Case Study 11:

Sincerity with the workplace

Shakeela was fired from a company due to her irresponsibility, irregularity and
lateness. She was working as an office assistant. After few weeks she comes to her
former manager and informs that she has applied in another company for the same
post and has given his name as a reference. She needs a job as she is a single
parent with two children. She requests him to give good recommendation and
feedback and not mentioning her weaknesses if enquired.

Shakeela asks her manager to make a character and experience certificate

mentioning that she left the company voluntarily due to her family issues and the
company didn’t want her to leave.

The manager knows Shakeela personally and has a soft corner for her; however, he
would not recommend his own company hire her back.

Questions:

I. What should the manager say to the employer who calls him for Shakeela?
II. What if the employer was manager’s friend?
III. If Shakeela asks her manager to be a reference before applying somewhere
else, what should be manager’s response?
IV. What should be manager’s role in resolving Shakeela’s issue keeping the
dignity and image of his company positive and transparent?
Case Study 12:

Punishing a poor girl on snatching

Jameel is driving a car and gets strucked in traffic. A little poor girl approaches him
and starts begging for money. By nature Jameel is an emotional and kind hearted
man who is always ready to help others. He takes out his wallet and finds a twenty
rupees note for her. The girl who was standing very near to him snatches his wallet
and starts running. Another man on a motor bike who is also strucked in traffic like
Jameel sees the whole situation runs after her and catches her. He starts beating the
poor girl badly. Now the traffic starts moving with no chance for him to stay any
more.

Question:

What should Jameel do in such a situation?

Case Study 13:

Hiding true facts

Zahid works in an organization as an assistant manager in IT department and

recently promoted to the designation of senior manager. Waleed, Zahid’s department
head calls him to his office. Waleed shares with Zahid that the CEO has received a
letter from one of the employees of IT department. The CEO has kept the name
confidential. The letter states that software installed recently does not perform well
as expected and the department has not achieved the desired results.

Zahid is aware of this problem by the software installed and reported to his
Department Head, Waleed several times before. Waleed is in favour of that software
and the only supporter and has been providing positive feedback to the CEO about
its performance.

Waleed asks Zahid to draft a reply to the letter that should support the system. It
should say that the system is performing well with desired results.

Zahid is confused and mentally disturbed. He wants to give the true facts to the
higher management about the performance of the system and does not want to hide
anything. Zahid has worked very hard to get the promotion and Waleed, being a
department head, supported him as well to achieve that position. If Zahid goes
against Waleed then his career could be at stake.

Questions:

1. What should Zahid do?

2. Which of the following alternatives should Zahid choose? Why?
a. Replying as Waleed requested
b. Providing true facts
c. Refusing to write a false report
Case Study 14:

Being biased and racist

Bilal works in a bank as an Assistant Manager in the Training and Development

Department. He was appointed last year. He has worked part-time for the bank
during his Master’s degree in Business. His main responsibility is to train fresh and
newly appointed employees. The bank wants to hire and promote minorities to avoid
the allegation of adapting racial discrimination that it has been facing for the last two
years. The bank wants to change its image from being a “biased and racist”
organization to an equal opportunity employer.

Usually it takes a week to train the fresh employees. The bank has also provided a
room for this purpose facilitated with equipments. The trainees are trained with
written and audiovisual material provided by the bank. The bank takes the test at the
end of every training session. The failed employees have to attend the session again
in order to give the satisfactory performance in their work. The employees cannot
participate in the different bank operations until they pass the test. The class usually
consists of ten to twelve trainees.

Today, after two days of a session, Bilal has been hit with a serious complaint.
Alan Desoza, one of the newly appointed employees for the bank belongs to
Christian Community. All the other trainees are Muslim. Alan feels difficulty in
learning as much of the training involves quizzes and computer work. Bilal is a very
cooperative teacher and wants Alan to improve and explains how to correct
mistakes. Alan takes it negatively and does not like Bilal’s constructive criticism. Alan
thinks he has been treating differently because of his community. Alan decides to file
an official complaint if Bilal does not pass him and signs satisfactory report.

