Frontspiece
Introduction
Literature
Foundations
Methods
Results
Discussion
References
Appendices


APPENDIX A

Please tear off this page and keep it as your record of our agreement
and as your contact information for future reference.


Standard Ethics Protocol
Informed Consent

Research Project: This research is being conducted by Jim Lyttle, a doctoral candidate in the department of Organizational Behavior at the Schulich School of Business. This work will form part of his dissertation, under the supervision of Professor Ronald J. Burke. Jim is interested in discovering which type of business ethics training is the most effective for which type of people.

Your participation: You will be asked to sign this form, to try your hand at solving some mini-cases, to listen to Lockheed Martin's assessment of the answers, and to answer some questions about the experience and a little bit about yourself. In particular, you will be asked about your sense of humor, which has been shown to be a good indicator of the type of person who benefits from this type of training. Afterwards, details of the research and preliminary results will be discussed.

Confidentiality: No identifying information will be kept with this packet. The following page, which has your name on it, will be removed from the packet and stored separately. Only aggregate results will be reported, and detailed records will only be available to other researchers, who may want to replicate this work.

Benefits & Harms: This activity has been designed to deliver the full benefit of the training to each participant. There are four versions of the activity, which are cosmetically different, but which have exactly the same cases and multiple-choice answer sets. No harm is likely to occur, except that you may feel uneasy about answering some of these questions without having much time for reflection.

Your rights: Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary. You may decline to participate, or you may decide to discontinue your participation at any time. You may refuse to answer any question at any time. If you have concerns, or second thoughts about your participation in this research, you are invited to contact York University's Office of Research Administration at Room S414 (Ross Building) or (416) 736-5055, or to contact the primary researcher at the address below.

Jim Lyttle
Apartment 1122
2 Assiniboine Road
Toronto, ON M3J 1L1
(416) 650-3968
jlyttle@ssb.yorku.ca

Please sign and date this copy of the form, and leave it attached to the rest of the packet. It will be removed later, and stored separately, so your answers can never be identified. I have read the above, and understand that I can refuse to answer any question at any time. I have received a copy of this notice with information on how to contact York University's Office of Research Administration, and the primary researcher, in case I have questions.


APPENDIX B

1. If you worked for Lockheed Martin, and had to make a decision on an ethical issue, who would you likely contact for advice? Please circle a number for each choice.

    Very
Unlikely
      Very
Likely
your manager   1 2 3 4 5
your co-workers   1 2 3 4 5
the ethics office   1 2 3 4 5
friends and family   1 2 3 4 5
the ethics help line   1 2 3 4 5
the legal department   1 2 3 4 5

2. Given what you know about the Lockheed Martin company, which of these words do you think apply to it? Please circle a number for each choice.

    Does Not
Apply
      Applies
Very Well
successful   1 2 3 4 5
serious   1 2 3 4 5
ethical   1 2 3 4 5
caring   1 2 3 4 5
fun   1 2 3 4 5



In this learning activity, you will be analyzing ethics case studies. Here are two cases
you can try for practice. Please circle the letter next to the one answer that you think is best.


3. One of your company's suppliers is having problems supplying your company. When you inform the supplier's management, they offer to employ you as a consultant over the next few weekends to help them correct the problem giving you a chance to earn some needed money. What should you do?

a) Accept the supplier's offer because, after all, you're doing the work on your own time and you will be helping your company obtain a better product.
b) Seek permission from your manager before accepting the offer.
c) Inform your management after you have completed the consulting assignment.
d) Turn down the offer, but be sure to let your manager know about it.

4. A gyroscope is a sensitive and delicate instrument that helps space vehicles navigate. As an hourly worker, you observe the stockroom manager drop a very expensive one on the stockroom floor, pick it up and replace it on the shelf along with the other (good) gyroscopes. He then walks away. What do you do?

a) Do nothing, because it's none of your business.
b) Politely confront the manager and ask, Shouldn't that be reinspected?
c) Report the incident to your manager or the quality manager.
d) Report the incident to the Ethics HelpLine.



In this section, I am interested in learning about your appreciation of humor. For each
of the six questions, please circle the letter corresponding to the one best answer.


