Auctions in the Office

6.1 Auctions in the Office

Controversies: 4.15 Key Words: superior-subordinate, chain of command, favoritism Case Complexity → Low CD: 3.8 Ethics Test

Suppose you got this message during the Christmas season: “The final tally is in and $3,540 was raised to help Paula Jones, a single mother in our department with no medical insurance, cover the medical costs of her leukemia-stricken daughter.

A check will be sent tomorrow. The beautiful, handcrafted oak bookcase went for $1,134.” “Oh, you want to know who won the bookcase? After a heated auction contest between Liz, Joe, and Jane, Liz won the bookcase! Thanks to all who donated items for the auction and thanks to all who participated.”

So, what’s the ethical dilemma? Liz is supervised by Jane, Jane is super- vised by Les, and Les is supervised by Joe. Now, even though Les did not bid on the bookcase, he is included to make clear the chain of command. Joe → Les → Jane → Liz

Ethics in the Workplace ◾ 185

Discussion Questions

1. Is it appropriate for supervisors to compete with subordinates in this kind of office situation?

2. Should Joe not bid because he is the second line supervisor to Jane and the third line supervisor to Liz?

3. Should Jane have backed out because she is Liz’s supervisor?

4. Les decided it was not right for him to participate because he supervised Jane and Liz.

5. Do workplace auctions for charity or other well-intended office situations fos- ter ill will and perhaps unethical behavior when supervisors are pitted against organizational subordinates?

Case Assessment

Debra A. Taylor, Detective, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Florida:

Th is case creates an ethical dilemma because supervisors and subordi- nates are competing against each other to win a certain item within the

workplace. Resentment may occur if one person wins over the other. Also, favoritism can be suggested if the rules of the auction are not clearly stated and understood by all participants. Also, anytime you allow donations, charity, or fundraisers to be conducted in the work- place many problems may arise. Members are sometimes bullied or feel pressured to give money or buy a certain product that a fellow employee’s child may be selling or raising money for a sport team or other organiza- tion. Employees who do not donate may feel alienated or believe those members that contribute to the charity have an advantage. Therefore, it is best to keep auctions and other money raising activities out of the workplace to eliminate the potential for ethical wrongdoing.

Here is how I would answer the questions: It is inappropriate for supervisors and subordinates to compete in any

type of workplace auction even if it is for a charity or a good cause. Putting the command structure aside, auctions may create problems such as favoritism and resentment among employees, which can also lead to low morale within the organization and possible wrongdoing.

Fundraisers and charity donations should not be conducted in the workplace regardless of command structure. Les decided it was not right for him to participate because he super- vised Jane and Liz. Les was trying to limit his involvement in a situation that could have become an ethical dilemma within the workplace.

186 ◾ Ethics Moments in Government: Cases and Controversies

Do workplace auctions for charity or other well-intended office situations foster ill will and perhaps unethical behavior when supervisors are pitted against organizational subordinates? Yes, they certainly can.

LaVonne Bower, MADD, Manasota, Florida:

Th ere are two ways this could be ethically sticky: (1) If a supervisor is bidding against subordinates and makes it known he wants the item being auctioned, he could pressure the others to stop bidding. This then lowers the amount of money raised, which is not fair and unethical. (2) The second possible situation could be that the subordinates may feel an obligation to bid more than they can afford to please the super- visors. It would be best if the auction were a silent auction or done in some way so that nobody knows how much the other is bidding until the “winner” is revealed.

Th e other possible ethical problem is that once you do one fund- raiser for someone, you open the door to doing them for others. Who

then decides who is worthy or not? I suggest that people let other orga- nizations do fundraisers, or make the donation privately. I do know that most banks will open a trust account for these types of situations so that people can make donations and know that the funds are going to that specific person. This keeps people from feeling pressured to make a donation or as to the amount they give.