Peoples beliefs and ethics influence the way they conduct themselves in both their work environments and in their personal lives, the problem arises when their ethics conflict with others. Most people know what is right and wrong but find it hard to go against the norm. While reading through the cases studies I decided to discuss number eight and nine; I have experienced similar situation like these in the past and I do not regret the decisions that I made.
Case study number eight is about being offered a job from your company’s competitors. The vice president really wants you to go to work for them and state that “one of your current employer’s largest accounts is talking to her group” (Shockley-Zalabak, 2009, p.128). You wonder what the catch is; or if there more to the story then what she is letting on. The Navy has taught me to always conduct myself with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. I’ll be the first to tell you that this not the easiest thing to do. In most cases you find yourself torn between what is right and wrong. In this case I would go to lunch with the competitor and make it very clear to them that if they want to hire me for insider secrets or accounts that they are talking to the wrong person. If they want me for my hard work, dedication to the company, and my overall work ethic then we can talk. I would also make it clear that if I do decide to work for their company, then I would need something in writing stating that at no time can my job be in jeopardy because of failure to divulge my current company’s game plan. I feel that laying down the guidelines with them ahead of time will spare me the aggravation and possible ethical dilemmas in the future.
Laying down your terms and conditions in this case is essential, not only to protect yourself but others that are involved. I also feel that I do have a responsibility to my current employer to let him know about the meeting that I had with the competitor. Hopefully telling my current company this will let them see that I am an asset and that keeping me on is in their best interest. You never know, this could lead to a better position, a higher salary, and more respect. I will also let them know that if I do decide to work for the competitor that I will not divulge any of their secrets or game plans. The company will not have to worry about me stealing accounts and that I will be willing to sign a paper stating that fact. By spelling out my terms and conditions to both sides I put myself in a position to where my morals and ethics remain intact.
The next case study I chose was number nine. I’m the new sales person on staff. During my employment at this company I have became aware of some defects with some of the products and that the company is currently working on fixing them. I’m in my very first solo presentation and the customer wants to purchase a large order of my product but has heard of some defects. The customer wants to know all about it and what the company is doing to fix the issues. I would be up front with the customer. I would let him know that we have found that two out of our six products do in fact have some defects but that the company is currently working on getting them resolved. Letting the customer know exactly what products had issues and which ones did not still gives him options. If the customer wanted to place an order for one of the defective products I would assure him that the company is working hard to lower the defective shipment rates and will be more than willing to honor all our contracts and products. At this point I would bring in my manger so that he could confirm what I said. Being honest will get you more business than being dishonest. The customer will have a sense of respect and trust in you and your company. This could also lead to potential business, larger orders, and a better reputation.
Admitting that some of your products could potentially have defects is the ethical thing to do. The other option or side to this case is not to admit any problems, to lie. This is something that I personally do not feel comfortable doing. Bad things happen when you lie or are less then truthful. Granted, you might close the deal and be the hero for the moment, but what happens when all those products get sent back and you lose the customers business for good? Not only did you jeopardize the safety of others but you also sacrificed your ethics to close the deal. By giving the customer accurate information on your product and alternative products you have allowed for ethical communication to transpire (Shockley-Zalabak, 2009, p.114).
Ethics is defined as “moral principles that guide judgment about good and bad, right and wrong… “ (Shockley-Zalabak, 2009, p.111). In both case studies doing what is right is hard and could lead to getting fired or a demotion. If you have a strong sense of who you are then the decision to do what is right is an easy one. You might feel that lying to achieve your goal is worth it at the time, but you will soon realize that in the grand scheme of thing it is not. Being ethical in both your professional and personal life will lead to a greater sense of self gratification then being unethical. Remember, you have to go to sleep with yourself at night and eventually will have to answer for the decisions that you make.
Laying down your terms and conditions in this case is essential, not only to protect yourself but others that are involved. I also feel that I do have a responsibility to my current employer to let him know about the meeting that I had with the competitor. Hopefully telling my current company this will let them see that I am an asset and that keeping me on is in their best interest. You never know, this could lead to a better position, a higher salary, and more respect. I will also let them know that if I do decide to work for the competitor that I will not divulge any of their secrets or game plans. The company will not have to worry about me stealing accounts and that I will be willing to sign a paper stating that fact. By spelling out my terms and conditions to both sides I put myself in a position to where my morals and ethics remain intact.
The next case study I chose was number nine. I’m the new sales person on staff. During my employment at this company I have became aware of some defects with some of the products and that the company is currently working on fixing them. I’m in my very first solo presentation and the customer wants to purchase a large order of my product but has heard of some defects. The customer wants to know all about it and what the company is doing to fix the issues. I would be up front with the customer. I would let him know that we have found that two out of our six products do in fact have some defects but that the company is currently working on getting them resolved. Letting the customer know exactly what products had issues and which ones did not still gives him options. If the customer wanted to place an order for one of the defective products I would assure him that the company is working hard to lower the defective shipment rates and will be more than willing to honor all our contracts and products. At this point I would bring in my manger so that he could confirm what I said. Being honest will get you more business than being dishonest. The customer will have a sense of respect and trust in you and your company. This could also lead to potential business, larger orders, and a better reputation.
Admitting that some of your products could potentially have defects is the ethical thing to do. The other option or side to this case is not to admit any problems, to lie. This is something that I personally do not feel comfortable doing. Bad things happen when you lie or are less then truthful. Granted, you might close the deal and be the hero for the moment, but what happens when all those products get sent back and you lose the customers business for good? Not only did you jeopardize the safety of others but you also sacrificed your ethics to close the deal. By giving the customer accurate information on your product and alternative products you have allowed for ethical communication to transpire (Shockley-Zalabak, 2009, p.114).
Ethics is defined as “moral principles that guide judgment about good and bad, right and wrong… “ (Shockley-Zalabak, 2009, p.111). In both case studies doing what is right is hard and could lead to getting fired or a demotion. If you have a strong sense of who you are then the decision to do what is right is an easy one. You might feel that lying to achieve your goal is worth it at the time, but you will soon realize that in the grand scheme of thing it is not. Being ethical in both your professional and personal life will lead to a greater sense of self gratification then being unethical. Remember, you have to go to sleep with yourself at night and eventually will have to answer for the decisions that you make.
Ethics
Jennifer M Mercado
Communication in Organization COM425
Jon Webber
27 June 2009
