Memo for Rivera Informatics

TO: Denise Rivera, CEO

FROM: Felix Walls, Alyssa Ortiz, Aarik Guy, Sandra Gonzalez Banos

SUBJECT: Ethical Issues Concerning Huemul Proposal

DATE: November 2nd, 2021

OVERVIEW

This memo is written with intent to address the requested amendments made to the Huemul

proposal. We feel as a team that the revision comments we received violate our ethical

responsibilities as members and representatives of Rivera Informatics. These edits were

requested to purposefully undermine the work of our female employees as well as compromise

the integrity of honest and complete work for our client.

COMMENT - TIMELINE

The first proposed edit is to falsify the projected completion time of the Huemul project.

We believe that this falsification about the timeline is unethical. Falsifying this estimation to

Huemul Mining and their team could mean treating them as means to an end instead of giving

them respect and dignity as our potential client. In other words, our company would be taking

certain decisions from their hands. [1.] We believe that because most of our company disagrees

with lying, it is morally incorrect in a utilitarian perspective [2.]

When we look at contract law, the contract completion date must be abided by. The contract

completion date is the date agreed upon in which the work requested has been completed and is

passed onto the client [3.]. Delays do happen, but when looking over the proposal, it’s expected

that Huemul will be carefully evaluating that we have provided a realistic timeframe. If we boast
a shorter time frame, instead of looking appealing, we could instead come across as risky [3.]. It

will only benefit us to be honest in our estimated completion time. Instead of shortening the

dates, we can look at our proposal and add more details so Huemul knows exactly what to expect

from us.

COMMENT - MARGIN OF ERROR

The request to remove the section “any system can be compromised” from the Huemul proposal

would be misleading and dishonest. This could possibly put our company in a vulnerable legal

situation. One of the key points from the SANS IT Code of Ethics states that “I will strive to

know myself and be honest about my capability” [4.] As an information technology firm that

provides network consulting, we must be transparent about our work and our capabilities to all

clientele. It is our job to properly communicate important system operations and any possible

outcomes that can occur.

We can rewrite the section to instead include the efforts we make to protect our intranet. It is in

our company's best interest to disclose any necessary information to Huemul Mining as a means

to protect ourselves in future instances.

COMMENT - OWNERSHIP & CREDIT

The third request is to limit the names of employees listed on the proposal to only initials.

Limiting the name usage takes away the credit our employees put into their work. The reason for

the request is to make sure that our employees can't be interpreted as female. Legally, Huemul

Mining is in no state to be able to make discriminatory decisions. While women only make up

30% of the Chilean workforce, women are in several positions of power, from presidency to

high-ranking government, and have many legal rights protecting them in the workplace. [5.] We
should humanise our staff with their complete names. Huemul will select those most qualified to

complete the project.

COMMENT - DISCRIMINATION

The last comment suggested that we replace Linda Weinstein as our principal investigator,

simply on the grounds that she is female. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act states that it,

“prohibits an employer from treating you differently, or less favorably, because of your sex” [6.]

If the company were to move forward and do such, Rivera Informatics could be subject to fines

and lawsuits as much as $50,000, due to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act being violated. [7.]

This issue is not just a problem from a legal standpoint, but an ethical one. Weinstein has been

hired as our principal investigator with a purpose, and we have decided more than once that she

is the most fit person for the job. Even if she were to be replaced for this project alone, Weinstein

should not have to fear losing status and financial security because her boss finds having a

female investigator a risk. This is not fair business. [8.]

CONCLUSION

The requested edits violate the integrity of Rivera Informatics as a company, and as such, we are

uncomfortable with making the changes. Our proposal ought to be honest, clear, as well as give

proper credit to our employees. The points made in this memo have been written with the goal of

shedding light on these issues. These insensitive and unethical edits should be rescinded.
References

[1.] Dimmock, M. and Fisher, A., 2018. Ethics for A-Level. Cambridge: Open Book Public

[2.] Aragbonfoh Abumere, F., Giles, D., Kao, Y, and Klenk, M(2021) Introduction to

Philosophy: Ethics. P.31.

[3.] Upcounsel (2021). “Contract Completion: Everything You Need to Know.” UpCounsel,

https://www.upcounsel.com/contract-completion.

[4.] Gregory, Peter H. “Sans It Code of Ethics.” Peter H. Gregory, 7 Nov. 2007,

https://peterhgregory.wordpress.com/professional-background/sans-it-code-of-ethics/.

[5.] Sanchez, C., S. R., J. R., P. L., P. V. (2011). A comparative analysis of the attitudes toward

women as managers in Chile, China and the US. International Journal of Emerging Markets,

6(3), 233-253. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17468801111144067

[6.] (n.d.). Sex discrimination. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

[7.] Patrick Gleeson, P. D (2019) What are the consequences of discrimination on the job?

Small Business - Chron.com.

[8.] Menéndez-Espina, Sara et al. (2020) The Influence of Gender Inequality in the Development

of Job Insecurity: Differences Between Women and Men.” Frontiers in public health vol. 8

526162.