Business Essentials (BF10) Obj. 1.01

Behaving Ethically Means Doing

• only what's legal

• what benefits you the most

• what your friend's do

• the right thing

Answer explanation

The right thing. Being ethical means doing what’s right, no matter what. This doesn’t mean doing what benefits you the most or what your friends do. Doing only what’s legal isn’t enough because some activities may be legal but still unethical.

Whitley’s ethical beliefs are the same whether she’s at work, at school, or hanging out with her friends. Whitley follows

• ethical consequences

• situational beliefs

• ethical principles

• popular beliefs

Answer explanation

Ethical principles. Following ethical principles means Whitley’s ethical beliefs don’t change when she’s in a new situation. She follows the same ethical principles no matter where she is or whom she’s with. Her ethics are not situational and may not be in line with popular beliefs. If Whitley did not behave ethically, she could face negative consequences.

What is one benefit of following ethical principles?

•  

  They simplify your decision-making process.

•  

  They simplify your decision-making process.

• They change often.

• They eliminate the need for decisions.

Answer explanation

They simplify your decision-making process. Following ethical principles can actually make your decision-making process much easier. When you have a set of rules to guide your behavior, you have a game plan in place when it comes to tough decisions. Ethical principles are guides, not restrictions. You still need to make decisions when following ethical principles. Ethical principles do not change.

Which of the following is an ethical issue:

•  

  Deciding whether to lie to a friend or not.

• Deciding whether to have French fries or a salad.

• Choosing to see which movie to see this weekend.

• Choosing between buying a new shirt or a new book.

Answer explanation

Deciding whether to lie to a friend or not. When you’re dealing with an ethical dilemma, you’re deciding whether something is right or wrong. Often in an ethical dilemma, if you pick the wrong choice, someone (or something) could be harmed. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the issue must be life or death, but that the wrong action could cause someone or something to be hurt. When you’re deciding whether or not to lie to a friend, there is a right and wrong decision. There is no right or wrong decision when you’re deciding what to eat for lunch, what to buy, or what movie to see.

Ethical issues deal with __________ choices.

• right and wrong

• realistic and unrealistic

• enjoyable and unpleasant

• beneficial and non-beneficial

Answer explanation

Right and wrong. Ethical dilemmas deal with right and wrong choices. Ethical dilemmas may not necessarily present choices that are realistic and unrealistic, beneficial and non-beneficial, or enjoyable and unpleasant.

Vivian told her parents she was going to the library to study when she was actually going to the movies with friends. Her parents found out, and now they don’t believe Vivian when she tells them where she’s going. Because of her behavior, Vivian is facing a(n)

• decision-making process.

• legal problems.

• consequence.

• ethical principle.

Answer explanation

Consequence. Ethical behavior is important because if people aren’t ethical, they can face major consequences. Vivian lied to her parents, and now she is dealing with their lost trust. Vivian faces this consequence because she did not follow ethical principles when going through the decision-making process. This is not an example of a legal problem.

After Paul gets away with cheating on his Spanish homework, his friends start cheating on their homework, too. This is an example of which consequence of unethical behavior?

• Lost trust.

• A bad example.

• A poor reputation.

• Legal Problems.

Answer explanation

A bad example. One person behaving unethically can set an example for a whole group. Paul set a bad example for his group of friends by cheating, and eventually they all behave unethically. This is not an example of lost trust, legal problems, or a poor reputation.

When Layla is caught stealing from a department store, the court orders her to do community service. Which consequence of unethical behavior is Layla facing?

• Lost trust

• Legal Problems

• A poor reputation

• A bad example

Answer explanation

Legal problems. Although being unethical doesn’t always mean breaking the law, sometimes unethical actions can have legal consequences. Stealing is both unethical and illegal, and Layla’s community service is a legal consequence. A poor reputation, lost trust, and setting a bad example are all negative consequences, but they are not illustrated in this example.

Integrity means acting with

• a sense of humor.

• humility.

• honesty.

• leadership skills.

Answer explanation

Honesty. Integrity is acting with honesty in all situations. This means that you do the right thing even when no one else is watching, when it isn’t easy, or when it might not be in your best interest. Integrity does not necessarily mean acting with humility or a sense of humor, and you don’t need leadership skills to have integrity.

At work, a customer gives Shannon an extra $10. Instead of pocketing the money, Shannon lets the customer know he overpaid. Shannon is acting with

• rule of law.

• integrity

• viability

• transparency

Answer explanation

Integrity. Integrity is acting with honesty in all situations. This means that you do the right thing even when no one else is watching, when it isn’t easy, or when it might not be in your best interest. Viability, transparency, and rule of law are all ethical principles, but they are not illustrated in this example.