5. Do you easily recognize a hint, like a twinkle in the eye, or a slight change in emphasis, as a mark of humorous intent?

a) very easily
b) somewhat easily
c) somewhat sluggishly
d) very sluggishly

6. Would it be easy for you to find something comical, witty, or humorous in most situations if you really tried?

a) very easy
b) somewhat easy
c) somewhat difficult
d) very difficult

7. Would you say that you have much cause for amusement during an ordinary day?

a) very much
b) somewhat
c) little
d) very little

8. Persons who are always out to be funny are really irresponsible types, not to be relied upon.

a) strongly disagree
b) disagree
c) agree
d) strongly agree

9. Humorists irritate me because they so blatantly revel in getting others to laugh.

a) strongly disagree
b) disagree
c) agree
d) strongly agree

10. It is my impression that those who try to be funny, really do it to hide their lack of self-confidence.

a) strongly disagree
b) disagree
c) agree
d) strongly agree



In this section, I am interested in learning about your production of humor. For each
of the six questions, please circle the letter corresponding to the one best answer.


11. How often do you try to be funny by clowning around or 'acting funny' in some way?

a) rarely
b) two or three times a week
c) once or twice a day
d) three or four times a day
e) more than four times a day

12. How often do you try to be funny by telling jokes or stories that you remember?

a) rarely
b) two or three times a week
c) once or twice a day
d) three or four times a day
e) more than four times a day

13. How often do you use puns in an attempt to create your own humor?

a) rarely
b) two or three times a week
c) once or twice a day
d) three or four times a day
e) more than four times a day

14. How often do you come up with witty remarks other than puns to create your own humor?

a) rarely
b) two or three times a week
c) once or twice a day
d) three or four times a day
e) more than four times a day

15. I am usually the one who puns and tells jokes or funny anecdotes in a social situation.

a) strongly disagree
b) disagree
c) neither agree nor disagree
d) agree
e) strongly agree

16. I am usually the one who clowns around (acting sully or funny) in a social situation.

a) strongly disagree
b) disagree
c) neither agree nor disagree
d) agree
e) strongly agree



In this section, I am interested in learning about your utilization of humor.
For each of the first six questions, please circle the letter corresponding to the best answer.


17. I often lose my sense of humor when I'm having problems at work.

a) strongly disagree
b) mildly disagree
c) mildly agree
d) strongly agree

18. I have often found that my problems at work have been greatly reduced when I tried to find something funny in them.

a) strongly disagree
b) mildly disagree
c) mildly agree
d) strongly agree

19. I usually look for something comical to say when I am in tense situations at work.

a) strongly disagree
b) mildly disagree
c) mildly agree
d) strongly agree

20. I have often felt that if I am in a situation at work where I have to either cry or laugh, it's better to laugh.

a) strongly disagree
b) mildly disagree
c) mildly agree
d) strongly agree

21. I can usually find something to laugh or joke about at work even in trying situations.

a) strongly disagree
b) mildly disagree
c) mildly agree
d) strongly agree

22. It has been my experience that humor is often a very effective way of coping with work-related problems.

a) strongly disagree
b) mildly disagree
c) mildly agree
d) strongly agree


23. Please circle a number for each of the following choices. If you have not seen Dilbert cartoons, please circle 1 for choice a), and then go on to the next section.

    Disagree
Strongly
      Agree
Strongly
I have seen Dilbert cartoons   1 2 3 4 5
I find Dilbert cartoons funny   1 2 3 4 5
I agree with Dilbert's ideas   1 2 3 4 5



Listed below are a number of brief statements about personal attitudes and traits. Please
read each one briefly, and decide if you think that it is true or false as it pertains to you personally.


24. It is sometimes hard for me to go on with my work if I am not encouraged.

a) True
b) False

25. I sometimes feel resentful when I don't get my way.

a) True
b) False

26. On a few occasions I have given up doing something because I thought too little of my ability.

a) True
b) False

27. There have been times when I felt like rebelling against people in authority even though I knew they were right.

a) True
b) False

28. No matter who I'm talking to, I'm always a good listener.

a) True
b) False

29. There have been occasions when I took advantage of someone.

a) True
b) False

30. I'm always willing to admit it when I make a mistake.

a) True
b) False

31. I sometimes try to get even rather than forgive and forget.

a) True
b) False

32. I am always courteous, even to people who are disagreeable.

a) True
b) False

33. I have never been irked when people expressed ideas very different from my own.

a) True
b) False

34. There have been times when I was quite jealous of the good fortune of others.

a) True
b) False

35. I am sometimes irritated by people who ask favors of me.

a) True
b) False

36. I have never deliberately said something that hurt someone's feelings.

a) True
b) False



APPENDIX C


CASE ONE



You work in a purchasing department and have been asked to select a vendor for an upcoming purchase. One of the competing companies is owned by your manager's spouse. Your manager told you that she wants you to make the decision all on your own, and to take care not to give any extra consideration to her husband's bid. In your judgment, the husband's bid has the best value. How are you going to handle this?



a) Select the husband's bid and make the purchase.

b) Talk to the Legal Department.

c) Tell your manager you're uncomfortable making this decision without first discussing it with the Ethics Office.

d) Select the second best bid and make the purchase.

