Might Makes Right Topic:?Taking Credit for Work Mahira Khan is a highly educated top executive in charge of research and development. Fawad Khan is her underpaid assistant, struggling to support his family. His performance evaluations have always been more than adequate. As one of his research projects, Fawad designs a creative software package that addresses major concerns within the company. He shares this program with Mahira, hoping it will bring him a much needed promotion and raise. Mahira's boss has asked her to design an innovative and efficient program. But pressures of her position keep her from setting aside sufficient time to do the requested work. Mahira, eager to successfully complete the job her boss assigned, is thinking of presenting Fawad's program to her boss and passing it off as her own. If Fawad objects, she can threaten to lower his performance evaluations or possibly even fire him. If he agrees to go along with the scheme, she can give him a raise and a promotion.

Supplementary Questions

1. What Are the Ethical Issues?

a) If the software is developed on company time, to whom does the program belong?

b) Is Fawad being treated justly? Are his rights being protected?

c) Is Mahira stealing? d) When, if ever, is it ethical for a manager to take credit for the work of a subordinate?

2. What Are the Possible Alternatives?

3. What Are the Ethics of the Alternatives?

a) on a "utilitarian" perspective, which alternative would provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number of stakeholders?

b) On a "rights and duties" viewpoint, What rights does each stakeholder have?, Who has the right of ownership for a program developed on company time?

c) On a "justice or fairness" perspective, which alternative distributes the benefits and burdens most fairly?

Ans 1- Ethical issues occur when the decided action is against the moral principles accepted in society. It may be legal at times or purely ethical. In this case, Mahira assumes the passing of Fawad's work as her own to get the required promotion from her boss and in return give Fawad a mere raise and promotion but hiding his true efforts and skills.

A- The program belongs to the company as Fawad is employed with the organization and has made it in the company's time in the office, though he would be getting the required recognition and credit.

B- Fawad is not treated justly because his credit is being taken by Mahira unethically. Yes, his rights are protected and he can raise the issue with the management.

C-Yes, Mahira is stealing Fawad's credit for developing the software

D- No, it is never an ethical practice for the manager to take credit for his subordinates work.

Ans 2- The possible alternatives are that first, Mahira gives Fawad the due credit and informs her manager that her team member Fawad has developed the software and give her moralle support to Fawad. Secondly, she can help Fawad in the further progression of the software by giving fine touches and show it as collaborative work.

Ans 3- The ethics of the alternatives are that this will help Mahira to gain a good reputation from her manager and even from her colleagues, she would be considered trusty and a abe leader who backs her teammates. She may not get the result immediately but this act will certainly be recorded by the management and may be considered for her appraisal.

A-On a utilitarian perspective the second alternative would benefit both as both will receive the due credit and the required raise and promotion plus making the management happy so all stakeholders are winners here. 

B-The right of ownership of the software remains with the company as it was developed in the company for the company by its employees.

C- On justice or fairness the first alternative where Mahira gives full credit to Fawad distributes the benefits and burdens fairly as the major work is done by Fawad so he gets the due and Mahira recognises Fawads work and refers it to management.