Arun, a very hardworking person, is the sole bread earner in his family. He has worked with an oil company’s local affiliate for several years, and has established a strong, trustworthy relationship with Suresh, manager of the local facility. Suresh has recently recommended Arun to be recruited as the corporate consulting engineer for the company, which would be a position of greater responsibility along with a stable income. During a casual conversation, Suresh mentions an incident in the 1960s wherein 10,000 gallons of a petrochemical was leaked into the local environment by the company due to negligence, though at the time no damage was found, and no mention of this leak was made to the press. When Arun mentions that the state law requires him to report all spills, Suresh reminds him that no harm had been done and reminds him that the company can’t have a consulting engineer who does not value loyalty and respect confidentiality.

Topic: Case study

6. Arun, a very hardworking person, is the sole bread earner in his family. He has worked with an oil company’s local affiliate for several years, and has established a strong, trustworthy relationship with Suresh, manager of the local facility. Suresh has recently recommended Arun to be recruited as the corporate consulting engineer for the company, which would be a position of greater responsibility along with a stable income. During a casual conversation, Suresh mentions an incident in the 1960s wherein 10,000 gallons of a petrochemical was leaked into the local environment by the company due to negligence, though at the time no damage was found, and no mention of this leak was made to the press. When Arun mentions that the state law requires him to report all spills, Suresh reminds him that no harm had been done and reminds him that the company can’t have a consulting engineer who does not value loyalty and respect confidentiality. (250 words)

(a) Identify the ethical issues involved in the given case.

(b) What are the options available to Arun in this situation? Evaluate each of them.

(c) Had you been at Arun’s place, what would have been your course of action? Give reasons for the same.

Why the question:

The question is a case study based on values of loyalty and confidentiality.

Key Demand of the question:

Discuss the case study by evaluating the ethical issues involved and suggest suitable opinion.

Directive:

Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start with

Body:

Analyse the case and identify the key ethical issues involved.

 List the options available to Arun in a given situation and bring out the positives and negatives of each available option.

Give the course of action and give arguments to justify your course of action.

Conclusion:

Conclude with suitable suggestions to be taken.