1. Ethical Case Studies
Case 1: You would feel angry, because your kidney was wrongfully removed. Surgery is expensive
and painful, and may affect you in the future. Even though it was the computer that messed up,
we believe that the fault lies with the doctor. The doctor should have had the knowledge and
experience to properly diagnose the problem, even without a computer. We would now sue the
doctor for failing to do his job, and misinforming the patient. Surgeries such as kidney removal
are expensive, so at the very least, we should be given a refund.
Case 2: We believe that using the company’s internet and using up the computer’s capacity for
long periods of time is unacceptable. This is also an illegal use of resources because the Internet
access is to aid his work and he/she is not doing their work because they are busy answering
personal emails and using the computer capacity for emails instead of its original purpose of
storing important work data. We do think that if Worker #1, who doesn’t have Internet access at
home would only use a minimal amount of time for personal emails and only if the emails stored
are detrimental or very important (ex. How his cancer-stricken mother is being treated at her
nursing home etc.) then that would be okay. If this was the case then he would have more time
to do his work and he would have more space for the work information when frivolous emails
weren’t taking up storage space.
Case 3: Some of the issues involved with using workplace resources are cost, reputation, and risk.
Everything may be paid for at work, but the resources are for work only. You may be known as a
good employee, however after using workplace supplies for your own benefit, your reputation
will decrease, and you will no longer be known as a good employee. Your superiors will also
watch you more closely, and with that there will be an increased r isk of you losing your job. It is
unacceptable to help your sibling for their wedding. They are asking you to potentially lose your
job just so that (s)he will save some cash.
Case 4: The reason why computers are available for students is for an educational purpose. Any
other purpose is abusing the board’s free Internet policy because the resources are being
abused. As an ethical standpoint this is taking advantage of a generous free service and using it
for other than educational gain. But from a legal standpoint, if it isn’t illegal (like distributing
drugs via the Internet) then it is legal. Law enforcement cannot arrest him/her for misusing
government resources but that does not mean this is condonable.
Case 6: You should not help your friend move because it is expensive, you may possibly lose your
job, and it takes time. Gas is extremely expensive and your friend lives hours away. Multiple trips
will be costly. This may cost you hundreds of dollars, and it is necessary for you to take time off
your job to successfully help your friend. Using company goods for your own (or your friends)
benefit will result in a possible job loss.