Try to break up the marriage.




CASE TWO



Employees in the department have noticed that your supervisor spends a good portion of his day doing homework for a company-sponsored college course. He also spends a significant amount of time making phone calls that they suspect are personal, and may be made at company expense. What should you do?



a) Tell the employees to just do their work and mind their own business.

b) Tell the employees that you don't want to risk your job by becoming involved.

c) Suggest that your fellow employees contact the Ethics Officer or another company official.

d) Raise the issue directly with your supervisor.

Make your personal calls from his telephone. He has a lot of explaining to do, anyway.




CASE THREE



A co-worker at a defense plant signed up for a training course. You know he did not attend the course, nor was he at work. How do you handle the situation?



a) It's none of your business, so stay out of it.

b) Speak to your supervisor about the co-worker's absence.

c) Send a letter to the company Ethics Office.

d) Speak to your colleague about this discrepancy and see what his explanation is.

At the next staff meeting, ask him to share his key learnings with the group.




CASE FOUR



Company rules prohibit the exchange of gifts over $50. A marketing manager at your company has tickets to a charitable fund-raising event, which consists of a cocktail reception and a local high school glee club performance. The actual value of the food, drinks and entertainment is probably under $20, but the face value of the ticket is $200. Is it permissible to give tickets to this event to a prospective customer?



a) No because the face value of the tickets exceeds $50.

b) Yes, because the actual value of the tickets is probably under $50.

c) Maybe so confer with your Ethics Officer, to determine whether the gift is permissible or not.

d) Yes, you can give the tickets to the perspective customer, but must report the difference between
the actual value and the face value as a charitable contribution from the company.

Yes, because the customer will be bored out of his mind and torture isn't considered a business courtesy.




CASE FIVE



When a particular male supervisor talks to any female employee, he always addresses her as Sweetie. You have overheard him use this term several times. As the supervisor's manager, what should you do?



a) Nothing, since no one has complained.

b) Talk to the supervisor and explain that, while he may have only good intentions, his use of Sweetie could be offensive to employees and must stop.

c) Order the supervisor to call an all-hands meeting to discuss the company policy on sexual harassment.

d) At the next staff meeting, remind all supervisors of their obligation to maintain a professional work environment, free of discrimination or harassment of any kind.

Suggest to the supervisor that he use the term Snookums.




CASE SIX



You are aware that a fellow employee uses drugs on the job. A friend encourages you to confront the person instead of informing the supervisor. What do you do?



a) You speak to the alleged user and encourage him to get help.

b) You elect to tell your supervisor that you suspect an employee is using drugs on the job.

c) You confront the alleged user and tell him either to quit using drugs or you will turn him in.

d) Report the matter to the Ethics Office, Human Resources, and Security.

When you talk to that co-worker omit every other word and pretend nothing is wrong.




APPENDIX D


CASE ONE



You work in a purchasing department and have been asked to select a vendor for an upcoming purchase. One of the competing companies is owned by your manager's spouse. Your manager told you that she wants you to make the decision all on your own, and to take care not to give any extra consideration to her husband's bid. In your judgment, the husband's bid has the best value. How are you going to handle this?



a) Select the husband's bid and make the purchase.

b) Talk to the Legal Department.

c) Tell your manager you're uncomfortable making this decision without first discussing it with the Ethics Office.

d) Select the second best bid and make the purchase.

Try to break up the marriage.




CASE TWO



Employees in the department have noticed that your supervisor spends a good portion of his day doing homework for a company-sponsored college course. He also spends a significant amount of time making phone calls that they suspect are personal, and may be made at company expense. What should you do?



a) Tell the employees to just do their work and mind their own business.

b) Tell the employees that you don't want to risk your job by becoming involved.

c) Suggest that your fellow employees contact the Ethics Officer or another company official.

d) Raise the issue directly with your supervisor.

Make your personal calls from his telephone. He has a lot of explaining to do, anyway.




