Case for Class Discussion
Read the case below and address the questions attached
Betty has finally returned to her job as an accountant at Blue Chip Enterprises, a small family
run hardware supplies chain, after a five-year extended maternity break. She has returned at an
important time in the fiscal year: tax season. As she reviews the books for the period she was
gone, she notices little anomalies which suggest that Blue Chip has been reporting much less
income than they have actually made in the last two years.
Troubled by this, Betty approaches the company owner, Mr.Asamoah, who comes clean and explains that he has been altering the books because of a personal financial slump that he fell into
because of a gambling problem. Mr.Asamoah promises that from now on, now that Betty is back, he will no longer attempt to reduce his tax liability because he and the company are in a better
place now. However, he also makes clear to Betty that he cannot afford to pay the back taxes
and their penalties.
If Betty reports the fraud to the tax authorities, the company may close. If it comes out that she
did not report it, she will lose her license.
Questions
a) What are the main ethical issue(s) in this scenario?
b) Set out the possible courses of action open to Betty
c) Assess these alternatives using ethical theories familiar to you
d) What should she do, and why?
Case for Class Discussion
Read the case below and address the questions attached
Gommes, a Junior System Administrator with the Management Information Systems Department of Bejay Limited, clocked in 4 minutes and 27 seconds late for work this morning. While he won’t get fired for it, being late this once means that he will not receive the perfect attendance incentive which he needs to make ends meet, given his daughter’s recent series of hospitalizations.
It’s not that Gommes didn’t make an effort to be there on time. He actually arrived in the office
five minutes early but was unable to clock in immediately because his direct superior, Amanda,
asked him for an informal project progress report as soon as he walked in the door.
As a Junior System Administrator, Gommes has access and the capability to edit the company’s
attendance records. He figures that since he was unable to punch in only because of his boss, it
wouldn’t hurt to edit the timestamp on his attendance for today.
a) What are the main ethical issue(s) in this scenario? (2 Marks)
b) Set out the possible courses of action open to you. (4 Marks)
c) Assess these alternatives using ethical theories familiar to you. (8 Marks)
d) What will you do, and why? (4 Marks)
