QUESTION 1

List all the facts relevant to this situation:

You are the assistant director of HR for a large copper company. You have been asked to review a draft policy for the company addressing conflicts of interest, disclosure of information, and use of the company's email system. The draft policy provides as follows:

Conflicts of Interest: Employees have a duty to avoid possible conflicts of interests. For example, if a situation arises in which the personal interest of an employee or an affiliated party conflicts with the interests of the company, or an employee uses his or her position to achieve personal gain, a conflict of interest may exist. Each employee must avoid at all times any interest that might conflict or appear to conflict with the interest of the company or that might deprive the company of the undivided loyalty of the employee in business dealings.

Disclosure: Company employees who are not authorized spokespersons may not respond to inquiries or discuss matters related to the company with representatives of the media, and should refrain from discussing company matters with anyone outside the company except in the ordinary course of business as required in the performance of his or her company duties. Moreover, except as authorized or permitted by applicable law, not employee should disclose non-public information outside of the company in the absence of appropriate confidentiality agreements.

E-Mail Usage: When an employee uses the company's e-mail account, he or she is in effect representing the company to the world. Employees are expected to use e-mail responsibly and to limit personal use of this tool in the workplace so that it will not affect job performance or the success of the company. Offensive, demeaning, defamatory, or disruptive messages are prohibited.

QUESTION 2

You are the assistant director of HR for a large copper company. You have been asked to review a draft policy for the company addressing conflicts of interest, disclosure of information, and use of the company's email system. The draft policy provides as follows:

Conflicts of Interest: Employees have a duty to avoid possible conflicts of interests. For example, if a situation arises in which the personal interest of an employee or an affiliated party conflicts with the interests of the company, or an employee uses his or her position to achieve personal gain, a conflict of interest may exist. Each employee must avoid at all times any interest that might conflict or appear to conflict with the interest of the company or that might deprive the company of the undivided loyalty of the employee in business dealings.

Disclosure: Company employees who are not authorized spokespersons may not respond to inquiries or discuss matters related to the company with representatives of the media, and should refrain from discussing company matters with anyone outside the company except in the ordinary course of business as required in the performance of his or her company duties. Moreover, except as authorized or permitted by applicable law, not employee should disclose non-public information outside of the company in the absence of appropriate confidentiality agreements.

E-Mail Usage: When an employee uses the company's e-mail account, he or she is in effect representing the company to the world. Employees are expected to use e-mail responsibly and to limit personal use of this tool in the workplace so that it will not affect job performance or the success of the company. Offensive, demeaning, defamatory, or disruptive messages are prohibited.

You have been asked to comment on the draft policy.

What would you do?

	A.	You do not need to be concerned with the company's policy on conflict of interests, because an employer has the right to demand complete loyalty from its employees
	B.	You should be concerned about the disclosure policy because it could be interpreted to limit the protected right of employees to communicate with union officials and others about issues concerning the company, including issues such as wages and working conditions.
	C.	You do not need to be concerned with the email policy because employers have the right to prevent personal use of their email systems by employees
	D.	You should only be concerned with these policies only if they will be enforced in such a way as to discriminate against union activities.

QUESTION 3

Defend the option you chose in question 2