UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE INGENIERIA

COLLEGE OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Ethical Dilemma in Engineering

Asignatura del Tercer al Sexto Semestre

Sarah was recently promoted to a managerial position at her industrial company. With
her new position, she is now responsible for overseeing the company’s production
factory, meaning approximately 50 factory workers now report to her. Although Sarah
previously worked as an engineer and does not have any experience running a factory,
she is excited to begin her new position.

At the end of her first day, Sarah is confused to see her factory workers continuing to
work well past the end of their 8-hour shift. She then goes to the factory supervisor (who
reports to her) to express concern because the factory does not have the budget to pay
so many workers overtime. The supervisor smiles at Sarah and explains that the factory
meets production goals by making the factory workers work off the clock. The workers
are well aware of this expectation and went along with it in order to keep their jobs. Sarah
is shocked to learn this illegal practice had become part of the company culture, but the
supervisor explains that the company’s CEO (who is Sarah’s boss) is well aware of this
expectation.
What should Sarah do?

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¿Qué cree usted que debería hacer Sara?

Explicar en no menos de 5 ni más de 10 líneas (en español e inglés).
NOMBRE: ALFREDO DAVID
APELLIDOS: FLORES ENCISO
CODIGO:20200076E
RESPUESTA EN ESPAÑOL:
Sarah debería coordinar con los trabajadores mismos para hacer una queja general de las
horas que se está excediendo. A pesar que esto pueda amenazar su estancia en el trabajo,
puede ser de gran ayuda. Una forma de evitar eso es aparte ir a ser apoyado por una
institución mayor del sindicato de trabajadores. Con ello Sarah podría hacer más firme su
decisión de que solo sea 8 horas de trabajo como se indica en el reglamento, y si se quiere
exceder eso pues debe haber mayor pago.

RESPUESTA EN INGLÉS:
Sarah should coordinate with the workers themselves to make a general complaint of the
hours being exceeded. Although this may threaten her stay at work, she can be of great help.
One way to avoid that is apart from going to be supported by a larger institution of the
workers' union. With this Sarah could make her decision firmer that it is only 8 hours of work
as indicated in the regulations, and if you want to exceed that, then there must be a higher
payment.