Lussier, Human Resources Management 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Sample Answers
Chapter 15: Organizational Ethics, Sustainability, and Social
Responsibility
Answers to Applying the Concept Exercises
Applying the Concept 15-1: Level of Moral Development
Place the letter of the level of moral development on the line next to the statement that
illustrates it.
a. preconventional level
b. conventional level
c. postconventional level
1. I lie to customers to sell more products because the others sales reps do it, too.
2. I lie to customers so that I can sell more products and get larger commission checks.
A. Preconventional. The person is only looking out for his or her own self-interest.
3. I don’t lie to customers because it is unethical to lie.
4. Carl says to John, “You’re not selling as much as the rest of us. You really should lie to
customers like we do. If the boss asks why you aren’t selling as much as the rest of us, you’d
better not tell him we lie, or you will be sorry.”
5. Karen says to John, “Telling lies to customers is no big deal—we’re helping them buy a
good product.”
Lussier, Human Resources Management 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Applying the Concept 15-2: Justifying Unethical Behavior
Place the letter of the justification given for engaging in unethical behavior on the line next to
the statement exemplifying it.
a. Everyone else does it.
b. I did it for the good of others or the company.
c. I was only following orders.
d. I’m not as bad as the others.
e. Disregard or distortion of consequences.
6. Don’t blame me. It was the boss’s idea to do it. I just went along with it.
7. It’s no big deal that I lie to customers because no one gets hurt. In fact, I’m helping them
buy a good product.
8. I changed the numbers so the department will look good on our quarterly report to top
management.
B. I did it for the good of others or the company. The person is justifying the behavior by
stating it was done to help the department look good.
9. Yes. I do lie to customers, but it’s the way we do business here.
10. I do take some of the company product home, but I take a lot less than the others.
Applying the Concept 15-3: Ethical Approach
Place the letter of the approach to making ethical decisions on the line next to the statement
that illustrates it.
a. Golden Rule
Lussier, Human Resources Management 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
b. Four-way test
c. Stakeholders’ approach
d. Discernment and advice
e. Code of ethics
11. I’m a member of Rotary International, and I use its approach when I make decisions.
B. Four-Way test. The Rotary approach is the four-step method.
12. When I make decisions, I follow the guidelines the company gave all of us to use to make
sure I’m doing the right thing.
13. I try to make sure that everyone affected by my decisions gets a fair deal.
14. I try to treat people the way I want them to treat me.
15. Hi, Latoya. What do you think of my decision about how to handle this customer’s
complaint?
Answers to Skill Builder Exercises
Skill Builder 15-1
Ethics and Whistle-Blowing
Objective
To determine your level of ethics.
Skills
The primary skills developed through this exercise are:
1. HR Management skill—conceptual and design skills
Lussier, Human Resources Management 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
2. SHRM 2013 Competencies—C : Ethics
Assignment
For this exercise, first complete Self-Assessment 15-1 in the chapter.
Discussion Questions
1. Who is harmed and who benefits from the unethical behaviors in items 1–3?
2. For items 4–24, select the three (circle their numbers) you consider the most unethical.
Who is harmed by and who benefits from these unethical behaviors?
Skill Builder 15-2
Code of Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
Objective
To better understand a business’s Ethics and CSR
Skills
Lussier, Human Resources Management 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Assignment
Select a specific business; it can be one you work for or better yet, one you would like to
work for in the future. Make sure the company you select meets the following criteria: it
must have a written code of ethics and operate at the benevolent level of CSR.