Analyzing Ethically Dubious Employee Conduct at Allied Tech

This report analyzes the ethically dubious employee conduct list developed by Brenda Franklin at Allied Tech. It evaluates the different ethical issues in the dubious employee conduct list using the utilitarian and the Kantian perspectives. The report covers issues such as taking office supplies home for personal use, using the telephone for personal long-distance phone calls, making personal copies on the office machine, charging the postage on personal mail to the company, making non-business trips in a company car, spending much on a company business trip, using the office computer for personal use, calling in sick when needing personal time, and taking half the afternoon off when assigned duties outside the office.

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Executive Summary
The management is required to focus on business ethics in accomplishing the intended
production objectives in the market. The evaluation of the moral and ethical beliefs of the
targeted community assists in developing proper policies for the company. The policies
implemented by a company are required to provide a steady flow of production process.

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Analysis...........................................................................................................................................4
Taking office supplies home for your personal use.....................................................................5
Using the telephone for personal long-distance phone calls........................................................5
Making personal copies on the office machine............................................................................5
Charging the postage on your personal mail to the company......................................................6
Making non-business trips in a company car...............................................................................6
Spending much on a company business trip................................................................................6
Using your office computer for personal use...............................................................................7
Calling in sick when you need personal time..............................................................................7
Taking half the afternoon off when assigned duties outside the office.......................................7
Directing company business to vendors who are friends or relatives..........................................8
Providing preferential service to some corporate customers.......................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
Recommendations............................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
The focus on ethics in the workplace assists a company to deal with issues in the
industry. The management and staffs are expected to identify the problems in the workplace in
developing work policies that will increase the organizational culture. The organizational culture
refers to the behaviors of individuals at work which impacts the performance level of the
company (Carlos Pinho et al. 2014). It is necessary for the leaders to implement plans to make
sure that the organizational culture in the company positively influences the profit margin of the
business. According to Zhu (2015) focus on honesty and integrity in the workplace is used by the
management in developing an organizational culture that incorporates ethics in production
activities. The modeling of behaviors should consider the business ethics and moral beliefs of the
targeted community assists in acquiring a high reputation. The focus on ethical behaviors in the
workplace is used in acquiring a proper flow in the specific industry (Crane & Matten 2016). The
management is required to understand people in developing plans that will enhance the
productivity of the business.
Brenda Franklin identified that there were cases of unethical behavior in Allied Tech
which negatively influences the performance of the company. Having worked for the company
for eight years, Brenda had discovered dishonesty behavior in the company due to the friendly
work environment. The friendly work environment is meant to increase the motivation level of
employees. The employees are not supposed to take advantage of the friendly working
conditions to practice unethical behaviors in the workplace (Trevino & Nelson 2016). The
misuse of company resource is evident by employees of Allied Tech due to the excessive
friendly environment provided by the management. Brenda Franklin developed a list of ethically

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dubious employee conduct at Allied Tech. The report's aim is analyzing the ethically dubious
employee conduct list developed by Brenda Franklin.
Analysis
The qualitative research is used in developing proper competing arguments,
interpretations and solutions to ethical issues in the Allied Tech workplace. Scholarly sources are
used in developing proper arguments to the issues in the company. According to McLeod (2017),
qualitative research is used by the management in acquiring the desired information about
behavior through accurate interpretation of events. The utilitarian and the Kantian perspectives
will be used to evaluate the different ethical issues in the dubious employee conduct list. Broad
(2014), states that the utilitarian theory indicates that the action is termed right or wrong based
on the consequences to the individual or the organization. The Kantian theory focuses on the
ability of an individual to perform the assigned duty without evaluating the consequences of
actions taken by an individual (Louden 2014). The evaluation will provide proper information
whether the actions in the list by Brenda influences the ability to perform the duties and evaluate
the consequences of the actions. The employees are required to focus on actions that positively
contribute to the business progress in the market for the achievement of the short-term and long-
term goals. The evaluation of duties and consequences assists in determining whether the action
taken by an employee is ethical or unethical.
Taking office supplies home for your personal use
It is a behavior of some staffs to take some office staff for home consumption which is an
unethical practice. The behavior negatively impacts the performance of the company due to the
increased cost of production from the products taken by staffs for home consumption. It is

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necessary for HRM to focus on a working environment which respects the office equipment to
reduce cases of a breakdown in the production process (Bratton & Gold 2017). The HRM ability
to deal with issues in the market is based on the working conditions implemented by the
management. The friendly working conditions are anticipated to add to the improved flow of the
company performance. Duties at the friendly working environment are properly stated to reduce
cases of people taking office equipment for personal use. An increase in taking office supplies
home for personal use is addressed through a formal communication such as a memo to provide
a constant flow of business operations (Ingre& Basil 2016). The staffs are expected to develop a
habit of respecting the office supplies to reduce inconveniences in the production process. Allied
Tech is unethical by taking office supplies home for personal use as it adversely influences the
production process of the company.
Using the telephone for personal long-distance phone calls
The Allied Tech employees have a habit of using the office telephone to make long
distance calls. The habit is aimed at ensuring that there is cost saving to the staff by using the
company telephone for personal purposes. It is unethical for an individual to make personal long-
distance calls that do not positively impact the performance of the company. It is recommendable
for employees to develop a habit that will increase the market share of the business (Rees &
Smith 2017). The company is unable to effectively estimate the cost incurred in different
activities when there is staff using the office telephone to make personal calls. It is necessary for
the HRM to focus on a survey in identifying the issues that are happening in the workplace
(Cdu.edu.au, 2018). The workplace surveys will assist the management in discovering that there
are individuals using the office telephone for personal use which is unethical. In dealing with the

