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Ethics in the Workplace: Social Responsibility and Accountability by Anne Fielder, Ph.D. ExtensionActivities Extension Activity #1: Sticky Fingers in the Supply Chest Have the students explore this issue of petty theft in the workplace. Have them apply the concepts that have been discussed in this module, including the ethics models, social responsibility, accountability, and victimless crimes. You may want to share the New York Times article, "Sticky fingers in the supply chest," which can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/business/yourmoney/ 30advi.html?ex=1153368000&en=7db8343867493549&ei=5070 This New York Times article provides a brief discussion of the widespread problem of workplace theft. Have students write a three paragraph response to the following situation: You have a part time job after school in an office. The supply cabinet is overflowing with pens, highlighters, Post-It Notes, index computer disks, etc. Do you help yourself to what you need for class? Doesn't everybody? The following are some additional extension activities to have students participate in to better understand basic issues in the field of Ethics. -- Ask students individually to write down their definitions of ethics. Give them the following formal definition of ethics: Ethics is a set of values and rules that define right and wrong conduct. Discuss how their definitions differ from the formal definition and from each other's. -- Put students into groups of three or four. Have each group come up with an ethical decision that might have to be made on a job. Have a member of the group present it to the class. -- Ask the class why ethical behavior is important for organizations and employees. Here, you might want to introduce the Ethics Models and Principles (see Key Concepts). Discussion can include the rights of the individual as well as ethical behavior based on universally accepted obligations such as not harming or injuring another person. The dialog can also center on the chaos that can arise when the rights and privileges of a group or individual are not respected.

Ethics in the Workplace: Social Responsibility and Accountability

by Anne Fielder, Ph.D.

ExtensionActivities

Extension Activity #1: Sticky Fingers in the Supply Chest
Have the students explore this issue of petty theft in the workplace. Have them apply the concepts that have been discussed in this module, including the ethics models, social responsibility, accountability, and victimless crimes. You may want to share the New York Times article, "Sticky fingers in the supply chest," which can be found at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/business/yourmoney/
30advi.html?ex=1153368000&en=7db8343867493549&ei=5070

This New York Times article provides a brief discussion of the widespread problem of workplace theft.
Have students write a three paragraph response to the following situation: You have a part time job after school in an office. The supply cabinet is overflowing with pens, highlighters, Post-It Notes, index computer disks, etc. Do you help yourself to what you need for class? Doesn't everybody?
The following are some additional extension activities to have students participate in to better understand basic issues in the field of Ethics.

-- Ask students individually to write down their definitions of ethics. Give them the following formal definition of ethics: Ethics is a set of values and rules that define right and wrong conduct. Discuss how their definitions differ from the formal definition and from each other's.

-- Put students into groups of three or four. Have each group come up with an ethical decision that might have to be made on a job. Have a member of the group present it to the class.

-- Ask the class why ethical behavior is important for organizations and employees. Here, you might want to introduce the Ethics Models and Principles (see Key Concepts). Discussion can include the rights of the individual as well as ethical behavior based on universally accepted obligations such as not harming or injuring another person. The dialog can also center on the chaos that can arise when the rights and privileges of a group or individual are not respected.