Over to you

Many situations in day-to-day business are not simple right-or-wrong questions, but rather fall into a grey area. To demonstrate the perplexing array of moral dilemmas faced by 20th-century Americans, here is a ‘nonscientific' test for slippage. Don't expect to score high. That is not the purpose. But give it a try and see how you stack up.

Put your value system to the test in the following situations:

Scoring Code: Strongly agree = SA

Disagree = D

Agree = A

Strongly disagree = SD

1. Employees should not be expected to inform on their peers for wrong­doings.

2. There are times when a manager must overlook contract and safety violations in order to get on with the job.

3. It is not always possible to keep accurate expense account records; there­fore, it is sometimes necessary to give approximate figures.

4. There are times when it is necessary to withhold embarrassing information from one's superior.

5. We should do what our managers suggest, though we may have doubts about its being the right thing to do.

6. It is sometimes necessary to conduct personal business on company time.

7. Sometimes it is good psychology to set goals somewhat above normal if it will help to obtain a greater effort from the sales force.

8. I would quote a ‘hopeful' shipping date in order to get the order.

9. It is proper to use the company WATS line for personal calls as long as it's not in company use.

10. Management must be goal-oriented; therefore, the end usually justifies the means.

11. If it takes heavy entertainment and twisting a bit of company policy to win a large contract, I would authorize it.

12. Exceptions to company policy and procedures are a way of life.

13. Inventory controls should be designed to report ‘underages' rather than'overages' in goods received. (The ethical issue here is the same as that faced by someone who receives too much change from a store cashier)

14. Occasional use of the company's copier for personal or community activ­ities is acceptable.

15. Taking home company property (pencils, paper, tape, etc.) for personal use is an accepted fringe benefit.

Score Key: (0) for Strongly Disagree (1) for Disagree (2) for Agree (3) for Strongly Agree

If your score is:

0 Prepare for canonization ceremony

1– 5 Bishop material

6–10 High ethical values

11–15 Good ethical values

16–25 Average ethical values

26–35 Need moral development

36-44 Slipping fast

45 Leave valuables with warden

2. Read this textand summarise its main ideas.