Question 1

Following positive law is not the full extent of ethics.

Accepted Answer

Positive law refers to laws created by governments and enforced by the legal system. Ethics, on the other hand, refer to principles of right and wrong that go beyond legal requirements. While following positive law is important, it does not necessarily ensure ethical behavior in all situations.

Question 2

The mayor owns property next to one of the proposed sites for the city's new baseball stadium.The mayor has a conflict of interest and should not vote on the location of the stadium when the city council takes action on the site.

Accepted Answer

The mayor has a personal financial interest in the proposed site, which creates a conflict of interest. It would be unethical and potentially illegal for the mayor to vote on a matter that could financially benefit them.

Question 3

Your company has several outdated computers sitting in a storage closet that no one is using.You have taken one home and set it up for personal use.This is unethical conduct.

Accepted Answer

Taking company property without authorization and using it for personal use is considered unethical conduct. It is important to follow proper procedures for disposing of outdated equipment or obtaining permission to use it for personal purposes.

Question 4

A newspaper reporter is interviewing you about your experiences in working for a member of Congress.You have indicated you have information about his private life but will not share it.The reporter responds, "Tell me, just between you and me."You share the information and a quote from you on the private life of the member of Congress appears in the newspaper the next day.The reporter was unethical in violating a trust.

Accepted Answer

The reporter violated a trust by asking the interviewee to share private information and then using it in the newspaper without permission. This is unethical behavior.

Question 5

You work for a construction firm that is submitting a bid for the construction of a new company headquarters building for Smithco.A friend you have known since high school works in Smithco's capital budgeting area and has full knowledge of all the bids from all firms.It would be unethical for your friend to share that information with you before you submitted your bid.

Accepted Answer

It would be a breach of ethical conduct for the friend to share confidential information about other bids with someone who is submitting a bid for the same project. It is important to maintain a fair and competitive bidding process for all parties involved.

Question 6

Although you are not part of your company's engineering group, you have discovered a major flaw in the company's new paper-thin solar calculator.The calculator adds when the subtract button is pressed if there are more than 3 figures to the right of the decimal point.Since it is not your area, you should do and say nothing.

Accepted Answer

As an ethical employee, it is your responsibility to report the flaw to the relevant authorities within the company so that it can be fixed before it causes any significant damage or harm to the company or its customers. Keeping quiet and doing nothing is not the right course of action.

Question 7

Using things of minimal value that belong to your employer for personal reasons (such as paper, paper clips, pens) is not an ethical violation.

Accepted Answer

Using items that belong to your employer for personal reasons without permission can be considered theft or misuse of company resources, which is unethical. It's important to respect the boundaries between personal and professional use of office supplies and equipment.

Question 8

It would not be unethical to continue interviewing for positions after you have already accepted employment with a particular firm.

Accepted Answer

Accepting a job offer typically implies a commitment to that employer, and continuing to interview elsewhere without their knowledge can be seen as unethical because it demonstrates a lack of commitment and honesty towards the employer with whom you've already agreed to work.

Question 9

You should disclose to your employer if a relative of yours has submitted a bid for work with your company.

Accepted Answer

It is important to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as a relative submitting a bid for work with your company, to your employer to maintain transparency and ethical business practices.

Question 10

It would not be unethical for you to accept two employment offers in case one fell through.

Accepted Answer

Accepting two employment offers with the intention of only honoring one is considered unethical because it misleads employers and can cause logistical and financial issues for them when planning for new hires.

Question 11

With respect to #66, it is not necessary for the company to take any action to correct the problem or refund money for those who already own the new calculator.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that there is a problem with the new calculator, which could potentially impact its usefulness or accuracy. As a result, the company may need to take action to address the issue, such as releasing a software update or providing refunds to affected customers.

