Ethical Dilemmas Below are several situations that present ethical questions in a business. Discuss each situation: (a) from the strictly legal viewpoint, (b) from a moral and ethical viewpoint, and (c) from the point of view of what is best in the long run for the company. Be sure to consider both short? and long?range consequences. Also look at each situation from the perspective of all groups concerned: customers, stockholders, employees, government, and community. You are a general manager in a cosmetics firm. The results of a study show that your major brand could cause skin cancer. What do you do? You have the opportunity to offer a job to a friend who really needs it. Although you believe that the friend could perform adequately, there are more qualified applicants. What would you do? A worker is repeatedly late for work. You know she has family problems and is going through a difficult period with an alcoholic husband. Her work is inconsistent—sometimes average, often excellent. She has been with the company for nine years. On Monday she was two hours late for work. What would you do? You believe that your (male) boss is overly friendly with a (female) member of your staff and that she is taking advantage of the situation. What would you do

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Step-by-step explanation

                                                                            Ethical Dilemma Discussions

Situation 1

            First, it is not illegal to sell, market, or produce this particular product which is said to be a cause for skin cancer if used by people. According to the cosmetics and U.S. law, FDA approval is not needed for the cosmetic products and ingredients except for the added color additives; therefore, it is considered legal. From a customer's viewpoint, this is considered very unethical because they will ultimately be affected by using the particular cosmetic. As a result of customers being affected, there will be a reduction in sales due to the news being spread. Employees of the particular cosmetic firm are affected by this because knowing that the firm uses these cancerous materials, they have to keep it a secret and follow the instruction. Even if the employees feel guilty for participating in these unethical actions, they have no choice since it is their job. If they decide to protest or talk against it, they can lose their job. 

            Due to the rapid spreading of the news based on this cosmetic product, the sales reduced; therefore, the stockholders started selling their shares to others. As a result, the organization will be ultimately affected. Regarding the community, they are being affected by this after the long-term use of these cosmetic products. As symptoms keep on showing, the sale will keep on reducing rapidly. It is the company's sole responsibility to address this problem because, ultimately, the organization will face great loss. Before losing many customers due to this, it would be better if a test was carried out to ensure that there aren't any cancer-causing substances. If there is, those should be eliminated and replaced with better ingredients. In this way, the success of the organization could be ensured.

Situation 2

             It is normal to put a friend first before someone we do not know, even when it comes to business matters, since it plays with emotions and feelings. If I give my friend an opportunity by neglecting the more qualified applicants, it is legal yet unethical. It is considered legal since my friend can perform adequately, and he is not someone who cannot perform, but it is unfair for the people who worked hard to get the qualifications. There could be a better improvement for the organization with more qualified employees, but at the same time, the friend could perform well too in applying the concepts. Since the friend is in real need as a human, I would try my best to give them the job since it is simply human behavior of kindness. Still, before hiring my friend, I would look into the hierarchy of employing a person in the organization. From an employee's perspective, it would be unfair since it was not easy for them to get into the job, maybe with even better qualifications. There is a chance of the other employees underestimating and having arguments in the workplace after they get to know the news.

            Customers could feel unsure of the services provided by a person with fewer qualifications, and it is pretty natural. Personally, if I am getting a service from a business or organization, I would prefer it to be from someone qualified. If I act with emotions, it can lead to problems with the sale and success of the organization. On the other hand, my friend could perform better than the qualified people because not everyone can apply the concept when work is given. By hiring my friend, the employees under me will show some dislike towards me because, in a way, it is unfair, yet I follow the rules and regulations of the organization. In this way, I could make my friend understand the goals, missions, and expected to achieve within the workplace. 

Situation 3

            All viewpoints considered, I would initially contact the Human Resources Department (H.R.) and discuss the options and resources available to help her keep confidentiality and what was within the company's power. I would then set up a meeting with her (the worker) to discuss her situation and extend my help in finding resources to help improve her situation, like changing her availability, looking further into taking a leave to handle her family matters (potentially paid, depending on the circumstances). I would empathize and relate to her as someone who has been in a very similar situation and let her know that we are here to help in any way we can, but we also need her to do what she can on her behalf. 

            With that being said, regarding the legality of the matter, I would gently address the policy violations. Explaining to her that though I sympathize with and understand the unfortunate situation, I still have to hold everyone to the same standard. Suppose I let some get away with things and discipline others for the same offense. In that case, it could bring on a wide variety of legal issues and potential future lawsuits for acts of unfair discipline, discrimination, illegal termination, even harassment. I would explain to her the documentation process, review the policy with her, and explain that I would have to document her being two hours late Monday.

            Taking on the ethical and moral viewpoint; I would inform her that my duty as a leader in the company is to ensure that I lead by example, that I set the expectations and show consistency in my decisions; if not, others will see an opportunity to take advantage of a situation(s), leading to inconsistencies within the workplace and a potential hostile/toxic environment. Though I model, set, and force ethical standards within my position, I am not in the correct position to judge others' situations, place value on the employee, and decide on their future. I would only look for adjustments on the timing to accommodate her.

Situation 4

            While the question states "overly friendly." I would question what this entails. Is there additional physical contact? If so, you should contact your H.R. department. If negative comments are being made, you should also contact the H.R. department, which could cause legal problems in sexual harassment cases. While friendship on the job is customarily encouraged, if an employer has obvious favorites to the opposite sex, this conflict of interest can interfere with the company's productivity. Also, look at interaction outside of the office. If the female employee is taking advantage of the situation, you should have a confrontation and a mediation session with your employer, employee, and a representative from human resources. 

Reference

Margherita, E. G., & Braccini, A. M. (2021). Managing industry 4.0 automation for fair, ethical business development: A single case study. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 172, 121048.

Paik, Y., Lee, J. M., & Pak, Y. S. (2019). Convergence in international business ethics? A comparative study of ethical philosophies, thinking style, and ethical decision-making between the U.S. and Korean managers. Journal of Business Ethics, 156(3), 839-855.