Question

Sally is a clerk for Avco Environmental Services, a small toxic-waste disposal company. The company has a contract to dispose of medical waste from a local hospital. Sally comes across documents suggesting that Avco is disposing of some medical waste in a local municipal landfill. She is shocked because she knows this practice is illegal. Any amount of waste disposed in the local landfill is a threat to public health.
Sally gathers the appropriate documents and takes them to her immediate superior, Dave.

Dave says, "Look, I don't think that sort of thing is your concern, or mine. We're in charge of record-keeping; not making decisions about waste disposal. I suggest you drop it."

The next day, Sally approaches the company's Operations Manager, Angela. Angela barks, "This isn’t your concern. Dumping a small amount of waste is a cost-cutting strategy for our small company. It’s not dangerous. Besides, the regulations in this area are overly cautious."

Sally considers her situation and does not want to jeopardize her job. She has faith in the company's management because they seem like honest, trustworthy people. However, she is troubled by their disregard for public safety and wonders whether Angela was right about the danger being minimal.

Sally looks up the phone number of an old friend who worked for the local newspaper.



1. What ethical pressures are present in this scenario?
2. If you could advise Sally about how to manage ethics in this situation, what would you say? Explain.
3. What potential risks does your recommendation pose if Sally were to follow your advice?

Answer 1

1. What ethical pressures are present in this scenario?

In this scenario, Sally faces an ethical dilemma because she is caught between two entities that she really values. On the one hand, Sally values her job and the company, and she does not want to cause them unnecessary damage. On the other hand, Sally cares about the community, and she wants people to be safe. Sally appears to find it difficult to reconcile these concerns. Moreover, regardless of her decision, Sally is likely to damage one of the two entities she cares about.

2. If you could advise Sally about how to manage ethics in this situation, what would you say? Explain.

I would say that Sally should contact the newspaper and make the story public. Sally has already contacted the company, and she gave them a chance to rectify their mistakes. However, they decided not to take responsibility for their actions. This is their decision, and it makes them responsible for whatever punishment they receive. Moreover, Sally knows that this practice is illegal, and as a responsible citizen, she has to follow the law.

3. What potential risks does your recommendation pose if Sally were to follow your advice?

Sally could face many risks because of this decision. The company is likely to know that she is responsible for making the story go public. This could cost Sally her job. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, the company might close permanently, leaving many people unemployed, including Sally herself.