Business law and ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business law and ethics - Essay Example In this regard, this essay is written to evaluate a particular case on business law and ethics, specifically delving into four ethical theories in the process: utilitarianism, the Golden Rule, Kant’s categorical imperative and virtue ethics. The discourse would begin with a summary of the case facts and proceed into a discussion of the ethical issues. The essay would progress into an enumeration of the affected parties before closely evaluating the case facts using the four ethical theories abovementioned. The recommendation would take into consideration relevant ethical contexts and critical thinking and analytical skills applicable in the given scenario and would be presented in the form of consequences and obligations, as required. Case facts reveal that Pat, a plant manager in one of ABC Company’s five plants has been employed with the company for 15 years. She has earned the trust of her boss as manifested by revealing in confidence about the lay-off plans involving 200 workers. In this given situation, an old friend of Pat tried to confirm the veracity of the rumor circulating in the plant. Given the facts of the case, the ethical issues that Pat must take into consideration are itemized below: (1) due to the confidentiality of the information accorded to Pat, she is in a quandary as to reveal the truth about the layoff; (2) as an employee who had earned the trust of management, Pat is indebted to the company for sending her to college; thereby, the personal traits of honesty and integrity, in concurrence with abiding with policies of confidentiality, are hereby critical in the decision making process; (3) an old friend relies on Pat to give her the right information regarding the rumor of laying off 200 personnel; Pat is therefore bewildered as her loyalty and trust is hereby tested. It is critical to identify in an ethical