Chapter 11Chapter 11

Applying Ethics

to Maintain an

Environmentally Sound

Hospitality and Tourism

Industry

You're in charge of creating the report that goes to the board of directors. Just before the next meeting, the president asks you to leave something negative out and just add it in next time. Do you agree to do this as a favor to him?d)Yes, one time will not hurt. e)Yes, but only after the president agrees to give you a bonus.

c) No, one small thing can turn into many small things, which is a big deal.

It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his

not understanding it

Upton Sinclair

You are the manager and an employee comes

to you and says, "I want to tell you something

about someone, but you can't tell anybody." He

then reveals that someone pushed another

employee in the company kitchen. Do you tell

your boss?

c) I promised not to tell, so I don't.

b) I find out if the employee was injured and

decide based on that whether to tell.

c) Even though it breaks my promise, I tell my

boss so the incident goes on record.

You're in public relations writing a press release about a new product that didn't turn out quite as well as promised in earlier reports. How much do you reveal to the public in the press release?

c) I don't hint at it. It's important that the company's image is not damaged by the flawed product.

e) I write a more mildly enthusiastic, but honest, release than I would if the product were perfect.

c) I'm completely honest, believing it will earn the respect of customers to be forthcoming.

In a Hurry. You're waiting tables at a busy little lunch spot downtown.

You rush back to the kitchen to grab a bunch of entrees from the

service window, and as you turn to head back to the dining room, one

of the expensive steaks on your tray slides off its plate and onto the

floor!

No one saw it drop—what should you do?

You are the Manager and you saw the employee serve the food what do you do?

You are the office manager and one upper-level manager has repeatedly used the company credit card for personal expenses. How do you handle the situation?

d)I do nothing. The person is higher than I am in the company, so it must be OK.

b) I confront the person and hope that this won't threaten my job. c) I confront the person and reveal what I

know to a higher-level manager or someone in human resources.

Although you're not an accountant, company policy now requires you to sign off on the tax filings for the department you oversee. You've never been a "numbers person" and don't fully understand the documents. What do you do?

d)I sign it, figuring that if any problems are found, I can just argue that it's not my fault because I didn't understand the document. b) I ask someone with more knowledge to walk me

through the report before I sign. c) I sign it, vowing to take an accounting course whenever I find the time.

Environmental Threats

Each year:• More than 150 million tons of pollutants are

pumped into the air we breathe• More than 41 million tons of toxic wastes are

produced• 15 million gallons of pollutants are dumped into

the nation’s waterways• Every US citizen, on average, produces over 4

pounds of garbage each day

Hospitality and Tourism Environmental Concerns

• Water pollution• Noise pollution• Deforestation• Depletion of species and habitats• Solid waste management• Recycling• Energy use

Guestroom Waste

• Aluminum cans• Plastic and glass bottles• Newspapers and magazines• Overuse of water

Other Lodging Facility Waste Materials

• Cardboard boxes• Steel cans• Cooking oil• Office paper• Yard waste and debris• Laundry water

Case(did you read it?):

Gray Water/Black Water Overflow• Super Cruise Line owns five large ships• Company has environmental management

policies• Two dominant waste streams:

– Black water– Gray water

Definitions

• Black water: waste stream generated by the ship from toilets, urinals, and drainage from infirmary

• Gray water: waste stream generated by galley services, laundry services, showers, baths, etc.

