Business Ethics Essay

Submitted By streezzz
Words: 1843
Pages: 8
Open Document
Business Ethics
5/15/13
Repair Quotas
I am a repairs manager at a franchised but independently owned auto repair shop. The owner gave me a monthly volume quota. I would get a bonus for each 30 day period quota that I meet. If I fail to meet the quota three months straight, the owner will fire me or hire another manager and demote me and my salary will be cut with no bonuses. I was doing good for the first four months, then around mid-fall things started to get slow. Business continues to slow down, and I barely met the quota for the last two months. Now I might have to start selling the customers on repairs and parts they need but aren’t urgent. The owner says it is ok and that it’s preventive maintenance and will save the customers money down the line. Is telling the customers they need the repairs to prevent possible breakdowns when I know, for example they won’t need the parts for another 50,000 miles wrong? Is my boss right, and that I should just look at it as a preventive maintenance?
The ethical problem I am having is, if I should sell non urgent repairs and parts to customers to meet my monthly quota. In doing so am I violating the principle of autonomy, because I’m not informing the customer that they don’t need the work done now but will later? I would be coercing the customer to get the repairs by misleading them to possible breakdowns. If I don’t sell the customers on the repairs and parts then I might lose my job or be demotes.
I could just get with the program and do what I have to do to meet my monthly quota and keep my job (1). I could try to sell them on the repairs and part but tell the customers they don’t necessarily need the repairs now but will in the future. And let them make the decision, knowing the possibilities and rush my chances of meeting the monthly quota (2). Or I could try and talk to the owner and see if he’ll show some leniency if I don’t meet the monthly quota, if not then I could also contact the nearest franchise representative and tell them about the owners monthly quota policy (3).
I don’t think I should go talk to the owner to the owner because he might think I’m not good at doing my job and meet the monthly quota. This might result in him terminating or demoting me early. Plus the last time I talked to the owner he made it clear to me that his quota policy is nonnegotiable and not meeting the monthly quota would jeopardize my position at the shop. And if I was to try and contact a franchise representative they might do little or nothing about the quota policy, and the owner might fire me if I meet the policy or not for trying to report him. So trying to talk to the owner or calling a representative is out of the question.
If I go ahead and start selling the customers on the extra repairs and parts, then I’ll be able to meet the monthly quotas and get the bonuses. I also wouldn’t lose my job or get demoted. The customers would save a considerable amount of money by getting the repairs done now and not wait until it’s too late and be stuck with costly bills and fees later on down the line. Even if I do sell the extra repairs and parts, I might not meet the owner’s quota policy and lose my position at the shop.
Likely Impact 1
If I sell the customers on the extra repairs and parts then I could get the 20% bonus for meeting the monthly quota. I could really use the extra money because I have two daughters and a mortgage to take care of. The other mechanics in the shop would be able to get the overtime they have been asking for, and make extra money before Christmas. And I will also be saving the customers from possible breakdowns and heavy towing fees. But still there’s the possibility of me not meeting the monthly quota even if I do give the customers the hard sell. Some of the customers might know about auto repairs and the hard sell technique and think I’m trying to get over on them and take their car somewhere else.
By convincing the customers to buy the repairs and parts
Show More

Related Documents: Business Ethics Essay

Business Ethics In Business

INTRODUCTION Business ethics is a study of moral standards and how these apply to the systems and organizations through which modern societies produce and distribute goods and services, and to the people who work within these organizations. Business ethics, in other words, is a form of applied ethics. It includes not only the analysis of moral norms and moral values, but also attempts to apply the conclusions of this analysis to that assortment of institutions, technologies, transactions, activities…

Words 1543 - Pages 7

Business Ethics

Ghazaleh Tavakolishanjani Business Ethics Professor Peter Sebhatu National University 1. No. The ability to act with rectitude, to refer their policies and plans to a culture of ethics that embraces the most fundamental moral principles of humankind, which serves to legitimize the maximization of shareholder wealth. 2. Yes. These resources may be both tangible and intangible. Shareholders, for ex- ample, supply capital; suppliers offer material resources or intangible knowledge; employees…

Words 314 - Pages 2

Business Ethics

Business Ethics Karl Claudio Composition GE-117 Business ethics is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations. The economy these days is at a low point for many consumers in United States. Due to the economy, prices are getting higher, many people’s income is decreasing…

Words 555 - Pages 3

The Importance Of Business Ethics In Business

purpose of business practices that are put in place is to provide the company with approval and favorable expert position among merchants, consumers, and prospective collaborations. These characteristics and having well-known business ethics allow room for the business to grow in many areas such as building working relationships. The positive outcome of these relationships can consist of merchandise prices being lower, consumers being loyal with returning their business, and the business growing from…

Words 727 - Pages 3

Essay on Business Ethics

What is ethics? Ethics can be defined as a set of principles used by an individual to govern his or her decisions in an effort to ensure fairness and equality. Business ethics, as defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is the applied ethics discipline that addresses the moral features of commercial activity. The same source also gives a history of business ethics which states that the concept as an academic principle is relatively young-only about forty years old; but in general is as…

Words 1442 - Pages 6

Business Ethics Essay

Business ethics refers to those values, standards and principles that operate within business (McGraw-Hill Irwin). Business ethics can also be defined as written and unwritten codes of principles and values that govern decisions and actions within a company. In the business world, the company’s culture sets standards for determining the difference between good and bad decision making and behavior. In today's modern business world, the road to success requires more than merely technical skills, practical…

Words 645 - Pages 3

Business Ethics: Ethics And Moral Reasoning

HEADER: BUSINESS ETHICS Business Ethics Kimberly Lindsey PHI 208: Ethics and Moral Reasoning Instructor John Ludes June 16, 2014 BUSINESS ETHICS 2 Introduction In this paper we will be discussing how businesses and management should and do show superior business ethics in doing what is right for the company as well as the employees. The reason for there to be business ethics, is to choose and know what is right and what is wrong in the business and with…

Words 1584 - Pages 7

Essay On Business Ethics

Business Ethics Papa James Ethics and Moral Reasoning: PHI 208 Instructor David A. Smith March 10, 2014 Business Ethics The issues behind business ethics has expand over times. Sometimes companies do not treat their employee’s right and follow their code of ethics. This could cause troubles for the company. Business ethics is a format of professional ethics that examines moral and ethical problems that come about in a business environment. The heart of any company is their employees. The policies…

Words 783 - Pages 4

Enron Business Ethics

one of the biggest energy companies in America, was reviewed by Paul Healy, the James R. Williston Professor of Business Administration at Harvard, and Krisha G. Palepu, the Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration at Harvard, who state that “despite the elaborate corporate governance network, Enron was able to attract large sums of capital to fund questionable business model, conceal its true performance through a series of accounting and financing maneuvers, and hype its stock to…

Words 2133 - Pages 9

Essay on Business Ethics

Business Ethics MGMT-1125 6/5/2013 Rhonda Ledbetter | Business Ethics Business ethics are forms of applied ethics or professional ethics that examine ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It can also be defined as the moral values and principles set forth for a company or market. Proper business ethics are vital for a business to be successful, providing quality care and honesty to consumers. Business ethics are important because how a business…

Words 527 - Pages 3