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issues, the HRM is required to offer warnings to individuals with habits of using the office
telephone for personal use as it reduces the performance level of the business.
Making personal copies on the office machine
The abuse of photocopy machine is when there are people that use the machine to make
personal copies. The exercise negatively affects the productivity of the company due to the use
of company equipment for personal purposes and reduced time to work. Employees are required
to follow the set work policies in providing a constant improvement of competitive edge of the
business (Shields et al. 2015). The office hours are supposed to be used to perform duties that are
increasing the value of the company. It is unethical for an individual to use the office machine to
make personal copies as it increases the production cost. The expenses of the business will
appear to rise due to the habit of individuals using the photocopy machine ineffectively.
According to Bester (2018), it is essential for HRM to prioritize protecting the office
infrastructure towards the accomplishment of the preferred production. The supervisors are
required to be proactive in identifying cases of misuse of office infrastructure as it reduces the
performance of the company. It is necessary for the management to investigate, consult other
employees, determine the sanction plan and take disciplinary actions against employees that are
found misusing office equipment (Bester, 2018).
Charging the postage on your personal mail to the company
The personal and company information is supposed to be properly managed towards the
accomplishment of the intended production level. The evaluation of business performance is
used by the management in determining the need for change in the workplace (Chapman &
Hewitt-dundas 2016). Allied Tech-friendly working environment has led to some employees
charging the personal postage mail to the company. The tendency is aimed at ensuring that there

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is cost saving to the individual while the company incurs unnecessary extra costs. The
management is required to evaluate the duties of employees in developing plans that will
enhance the productivity in the specific industry. According to Kellogg Company (2013), the
values implemented by the management are supposed to provide the reason for practice and the
why it matters for the company. It will be possible to deal with the issue of charging personal
mail to the company as the staffing values will guide the operations of the company. According
to Weimer and Vining (2017), the employees following the staff values are able to acquire the
intended personal and corporate goals in the market.
Making non-business trips in a company car
The company car is required to be used by staff to perform duties that are adding value to
the company for sustainable performance in the market. It is necessary for the employees to
develop a habit of properly using the company car to reduce the cost incurred by the company
(Ottman 2017). Allied Tech employees use the company cars for personal trips with the
maintenance cost being catered for by the company. This habit is unethical due to the inability of
achieving the desired production level in the market. The utilitarian evaluates the consequences
of undertaking a particular action in the workplace. Utilitarian requires employees to focus on
actions that will boost the success of the business through the activities performed by staff
(Crane and Matten 2016). The using of a company car for non-business trips does not add value
to the company thus ethical practice. Allied Tech is unable to acquire the optimal production
level in the market due to the expenses incurred when employees use company cars for non-
business trips. The company cars should be used to increase the number coverage of staff to the
market for enhanced competitiveness in the market.

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Spending much on a company business trip
The company expenditure is supposed to be controlled in acquiring the desired long-term
productivity in the industry. A productive company aims at reducing the expenditure of
employees to make sure that the activities by the staffs contribute to the growth of the company.
Kantian perspectives of ethics require an individual to perform tasks that will be right to the
different stakeholders in the company. The excessive expenditure of employees during business
trips has a bad impact on the other stakeholders of the company. On business trips staffs stay in
the most expensive hotel, take taxis when you could walk, include wine as food on your expense
tab and take your spouse along at company expense. The activities are unethical and immoral as
the company is required to cater for expenses that can be avoided by the staffs. According to
Fernandez and Moldogaziev (2015), it is necessary for the HRM to develop plans that will
empower employees to discover that the positive performance of the company is good for
personal development.
Using your office computer for personal use
The company assets are supposed to serve the purposes that are beneficial to the business
progress. Allied Tech has employees that use office computers for personal use such as to shop
online, trade stocks and view pornography or email friends on company time. Kant theory
requires individuals to follow set values regardless of personal interests to ensure that there is
ethics in production (Chang, Davis & Kauffman 2015). The use of personal computers for
personal purposes is unethical as it does not meet the values of the company of improving
performance using the office assets. The office assets are supposed to be protected from illegal
use by the employees to reduce the negative reputation of the company. The personal activities
performed by staffs on office computers may lead to increased cases of cybercrime in the

