The Ethical Barometer

Here’s an interview question that provides a window into the soul:  Describe an ethical dilemma that you have faced (in your life, your last job) and explain how you resolved it.  If your interviewee struggles to come up with one, well, trouble may lie ahead.  That blank look and stymied expression could be the result of any of the following: (more…)

The two men from Houston whisked by me as I waited for the TSA agent to use her highlighter and give me entrance to the innards of the Atlanta airport.  They had the attitude of those who travel sockless in expensive loafers. Indeed, they had their expensive loafers on, sans socks. The TSA agent was struggling because I had a boarding card, an increasing rarity these days.  I lacked the ubiquitous one-sheet print-out from the home or hotel computer.  Our TSA agent did not know where to swipe her orange highlighter (more…)

If you put a dent in the door of the car next to you but no one saw you do so, would you leave a note for the owner of the other car? The Barometer’s students often respond, ‘What do you mean, like  a meaningful note or can I just look like I am writing one?”  What if you were the driver of the car with the dented door and left a note on the windshield of the culprit car?  If you were the culprit, would you respond and ‘fess up? The Barometer’s door was dented by the rather long doors of a new Ford Mustang on graduation morning at ASU’s Parking Structure I.  The Barometer left a note on the windshield (more…)

He was a young car-hop at the time.  The 17-year-old witnessed a salesman at the car dealership sell a woman a “new car.”  But the young employee knew that the car was not new; it had an engine that had been rebuilt and had also had some fairly extensive body work.  He was worried. Should he tell someone?  He needed his job but he knew it “just wasn’t right.”  He watched as the saleman handed the keys to the car over to the proud owner.  He took a few steps toward her.  He was going to tell her and let the cards fall where they may. (more…)

The owners had walked away.  Facing a mortgage in excess of their home’s value, they just left and the bank was stuck with the home.  The bank was paying for its upkeep.  The economy being what it is, the bank could not sell the home.  Enter a bank VP who was having a party for friends and relatives.  (more…)

Doctors who speak at continuing medical education (CME) conferences always sign agreements promising pharmaceutical firms that they will speak to only the approved uses for that company’s drug.  Pharmas earn deep FDA trouble for marketing off-label uses. However, one doctor explained that he signs the agreement, but added, ”I always plant a shill because if I get asked a question from the audience, I can then speak off-label.”  A pharma executive responded, “That’s good practical advice.”  (more…)

The Barometer always gets questions that begin this way, “I have a friend. . “  Psychiatry and ethics have  identity transfers in common.  So, another story begins . . . A good friend of mine works for a local company that deals with a number of vendors.  This company does approximately $100m in revenue per year.  The company has no formal ethics policy regarding gifts.  In fact, the unofficial policy is “get what you can.” (more…)

The small business owner realized that one of his vendors had made underbilling errors totaling $10,000.  “Probably no way they would ever catch them — too big, too busy, but me, well, those are big dollars for me!”  To tell or not to tell — there is the question. (more…)

A delightful friend rented a truck to help his aunt with her move.  He did not take the insurance coverage for the truck because, as he said, “I know how to drive!”  Safety tip for renting moving trucks:  Your auto insurance probably doesn’t cover you! (more…)

The Barometer was leaving a church meeting when a bearded, hard-looking, rail-thin, snaggle-toothed man approached on a bicycle.  He dismounted his bike so quickly that he had to run with it until he eventually brought it to a halt.  He said, “I’m a Vet, I need $17 to make my rent.  I’ve got $12.32, so all I need is $4.64.”  (more…)

The head of accounting for a Fortune 500 company confronted the CEO.  “Why are you shipping product to buyers when the product is not finished?”  The response was curt,  “We’ll finish it in the field.”  Ah, meeting the numbers.  You can’t book ‘em unless you ship.  The CEO knew his head of accounting would never go for the old 32-day month.  So, in a new twist, he was booking revenues for products shipped that were not quite done.  Technical compliance with accounting rules.  A loophole.  A diem to be carpe-ed.  The best laid plans . . . (more…)

A parent/coach overheard his young players discussing their success at shoplifting, an ongoing activity for the lads.  “I didn’t say anything to them or their parents,” the coach said, “but it bothers me a lot.” (more…)

I was in the self check-out at Wal-Mart the other day — purchasing, among other items, some 2 for $5.00 cereal (Corn Pops and Froot Loops — very big in our household among teen boys). The scanner got the Froot Loops and charged me $2.50, but did not get the $2.50 for the Corn Pops. However, it allowed me to put both cereal boxes in the bags without setting off the usual. “UNEXPECTED ITEM IN CHECK-OUT AREA, DEVELOPING FELON IN LINE” loud voice that erupts when you bag but don’t scan.

I was in such a hurry (more…)

The young men ordered their lunch at Taco Bell and were able to pay using coupons — there was a free lunch.  The late Studs Terkel perhaps did not know teens and coupons and their aversion to dignity.  The young men also asked for water cups — those cups fast food franchises give to customers who don’t want to spring for a beverage.  The young men then took the soda cups (about the size of religious sacrament cups) and filled them with free soda, several times over.  “So what?  Taco Bell’s rich!” was the response to the outraged Barometer.  Why should we care if others are able to beat the system?