1. Email Message
First and foremost, the email message was received accidentally; meaning, it was not intended for my personal or professional consumption. As such, the initial response should be to make the sender aware that the email was sent accidentally to me. Secondly, since the message contains details (restructuring plan) that is still a plan at the onset, I am not in the authority to disclose any part of the message to anyone, even to my co-worker who could potentially lose his job. The response was corroborated by legal instructions cited herein: persons who “receives a misdirected communication containing confidences or secrets should promptly notify the sender and refrain from further reading or listening to the communication, and should follow the sender's directions regarding destruction or return of the communication” (New York City Bar, 2012, par. 4).
Therefore, the sender and the recipients, who are authorized personnel with regards to communicating and implementing the proposed plan, with further approval of higher authority, should be the only ones to disclose the message to affected personnel in the restructuring plan. The response is legal, would be most appropriate even through the other parties’ perspectives, and deemed to be the most viable solution. Even when discussed with someone else, the same course of action would be expected to be proposed. Likewise, other people would find my solution to be ethically, morally, and legally sound.
2. Customer Letter
The situation clearly indicated that I made a mistake which caused the customer to be irate. As such, the letter should first contain a sincere apology which admits my mistake, of which I seriously believe, was inadvertently made. Then, I should make appropriate course of action that would correct the mistake. The action should be consistent with the policies and procedures of the organization I work for. As emphasized, “even though it may be hard to admit it, doing the right thing often means acknowledging when you have done the wrong thing” . The customer would actually be appeased of the admission since making an error is part of human nature. As such, the response is legal and seen as commendable on the part of the irate customers. Likewise, no other most appropriate course of action would satisfy doing the right thing criteria. In addition, if and when discussed with a trusted person, preferable one’s supervisor, the same course of action is seen to be proposed. Finally, the proposed action is honorable and commendable from the points of views of others. To reiterate, aside from admitting my mistake, I should do the necessary action that would rectify the mistake and would be consistent with company policies. Likewise, this course of action would be seen best in serving the interests of the client, as well as in satisfying the customer’s needs.
3. Progress Report
First and foremost, what the team leader is proposing is contrary to ethical standards and procedures in accounting. By inflating the sales figures, I would be violating accounting principles and guidelines which stipulate accuracy and transparency in reporting since the action would constitute fraud . The appropriate course of action would be to decline in the proposed inflation of the sales figures through rationalizing that it is a violation of the accounting standards and a red flag through improper asset valuation . Inflating the sales figures would definitely cost me my job. As such, it would be more prudent and consistent with doing what is right to adhere to accuracy in reporting the actual sales figures. It is also expected that parties who would review these figures would be provided with an accurate financial report. This is the only viable solution that adheres to ethical, moral and legal standards. Further, seeking the advice of a trusted person would also give a similar course of action. Finally, this action would be most honorable and commendable to others who know me.
4. Presentation
Copying the graphics and wording from other sources, whether online or print, is tantamount to plagiarism . Plagiarism is synonymous to stealing since I would be using the work of others and pegging these as my own. As such, even I am rushing to prepare a presentation, I should cite appropriate sources by acknowledging them accordingly. As such, my presentation should adhere to rules of citations and referencing. The action is consistent with the five (5) elements of doing the right thing. For one, this course of action is legal and sources of materials I would cite would approve of my action. In addition, there is no other viable solution except this. Likewise, if and when discussed with a trusted person, the same course of action would be deemed to be proposed. Finally, the action would be seen as honorable and commendable to others who know me.
References
Financial Statement Fraud: Detecting the Red Flags. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18, 2014, from White-Collar Crime: http://www.wccfighter.com/FinancialStatementFraudRedFlags.html
New York City Bar. (2012). Obligations Upon Receiving A Communication Containing Confidences or Secrets Not Intended for the Recipient. Retrieved December 18, 2014, from nycbar.org: http://www2.nycbar.org/Publications/reports/show_html_new.php?rid=203
Remelts, G. (2005). Ethical Issues: What is Plagiarism? Retrieved December 18, 2014, from calvin.edu: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/rit/webBook/chapter4/Sec5/plagiar2.html
Robbins, S., Judge, T., Millett, B., & Boyle, M. (2013). Organizational Behaviour. Pearson Higher Education.
