Ethics Case Study
Task. Read the following case. Draft a short memo to Hansen recommending Finch. Be prepared to discuss your rhetorical choices.
Case. Robert Hansen, a friend who is a district-level supervisor in Network Design, has an opening for a second-line engineer. Hansen writes you a note saying that he has heard that Bill Finch, who is currently a customer services supervisor, might be a good person for him to consider. Hansen asks you to write him about your views of Finch. Hansen is a good friend of yours. You know that he has several employees who are not satisfactory, and you do not want to recommend anyone who might not work out. Finch was last evaluated ten months ago. In addition, you reflect that much has happened in the past six to eight months that might not be adequately reflected in Finch's personnel file. Some of these facts might affect Hansen's consideration of Finch. As you recall events of the past months, here is what you recall about Finch.
Bill Finch is a first-line foreman who is active in the community. You know about his activities because you both work in the same community improvement group. He is very active in the Lions Club and serves on the YMCA Board of Directors. On the job, his customer report rate has been above average but slightly below the objective. He has met his safety objectives and has good expense control--no problems there.
However, Finch has problems getting along with some of the people he works with. Five months ago he had a yelling match with another foreman. That scenario has been repeated at least four times since then. The month before, he overstepped his bounds, telling another foreman's employee how to do a job when the regular foreman was available. Yet, Finch has the best crew on attendance: they met their objectives by a substantial margin. In spite of his problems with fellow workers, Finch is definitely a team player. For example, he was a key participant in family safety night last month.
While Finch is a good employee, you are concerned about his problems in getting along with people. About three weeks ago and then again last week, he failed to report to work without giving notice. However, you also know that Finch's wife Eloise has cancer, and her prognosis is not good. You overheard a good friend of Finch's comment that Eloise may not make it unless her response to treatment improves.
The problem you face is what to tell Hansen. You think that the job change might help Finch. He certainly has not endeared himself to his current associates because of his unpredictable temper and moodiness. However, you think Hansen needs to know the facts. But after considering the situation, you decide you want Hansen to offer the position to Finch, as he needs the money and the job change. You now write a recommendation.
Source:
Tebeaux, Elizabeth. "The Shared-Document Collaborative Case Response: Teaching and Researach Implications of an In-House Teaching Strategy." Collaborative Writing in Industry: Investigations in Theory and Practice. Eds. Mary Lay and William Karis. Amityville, NY: Baywood. 1991. 124-45.