I.

INTRODUCTION

Ethics is a set of moral principles, which guide the code of conduct and behavior of a
human being in his life and in society. It is a person’s own positive attitude and desirable
behavior and it differs from other individual. Furthermore, Businesses uses ethics as a guide for
the members of organizations in the business environment. Business ethics represents the
moral principles an organization uses to ensure all employees act in an acceptable manner
while completing their functions towards the growth of the company.

Business is an organ of today’s society and plays an integral role as it operates in a socio-
economic environment. Every business depends on the society for the needed inputs like
money, men and skills. A business also should strive to enhance local community service
and also expedite better living conditions for its employers. By training members of staff,
wherever possible, anyone in an organization can lead to the employees who feel
empowered for working harder as well as make good decisions. Having concerned of well-
being of employees may lead to the healthier and thus happier workforce as well as work place.
This should be ensured by carrying out a comprehensive self-analysis of every decision
made in relation to profitability as well as long term value and social responsibility.

In line with this, employees play an important part in achieving its company’s goals most
especially in the decision making process in their respective units. And as an employee, the
company expects that you will act in the best interest of the company and avoid conflict of
interest. As identified in the case study, Lynn was making long distance call with her sister and
later on, her manager learns it. Hence, we can say that conflict of interest arises from here
which is the main problem.

Moreover, Conflicts of interest occur when individuals must choose between taking
actions that promote their personal interests over the interests of others or taking actions that
don’t. A conflict can exist, for example, when an employee’s own interests interfere with, or
have the potential to interfere with, the best interests of the company’s stakeholders
(management, customers, and owners).

As we know that a problem has multiple solutions. Therefore, the decision maker of an
organization should develop the various possible alternatives for a better decision.
II. ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION
A. Solution 1

Do not leave your employees alone. It is best to encourage buddy system and culture
of team work.

 Advantage

1. It will limit the misuse of company’s assets/resources.

2. There are more eyes that will observe one another.
3. Working as a team will not only border the misuse of assets but will also help
to achieve happier and efficient workforce.

 Disadvantage
1. Higher chance of connivance.
2. The employee may feel that the company does no longer trust her/him.
3. There is a chance that there will be conflict between the employees.

B. Solution 2

HR will issue a written memorandum to an employee who violates the company

policies and set a standard operating procedure to have a log book for monitoring
purposes of the outgoing calls.

 Advantage

1. Employee will be aware of her violation.

2. Other employees will not commit the same violation so that the said incident
will never happen again.
3. The outgoing calls will be monitored on a daily basis.

 Disadvantage
1. The employee will have bitterness to the company.
2. The employee will be aloof.
3. The employee will be unproductive and she will lose her will to work
efficiently.

C. Solution 3

Orient employees about the policies of the company

  Advantage

1. It will avoid the DON’TS of the company.

2. If they are made aware, they will be discouraged to violate the guidelines of
the company.
3. Ignorance will no longer be an excuse.

 Disadvantage
1. They will still neglect the log book.
2. There will be no assurance that everyone will follow the set rules and
regulations of the company.
3. Not all new employees are attentively listening in the discussion

III. RECOMMENDATION

In the abovementioned case, Lynn disregarded the very simple concept that
company’s assets are meant for business transactions only and not for personal use
which is unethical. Of all the aforesaid alternatives, it is best to implement the second
alternative solution that HR will issue a written memorandum to an employee who
violates the company policies and set a standard operating procedure to have a log
book for monitoring purposes of the outgoing calls. They may also conduct a refresher
course with regards to the set company policies so that everyone will no longer excuse
that they were not informed. The other solution may also be used to support the main
action plan. They may also tighten their physical control and security over company’s
asset and lead as a good example to all the employees.

IV. CONCLUSION

We make thousands of decisions every day. Many are easy, but others are
complex, stressful, or both. Because there are so many decisions and because they are
literal forks in the road with dramatic impact on results, costs, time, feelings, and
relationships, how you make decisions is extremely important. This is why decision-
making is a top priority when we work with clients, managers and co-employees to
create a culture of clarity. Furthermore, the company provides its employees resources
to help them to do their functions. Thus, its everyone’s responsibility to help the
company to maintain its confidentiality, integrity and availability of communication.