CASE THREE



A co-worker at a defense plant signed up for a training course. You know he did not attend the course, nor was he at work. How do you handle the situation?



a) It's none of your business, so stay out of it.

b) Speak to your supervisor about the co-worker's absence.

c) Send a letter to the company Ethics Office.

d) Speak to your colleague about this discrepancy and see what his explanation is.

At the next staff meeting, ask him to share his key learnings with the group.




CASE FOUR



Company rules prohibit the exchange of gifts over $50. A marketing manager at your company has tickets to a charitable fund-raising event, which consists of a cocktail reception and a local high school glee club performance. The actual value of the food, drinks and entertainment is probably under $20, but the face value of the ticket is $200. Is it permissible to give tickets to this event to a prospective customer?



a) No because the face value of the tickets exceeds $50.

b) Yes, because the actual value of the tickets is probably under $50.

c) Maybe so confer with your Ethics Officer, to determine whether the gift is permissible or not.

d) Yes, you can give the tickets to the perspective customer, but must report the difference between
the actual value and the face value as a charitable contribution from the company.

Yes, because the customer will be bored out of his mind and torture isn't considered a business courtesy.




CASE FIVE



When a particular male supervisor talks to any female employee, he always addresses her as Sweetie. You have overheard him use this term several times. As the supervisor's manager, what should you do?



a) Nothing, since no one has complained.

b) Talk to the supervisor and explain that, while he may have only good intentions, his use of Sweetie could be offensive to employees and must stop.

c) Order the supervisor to call an all-hands meeting to discuss the company policy on sexual harassment.

d) At the next staff meeting, remind all supervisors of their obligation to maintain a professional work environment, free of discrimination or harassment of any kind.

Suggest to the supervisor that he use the term Snookums.




CASE SIX



You are aware that a fellow employee uses drugs on the job. A friend encourages you to confront the person instead of informing the supervisor. What do you do?



a) You speak to the alleged user and encourage him to get help.

b) You elect to tell your supervisor that you suspect an employee is using drugs on the job.

c) You confront the alleged user and tell him either to quit using drugs or you will turn him in.

d) Report the matter to the Ethics Office, Human Resources, and Security.

When you talk to that co-worker omit every other word and pretend nothing is wrong.




APPENDIX E


CASE ONE



You work in a purchasing department and have been asked to select a vendor for an upcoming purchase. One of the competing companies is owned by your manager's spouse. Your manager told you that she wants you to make the decision all on your own, and to take care not to give any extra consideration to her husband's bid. In your judgment, the husband's bid has the best value. How are you going to handle this?



a) Select the husband's bid and make the purchase.

b) Talk to the Legal Department.

c) Tell your manager you're uncomfortable making this decision without first discussing it with the Ethics Office.

d) Select the second best bid and make the purchase.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE TWO



Employees in the department have noticed that your supervisor spends a good portion of his day doing homework for a company-sponsored college course. He also spends a significant amount of time making phone calls that they suspect are personal, and may be made at company expense. What should you do?



a) Tell the employees to just do their work and mind their own business.

b) Tell the employees that you don't want to risk your job by becoming involved.

c) Suggest that your fellow employees contact the Ethics Officer or another company official.

d) Raise the issue directly with your supervisor.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE THREE



A co-worker at a defense plant signed up for a training course. You know he did not attend the course, nor was he at work. How do you handle the situation?



a) It's none of your business, so stay out of it.

b) Speak to your supervisor about the co-worker's absence.

c) Send a letter to the company Ethics Office.

d) Speak to your colleague about this discrepancy and see what his explanation is.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE FOUR



Company rules prohibit the exchange of gifts over $50. A marketing manager at your company has tickets to a charitable fund-raising event, which consists of a cocktail reception and a local high school glee club performance. The actual value of the food, drinks and entertainment is probably under $20, but the face value of the ticket is $200. Is it permissible to give tickets to this event to a prospective customer?



a) No because the face value of the tickets exceeds $50.

b) Yes, because the actual value of the tickets is probably under $50.

c) Maybe so confer with your Ethics Officer, to determine whether the gift is permissible or not.

d) Yes, you can give the tickets to the perspective customer, but must report the difference between
the actual value and the face value as a charitable contribution from the company.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE FIVE



When a particular male supervisor talks to any female employee, he always addresses her as Sweetie. You have overheard him use this term several times. As the supervisor's manager, what should you do?



a) Nothing, since no one has complained.

b) Talk to the supervisor and explain that, while he may have only good intentions, his use of Sweetie could be offensive to employees and must stop.

c) Order the supervisor to call an all-hands meeting to discuss the company policy on sexual harassment.

d) At the next staff meeting, remind all supervisors of their obligation to maintain a professional work environment, free of discrimination or harassment of any kind.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE SIX



You are aware that a fellow employee uses drugs on the job. A friend encourages you to confront the person instead of informing the supervisor. What do you do?



a) You speak to the alleged user and encourage him to get help.

b) You elect to tell your supervisor that you suspect an employee is using drugs on the job.

c) You confront the alleged user and tell him either to quit using drugs or you will turn him in.

d) Report the matter to the Ethics Office, Human Resources, and Security.

