The Story of Josh

Josh works as a software engineer for an electronics company. The company has a zero-tolerance theft policy. Any employee-including managers and executives -who violate the policy will be right away terminated without any chance of appeal. This policy extends to recyclables and trash. The company sends a lot of electronic equipment out to be recycled, and forbids its employees from removing electronics from the recycling dumpster.

Scenario 1 (Clearly theft)

On his way out of the warehouse one day, Josh notices a pallet of electronic equipment that is waiting to be taken out to the recycling bin. Josh spies some equipment that he can use on a project he has going on at home (he's building a robot for his 8-year-old son). Josh takes a quick look around. He's the only one around. He rapidly grabs the equipment, puts it in his bag, and walks out the door.

Scenario 2

On his way out to his car one day, Josh notices some electronic equipment lying in the middle of the parking lot. He looks around. The only explanation he can think of is that it fell out of the truck that comes around to pick up the recyclables. He walks over to the equipment. He notices that he can use the equipment for a project he has going on at home (he's building a robot for his 8 year old son). To his mind the equipment is abandoned property. His company's theft-policy does not explicitly state anything about abandoned property in the parking lot. He picks the equipment up and takes it home.

Scenario 3

On his way out of the warehouse one day, Josh notices a pallet of electronic equipment that is waiting to be taken out to the recycling bin. His supervisor is standing beside the pallet, filling out some paperwork. Josh spies some equipment that he can use on a project he has going on at home (he's building a robot for his 8 year old son). Josh explains his situation to his supervisor, and asks if he can take the equipment home. After making a quick call to his manager, Josh's supervisor tells him it would be okay on this one instance. Josh takes the equipment home.

Describe what are two factual similarities between scenario 1 and scenario 2?

What are two factual dissimilarities between scenario 1 and scenario 2?

Explain what are two factual similarities between scenario 2 and scenario 3?

Show what are two factual dissimilarities between scenario 2 and scenario 3?

Is it wrong for Josh to pick up the electronic equipment and take it home? Is this a case of theft? provide reasons to support your conclusion.