OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Ethical Communities Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:

1. Describe the four ethical communities

2. Apply the ethical communities to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other course materials per APA
guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1. Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

My role at this organization is going to be the position of Human Resources. Amazon's

human resources is genuine and reliable. They keep their employees engaged and
satisfied. They make sure their HR leaders are innovative and hardworking. Like the
textbook states, “HR plays a key role in developing, reinforcing and changing the culture
of an organisation. Pay, performance management, training and development, recruitment
and onboarding and reinforcing the values of the business are all essential elements of
business culture covered by HR(Reframing organizations).”

2. Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.

Amazon promotes a safe and healthy workplace free of harassment and danger, promoting the
freedom for employees to perform their duties unhindered. The company strongly discourages
behaviors that are not in the best interests of Amazon or their customers, suppliers, or their
employees.

While not directly within the company's code of conduct, Amazon strives to bring a higher
standard of living through low prices and community outreach. This can only be achieved if all
employees of the company act in its best interests and avoid legal action (Reframing
Organizations). There is very little mention of the working standards within the code of
conduct, however, the basic rules must be followed if the company is to be successful and
continue to bring innovation and outreach to their customers and communities. You will find
these values highlighted in the works of the marketing department, considering almost any item
typed into a search engine will most likely yield a link to buy it from Amazon. Their finance
department must also work within all aspects of the law outlined in the code of conduct, or face
substantial fines or lawsuits.
 3. Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical communities for an alternative course of action regarding
your case.

In performing their job duties, Amazon.com employees should always act lawfully,
ethically, and in the best interests of Amazon.com. This Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics (the "Code of Conduct") sets out basic guiding principles. Employees who are
unsure whether their conduct or the conduct of their coworkers complies with the Code of
Conduct should contact their manager or the Legal Department. No matter what company
you are in, I believe you should always act ethically and responsibly.
Examples of ethical behaviors in the workplace includes; obeying the company's rules,
effective communication, taking responsibility, accountability, professionalism, trust and
mutual respect for your colleagues at work. These examples of ethical behaviors ensures
maximum productivity output at work(Reframing Organizations).

4. Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned about ethics.

Amazon maintains a corporate social responsibility program for communities. The

company addresses these interests mainly through its primary community support arm,
Amazon Smile. For example, through Amazon Smile, a percentage of sales revenues are
donated to customers' chosen charitable organizations. This is something that I believe
doesn’t need to be changed at Amazon. This is ethically and morally right and brings good
reputation to the company and I think this is something they’re doing correctly.

References:

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice,

and leadership (6th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass