Question

u with similar de Samantha are the interview and athy. Neither ding. The posi- ial salary is $55,000 think the job amantha have CASE STUDY ON ETHICS AND COMPETITORS Jennifer and Samantha both graduated recently with sir grees but from different universities. Jennifer and Samantha finalists for a position with Watergate Cosmetics. The intervie selection process has been particularly arduous and lengthy N. Tennifer nor Samantha has another serious offer pending. The tion is at the corporate headquarters and the initial salary is s plus a 25 percent add-on for living expenses. They both think the is perfect. Over the past few months, Jennifer and Samantha become good friends, and they actually thought the company mis hire both of them. This week Watergate Cosmetics asked both candidates to visit the corporate headquarters for final interviews. As it turns out, Waters can only make one offer. The night before the final interviews, Jennifer and Samantha meet for dinner. They both feel nervous and apprehen. sive. Each wishes the other good luck and they retire. Shortly thereafter, Samantha receives a phone call from Frank, the sponsor at Watergate. He goes over the final details for the next day. He did the same for Jennifer earlier, but Frank inadvertently lets it slip to Samantha that the CEO is on the interview schedule tomorrow. Frank also mentions that the CEO believes business is largely influenced by current events nationally and internationally and will likely raise the issue. Saman- tha hangs up the phone and makes a dash for the newsstand where she buys Time, Business Week, and the New York Times to study. On the way back to her room Samantha meets Jennifer. Discussion: 1. Is there an ethical dilemma here? 2. What should Samantha say to Jennifer? 3. What are Samantha's options? 4. Should Samantha raise the issue of Frank's added information when she meets the CEO? A FINAL THOUGHT As you conclude this study of effort

Answer 1

1. Yes, there is an ethical dilemma in the situation. Samantha has the knowledge of certain information about the final interview which might eventually help Jennifer as well. She can either choose to tell or not tell about the information to Jennifer. If she chooses not to inform then it can be said as ethically incorrect.

2. Samantha has received an important information from the company sponsor Frank that CEO is involved in the final interview process and hence Samantha can share this information with Jennifer when she meets her while her way back to room. She should also help Jennifer in making purchases of necessary books and magazines that she herself is purchasing.

3. She has the option to either inform Jennifer about the added information shared by Frank or just let it go and not inform her. Samantha, at this point is not aware that Jennifer has also received a call from frank or not and hence if she hides the fact that Frank called her and gave her some important information, it would be ethically wrong.

4. In my opinion, Samantha should not share such information with the CEO because Frank has mistakenly shared such information with Samantha and it was not intentional. Samantha just got a clue from Frank's talks that CEO is involved in the process and he expects something from the candidate. It is not essential to share such information with the CEO and it is not ethically wrong.