Question:

How should Bilal handle this sensitive issue?

Case Study 15:

Change Management:

Sameer has been performing well in an organization as an Assistant Manager

Accounts since his graduation in finance. He has spent around five years in that
organization. With the passage of time Sameer has learnt the ways to survive in
such a conventional bureaucratic environment.

Haris, an experienced and competent employee who has recently joined this
organization as a manager accounts. His reputation is good and famous for
organizing and improving the daily operations in the previous organization. He has
been appointed on a pay scale with benefits better than the last one. Haris is self-
motivated and determined to bring changes in the department that will increase the
productivity and efficiency of accounts.

In an informal welcoming ceremony, Haris introduces himself and wants to be

familiar with other staff members of the department. He also asks for better
suggestions from each subordinate to make it a better work place. He finds Sameer
reluctant to accept new challenges. Sameer suggests his newly appointed manager
not to bring any change in the current system as it will put them in trouble. Sameer
criticizes the different policies made by the higher management. He also shows his
belongings to a political party indirectly.

Haris calls Sameer to his office next day and says to him that he will not tolerate
those subordinates who are not in the interest of the company and do not want to
work as a team. Haris says to him that it will be taken seriously if he tries to be a
barrier in implementing new system that is more effective and productive. Haris
warns Sameer to leave or improve.

Question:

I. How could Sameer be motivated?

II. Do you think Haris lacks leadership qualities? Justify
III. Do you think bringing a change in the existing environment is a threat? Why
or why not?
Case Study 16:

Loving or leaving employees

Salman works for a university as an administrative officer. He has been working

there for more than fifteen years. He is considered one of the most experienced
employees of the university. Salman is a graduate and has not upgraded himself in
his tenure. His performance is satisfactory in the routine work but has shown no
interest and active participation in changing the existing environment.

Hasan is a Chairman of university. He is a kind hearted person and always has a

soft corner for his employees. He has not fired a single employee from the university
on the basis of poor performance. He gives a good raise in salaries to those
employees who perform well and keep upgrading themselves.

Salman is a middle aged person having three school going children. He is a bread
earner of his family and the survival totally depends on his salary. Due to his below
average performance his salary has not been raised since the last few years. Hasan
knows very well about Salman and his family.

Saeed has recently joined as a Director, HR and Administration Department. He has

got a vast experience in HR departments of different well reputed universities.

The meeting of the board of directors is held regarding annual increment in the
employees’ salaries. Evaluating each employee’s performance is one of the meeting
agenda. The meeting is chaired by Chairman, Hasan.

When the discussion comes to Salman, the board gives suggestions not to raise his
salary due to his poor performance throughout the year. Saeed is against the board
and its suggestions. He says that not raising any employee’s salary for many years
is unethical and cannot be justified. He supports Salman by saying that he has given
more than fifty percent of his professional life and he deserves promotion as well as
increment. Saeed suggests Chairman Hasan to fire Salman or promote him. Saeed
strongly believes that not raising salaries is a demotivating factor and has a negative
effect on employee’s behavior and performance. Saeed suggests Chairman Hasan
to love or leave him.
Case Study 17:

Unethical practices of food industry

Tasty meal is one of the largest foodservice retailer having more than 200
restaurants across country. It has more than 3000 employees including staff
members, waiters and chefs.

However, Tasty Meal has been criticized for

 Unfair treatment with its employees by taking too many hours of working
against very low wages. Tasty Meal has no difficulty in hiring its employees on
low wages due to poverty and unemployment in the region. It has also been
criticized for taking work from children against one time meal. The situation is
even worst in under developed cities of the country.

 Meals served are mostly junk food, oily, having high calorie and could cause
health issues if eaten regularly.

