Ethics question?

Question

Imagine you are a manager at Boeing and have just returned from a 1/2 day refresher ethics course. This is only one of many actions that Boeing has taken to reinforce its commitment to high ethical standards following charges that three employees had stolen thousands of documents from a direct competitor. In the aftermath Boeing lost $1 billion in satellite and rocket contracts and was not allowed to bid on similar government contracts for 90 days. In an open letter appearing as a full page ad in a major newspaper, the CEO stated that "Boeing has worked very hard to justify its reputation. However, we are a large organization, and we are not always perfect." What do you tell your employees who ask about the letter/ad? What do you tell your family and friends who asked about it? What if you were called upon to comment publicly about this situation? What would you do?

Answer 1

Tell the truth.

Answer 2

Personally I agree with what he said.... it seems like just common sense. In any profession, there will be people who do not live up to the code of ethics generally acceptable in Society. It is the same in all realms of Society. There are crooked doctors, there are crooked soldiers, there are crooked police officers, just as much as their are unethical people in any profession.

Your job, or really everyone's job, the way I see it anyhow, is to be the best person you can be and live your private, public, and work life following whatever code of ethics, morals and values you have put in place for yourself. I don't believe ethics can be taught in a course, they're an innate characteristic and no matter how much Boeing tries to "teach" ethics, there will always be those who stray from what Society considers the norm.

Somebody at Boeing made an inappropriate move, and obviously the management needs to be watchful at all times, however sometimes errors occur.

Answer 3

This is pretty simple really.
When ever Large Corperations and there leaders are found to be involved in wrong doing the first thing they always do is to try to institute a form of damage control for the other employees that were not involved in the wrong doing. It is a little comical in fact that they will spend millions of dollars to convince the public and there own employees that all is well.
This happens in every major corperation in America, EVERYONE, none are without blame at some level.
The problem comes when managment will bring all ther top level executives and mid level managers in and give them the highlights of the problem and then threaten them all and explin there policys on corperate espionage and what will happen if anyone is caught.
The problem occurs when the workers on the floor only get bits and pieces of the true story and have to speculate as to the true nature of the problem and the rumor mill goes into affect.
Then the Media gets the story and it then is on the minds of everyone employed by the company and everyone wants answers as to what happened.
The Fact of the matter is there are probably only a hand full of personel that know all of the facts. Then everyone that is an employee is left to try to explain what they know about the incident, as they are continually grilled from evryone in the community, because you work there they take it for granted that you have an in and know all about it. When in fact you probably haven't got a clue to the entire story.
My responce would be.
Under the circumstances the information that has come to light about the recent events is sketchy at best and for anyone to speculate as to the facts of the situation at this time would be just that speculation.
The company has in place the individuals to answer any inquiries. I am sorry I am not privy to any of the information that you seek, I suggest you contact those in a posotion to answer your questions in depth. I personally do not have the answers you seek. I would also quess that these answers are only known by a very select few, and for us to respond would only be pure speculation at this time.
See, I told you it was easy.
Don

Answer 4

Depending on your position in the company you need to be sure you are authorized to speak about the problem publicly. And find out how the company wishes you to handle the response. If you are a low level, by the hour, you could safely state the company policy per the open letter and be safe. Sounds like the company is working out a problem and they do not need someone spouting possible verbal poison.

Answer 5

just say that it is very understandable that large corporations have ethics problems, some that can include a competitor's trade secrets. say boeing could be doing much, much worse, ethics wise. and also state that boeing's employees cannot be judged as a whole, for the actions of a few.

Answer 6

With regards to public announcements, the company will have a statement and position decided upon after consultation with lawyers and public relations personel.

What you tell your family in the "privacy" of your own home is up to you and you own morall center.

I dont really know anything about this particular incident, but I find it unlikely that employees would risk corporate espionage without the full approval and blessing of the company.

Answer 7

I would tell them that despite the fierce competition in this field, some people lost sight of the ethicl standards and broke the law.

The company bears ultimate responsibility for this action and felt that a refresher course into proper actions is called for.

As to publically commenting, that is referred to the media contact

Answer 8

Everyone has great answers here! It is probably not your place to say anything on the record, I would state that. You and your employees know if you are doing anything unethical. You can only comment on things you know as a FACT.

Answer 9

Tell them to call the public relations department

Answer 10

Is this your situation?
my, You've done well to become a manager at the global leading aircraft manufacturer...