Ethical Dilemma
OFFICE SIMULATION
What would you do?
You go to the copy machine to make copies for a meeting and you find a memo from
HR on the copy machine that was mistakenly left there by someone in HR. You glance
at the memo so that you can return it to the correct person, and see that the memo
contains a list of 10 employees who will be laid off indefinitely within the next two
weeks. Your name is not on the list, but you recognize all of the names on the list.
You are a bit shocked by the memo, there has been no indication from any
supervisors that the business is struggling and no gossip around the office.
1. What would you do with the memo?
2. Would you tell anyone on the list? Why or why not?
3. What if you saw the name of your best friend on the list, would you tell him/her or
give him/her a hint?
4. What if he/she was about to buy a $35,000 car? Would you give him/her a hint so
that he/she wouldn t purchase the car or would purchase a less expensive model?
5. How would you feel about knowing this information? Would it put a strain on your
relationship with co-workers?
