Jul 24, 2008
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Classroom Activities



How Ethical Am I? A Self-Assessment (adapted from JA Company Program)



Being a good citizen is important. The general stability of our society depends on the willingness of individuals to act responsibly and respect the rights of others. But what does this mean for businesses with business leaders? Do businesses need to be “good citizens”? Yes! Because business leaders’ and managers’ decisions can affect many lives, they must demonstrate good corporate citizenship.



Many everyday business events raise questions about what is the morally right or ethical thing to do. To demonstrate this, complete the following. In the space to the left of the number, enter a 0 if you strongly disagree with the statement, enter a 1 if you disagree, a 2 if you agree, and a 3 if you strongly agree.

 

___1. I would not report it if I knew that a fellow employee was leaving the job early each day. Employees should not inform on their fellow workers.


___2. If employees I was supervising took off their helmets for a while, I’d simply look the other way. There are times managers need to ignore safety violations to get the job done.


___3. If I was traveling on business and couldn’t remember how much I’d spent on taxis or lunch, I’d simply estimate the amount. It is not always possible to keep accurate expense records.


___4. There are times when an employee has to keep unpleasant information from the boss. For example, if I learned that several of my co-workers didn’t like her, I would keep that information to myself.


___5. We advertise that the hair tonic we sell prevents baldness. My boss and I know it’s a lie. He argues, “If our customers choose to believe it, that is their business. I just follow my boss’s orders.


___6. Sometimes you have to take care of personal business on company time. My brother likes to send me e-mails at the office, so I sometimes take a little time to write him back.


___7. I know that even the best salespeople can’t sell more than 20 kits in one day. But if I say everybody has to average 20 kits a day, they’ll work harder. If they don’t meet the quota, I can always act nice and give them another chance.


___8. Since management’s goals are carefully developed, I should take whatever steps are necessary to achieve them.

___9. The customer said, “If you can make delivery by Thursday, you’ve got a deal.” I knew we would ship on Friday, but I said, “No problem” to make the sale.


___10. Long distance calls don’t cost the company nearly as much as they cost me, so I figure as long as it is not being used for company business, it’s O.K. for me to use the office telephone.


___11. I would authorize payment in the form of gifts or entertainment to customer representatives in order to win a large contract, even if it is against company policy. After all, when you are in the business of selling, the most important thing is the sale.


___12.  Bending and occasionally breaking company rules and procedures is expected in business. Our company has a rule: Treat customers like you would your own family. Well, sometimes it’s necessary to lie to your own family, isn’t it?


___13. While it is important to check and report short shipments to our suppliers, there is no need to tell them about overshipments. The other day we received a bill for two cases of spare parts. But the shipper goofed, because we actually received four. I won’t say anything about it.


___14. My sister asked me to make 200 copies of a flier. I said that I would. There is nothing wrong with using the company copier for personal or community business.


___15. Taking home inexpensive items like pencils, paper clips, and envelopes is one of the benefits of an office job. I do it all the time.

 

When you have finished, total the numbers and check your results below.



0

A statue will be erected in your honor.

1-5

You rank among the noblest.

6-10

You have high ethical standards.

11-15

You have above average ethical  standards.

16-25

You have average ethical standards.

26-35

You might need training in ethics.

36-44

You may find yourself in trouble with your boss.

45

Keep it up and you’ll meet the warden.



This exercise is based on “Is Your (Ethical) Slippage Showing?” by Lowell G. Rein, Personnel Journal, Sept. 1980

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