Ethical Case Study 3

Joan is the environmental compliance manager for a small plastics manufacturing company. She is currently faced with the decision whether or not to spend money on new technology that will reduce the level of a particular toxin in the wastewater that flows out of the factory and into a nearby lake.

The factory's emission levels are within legal limits. However, Joan knows that environmental regulations for this particular toxin are lagging behind scientific evidence. In fact, a scientist from the university has recently been quoted as saying that at current levels the fish in the lake should be declared unsafe for eating.

Further, if companies in the region don't engage in some self-regulation on this issue, there is reason to expect that the government -- backed by public opinion -- may force companies to begin using the new technology and may also begin requiring monthly emission level reports, which would be both expensive and time consuming.

But the company's environmental compliance budget is tight. Asking for this new technology to be installed would put Joan's department over budget and could jeopardize the company's profits for the year. Joan fears that this could lead to layoffs, for which she would be responsible. Should Joan implement the new technology? Why or why not?