BUS-FP4801 Assessment 1-1 PDF

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Assessment 1, Issue Identification...

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Running head: ISSUE IDENTIFICATION

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Tashia R. Fouch March 2021 BUS-FP4801 – Ethics & Enterprise Instructor: Professor Jerry Lulejian Assessment 1: Issue Identification Addressing Issues of Abuse of Time & Resources in the Workplace

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Abstract The issue of abuse of company time and resources has been around for centuries in various manifestations, and is currently widely discussed as companies weigh the option of monitoring employee computers and phones and how to do so in a way that is not an invasion of privacy, but still provide desired protections for the company against abuse. Especially now, with the immense popularity of social media, issues of abuse are more prevalent than ever before. To maintain organizational integrity, it is imperative for organizations to have policies in place to deter these abuses and outline consequences should those policies be violated. Introduction Now more than ever, in today’s businesses, it is vital to establish and sustain ethical behavior in the workplace and maintain a socially-responsible organization that operates with integrity. This assessment will examine the potential ethical dilemma of misuse of company technology and time at (alias) All4Arts, a non-profit arts education advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure that every student, in every grade, in every school, has access to the arts as part of a well-rounded education. This is a weighty mission, which the organization works toward by focusing on four strategies: data & research, grants, advocacy, and partnerships & professional learning. The mission and the promulgation of these four pillars of work paint a picture of an organization that has values and ethical behavior at its core. Policies Regarding Ethical Issues in the Workplace Although All4Arts does not monitor their employees’ computers or phones, their expectations of use are clearly outlined in their employee handbook, which every employee was required to read and sign indicating understanding and acceptance of the guidelines therein. All4Art’s employee handbook outlines the organization’s mission, ethics, code of conduct,

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policies and expectations of team members. The employee handbook offers guiding principles on such topics as standards of behavior, conflicts of interest, and whistleblower protection policies and procedures, among many others. Further, upon being hired, all employees have an orientation with the organization’s Executive Director at which time he discusses the employee handbook and expectations in detail, and answers questions prior to the employee signing off on it. Charles Kerns writes, “As a way of promoting and influencing ethical behavior, it is very powerful for new employees to hear managerial leaders espouse core virtuous values and to see those values affirmed through the actions of others in the organization” (Kerns, 2003). An Example of Unethical Workplace Behavior In spite of the abundance of guidance outlined above, one employee consistently uses her work computer for personal purposes (i.e., to check and interact on social media, chat with her family and friends, and shop online). This behavior is an abuse of both company technology and company time. A fellow team member has observed her shopping online and engaging in social media a number of times while either passing her desk or stopping at her desk to chat with her. All4Art’s Executive Director has recently mentioned that the board of directors has discussed enacting a policy for monitoring employee computers and phones, as a way to appear more efficient and prudent with the organization’s limited funds. Board members believe that donors to Arts4All feel more compelled to donate and to give larger amounts when the organization has policies in place to ensure that wastefulness is kept to a minimum. The colleague who has observed her behavior wonders whether she should inform the Executive Director of what she has witnessed or keep quiet and not interject herself into an issue that isn’t really within her purview. As various board members come into the office weekly for one-on-one meetings, she’s concerned that a board member may see this abuse first-hand, which may result in her colleague

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getting fired or board members suspending their fundraising efforts and donor cultivation due to perceived lack of organizational integrity. Why Is This An Issue? This particular ethical issue has been an important one for quite awhile, and even moreso since business entered the technological age. It is important to many business owners and leaders because it directly affects the perception of an organization’s integrity in business conduct. Loyola University’s John Boatright states, “I believe that creating a culture of integrity requires a well-articulated code of ethics that explicitly tells employees how they are expected to act, the manner in which goals and objectives are to be achieved, and the type of behavior that will not be tolerated” (2013). It also affects an organization’s bottom line in loss of productivity and squandering of time. An article from Michigan State University points out that, “While this may feel like a minor blip in the grand scheme of workplace ethics, the improper use of the internet and company technology is a huge cost for organizations in lost time, worker productivity and company dollars” (2019). These issues are especially important to non-profit organizations like All4Arts. Every dollar is hard-fought, and donors invest in All4Arts because they believe in the mission. Donors also have a reasonable expectation that their donated funds will be used in accordance with advancing that mission. For a non-profit, any perception of wastefulness or mishandling of funds can be devastating to its ability to operate and do the work its staff is so passionate about. Today, there are more non-profit organizations than ever before, as people seek to make a tangible difference in the world around them. Summary/Conclusion Any organization or company operating in the twenty-first century should have a well thought out and clearly enunciated policy on workplace expectations. This policy should be in

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writing and readily available to all employees. Further, all employees should be orientated to the policy upon joining the team and, similar to All4Arts’ procedure, made to sign off on the policy to indicate that the employee understands the policy, its implications, and consequences of policy violations. When this is done, it provides a clear course of action in the event any ethical issue is encountered in the workplace. This is the best way to handle ethical issues in a business environment; create ethics policies that align with the organization’s mission and vision, make everyone involved fully aware of the policies and consequences (which also serves to deter most people from breaching them), and follow through with stated consequences when/if a violation of policy occurs.

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5 Common Ethical Issues in the Workplace. (2019, July 15). Retrieved from https://www.michiganstateuniversityonline.com/resources/leadership/common-ethicalissues-in-the-workplace/ Boatright, John. (2013, September). Confronting Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace. Financial Analysts Journal. 69. 6-9. 10.2469/faj.v69.n5.5. Kerns, C. D. (2018, October 12). Creating and Sustaining an Ethical Workplace Culture - A PeerReviewed Academic Articles: GBR. Retrieved from https://gbr.pepperdine.edu/2010/08/creating-and-sustaining-an-ethical-workplace-culture/...