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organization. The management should authorize office assets for business purposes in reducing
the cases of misuse and theft of the assets (Prometric.com, 2018). Allied Tech staffs are required
to have adequate knowledge regarding the use of company funds and assets in reducing cases of
misuse in the company.
Calling in sick when you need personal time
The staff is required to have a proper understanding of the duties assigned in the business
for smooth operations. Allied Tech employees have developed a habit of calling in sick when
one needs personal time. The HRM is expected to develop a strategy that is highly flexible that
will effectively deal with work-life balance (Loretto&Vickerstaff 2015). The Allied Tech-
friendly working condition is an indication that the staff is provided with time to deal with
personal duties. Proper planning is needed by the staffs in acquiring proper progress that will
maximize the profits from production. The planning processes are required to provide the
employees with a proper timetable to follow in dealing with personal and work tasks. The control
of functions and duties of staffs is used by the management in ensuring that there is cost saving
during production. According to Brennan (2015), Ryanair has developed a policy of no charging
in the workplace to ensure that there is improved cost saving in the company. Allied Tech
management is expected to develop a policy that will reduce cases of people falling sick when
they need personal time as it reduces the productivity of the company.
Taking half the afternoon off when assigned duties outside the office
It is essential for the management to provide the employees with the set staffing policies
that control business operations in the market. The utilitarian and the Kantian perspectives of
ethics require an individual to follow the set regulations. The regulations are supposed to be
moral and ethical for a proper outcome to the community. Staffs are required to identify the need

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for following the set regulation to reduce confusion and errors in the production process (De
Menezes&Kelliher 2017). Allied Tech employees have acquired an unethical practice of taking
the afternoon off when assigned duties outside the office. The behavior negatively influences the
progress of the business towards a sustainable competitive edge in the market. The taking
afternoon off reduces the number of hours that staff works making it hard to accomplish the
intended personal and corporate objectives. The Fair Work Act is used in Australia to provide
necessary information to the staff of the rights and obligation in the workplace (Australia.gov.au,
2018). The employees are required to have a proper understanding of the ways to get leave from
the HRM considering the national and company policies.
Directing company business to vendors who are friends or relatives
The suppliers of the company are supposed to focus on mutual benefits with the company
for a strong relationship. Allied Tech directs company business to vendors who are friends or
relatives negatively impacts the performance of the business. The Kantian perspective of ethics is
that people are supposed to follow universal standards aims at ensuring that there are
transparency and fairness in business operations (Louden 2014). An organization is required to
focus on ensuring that there is fairness in dealing with vendors towards a constant flow of
business operations. An organization is able to maximize production by developing plans that are
highly accepted in the market. A positive reputation of the company is achieved when there is
proper assigning of tenders to vendors (Erasmus Beyers et al. 2016). The tendering process is
supposed to consider the quality of raw materials provided by the vendors in enhancing the
performance of the business.

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Providing preferential service to some corporate customers
The customer service is a vital aspect of a company to obtain the preferred productivity in
the industry. Employees providing preferential service to some corporate customers who have
taken them out to lunch lead to a poor reputation of the company. It is crucial for a business to
consider developing a positive reputation in the targeted market in acquiring the desired
production level in the market (Han, Nguyen & Lee 2015). The special services to some
customers are widely noticed by the other customers thus reduces the royalty to the company.
Proper customer service management is used by the company in acquiring the intended market
share in the industry. Quality services are required to be offered to all consumers without any
form of discrimination towards an accomplishment of the production objectives. Utilitarian
theory indicates that the results determine whether the activity is ethical or unethical. The
consequences of preferential services to some customers are reduced trust in the market which
reduces sales volume. The sales volume of a company is increased through a suitable customer
service management and quality services. The customer service management is mandated to
evaluate the inquiries and complaints of customers in developing quality products
(Khodakarami& Chan 2014). Proper assessment of the customer feedback is used in developing
products that are widely accepted in the market. The act of favoring some customers due to the
gifts provided reduces the customer base of the company.
Conclusion
It is evident that business ethics is needed in the workplace towards the accomplishment
of the desired production objective in the market. Allied Tech employees have dubious conduct
that negatively impacts the growth of the business. The employees of the company take
advantage of the friendly working environment to exploit company funds, equipment and time.

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Utilitarian and the Kantian perspectives of ethics used in the report indicate that the activities in
the list made by Brenda are unethical practices thus bad influence to company progress. It is
necessary for the HRM to focus on the dubious employee conduct in ensuring that there is the
accomplishment of the long-term goals of production.
Recommendations
The employee performance directly impacts the progress of the business in the targeted
market. It is necessary for the HRM to focus on staffing policies that will enhance the production
level in the market. The dubious employee conduct in Allied Tech can be handled through the
focus on staffing policies implemented by the HRM. According to Riley (2014), work policies
are supposed to control and coordinate business operations towards the accomplishment of the
production objectives. Staffing policies implemented by the HRM are required to consider the
list by Brenda in ensuring that there is enhanced productivity by employees. The management of
company assets and funds is necessary through the development of proper internal accounting
systems. The employees should be accountable for the funds and assets of the company to reduce
the cases of misuse in the company. The policies will provide an organizational culture that is
focused on enhancing the competitiveness of the company in the targeted market.

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