Question

Robin, a middle management employee at a large, publicly traded company, becomes aware of accounting irregularities in financial reports (which are used internally and which also form the basis for the required filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as local and state regulators) submitted by his boss, Brooke, which suggest that Brooke has diverted $10,000.00 to the company's sustainability initiative rather than distributing the funds to the purchasing department budget as intended. The sustainability initiative has facilitated major improvements in local water quality standards and, as a result, the overall health of the community has markedly increased, at a sizeable savings of medical costs (approximately $50,000.00 in medical savings.) ​​What should Robin do? First, identify the issue or issues that are raised by this factual scenario. Second, identify the individuals or groups who might have an interest in this problem,

Answer 1

Answer:

The given scenario highlights that Mr. B has submitted a financial report which possess some irregularities. According to the budget Mr. B has to provide the finance to the purchase department rather than the facilitating department. Even though the facilitating department is operating successfully, it is unethical to divert the finance to the other department rather than to the specified one.

Thinking ethically, Mr. R who is operating in the middle management of the organization has the responsibility to report this unethical act for the proper operations of the organization. Some of the individuals or positions who can be interested in this problem can be the Human resource manager or the public relations manager who can handle the issue in a diplomatic manner. As a middle manager he can also highlight the issue to the account team and also to his direct manager.

Mr. R can face the legal implications as he is misusing his authority. It is legally punishable If someone one in the managerial position is misusing his authority.

One of the ethical models which can be applied here can be Utilitarianism. This model suggests that the action will be considered as good if the result or the outcome is good. According to this model if the diversion of the finance to the sustainability initiative produces good results for the company then it can be considered as a right act rather than considering unethical.

Next ethical model can be the moral relativism. According to this model the people from outside circle cannot judge the activities of the people considering ethical or unethical. Here Mr. B is the boss of Mr. R who is the top manager of the organization. He can posses some strategies and authorities to make the operations of the organization sustainable. Hence Mr. R may not hold the right to judge his actions.

When making decision regarding the present scenario, Mr. R should consider both the ethical models. If the outcome is good and the manager is having the authority to make critical decisions like mentioned in the scenario then the activity cannot be considered as unethical.

Considering the scenario and the ethical models the middle manager Mr. R can conduct a research for identifying the outcome of Mr. B’s action. If he identifies good outcome then he can leave the issue. If there is any personal interest for MR. B and not positive outcome for the company then he can highlight this issue.

Explanation: