EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
BUSINESS ETHICS ACTIVITY 1: The principles of right and wrong that guide an individual in making decisions are called ethics. The use of personal ethics in making business decisions is called business ethics. In this activity, you will have the opportunity to analyze the ethics of common business situation by using the following three-step checklist as a guide in collecting relevant information regarding an action.
In the activity presented below, you will read about a person who overstated information on a résumé. Use the three-step checklist, described above, to determine whether the individual demonstrated ethical behavior in preparing the résumé.
Situation
Don Sutton applied for a payroll clerk job with Search Services, a market research firm. To improve his chances in getting the job, he exaggerated his work experience on his résumé. Based on this résumé, Don was hired. After one year, he received above-average ratings during his annual performance review. Shortly thereafter, his boss met Don’s former supervisor and learned the truth.
Instructions
Use the three-step checklist to help determine whether or not Don’s action demonstrated ethical behavior.
Questions: Business Activity 1
BUSINESS ETHICS ACTIVITY 2: Who Owns My Time? Employers and employees have a unique relationship. The employee agrees to provide the employer with a fair day’s work.In return, the employer agrees to provide a fair day’s wage.
Instructions
Use the three-step checklist to determine whether or not the following situations demonstrate ethical behavior.
Situation 1
Eva Torres is a receptionist for Media Technologies. After the company installed voice mail, Eva’s workload
became lighter, so her supervisor assigned additional responsibilities, including some accounting tasks. Even with these
assignments, Eva is not always busy. To fill the time, she plays computer games.
1. Is the action illegal?
2. Does the action violate company or professional standards?
3. Who is affected, and how, by the action?
Situation 2
At Cooks’ Corner, a kitchen equipment store, most employees work less than 40 hours per week. However, only
employees who work a minimum of 40 hours per week are eligible for health insurance.
1. Is the action illegal?
2. Does the action violate company or professional standards?
3. Who is affected, and how, by the action?
- Is the action illegal? Does the action violate any laws? Obeying the law is in your best interest and the best interest of your business.
- Does the action violate company or professional standards? Public laws often set only minimum standards of behavior. Many businesses and professions set even higher standards of behavior. Thus, an action may be legal, yet still violate standards of the business or profession. Violating these standards may affect your job security or any professional certification you may hold.
- Who is affected, and how, by the action? If an action is legal and complies with business and professional standards, you must rely on your principles of right and wrong to determine if the action is ethical. Determining how the action affects individuals and groups—including business employees and owners, customers, the local community, and society—will help you decide if an action is ethical.
In the activity presented below, you will read about a person who overstated information on a résumé. Use the three-step checklist, described above, to determine whether the individual demonstrated ethical behavior in preparing the résumé.
Situation
Don Sutton applied for a payroll clerk job with Search Services, a market research firm. To improve his chances in getting the job, he exaggerated his work experience on his résumé. Based on this résumé, Don was hired. After one year, he received above-average ratings during his annual performance review. Shortly thereafter, his boss met Don’s former supervisor and learned the truth.
Instructions
Use the three-step checklist to help determine whether or not Don’s action demonstrated ethical behavior.
- Is the action illegal?
- Does the action violate company or professional standards?
- Who is affected, and how, by the action?
Questions: Business Activity 1
- When Don exaggerated his experience on his résumé, do you think he believed he would be caught?
- What effect did this belief have on his behavior?
- If you were Don’s employer, would you fire him? Why or why not?
- If you were another applicant for the job Don applied for, would you be tempted to do the same as Don? Why or why not?
BUSINESS ETHICS ACTIVITY 2: Who Owns My Time? Employers and employees have a unique relationship. The employee agrees to provide the employer with a fair day’s work.In return, the employer agrees to provide a fair day’s wage.
Instructions
Use the three-step checklist to determine whether or not the following situations demonstrate ethical behavior.
Situation 1
Eva Torres is a receptionist for Media Technologies. After the company installed voice mail, Eva’s workload
became lighter, so her supervisor assigned additional responsibilities, including some accounting tasks. Even with these
assignments, Eva is not always busy. To fill the time, she plays computer games.
1. Is the action illegal?
2. Does the action violate company or professional standards?
3. Who is affected, and how, by the action?
Situation 2
At Cooks’ Corner, a kitchen equipment store, most employees work less than 40 hours per week. However, only
employees who work a minimum of 40 hours per week are eligible for health insurance.
1. Is the action illegal?
2. Does the action violate company or professional standards?
3. Who is affected, and how, by the action?