OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Ethical Communities Worksheet

Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.
In mid-march of 2020, the novel coronavirus had hit the United States and national
leadership advised that there be a two week lockdown of public areas and businesses in order to
“flatten the curve,” and give hospitals and healthcare workers time to prepare for the incoming
COVID-19 patients. During this time of uncertainty my Store Manager was on a leave of
absence due to health reasons unrelated to the pandemic. Starbucks also offered the opportunity
to take paid leave during this time for those partners who were uncertain or uncomfortable
working as the nation grappled with how best to control the outbreak of the virus.
I continued to work at my store during this period. I am a shift supervisor and I made this
decision to continue working because I felt a sense of obligated to those in the community that
still had to work and also an obligation to my partners that still wanted and needed the safety and
normalcy that work provides. It was not an easy decision for me to make, and I did not make it
lightly. I was personally conficted. Wouldn’t it be safer to stay at home? Doesn’t the economy
still need to continue?
The following is a transcript of the conversation that I had with my District Manager because I
was feeling uncertain about continuing to work.

DM: “Starbucks provides sustenance to to it’s partners and customers.”

Me: “I know, but I’m worried that by staying open we are setting the wrong example to our
customers. If people shouldn’t be out and about I’m not sure we should reward them with lattes
and frappucinos.”

DM: “ Very true. I guess my recommendation is to do what you think is best. Take the leave if
you need to do that but also think about the many first responders, healthcare workers, and
frontlines folks that can’t stay home. Lattes and frappucinos might be their only comfort duing
their day, and Starbucks is a third place – we want to be there for people.”

Me: “Well, I think I want to be there for the people. So, if its all the same to you then I think I’m
going to continue opening the store and working.”

DM: “Absolutely, but if that changes just know that its okay to take leave. Let me know if you
need anything

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Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.

Starbucks is well known publically for their ethics and values. Even though Starbucks has
had its fair share of scandal the company has responded in those moments with grace, humility,
and vulnerability. Starbucks has been able to overcome obstacles and issues in the past because
they realign themselves to their ethics and values during difficult times or circumstances. That is
why textbooks, like Reframing Organizations, will often quote Starbucks founder Howard
Schultz; he serves as a great example of a CEO who used his position to reinvigorate his
company with strong ethics and values.

Starbucks values people. They place a a high degree of emphasis on their employees
(partners) and their customers. They routinely make decisions to uplift and nuture the human
spirit. The Starbucks way of doing business is influenced heavily by their core values and
mission statement which is, “to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and
one neighborhood at a time.” The ethics of the company influenced the company a great deal and
they reflect that by offering to help, pay for time away from work, remain open to serve, and
protecting their customers and employees with the appropriate safeguard.

Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical communities for an alternative course
of action regarding your case.

My district manager in this scenario was very supportive. His support was clear evidence of
the emphasis that Starbucks place on their core values, mission, and ethics. He was kind and
caring. He listened to my concerns. He pointed out items and information that I hadn’t
considered. My district manager reenforced that whatever decision I made was going to be
supported by him and by Starbucks as an organization.

Alternatively, my district manager could have displayed ethics that were different from the
soul of Starbucks. “Many traditional workplaces still suffocate their employees with time clocks,
rigid rules, and authoritarian bosses,” (Bolman & Deal, p. 393). My district manager could have
been more authoritarian. I am grateful that this alternative course of action did not occur in real
life.

Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned about
ethics.

The decision I made in the scenario above was the right decision for me. In this module I’ve
learned about the ethical framework. I wouldn’t do anything differently. My company supported
my decision and my district manager helped convey that support.

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 We learned that there is a difference between managers and leaders but they can be both.
My district manager is clearly a manager in title but he is also a leader. He displayed the soul of
the company by reflecting the ethical code and living by the core values. Ultimately that has
been my experience with Starbucks – they truly care and want to do what is right for their
partners and customers.

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 Reference or References

Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2017). /Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership
(6th ed.)/. Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass