on his employment application. Timothy went to great lengths to explain to
Andrea that he sincerely regretted the indiscretions of his youth, and that he had spent the last seven (7) years of his life “paying penance,” and reforming his life. After serving three (3) years in federal penitentiary, Timothy had earned his bachelor’s degree in
Information Technology, graduating with honors.
Timothy’s interview had gone very well. In fact, Andrea felt that in terms of his personality and education, he was the best “fit” for the position. Andrea was obviously concerned about Timothy’s criminal background, but she was also concerned about the young man should he not find an employment opportunity after graduating from college.
Without a legitimate employment option, would Timothy revert back to his “criminal ways?
Does Andrea Templeton and Hennessey Networking Solutions, Inc.
2-3
have an ethical obligation to hire Timothy Carraway? Should Andrea’s
Chapter 2 Ethical Dilemma
What is the best source for ethical business practices: The individual employee, or the business organization itself? To what extent should individual employees be allowed to lend input in the creation of a code of ethics for a business organization? In the event that an individual employee’s ethical standards differ from his/her employer’s code of ethics, what can/should be done to resolve those differences? 2-4
