7 Questions
Is it ethical to give a glowing reference for an incompetent employee?
No, because it is dishonest and misleading
What is the reason for giving Mary Sunshine a glowing reference?
To get rid of an incompetent employee
What are the potential consequences of giving a false reference?
Harming the reputation of the company
You receive a telephone call from a company that you never do business with requesting a reference for one of your employees, Mary Sunshine. You believe that Mary is generally incompetent and would be delighted to see her take another job. Is this right? Explain.
Why did the company call for a reference for Mary Sunshine?
Because they are considering hiring her.
What is the writer's opinion of Mary Sunshine?
The writer believes that Mary is generally incompetent.
Why did the writer give Mary Sunshine a glowing reference?
Because the writer would be delighted to see Mary take another job.
Study Notes
Giving a Glowing Reference to an Incompetent Employee
- It is questionable to give a glowing reference to an incompetent employee, as it raises ethical concerns
The Scenario
- The writer receives a phone call from a company requesting a reference for Mary Sunshine, an incompetent employee
- The writer believes Mary is generally incompetent and would be happy to see her take another job
Motivations and Consequences
- Giving a glowing reference to Mary might be motivated by a desire to get rid of an incompetent employee
- The potential consequences of giving a false reference include damaging the reputation of the new employer and the employee
The Writer's Opinion
- The writer has a negative opinion of Mary Sunshine, describing her as incompetent
The False Reference
- Despite Mary's incompetence, the writer gave her a glowing reference
- This might be due to a desire to get rid of Mary rather than a genuine assessment of her abilities
"Quiz: Ethical Dilemma - Providing a False Reference for an Incompetent Employee" Test your ethical decision-making skills with this quiz! Explore a scenario where you receive a call from a company requesting a reference for an employee you believe to be incompetent. Should you give a glowing reference, despite knowing the truth? Take the quiz to examine the ethical implications and learn more about the right course of action in such situations.
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