I prefer not to answer this question.




APPENDIX F


CASE ONE



You work in a purchasing department and have been asked to select a vendor for an upcoming purchase. One of the competing companies is owned by your manager's spouse. Your manager told you that she wants you to make the decision all on your own, and to take care not to give any extra consideration to her husband's bid. In your judgment, the husband's bid has the best value. How are you going to handle this?



a) Select the husband's bid and make the purchase.

b) Talk to the Legal Department.

c) Tell your manager you're uncomfortable making this decision without first discussing it with the Ethics Office.

d) Select the second best bid and make the purchase.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE TWO



Employees in the department have noticed that your supervisor spends a good portion of his day doing homework for a company-sponsored college course. He also spends a significant amount of time making phone calls that they suspect are personal, and may be made at company expense. What should you do?



a) Tell the employees to just do their work and mind their own business.

b) Tell the employees that you don't want to risk your job by becoming involved.

c) Suggest that your fellow employees contact the Ethics Officer or another company official.

d) Raise the issue directly with your supervisor.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE THREE



A co-worker at a defense plant signed up for a training course. You know he did not attend the course, nor was he at work. How do you handle the situation?



a) It's none of your business, so stay out of it.

b) Speak to your supervisor about the co-worker's absence.

c) Send a letter to the company Ethics Office.

d) Speak to your colleague about this discrepancy and see what his explanation is.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE FOUR



Company rules prohibit the exchange of gifts over $50. A marketing manager at your company has tickets to a charitable fund-raising event, which consists of a cocktail reception and a local high school glee club performance. The actual value of the food, drinks and entertainment is probably under $20, but the face value of the ticket is $200. Is it permissible to give tickets to this event to a prospective customer?



a) No because the face value of the tickets exceeds $50.

b) Yes, because the actual value of the tickets is probably under $50.

c) Maybe so confer with your Ethics Officer, to determine whether the gift is permissible or not.

d) Yes, you can give the tickets to the perspective customer, but must report the difference between
the actual value and the face value as a charitable contribution from the company.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE FIVE



When a particular male supervisor talks to any female employee, he always addresses her as Sweetie. You have overheard him use this term several times. As the supervisor's manager, what should you do?



a) Nothing, since no one has complained.

b) Talk to the supervisor and explain that, while he may have only good intentions, his use of Sweetie could be offensive to employees and must stop.

c) Order the supervisor to call an all-hands meeting to discuss the company policy on sexual harassment.

d) At the next staff meeting, remind all supervisors of their obligation to maintain a professional work environment, free of discrimination or harassment of any kind.

I prefer not to answer this question.




CASE SIX



You are aware that a fellow employee uses drugs on the job. A friend encourages you to confront the person instead of informing the supervisor. What do you do?



a) You speak to the alleged user and encourage him to get help.

b) You elect to tell your supervisor that you suspect an employee is using drugs on the job.

c) You confront the alleged user and tell him either to quit using drugs or you will turn him in.

d) Report the matter to the Ethics Office, Human Resources, and Security.

I prefer not to answer this question.




APPENDIX G

In this section, you are asked about your reactions and a little bit about yourself.

37. In your opinion, which elements of this learning activity were entertaining? Please circle a number for each of the following choices.

    Not
Entertaining
      Very
Entertaining
the graphics   1 2 3 4 5
the facilitator   1 2 3 4 5
the mini-cases   1 2 3 4 5
the questionnaire   1 2 3 4 5
competing for scores   1 2 3 4 5
multiple-choice answers   1 2 3 4 5

38. If you worked for Lockheed Martin, and had to make a decision on an ethical issue, who would you likely contact for advice? Please circle a number for each choice.

    Very
Unlikely
      Very
Likely
your manager   1 2 3 4 5
your co-workers   1 2 3 4 5
the ethics office   1 2 3 4 5
friends and family   1 2 3 4 5
the ethics help line   1 2 3 4 5
the legal department   1 2 3 4 5

39. Given what you now know about the Lockheed Martin company, which of these words do you think apply to it? Please circle a number for each choice.