Tasty Meal is not even environmental friendly. Using disposable stuff like

wrapping paper, straws and tableware are comparatively cost effective but
harmful to the environment, especially those which are non-recyclable. It has
been criticized for over packaging and using extra wrapping papers.
Questions:

I. Do you think treating employees in Tasty Meal is unfair? Justify. Keep the
unemployment factor, poverty and economical environment in mind.
II. Should Tasty Meal be accused for health issues by providing unhealthy food?
(Note: Tasty Meal never sells its product forcefully. Customers have choices)
III. Do you think Tasty Meal is running an ethical and socially responsible
business? Why or why not?

Case Study 18:

Ethical practices in business

With the passage of time the Tasty Meal starts realizing the importance of CSR
(Corporate Social Responsibility). Tasty meal now understands that being socially
responsible is the key to success in the business world. It has taken a few
responsible steps in the interest of its stakeholders. These are;

 Raising hourly wages of employees

 Addition of healthy food such as green salad with each menu free of cost and
removing unhealthy and high calorie meals from menu
 Start donating money from its net profit to NGOs to take care of the
community
 Using recyclable products instead of disposables such as tableware and
containers
 Promoting environmental protection by launching campaigns like Save Earth,
Green Day, Save the Beaches etc.
Questions:

I. Should government regulate business ethics and social responsibilities?

Why or why not?
II. In your opinion what are the reasons behind Tasty Meal’s steps?
III. Do you think that Tasty Meal will increase its profitability by taking such
steps?
IV. Ethical practices in business have always conflicts with huge profit. Do
you agree with this statement? Yes or No? Justify your answer
V. Is this the only government’s responsibility to aware business sector about
ethics in business and being socially responsible? How can the awareness
of CSR be promoted?

Case Study 19:

Priority on sales over reputation

Zara is a college student and works as a waitress in a popular restaurant Sea Shells.
She does a part time job to cover her educational expenses. Sea Shells is located at
the beach that is considered one of the most ideal locations of the city. This
restaurant is well known for its sophisticated and peaceful environment. The uniform
for Waitresses in Sea Shells is Jeans or pants and T-shirts.

The Sea Shells gets good business during the months of Spring and specially
Summer and there is a decline during the months of Winter. Junaid, the owner of
Sea Shells wants to improve sales during the off-season months. He formulated a
few strategies to attract more customers and enhance sales. One of his strategies is
making waitresses’ uniform more seductive and revealing. He expects from
waitresses to wear low-cut and sleeveless tops with tight-fitting jeans.

The sale improves by turning plans into actions including new uniform. But, few
issues have also been observed. The incoming of male customers is greater than
the families. Customers make abusive remarks to the waitresses. Zara is tired of
such practices by customers but cannot leave the job. She wants to complete her
studies by the end of this year to grab the better opportunity as another part time job
with such flexible timings is almost impossible at this level.

By the frequent practice of customers making abusive comments, Zara decides to

talk to the restaurant’s owner, Junaid. Zara requests him to allow her wearing the
last uniform. Junaid is reluctant to allow Zara to go back to the old uniform since he
is convinced that his restaurant badly needs the new, revealing clothing to draw
customers’ attention and does not want a decline in business this time.

Questions:

I. What actions should Zara take?

II. Which of the following alternatives should be chosen? Why or why not?
 Allow Zara and other waitresses to return back to the original uniform.
 Fire Zara for not wearing the new uniform
 Develop other strategies to improve sales
 Zara must go for harassment charges against Sea Shells

Case Study 20:

Application of the skin care products:

Hina is a fresh business graduate and works as an Assistant Manager Marketing in
Fantasy Cosmetics, a leading manufacturer of skin care products. Hina has recently
joined Fantasy Cosmetics and lacks practical exposure. To familiar Hina with the
environment, routine work and in depth knowledge of the products, Fantasy
Cosmetics expects her to work with all the departments for a week as a part of her
orientation.

