BA 490 Ethics Exploration Interview Interoffice Memorandum

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INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

TO:

DR. ALLEN GEIWITZ

FROM:

JASMINE G. AZEEM

SUBJECT:

ETHICS EXPLORATION INTERVIEW

DATE:

MARCH 21, 2017

CC:

GEORGE MCKINNEY, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR,

GREENWOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Business ethics is the practice of business policies and handling potential issues in the

workplace. I enjoyed interviewing Mr. George McKinney, Emergency Management

Coordinator of Greenwood County in Greenwood, South Carolina. The interview on

March 17 provided me with excellent advice that will help strengthen my knowledge of

ethics in the workplace. In addition, this interview taught me how ethics can create a safe

and positive environment within the workroom. During the interview, we discussed how

to behave ethically and how to handle unethical behavior in the workplace.

1. What do you consider ethical and unethical behavior in the workplace?

• McKinney- My preceptor stated that following state regulations is considered

ethical behavior in the workplace. In government jobs, it is the responsibility as a

state employee to purchase and use materials from taxpayers’ money for

authorized purposes. McKinney discussed every employee should not be using

things such as government vehicles for personal gain. In addition, my preceptor

states that copying and filing government record is illegal and unethical behavior

in the workplace. Generally, McKinney discussed that being untrustworthy with

government materials is considered unethical in the workplace.

• Student’s Reflection- McKinney’s response to the question gave me insight on

how government regulations focus on privacy rights and fairness. State jobs have

privacy laws that prevent employees from disclosing information freely. Copying

and filing government information is illegal and unethical since individuals can

sue companies for disclosing sensitive information. In addition, fairness is a

characteristic of ethical behavior. Since the Government is using taxpayers’

money for county services, employees should not use them for personal

acquisitions.

2. Have you taken a course or had any training in business ethics?

• McKinney- In the next question, Mr. McKinney indicated that his training was on

a state-level ethics rules. He states that leaders teaching the ethics class should be

as direct and clear as possible when explaining government rules. Employees

need to understand government policies from business ethics. Polices in state and

local level jobs can be stricter and difficult. In the ethics classes, state employees

are given information such as ethics policies to read and sign annually. Ethics

policies in state-level jobs can be employees not using government funds to

purchase foods from the same restaurant continuously.

• Student’s Reflection- From his response, many states have additional regulations

for employees to keep in mind. In addition, training in ethics is the foundation of

an organization’s success. In order for a state government job to succeed, they

must share with their employees the regulations and importance. The purpose of

training in ethics can remind employees of ethical considerations in the

workplace. These training resources prepared each employee on how to behave

and perform in the workplace.

3. Describe an ethical work situation you encountered in the past and how you handled it?

• McKinney- My preceptor and his supervisor were driving in a government state

vehicle to a conference. On the road, his supervisor asked McKinney to take him

to a store to buy a friend a gift. My preceptor thought about the situation as

unethical. He stated that state employees should not be using any government

property for personal use. McKinney explained to his supervisor professionally

about using the state vehicle for personal gain. His supervisor understood the

situation and decided to drive his own car to the store.

• Student’s Reflection- From his statement, I learned that before making a decision

or action we need to think if it is ethical or unethical. When an employee thinks a

request makes them uneasy, they have a right to question that request. Unethical

actions such as lying to clients and destroying documents can be unethical and

illegal within any company. It is important for every employee to discuss the

potential effects of any action taken on themselves, their co-workers, and the

company. There are consequences for behaving and acting unethically.

4. What would you do if you were in a situation where a coworker was doing something

illegal or against company policy?

• McKinney- His response was to talk to his co-worker and warn him/her about the

unethical behavior or action. In addition, my preceptor states that he wants to

explain to his co-worker why the behavior or action is unethical. If unethical

action or behavior is repeated, McKinney says that he will talk to his supervisor

about the situation.

• Student’s Reflection- From his response, it is important to access how employees

deal with conflict on their team. Dealing with unethical co-workers is a part of

professional life. It takes communication and professionalism to deal with

unethical behavioral in the workplace effectively. If any employees notice

unethical behavior in a co-worker, meet with him/her in private to discuss the

matter. Handling unethical situations require employees to try to fix the situation.

5. Have you ever faced a situation when you had to take a longer way of doing something in

order to adhere to proper professional standards? Details?

• McKinney- My preceptor said that he faced this kind of situation daily in the

workplace. He explained how employees would have to follow state policies

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INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: CC: DR. ALLEN GEIWITZ JASMINE G. AZEEM ETHICS EXPLORATION INTERVIEW MARCH 21, 2017 GEORGE MCKINNEY, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, GREENWOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Business ethics is the practice of business policies and handling potential issues in the workplace. I enjoyed interviewing Mr. George McKinney, Emergency Management Coordinator of Greenwood County in Greenwood, South Carolina. The interview on March 17 provided me with excellent advice that will help strengthen my knowledge of ethics in the workplace. In addition, this interview taught me how ethics can create a safe and positive environment within the workroom. During the interview, we discussed how to behave ethically and how to handle unethical behavior in the workplace. 1. What do you consider ethical and unethical behavior in the workplace? • McKinney- My precep ...
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Tags: applied business ethics business ethics business policies issues in the workplace unethical behavior