    Does Not
Apply
      Applies
Very Well
successful   1 2 3 4 5
serious   1 2 3 4 5
ethical   1 2 3 4 5
caring   1 2 3 4 5
fun   1 2 3 4 5

40. How many years have you worked

a) full-time?    _______

b) part-time?    _______

41. Are you presently employed?

a) full-time?    _______

b) part-time?    _______

42. How long have you lived in North America?    _______

43. What is your current age?    _______

44. Are you:

a) male?

b) female?


In this learning activity, you have been analyzing ethics case studies. Here are two cases
you can try for review. Please circle the letter next to the one answer that you think is best.


45. A co-worker is injured on the job. You are a witness, and what you saw reflects poorly on the company. What do you do?

a) Don't get involved.
b) Contact the injured co-worker and offer to testify on her behalf.
c) Report what you saw to the company.
d) Protect the company by refusing to testify as a witness for the injured person.

46. A close relative of yours plans to apply for a vacancy in the department which you head. That position does not report directly to you. Hearing of it, what do you say to him/her?

a) Glad to have you. Our organization always needs good people.
b) I am concerned about the appearance of favoritism.
c) It would be best if you did not work for me, giving the appearance of favoritism.
d) If you get the job, expect no special consideration from me.



Just for fun, let's see if you can now remember the answers that were provided
by Lockheed Martin and discussed during the learning activity, without looking back.


47. You work in a purchasing department and have been asked to select a vendor for an upcoming purchase. One of the competing companies is owned by your manager's spouse. Your manager told you that she wants you to make the decision all on your own, and to take care not to give any extra consideration to her husband's bid. In your judgment, the husband's bid has the best value. How are you going to handle this?

a) Select the husband's bid and make the purchase.
b) Talk to the Legal Department.
c) Tell your manager you're uncomfortable making this decision without first discussing it with the Ethics Office.
d) Select the second best bid and make the purchase.

48. Employees in the department have noticed that your supervisor spends a good portion of his day doing homework for a company-sponsored college course. He also spends a significant amount of time making phone calls that they suspect are personal, and may be made at company expense. What should you do?

a) Tell the employees to just do their work and mind their own business.
b) Tell the employees that you don't want to risk your job by becoming involved.
c) Suggest that your fellow employees contact the Ethics Officer or another company official.
d) Raise the issue directly with your supervisor.

49. A co-worker at a defense plant signed up for a training course. You know he did not attend the course, nor was he at work. How do you handle the situation?

a) It's none of your business, so stay out of it.
b) Speak to your supervisor about the co-worker's absence.
c) Send a letter to the company Ethics Office.
d) Speak to your colleague about this discrepancy and see what his explanation is.

50. Company rules prohibit the exchange of gifts over $50. A marketing manager at your company has tickets to a charitable fund-raising event, which consists of a cocktail reception and a local high school glee club performance. The actual value of the food, drinks and entertainment is probably under $20, but the face value of the ticket is $250. Is it permissible to give tickets to this event to a prospective customer?

a) No because the face value of the tickets exceeds $50.
b) Yes, because the actual value of the tickets is probably under $50.
c) Maybe so confer with your Ethics Officer, to determine whether the gift is permissible or not.
d) Yes, you can give the tickets to the perspective customer, but must report the difference between the actual value and the face value as a charitable contribution from the company.

51. When a particular male supervisor talks to any female employee, he always addresses her as Sweetie. You have overheard him use this term several times. As the supervisor's manager, what should you do?

a) Nothing, since no one has complained.
b) Talk to the supervisor and explain that, while he may have only good intentions, his use of Sweetie could be offensive to employees and must stop.
c) Order the supervisor to call an all-hands meeting to discuss the company policy on sexual harassment.
d) At the next staff meeting, remind all supervisors of their obligation to maintain a professional work environment, free of discrimination or harassment of any kind.

52. You are aware that a fellow employee uses drugs on the job. A friend encourages you to confront the person instead of informing the supervisor. What do you do?

a) You speak to the alleged user and encourage him to get help.
b) You elect to tell your supervisor that you suspect an employee is using drugs on the job.
c) You confront the alleged user and tell him either to quit using drugs or you will turn him in.
d) Report the matter to the Ethics Office, Human Resources, and Security.


53. What character do you think was depicted in the top right corner of the six case sheets?


Thank you for your participation!

© 2001, James Bruce Lyttle