This is a factual representation of the events at a Canadian company named MotoX.

The
company had an operational unit in a very disguised location in the city of Anzen, Nambu
(an Asian nation with centuries-old traditions and customs). In 1969, MotoX formed a joint
venture (JV) with a Nambunese company to produce microelectronics. MotoX owns the
controlling interest with a shareholding of 60%. From the very beginning, the Anzen plant
had a strong focus on safety. MotoX has a worldwide code of ethics that applies to all their
operations. That code includes, respect for each employee, safety first, and absolute safety
and security of the employee at the work place. Nambu, interestingly, had a tradition of the
highest respect to authority and obedience towards one’s seniors.

Victor Min (47) is the plant manager and is considered to be a competent leader and an
great operations resource. Tommy Tang (25) is an employee at the plant where Victor is his
manager. The Anzen facility has a spotless safety record which Victor was very proud of and
wanted to preserve. On the other hand, Tommy, was an independent minded worker. He
had been a mountain guide and he was fiercely self-dependent and confident. Unlike the
other staff in Nambu, he didn't have similar reverence to absolute authority.

One of the safety requirements was to always wear plant safety glasses which were an
essential item of the dress code of plant workers. Tommy disliked the safety glasses and
would often neglect adherence to this requirement. Victor, his manager, had warned
Tommy about the cons of this negligence multiple times. On a particular day, after a heated
argument between the two, Victor lost his temper and slapped Tommy under his ears.
Victor was immediately very apologetic and contrite. Tommy also apologises for his
negligence and forgives this slip by Victor. Victor had a reputation as an exemplary manager
and the co-workers respected him. In keeping with the Nambunese tradition, the staff
forgave this impetuous act of Victor. But Tommy loses partial hearing due to the event and
needs medical attention. Victor offers medical expenses for Tommy’s help, but the matter
gets escalated to the Human Resources Office in MotoX’s operations based out of Canada.

The Human Resource Officer of this Nambunese operation, Mr. Stan Stark, needs to address
this issue with any one of the below mentioned options –

 Lay off both Victor and Tommy for rule negligence

 Lay off Victor and give another chance to Tommy to follow safety regulations
 Dismiss Tommy and give another chance to Victor
 Provide another chance to both Victor and Tommy with proper instructions and
monitoring

In your understanding, which one of the above is the most appropriate option? Discuss this
in the light of ethical decision-making process.