Clarification
Why was Valerie’s procrastination considered an ethical issue rather than just a personal productivity problem?
Procrastination led to a possible lie to her manager.
Could impact company reputation and coworkers.
Ethical issues arise when honesty and accountability are compromised.
Couldn’t Valerie have just submitted an average report without lying? Would that still be unethical?
Mediocre work still misrepresents her effort.
She was expected to provide quality, researched testimonials.
Subpar work could still harm the business.
How can companies help employees who struggle with time management to prevent ethical dilemmas?
Training programs for project planning.
Regular progress check-ins.
Encouraging open communication about workload.
Would this scenario be different if Valerie had not been working on other projects? Why or why not?
If Valerie had fewer responsibilities, procrastination would be a clearer personal issue rather than a workload issue.
If overwhelmed, time management training or workload adjustments could have helped.
Having fewer tasks doesn’t guarantee better prioritization.
How does this case apply to industries outside of marketing?
Ethical decision-making is universal in the workplace.
Other industries (finance, healthcare, law) require integrity for success.
Time management affects productivity in all careers.
What if Valerie had worked extra hours on her own without telling anyone? Would that have been an ethical solution?
Shows responsibility, but doesn’t address the root issue.
Overworking could lead to burnout.
Transparency with the manager builds trust.
Would it be ethical for Valerie’s manager to penalize her harshly even if she admitted the truth?
Honesty should be valued, but accountability is still needed.
A fair consequence (not extreme) encourages responsibility.
Harsh punishment could discourage employees from admitting mistakes.
Who are the people that might be impacted by Valerie’s actions?
Manager: Relies on her to complete work on time.
Coworkers: May need to pick up extra work if Valerie fails.
Customers: May be misled if the testimonials are rushed or inaccurate.
Company reputation: Small businesses rely on credibility.
What if Valerie’s manager was also disorganized? How would that have impacted the situation?
Lack of accountability from both sides leads to workplace inefficiency.
Could normalize poor work habits within the company.
Might reduce consequences for Valerie but hurt the business.
Is there a scenario where it would be acceptable for Valerie to withhold the truth temporarily?
If she was waiting for final confirmations before reporting progress.
If she had a clear recovery plan in place.
As long as it doesn’t mislead or harm coworkers or the company.
What lessons can other employees or new graduates learn from this situation?
Importance of time management in professional settings.
Being upfront about mistakes prevents larger issues.
Ethics and honesty contribute to long-term career success.
Should Valerie hide her procrastination, admit her mistake, or do something else entirely? Why?
Hiding: Short-term solution, but risks damage if discovered.
Admitting: Shows integrity, builds trust but may come with consequences.
Alternative: Request additional support or extension while still being honest.
Ethical behavior favors transparency and accountability.
What is the difference between an honest mistake and an ethical lapse?
Honest mistake = unintended error, willing to correct it.
Ethical lapse = knowingly making a wrong choice (lying, covering up).
Intent and impact determine the difference.
What are real-world examples of employees facing consequences for dishonesty in the workplace?
Wells Fargo scandal (fake bank accounts).
Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos (false medical claims).
Small-scale examples: employees fired for resume fraud, missing deadlines, or misleading clients.
How can Valerie rebuild trust with her coworkers after this?
Consistently meet deadlines in the future.
Be open about lessons learned from the mistake.
Offer help to coworkers when needed to show teamwork.
How might Valerie’s opportunities at the company be impacted by her actions in this scenario?
If honest, she may lose some trust but can rebuild credibility over time.
Lying may get her in bigger trouble later, risking future promotions.
Demonstrating responsibility could show growth potential, making her a better candidate for leadership in the future.
Performance reviews and job references can be affected.
How do customer testimonials directly impact Longcloth Avenue’s success?
Small businesses rely on strong reputations.
Positive reviews drive sales and customer trust.
Poor-quality testimonials could hurt credibility.
If Longcloth Avenue had stronger policies on time management, would this ethical issue still have occurred?
Clear deadlines and check-ins might have prevented procrastination.
Workplace culture plays a role in accountability.
However, personal responsibility is still important.
How does this case relate to broader ethical concerns in corporate culture?
Ethics affect decision-making at all levels of business.
Workplace culture influences honesty and transparency.
Small ethical lapses can lead to bigger problems if unchecked.
What is the ethical issue in this scenario?
Deception vs. Honesty: Should she cover up poor time management or take accountability?
Workplace integrity: Her actions reflect on her character and work ethic.
Impact on company: Small businesses depend on quality work and strong reputations.
Long-term lesson: Ethics in business impact both personal growth and company culture.