Transcript Ethics in the Workplace

Ethics in the
Workplace
Georgie Beemer
Anita Keeler-Brown
Christy Rodriguez
Alison Vesper
Celeste Williams
Sears, Roebuck, and Co.:
The Auto Center Scandal
 Identify and analyze key ethical issues.
 Unethical situation for Sears’ automotive
employees.
 Defrauded customers and scarred the
company’s reputation.
 Evaluate the company’s response to
allegations.
 How they resolved issues.
Intro continued…
 Who to discipline and how.
 Alternative measures to considered to
increase auto center sales without
compromised ethics or fraud.
 Proposal for alternative management
plan.
System of Inquiry Agenda
 Determine the Facts
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symptoms of problems
root problems
unresolved issues
roles of key players
ethical issues involved
 Analyze and evaluate alternatives
 Make recommendations
Sears, Roebuck, and Co.:
The Auto Center Scandal
Ethical Issues Involved
 Consequentialist
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Pros vs. Cons
All the facts?
Broad thinking
Rights forsaken
Ethical Issues Involved
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Deontological
Duty
Obligations
Principles
Management Issues
 Wrong type of incentive
 Greed based
 From selling to not telling
Responding to the Problem
 Only admitted to small infractions
 Cover up cost them millions
 The ethical issue cost them Americans
trust
Impact of the scandal on
Sears’ reputation.
 Reputation
 Trusted for a Century
 Employees Lost Respect
Disciplinary Action?
 Loss of job or position
 Who – CEO, Others
 What - Jail Why Not
CEO E. Brennan
Alternatives and Recommendations
 Incentive award system does not work
for just one department
 Managers can control their own
revenues and profits
 Profits and Loss
 Rewards
 Recognition for performance
Proposed Management Plan
 Rewards
 Satisfaction not Speed
 System of Checks and Balances
In Conclusion…
 Identify and analyze key
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ethical issues.
Unethical situation for
Sears’ automotive
employees.
Defrauded customers
and scarred the
company’s reputation.
Evaluate the company’s
response to allegations.
How they resolved
issues.
 Who to discipline and
how.
 Alternative measures to
considered to increase
auto center sales without
compromised ethics or
fraud.
 Proposal for alternative
management plan.
Questions?
Reference
 Nelson, K., & Trevino, L. (2004).
Managing business ethics: Straight talk
about how to do it right (3rd ed.). New
York: Wiley.