Case Analysis: Ethically Dubious Conduct
Q4. The case study provided for analysis portrays two sides of the issue of ethical conduct by employees. This question in particular aims to examine two arguments presented within this analysis: the question of attributing responsibility to the company for failing to intervene in preventing and punishing unethical conduct by employees, as against the propsition that none of the unethical actions by the employees, as mentioned in the list, can be called so until there exists an explicit policy, rule or regulation of the company against it.
Considering the first argument presented in the case, what must be emphasized is the size, consequence and scope of the unethical action. Most of the items mentioned
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Just because a rule is not explicitly mentioned does not mean that the action that it means to prohibit or inhibit is ethical (Lewis, 1985). With regard to most of the actions as listed in the case, the unethical nature of the actions is clearly and undoubtedly visible, for instance, using the office line for private home distance calls is obviously incorrect and unethical. Even when seen in the light of cultural relativism, which may be described as a willingness to accept cultural differences in ethical standards and encourages a stand of moral neutrality (Tilley, 2000, Chris, 2014), it must be emphasized that virtues such as integrity, loyalty, trust and honesty are universal values that cross the limits of time, space, country and culture (Jack, 1984). And it is these universal values that are being undermined and undervalued by the actions of employees as listed in the case provided. Thus, in response to the second argument that considers actions ethical if not inhibited by an explicit rule, it may be strongly objected on grounds of moral standing and relevance. Certain virtues, written or unwritten, form the basis of morality and these have to be adhered to, irrespective of whether they are explicitly mentioned as codes of conduct or to the contrary (Jack, 1984). In other words, irrespective of whether rules are mentioned or not, universal ethical values have to be applied to any situation and action must or must not be taken, on the basis of this