As a new systems analyst at Premier Financial Services, you are getting quite an

Question

As a new systems analyst at Premier Financial Services, you are getting quite an education. You report to Mary, the IT manager, who also chairs the systems review committee. Several months ago, the committee rejected a request from Jack, the finance director, for an expensive new accounts payable system, because the benefits did not appear to outweigh the costs.

Yesterday, Mary’s boss called her in and asked her to reconsider Jack’s request, and to persuade the other members to approve it. Mary wanted to discuss the merits of the request, but he cut her off rather abruptly. Mary happens to know that Jack and her boss are longtime friends.

Mary has confided in you. She is very uncomfortable about the meeting with her boss, and she believes that his request would undermine the integrity of the systems review process. Mary feels it would be unethical to grant preferred treatment just because a friendship is involved. She is thinking of submitting a request to step down as review committee chair, even though that might harm her career at the company.

Is this an ethical question, or just a matter of office politics? What would you say to Mary?

Explanation / Answer

The situation outrightly relates to ethics at workplace. The case is of abrupt violation of the ethical standards of purchase of items that don't justify the costs involved for the benefits they are expected to yield. The director is putting his personal commitments and relationships above the interests of the organisation, by persuading the review committee to give a favourable review.. The deal is not only against the interests of the organisation, it undermines the integrity of the people who approve the deal. Mary, as a responsible employee and a ethically driven professional should not budge to the pressure of superiors and decline to review the deal positively, even if it goes against her career prospects. It will protect her and her team members' integrity and organisation's position in the business ecosystem.

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