Ethical Considerations

A major computer parts manufacturer has decided to open a plant in a medium-sized city in the southeast that has been especially hard hit with job losses in the textile field. The new company will receive substantial incentives in the form of free land, tax relief, and generous training allowances from local and state government. Hiring for the new operation has been announced and will include high-tech positions, supervisory positions, and a few tech- nical positions. The published pay rates for these posi- tions appear to be at or near the top of the local range for comparable jobs.

Marilyn is an experienced supervisor with one of the remaining textile plants in the area. She has received some literature in the mail explaining the mission of the new company and alerting the community to its need to fill a number of positions, including supervisor positions. An employment application for the new company was enclosed with the materials.

At lunch and on breaks, Marilyn has heard her crew talking about the opportunities at the computer manu- facturing company. She has been told that several of her people plan to fill out applications for the new company. In the last week, a representative from the new company left a message on her home phone saying that she would like to invite Marilyn to visit the company and interview for a supervisor’s position. Marilyn is in a quandary about several issues.

ReSPonDInG To The CaSe

1. What is Marilyn’s responsibility to her present employer regarding her knowledge that several employees are planning to seek positions with the new company?

2. How should Marilyn reply to the recruiter who is asking her to come in for an interview? Does this constitute an ethical decision for her?

3. Is it ethical for one company to receive funds to move into an area when other companies struggle to keep jobs from going offshore or from being lost to automation?