In the fourth week Hina had an opportunity to work with the department of Research
& Development. She spent time with marketing research group and listened to the
discussions with regular customers.

After a week Babar, Marketing Manager asks Hina to work on the packaging of the
fairness cream that is to be launched next month. Babar instructs her to design and
mentioning the desired results by applying the cream thrice a day. Hina is excited to
get the first challenging task. Now, the time has come for Hina to prove herself.

When Hina starts working on the task given, she recalls that consumers interviewed
by the department of Research and Development, revealed the fact that just one
application a day really worked. She is confused and thinks that changing the actual
facts on the packaging will increase the sales volume but will not benefit the
consumers.

Questions:

I. Do you think that it is unethical to recommend consumers to apply the

fairness cream thrice a day if it really works by applying once? Justify

II. What should Hina do as she is working for a leading cosmetics manufacturer
and has to prove herself by following the directions given?
Case Study 21:

Selling expensive insurance policies:

Hamza works for a life insurance company as a sales representative. He has been
working in that company for more than five years. He has got good communication
and presentation skills. He has attended several workshops on sales and marketing
to enhance his skills. The company is happy with his performance and gives good
salary and commission on the policies he sells.

Hamza has several plans to sell. One of the insurance products is a plan that is a
combination of savings and insurance both. Hamza is convinced and focused more
to sell that plan because company also appreciates and encourages more to its
sales representatives by giving handsome commission on its sales. The product
promises to protect the family in case of premature death as well as a good return on
investment after retirement.

The language used in the agreement paper is hard to understand. Usually, clients do
trust on Hamza and do not read the agreement thoroughly. Hamza knows the facts
very well. The product is expensive and provides a little protection in case of
premature death. Another disadvantage of having that product is a low return on
investment after its maturity. The company pushes its sales because it is more
profitable. Hamza has other cheaper products to sell that can give more benefits to
his clients including greater protection and return but the commission on sales by the
company is too low.

Hamza cannot earn more if he sells products considering consumers’ benefits. His
family will suffer if he thinks good for others and the management frowns on cheaper
policies being sold.

Questions:

I. What should Hamza do?

II. Is this ethical for insurance companies to promote expensive policies hiding
the facts? Justify
III. Can Hamza justify himself by saying that hiding the facts doesn’t mean lying?
Case Study 22:

Handling weaker students:

Rehan works in a well reputed multinational company as a Manager. He has been

giving his services in different companies for the last ten years. He has a command
over management skills. He has also been conducting workshops and training
sessions for subordinates. He loves to teach as teaching has always been his
passion. He also realizes the importance of corporate academia linkage. Keen
interest towards teaching and to meet industry requirement for business graduates,
he decides to teach at university level in the weekend program.

Rehan faces no difficulty in joining a well reputed private business institute as a

visiting faculty member. He starts teaching management courses. He wants to share
his practical exposure with students. His teaching methodology includes learning
material (handouts), reference books and case studies based on corporate and
industrial issues.

He faces problems while delivering lecture to students. He notices that few students
are not up to the mark. Their educational background is quite weak, therefore,
unable to absorb and understand what he says. On enquiring he came to know few
strange facts. Admissions were granted to all the students even to those who could
not qualify the entry test. The instructions were given by the Director Admissions.

Rehan is puzzled what to do. If he decides to teach according to course

requirements then few students will remain in loss. If he focuses the weaker students
then completing the course outline seems quite difficult. Rehan thinks to take catch
up classes (other than regular lectures) for weaker students to improve their reading
and writing skills.

Rehan discusses his problems with one of his friends who suggests him not to take
extra classes as he is not responsible for their educational background.

Question:

I. Do you think Rehan is not responsible for students’ weaker educational

background? Justify
II. Should the weaker students given an opportunity to improve themselves?
III. Should Rehan leave that institute and join another one that grants admissions
on merit based? Why or why not?