Do Now In your notebook:

◦ Think about an important ethical decision you’ve made in the last month

◦ Was it a difficult decision to make? Why or why not?

Unethical Business PracticesCan mean any of the following:oLying, offering substandard merchandise, or treating customers

unfairlyoExamples: False fund information, using company money for

miscellaneous purchases

Violating government regulations can lead to fines or prison sentences

Violating company code of ethics can lead to being fired or losing licenses

Adverse consequences exist, even if not caught in the unethical acto High prices, low qualityo Treating employees unfairly

Important Ethical QuestionsAsk yourself these questions when considering a questionable course of action:

oIs it against the law? Does it violate company or professional policy?

oWhat if everyone did this? How would I feel if someone did this to me?

oAm I sacrificing long-term benefits for short-term gains?

Businesses work best when there is mutual trust between buyers and sellers!

Your Own Ethical Questions

Formulate questions you would ask yourselves when making an ethical decision besides the ones already listed

Steps to Making Ethical Decisions

1. Identify the ethical dilemma2. Discover alternative actions3. Decide who might be

affected4. List the probable effects of each alternative

5. Select the best alternative

Try this scenario:

oYou’re an accounting clerk for a pizza place in town called De Lorenzo’s

oYour friend decides that she is opening another pizza place down the road called Papa’s

oShe asks you to share with her the expenses and sales of De Lorenzo’s

oWhat are the ethical issues in this situation? Is it against the law / company code of ethics? What should you do?

Your TurnCreate your own ethical dilemma in the workplace

• Switch dilemmas with another pair• Utilize the ethical decision-making steps to find a solution to the dilemma• Speak about solution with other pair and come to agreement/disagreement• Be prepared to discuss!

Class Discussion: Who should be held liable for an employee’s decision:• The employee, their superior, or both? Explain.

Closure• What are the pros and cons to acting ethically and the pros and cons to acting unethically?

• Did we meet our objectives?• Provide evidence for each