I recently read an article regarding the ethics of company perks. This is in regards to frequent flyer miles earned as part of company travel, the use of company resources (laptops, copier machines, etc), expense reports, etc. Unless you’re living under a rock, it most likely you have run into this situation, whether it be work or school.
There were a variety of ideas expressed in the article. The first was explicit direction from the company regarding the use of perks. In the cases that the company mandates certain behavior (such as turning in your airmiles) then to do otherwise is clearly unethical. To that end, the author recommends that companies create specific personnel directions. In the absence of directions it gets more tricky. The common problem is one of justification. If an employee travels during a weekend (their time) then are they justified in keeping the airmiles for themselves? What about offsetting some the travel time by leaving work a little early on a Friday? Where do you draw the line? What would Kant say?
Gifts are another issue. Walmart is notorious in its application of strict no gift rules. Even accepting a cup of coffee could be grounds for dismissal. What about a teacher working for a university? Can they accept an apple from a student? Notwithstanding the compensation issue of the Granny Smith, how will the acceptance of the gift be perceived by others? A cup of coffee might sound trivial, but what about a double grande cappuccino with sprinkles on top for all 10 members of the buying team?
The author recommends the use of the newspaper headline rule. If you would be comfortable having your actions be published as a headline in a newspaper, then the action is probably okay. Except for the most narcissistic among us, this will probably work. For those that are full of themselves there are websites that accept company purchase orders for $15,000 shower curtain rods.
My personal actions in regard to company ethics have been variable. I’ve been known to leave a little early on occasion after a trip and I have been known to enjoy a nice vendor supplied dinner (often with my boss at my side). During contract negotiations I’ve also been accused of having good ethics by those with whom I work, so my behaviors are somewhere in between. In relation to the case study of the oil field workers, I have an interesting situation somewhat similar. When traveling to our plant site in Taiwan, we travel business class per the company rule (greater than 8 hours). However, when our Asian colleagues travel to the US they travel in coach per the rule of their local boss who disregards the company rules. I feel terrible about this and the double standard is very evident. What are my responsibilities?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7274603.stm
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1 comment:
Malcomn, I have to agree that the case study on the oil rig was very unsettling, especially when followed by Rawles and Nozick.
We all experience these "nips and tucks" around inequities. To say something risks embarrassment for some, invites rationalization or discounts from others, breaks the "conspiracy of silence", etc.
Still, a good question to ask if, years from now, would you be pleased with your way of handling this disparity? Can you moderate the risks of passing on your uneasiness to circles of support who can align with you?
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