Unit 2 Business Ethics
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Course Name
Professor’s Name
Date
Unit 2 Business Ethics
Sign & Dance Scenario Case
Question 1
The case shows a scenario of a consensual association between Jackie and her manager. While their relationship started way before she joined the company, it faces several problems until Jackie withdrew from it due to unfaithfulness. The issues in the case include unethical and illegal conduct by the executive of a company and a worker. From the text, sexual harassment or discrimination violates American law, mainly Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law applies to companies that have 15 or more workers. The text defines sexual harassment as any repeated and unwanted action or conducts of a sexual nature committed on one person by another. Such activities or conduct might take different forms, such as verbal, written, visual, or physical, among people of different genders or the same genders. From the case, the type of sexual harassment upon Jackie is verbal and physical in nature. It happens between people of different genders. Her boss, Curtis, is showing sexually explicit scenarios that create a hostile environment for Jackie. Such a situation also constitutes sexual harassment, even though they have had a consensual agreement before.
In attempts to determine a sexual harassment case, the text informs that one must know the meaning of a hostile work setting. Here, the textbook gives three ways of looking at such a situation. The criteria include unwelcome, pervasive, and offensive action or conduct. Sexual harassment also includes annoying sexual slants such as repeated, unpleasant sexist remarks. In this case, Curtis is advancing unwanted sexual comments towards Jackie. Besides, it is also apparent that Curtis’ comments do more than degrading Jackie’s character and status in the company. The case also demonstrates major ethical issues associating with sexual harassment in any workplace, including dual and unethically intimate relationships. According to the text, a dual-relationship refers to a sexual relationship between people who share professional duties or responsibilities. Jackie and Curtis’ relationship qualify exhibits qualities of a dual relationship because they share professional responsibilities. On its part, an unethical dual-bond is the one that may cause a direct or indirect conflict of interest to professional judgment. It is also clear that Jackie and Curtis’ relationship potential causes a conflict of interest and has worsened their work relationships.
Question 2
Indeed, as shown in the case, Jackie is a victim of illegal sexual harassment. Under the United States’ law, any form of sexual harassment is unlawful. She is receiving unwelcome sexual impressions and comments from her boss, Curtis, which constitutes harassment. Also, Curtis is making Jackie’s working environment extremely difficult and unbearable, leaving her without choices. Besides, Curtis’s actions constitute unfair work practice, private nuisance, as well as a civil wrong that might form the basis for a legal suit against him. Often, in the United States, sexual harassment laws place more focus on the impact of the conduct or action on the target. Curtis is taking advantage because he understands that Jackie’s success depends on him. Thus, sexual harassment becomes illegal when it forms an intimidating working atmosphere, as seen in the case.
Question 3
Because of the hostile climate that Curtis has created, Jackie should go ahead and report him. Any form of sexual harassment is merited under United States law. Besides, she is also protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which restricts sexual harassment to any person, whichever the basis. Jackie should understand that Curtis’ actions comprise what is known as unfair work practices, activities that the law restricts. Jackie must also remember that law is mostly concerned with the effects of the harassment and not its intentions. A critical aspect of harassment law is that it emphasizes on the victim’s sensible anticipations. In this case, the legislation would most likely favor Jackie as opposed to Curtis. Even though filing this case would negatively affect their personal life, it would do benefit her because it will protect her from any other harm in the company.
Google Case Scenario
Question 2
From Google’s case, it is apparent that the firms’ storage of user data is appropriate and does not violate users’ privacy. By and large, the company has remained transparent for the most part in disclosing its privacy policies. With more than two billion searches daily, the company is the most preferred by users in the world today. Much of its admiration and repute results from its high-quality services. While it does not charge for any of its services, it does not jeopardize the privacy rights of its consumers. Besides, it has a policy that makes all searches anonymous after 18 months. In other words, this policy makes it hard to trace specific searches to their users after a specified period. Google also has its user privacy disclosures on its main pages, making them visible to users on every click. Moreover, Google’s privacy policies have evolved to reflect industry changes. For instance, these policies have transformed from being complicated and confusing to users to become straightforward. Google has also taken extra measures to make sure that the storage of user data remains as personal as possible. From the beginning, the firm has ensured excellent relationships with its users. It has also made several amendments over the past to preserve trust and confidence with its customers. Google understands that personal data about consumers is vital not only to businesses but also to criminals. With this understanding, the organization has always worked hard to find ways to enhance its users’ usage and confidence with its services. Google also calls upon all its users to use searches responsibly in attempts to refine its search engine. The only party that might often access users’ information is the government, but as outlined in the Third Party Doctrine and the Patriot Act. As an international law, this act allows governments and investigators to use the information only for criminal investigations.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Question 2
The CFPB’s burden on financial institutions outweighs the benefits to consumers. It has remained a source of dispute among different lawmakers since its introduction, mainly in the wake of financial difficulties. This agency has also featured in different platforms as subverting its mission of guarding people, often inflicting much pain to individuals than it promises. It also actively harms consumers, pressing many regulations as well as policies, even when gains to consumers are possibly outweighed by the burdens. According to consumer rights advocates, this agency must cease to exist in attempts to remedy many of its perceived abuses. While proponents support it and argue that it developed to limit outside factors from influencing financial institutions, its current mandate appears to harm its mission in addition to frustrating those it intends to protect. Since the economic turmoil, most policy experts and professionals have paid more focus on tackling the failures that contributed to the crisis while ensuring that such an incident does not happen in the future. However, some believe that most of the actions raised to realize these targets have remained detrimental, placing more regulations that impede benefits than necessary.
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform (Dodd-Frank)
Question 1
Dodd-Frank and CPA (consumer protection act) emerged after the 2007-2010 economic crises to establish protections that could prevent another financial crisis from happening. The objective of these laws included enhancing the level of transparency among different actors in the United States’ economic actors. These legislations also ensure stringent rules about banks’ operations and activities in America, often regulating the level of money under circulation. They also ensure that banks have high compliance levels with set rules about reporting ethics. Also, they have introduced stricter mortgage requirements in the country, helping to create vital institutions such as CFPB. Many of the policies and rules stemming from Dodd-Frank remain consistent with the high political temperature among leaders in Washington. Some claim that placing stricter rules for financial organizations hinders the growth and development of America’s financial sector, innovation, and capacity to lend money. The current executive order is for the United States Treasury to pursue a swiping review of the country’s financial law, including Dodd-Frank.
Question 2
Currently, it appears that Dodd-Frank does not strike the right balance for many reasons. In particular, this bill’s response to the country’s financial situation has often failed to meet its intended purpose. During its creation, more than a decade ago, the global position of the day called for shift measure, including forming a legitimate law to prevent a repeat. But, it has proved complex and increased tensions among financial players in America. The Dodd-Frank could likely make the next crisis much worse and far-reaching.