The majority of unethical acts in the workplace don’t make headlines. Many are like these situations that arise when managers don’t understand or ignore ethical HR policies: 

• My boss refuses to create job descriptions so she can hire her friends and relatives that aren’t qualified for the job. 

• Our HR director always checks the Facebook accounts of people who apply online so he won’t interview any old or unattractive salespeople.

• The Sales Manager at my dealership is a big gossip and shares information about coworkers’ sales statistics and commissions behind their backs. 

• The Art Director told his intern to paint his new condo instead of coming to work on Friday. The intern needs the money but is afraid to ask if he can put the hours on his time sheet. 

• My district manager fired my manager in a text that said if shewasn’t out of the store in 30 minutes he was calling the police. An assistant manager got a text: “come to work to get the manager’s keys and close the store.” 

• The owner never disciplines anyone. One employee received 19 warnings in 1 year and was never fired. Everyone is turning into slackers and I want to quit. 

• Instead of firing people who screw up, my manager just schedules them for 4 hours a week and hopes they quit.

• I was disciplined in front of customers and other employees. It happens all the time and humiliated employees often shout, swear, and quit on the spot. 

Ethical questions:

What examples of unethical behavior have you experienced in the workplace? Is it possible to eliminate unethical behavior by management? What steps can HRM take to eliminate or reduce unethical behavior similar to these situations?