You Decide
Team D
BUSN412 Business Policy
It appears that the situation at Ezdot.com is a very delicate matter. As the new controller
in charge Betty has an obligation to make sure that the business dealings are handled in an
appropriate manner to ensure that the customers are receiving the fair service that they deserve.
The situation has to be handled in a subtle way because of the fact that the unethical behavior
being conducted is being carried out by Betty’s boss, Ryan Roberts. Ryan, the president of
EZdot, is holding a significant amount of checks from customers in his desk without telling Betty
and he plays with the firm’s float (money that is used for day to day operations) on a daily basis.
Ezdot.com has some serious cash-flow problems that have intensified because of their new
acquisition of another firm. The previous controller was fired due to incompetence, so Betty
really has to be aware of every aspect of the day-to- day activities at EZdot.com.
Of the options mentioned, the most sound would be to bring the concerns to the notice of
Ryan. There are many reasons behind choosing to deal with the issues internally. Firstly, as
mentioned, Ryan is the immediate superior and while he is principally responsible for the state of
financial disarray, he simply may need a prompt to start acting responsibly. Betty will need to
strategize her approach with speaking to Ryan. Betty will need to tell Ryan about the bank
wanting to know what’s going on and what he is doing is something she will have to speak to;
plus she will need to tell him that this will hurt the company’s bottom line if it does not get
corrected soon. In Betty choosing to talk to Ryan over all other scenarios it will be the only true
way to fix the problem without creating any poor publicity for EZdot.com since it would be
between her and Ryan. It might be made aware that there was the problem but it was also
corrected at the same time which should not hurt the company’s image. If Betty was to choose
another approach she would more than likely lose her job with Ryan thinking that she went
behind his back and even chose to not discuss an important topic such as this with him.
Betty’s explanation for Ryan will be the best solution to handle her new responsibility as
controller to fix what is going on at EZdot.com. Ethically speaking this is going to be the right
response without having to be shady to anyone involved.
Ethically, it’s only appropriate to explain to the bank exactly what is occurring at EZ and
talk to Ryan and express my concerns. Ethics are something we learn and we also develop on our
own. In our opinion, doing something ethically is doing the right thing no matter how hard it
may be.
“These five approaches suggest that once we have ascertained the facts, we should ask
ourselves five questions when trying to resolve a moral issue:

What benefits and what harms will each course of action produce, and which alternative
will lead to the best overall consequences?

What moral rights do the affected parties have, and which course of action best respects
those rights?

Which course of action treats everyone the same, except where there is a morally
justifiable reason not to, and does not show favoritism or discrimination?

Which course of action advances the common good?

Which course of action develops moral virtues?
This method, of course, does not provide an automatic solution to moral problems. It is not
meant to. The method is merely meant to help identify most of the important ethical
considerations. In the end, we must deliberate on moral issues for ourselves, keeping a careful
eye on both the facts and on the ethical considerations involved” (Velasquez, 1996, pg. 1).
Ryan’s behavior is irresponsible and unethical. There really is no question about it. However,
Ryan’s actions are against the rules and affect the entire company. Betty should speak with Ryan
to get his side, that way she isn’t just making accusations. Their discussion should help her
decide exactly what step to take next. No matter what, the bank needs to know what’s going on
exactly as she knows it. It would be unethical to do any different or say any different.
When ethics and morals are in question it is best not to jump to conclusions and analyze all of
the facts. Ethically speaking, the customers are the most important part of any business. Ethical
business practices include guaranteeing that the utmost legal and moral principles are practiced
in your relationships with the people in your business community. Ryan is being deceptive in his
business practices and if Betty does not confront him than she is being just as misleading as
Ryan. A reputation for ethical resolution creates trust in business among business acquaintances.
The day-to-day operation of a business involves everyone making decisions all the time. Practice
in developing a code of ethics and then applying it to situations is important to creating an ethical
business image.
The codes of ethics are some times misinterpreted as a set of rules, which are just meant
for unreceptive celebration or observance meant to be just written down in books. the most
suitable use of a codes of ethics is when they are made use of in the daily task of decision
making in their professional environment in a very dynamic way in response to the requirement
of the situation (Cory, 2005). The Code of ethics of EZ's bank should be based on broad
principles of truth, honesty and trustworthiness, respect for human life and welfare, fairness,
openness, competence and accountability and expresses the expectations of employee and
society in discriminating professional responsibilities.
To act ethically is not to act in fear or to relinquish control of the situation – by giving up.
Instead, to act ethically would be to commit to change – from the financial inconsistencies that
are seeping in through a superior's errant behavior. The extent of commitment to the change is
the strength of the ethical resolve.
It is only a matter of discretion to opt for the most preferable way out. An “amoral”
controller who was acting ethically in his system of beliefs, by let's say, not reporting anything
and banking on the president and his own ability to steer the ship away could end up causing
more harm than good if things don’t fan out the way he planned.
The choice of initially discussing with Ryan is an attempt at an internal resolution and is
arguably more ethical than letting go of possibility and hope by letting an external institution
intervene and make decisions on behalf of the company. Bringing in more force seems to be
option when there is need for it and at that time, it would be more appropriate to inform the bank.
Through the course of it all, it is important to never lose focus of what needs to be achieved:
financial order, while minimizing damage.
Resources
Cory, 2005, “What is personal ethics?" pg. 9, The Public Interest Spring Activist Business
Ethics, retrieved December 6, 2011
Velasquez, M.. (1996,). Thinking Ethically: A Framework for Moral Decision Making . Issues in
Ethics 7(1), Retrieved Dec. 8, 2012, from
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/thinking.html.