Business Ethics Memo
After reading and viewing the resources this week on memo-writing and business ethics, and familiarizing yourself with Santa Clara’s A Framework for Ethical Decision-Making. Study your case thoroughly.
Case Study: Off The Clock
Sarah was recently promoted to a managerial position at her industrial engineering 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?
Once you have answered those questions at the end of the case and in the Framework, collectively decide upon a course of action, one that you feel confident that you can provide substantive analysis and rationale.
Then, write a memo laying out your recommendation(s). You should address your memo to the individual decision-maker responsible for making the decision (here again, you may need to invent details or conduct research beyond the confines of the case specifics, e.g. Fair Labor Laws or Codes of Medical Ethics).
This memo should be 2 pages in length and your content must include answers to the questions listed at the end of your case. Additionally, you must include the following sections as your headings in the memo:
Clearly define the objectives of your message
Relevant facts (briefly)
Primary stakeholders (who are they and why?)
Possible alternatives (what options have you come up with?)
The ethics concerned with those alternatives (explore the ethical implications of those options and how those implications would affect your organization or company)
What actions should be taken & why?