Question 12

Alice is a co-worker who is going through a divorce and has two small children.Alice's husband is not paying the child support the temporary court order requires.As a result, Alice is broke until she can get her court hearing.Alice has been able, through diverting checks returned to the company, to take about $2200 from the company to "temporarily help her cover her bills," as she has explained to you.You must report Alice's embezzlement.

Accepted Answer

Embezzlement is a serious criminal offense and should never be condoned or ignored. As an employee, it is your responsibility to report any misconduct or violations of the law to the appropriate authorities. In this case, Alice's actions are unethical, illegal, and potentially harmful to the company's finances. It is important to report her embezzlement to prevent further harm to the company and uphold the law.

Question 13

Conduct may comply with the law but still be unethical.

Accepted Answer

Compliance with the law is the minimum requirement for acceptable conduct, but ethical considerations go beyond the law and involve moral principles and values. Therefore, an action may be legal but still be considered unethical.

Question 14

With respect to #73, it would be unethical for you to hire your friend to get him to bring the information to your company.

Accepted Answer

It is considered unethical to hire a friend for personal gain and to use them to obtain confidential information from their current employer. This behavior could potentially harm the friend's reputation and result in negative consequences for both parties involved.

Question 15

Your college of business is sponsoring a case competition.All teams must watch the other teams compete.The order of presentation is by luck of a draw.The team that is the last to present left during one of the presentations, went to the computer room and redid its PowerPoint slides and restructured its presentation based on what other teams had presented.This team has done nothing wrong.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your college of business is sponsoring a...

Question 16

Your supervisor has told you that he wants to "get rid of Jane."Jane is a Hispanic female co-worker who is very bright and capable and hardworking.Your supervisor has asked you to document everything Jane does and says that will help build a case for termination.You should do as your supervisor tells you.

Accepted Answer

This request from your supervisor is unethical and discriminatory. It is important to speak up against such behavior and report it to HR or higher management. Compiling documentation to facilitate the termination of Jane based on discriminatory intentions is not ethical and goes against the values of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Question 17

You work for a school district as a facilities coordinator.You drive to the various schools in the district and supervise construction and remodeling and assess various building needs.When you are traveling around to the various schools, you use a district vehicle that is clearly marked as such.One day you stop at the country club and have lunch before heading to the next school since the country club is on the way.You also stop at the bank drive-thru teller to do some personal banking business.Both the lunch and the bank stop are ethical breaches.

Accepted Answer

Using a district vehicle for personal business is an ethical breach and misuse of resources.

Question 18

Alice is a secretary in your department.Alice is also a member of the American Guild of Organists.Alice has been placed in charge of the Guild's national convention.Each time you pass by Alice's desk or go to her to have some work done, you notice she is on the phone discussing or working on the convention.Alice's work on the convention during work hours is an ethical violation.

Accepted Answer

Alice's work on the convention during work hours is not related to her job as a secretary in your department and therefore constitutes a violation of ethical conduct.

Question 19

Your supervisor has had a calendar with pictures of naked women on the inside panel of his desk for several months.A secretary spotted the calendar and commented to your supervisor that it was not appropriate for an office.Your supervisor took down the calendar and has asked you to back him up if any complaints are filed.He has asked you to say that you never saw the calendar.It would not be unethical for you to do as your supervisor requests because he has removed the calendar.

Accepted Answer

It would be unethical to lie about not seeing the calendar if complaints are filed. It is important to maintain honesty and integrity in the workplace, even if it may cause discomfort or consequences. Additionally, the fact that the calendar was up for several months could indicate a pattern of inappropriate behavior and ignoring it could indicate tolerance or endorsement of such behavior.

Question 20

It is not your responsibility to report a co-worker who leaves the office early each day without taking time off.

Accepted Answer

It is important to report any unethical behavior, including a co-worker leaving early without proper authorization, as it can impact workplace productivity and morale. Reporting such actions ensures fairness and adherence to company policies.

Quiz 1: Ethical Theory, Philosophical Foundations, Our Reasoning Flaws, and Types of Ethical Dilemma