Deck : Case41

Question 1

Software Sojourn
A dedicated employee in our department wanted to keep up with work while on maternity leave and avoid having any leave without pay. However, she did not have the required software installed on her home computer to be able to perform the work. Our company's software licenses do not include coverage for installation on personal computers and a company computer was not available for her to take home. Her supervisor wanted to help her with her leave situation because she is a very good employee and it would be better for our company if she stayed caught up with her work. Therefore, the supervisor decided to allow the employee to install the software on her home computer and the supervisor then monitored the work that the employee performed at home. When she returned to work from maternity leave, the work was caught up and she told the supervisor that the software was uninstalled.
What are the ethical issues in this case?

Answer 1

The events in the articles are summarized below:
• An employee is taking maternity leave but wants to keep up with work.
• The supervisor allowed the employee to install software on her home computer.
• Computer policy doesn't allow installation of software on home computer.
The ethical issues affect employees. Employees in this case are concerned with:
• Non-discrimination
• Avoiding theft
The employee may need leave due to pregnancy or taking care of a newborn. She shouldn't be discriminated against at work for her pregnancy. However, as an employee she has a duty to protect company trade secrets. These trade secrets may be within the software she installed.

Question 2

Software Sojourn
A dedicated employee in our department wanted to keep up with work while on maternity leave and avoid having any leave without pay. However, she did not have the required software installed on her home computer to be able to perform the work. Our company's software licenses do not include coverage for installation on personal computers and a company computer was not available for her to take home. Her supervisor wanted to help her with her leave situation because she is a very good employee and it would be better for our company if she stayed caught up with her work. Therefore, the supervisor decided to allow the employee to install the software on her home computer and the supervisor then monitored the work that the employee performed at home. When she returned to work from maternity leave, the work was caught up and she told the supervisor that the software was uninstalled.
Do you think the employee should have been allowed to install the software on her personal computer?

Answer 2

The events in the articles are summarized below:
• An employee is taking maternity leave but wants to keep up with work.
• The supervisor allowed the employee to install software on her home computer.
• Computer policy doesn't allow installation of software on home computer.
The employee shouldn't had been allowed to install the software. It is against company policy to do so. Furthermore, there may have been ways to accommodate her without having to need her installing the software. This wasn't discussed in the case.

Question 3

Software Sojourn
A dedicated employee in our department wanted to keep up with work while on maternity leave and avoid having any leave without pay. However, she did not have the required software installed on her home computer to be able to perform the work. Our company's software licenses do not include coverage for installation on personal computers and a company computer was not available for her to take home. Her supervisor wanted to help her with her leave situation because she is a very good employee and it would be better for our company if she stayed caught up with her work. Therefore, the supervisor decided to allow the employee to install the software on her home computer and the supervisor then monitored the work that the employee performed at home. When she returned to work from maternity leave, the work was caught up and she told the supervisor that the software was uninstalled.
If you were the supervisor, would you have handled this situation differently?

Answer 3

The events in the articles are summarized below:
• An employee is taking maternity leave but wants to keep up with work.
• The supervisor allowed the employee to install software on her home computer.
• Computer policy doesn't allow installation of software on home computer.
The supervisor could handle the situation differently. He can consider providing the employee pay with maternity leave. However, there are possible accommodations for work at home:
• He should ask higher management whether it's allowed for the employee to install the program first.
• He may even request purchase a new computer as part of company property and lend it to employee for her leave for work.
• The employee may have been able to work on a cloud network that has the company's software.