The ethical issue in this case has to do with how Steven can confront the unethical behavior occurring within the restaurant. At first, staff just goofed off instead of cleaning up their work areas like they were supposed to do. However, this behavior progressed until staff were ignoring proper sanitation (serving food that had landed on the floor, not washing their hands between handling meat and vegetables, and not washing utensils between uses). This behavior escalates into someone leaving the walk-in freezer open and allowing meat to rot. There are ethical policies instructing employees on how to properly behave, but the policies are not enforced and the shift supervisor also engages in these unethical activities. When Steven asks a staff member why these activities occur, she tells him that the restaurants with the fastest service get a bonus from corporate headquarters and that supervisors reward staff with some extra money for doing their jobs so quickly.

1. Describe the nature of the organizational culture in the restaurant. What kind of opportunities are there for unethical behavior to occur? Are there any opportunities for ethical behavior?
2. What are some of the incentives employees might have to engage in this type of behavior?
3. If the organizational culture of the restaurant does not change, what are some likely outcomes and consequences?
4. What should Steven do? Should Steven just ignore the problem and rationalize that it is the company's responsibility to hire good people? Or should Steven discuss what he has observed with the restaurant manager before someone gets really sick?
5. How do you feel about this issue? What would you do in Steven's position?