• If gray and black water are mixed, the mixture must be classified as black water

Facts

• Ship cannot hold water longer than 48-76 hours (tank space limitation)

• Waste requires continual oversight• Black water is treated before it is

discharged overboard• Gray water is discharged untreated into

sea• Discharge for both must be 12 nautical

miles from land and marine sanctuaries

The Issue

• Accidental release of both gray and black water into Port of Tampa

• The Players:Edward Smythe: in charge of engineering watch

Dominick Dupree: Chief Engineer (The Chief)

Mr. Jamison: Bridge Officer

The Captain

The Environmental Officer

Facts

• The Chief has previously witnessed illegally dumped water, resulting in fines

• The ship was holding extra black water• The past week also generated more than

the usual amount of black water (20%+)• Smythe transferred half of the black water

to a gray water tank (an acceptable but unusual practice)

More Facts

• Smythe became distracted by a faulty electrical generator and changed focus

• Smythe stopped the transference of the black water but forgot to close the valves

• The open valves allowed black water to freely flow into the tanks for more than three hours

• Bridge Office Jamison noticed liquid spilling from the vent on the port side

Actions

• Jamison called Smythe• Smythe informed Jamison that there was no

pumping operation going on• Smythe told Jamison not to bother him;

Jamison called the Captain and the Chief• The Chief took action; closed the valves; the

flow overboard stopped

Proper Actions• The Chief investigated; spoke with Smythe• He identified times when valves opened and

pumps were started and stopped• He established that Smythe neglected to close

the valves• He briefed the Captain along with the

Environmental Officer

Further Action

• Shore side environmental compliance was contacted

• Subsequently, both the U.S. Coast Guard and the state environmental authorities were notified

• An investigation team was dispatched from the company’s environmental management department

The Company’s Behavior

• Utilitarian, Kantian, and a Justice Ethicist: positive review

• Utilitarian: company’s recent actions promote “the greatest good for the greatest number”

• Act and Rule Utilitarian: positive review because of the strict corporate practices and good training

Kant

• Would look at true motivation: is there really a change of heart in the new corporate culture?

• Kant would approve of the ethic to do one’s duty; the rights of others are being respected

• There was no deception attempted by the company

Justice and Virtue Ethics

• Both would praise the company’s actions• Justice: preventing environmental pollution• Officers displayed strong, virtuous characters

by carrying out company’s environmental policies

Responsibility

• The company committed an environmental infraction

• Should the company be held responsible for the action of its employees?

Two Justice Questions

• Compensation– The company must pay for the clean up– Further expenses might include retraining Smythe

or other new personnel

• Retribution– Is it warranted?– If so, what should it be?

Additional Questions

• What should happen to Smythe?• Same two questions:

Compensation

Retribution

Retribution for Smythe

• Should definitely face some type of retribution

• Ethical question: was his carelessness reckless and therefore morally wrong?

• No great lasting harm occurred• However, Smythe refused to accept

responsibility for the spill

What Should the Company Do?

• If Smythe engaged in immoral behavior, what should the company do?

• Possible courses of action:– Discharge– Additional training– Probation– Suspension– No action

Utilitarianism

• Looking at Smythe’s actions from a utilitarian perspective, how much harm will occur from the spill?– Actual harms are few

• Actions have been taken all along to avoid spillage like this one

• Legalities: the cruise line has recently shown itself to be a law-abiding business

Consequences• Would firing Smythe lead to

better consequences?• Utilitarians would say some type of

penalty is in order; this would lead to improved long-term actions

• Rule utilitarians would insist on a universal way to treat all employees that commit environmental violations

Kant

• Organization has done its part• Ethical praise depends on the company’s

intentions (is it doing the right thing because it is good for business or because it is good for the environment?)

• Smythe’s behavior is wrong; did not follow categorical imperative when he refused to take responsibility for his actions

Rawls

• Polluting the environment is unjust to those who depend on it

• What would Smythe have done from behind the Veil of Ignorance?

Virtue Ethics• Aristotle examines a person’s character• He would have found Chief Dupree and

Bridge Officer Jamison to be of fine moral character; they both showed courage and prudence (wisdom) through their actions

• Smythe showed himself to be unethical – evaded responsibility (lacked courage and

honesty) – careless behavior (lacked prudence)

Case Studies

1.All roads lead to the resort

2.It’s no big deal

3.Safety first

Read assigned case study and prepare a 3-5 minute presentation

Summarize the caseAnswer the questions provided

Apply your favorite ethical theory