Question 1
Yes, the corporate ethics are important since they are essential to understanding how a company conforms to certain standards that are ethically correct. For instance, the investigations would include a review of the corporate social responsibilities that the company has and what it is doing to promote ethical business practices as well as its codes of conduct in case there are shady business practices in the company. It is important to know the structure the company has set up for reporting such incidents without having to victimize the whistleblowers.
Is it a fair question to ask someone interviewing you for the position about ethics of a company?
Yes, it is a fair question since ethics has a great impact on the wider world.
What would you do if you found that the company had made ethical violations that were worldwide news 65 years ago?
Initially, one needs to investigate and research what led to the ethical violations. Consequently, this is then followed by an appraisal of the steps the company has applied to correct the situation over the years and if they have put systems in place to ensure such a situation does not occur again. It would matter if the infraction violated company ethics and those involved were fired. The company needed to take action to address the violation and firing such individuals makes sense if the policies of the company state that individuals engage in ethical violations need to be fired. Actions taken by the company after the incident such as reviewing their policies are critical as this may ensure that the likelihood of such an occurrence is not likely to occur again.
Comparison of two companies after ethical screening
Comparison of two companies where one with the higher offer is slightly lower on the ethical treatment of employees may mean that once you become an employee, all that matters is results rather than the process involved and how the work conditions affects the employees. In such a company the likelihood of unethical business practices occurring are slightly higher than that for a company where employees are ethical treated.
Question 2
(3) Information that was earth shattering acquired unethically
If the information that was earth shattering about the company was acquired unethically, it would be essential first to try and establish the credibility of such information through the ethical and proper channels. Furthermore, it would mean that proper action should be taken to ensure that damage made by the information is controlled. It would not make much distinction if the information was acquired through illegal means since it would only mean that individuals who acquired such information may be criminally charged in court. I would not use such information for personal gain as it would go against my personal ethical code of conduct.
Question 3
(3). O’Neill was justified in terminating the manager for his lack of reporting the workplace accidents as it was a breach of trust of the communication practices that were set in Alcoa. All the facilities of Alcoa need to operate at the same level of ethical standards that has been set internationally, and failure to report such incidents may compromise the ethical culture to an extent that even in the future harmful accidents may fail to be reported.
(4). Alcoa values in practice can be adopted by other organizations. Setting up ethical standards is essential in enhancing behavior change among employees who become accustomed to operating ethically.
