Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Oct. 15, 2008

Question:
Suppose you've just received $100 for your birthday. You go to small, local convenience store to buy a soda. You pay for it with a $20 bill. The customer in line behind you is harassing the clerk as she rings up your purchase and gives you your change. You're out the door by the time you realize that, while distracted by the other customer, the clerk mistakenly gave you your $20 back-as well as the proper change for your purchase.

What would happen if you walked away with the money? You're just outside the store, after all. You could just as easily walk back inside as you could continue on your way. Also, you can still have $100 in your pocket. Whether or not you return the money, you're not hurting for cash. What might happen to the clerk when her manager discovers the $20 missing from her cash drawer? Couldn't she lose her job or even be accused of theft? What would happen to this business-or any business- if everyone took advantage of situations like this? What would you do? Explain.

Source: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc; Introduction to Business; Chapter 4; p. 27



Answer:
If I walked away with the money, there's a possibility that the clerk might get accused of theft or be given a warning by her manager. The manager may then have trust issues with the clerk. If situations like this arises most of the time, and it's customers are taking advantage of it, the business can lose alot of money without even noticing it until it's too late to gain it back.

What would I do in this kind of situation?

I would lok at the problem..which is the clerk has given me too much change..
I would discover alternative actions..
Decide who might be affected..obviously the relationship of the clerk and her manager..and the clerk herself.
List the probable effects of the alternatives...
Then select the best alternative...

So...

I would go back into the shop and return the money back and tell her that she's given me far too much change for the soda I purchased. If I kept the money, it would be like stealing something from someone, and guilt isn't one of the things I would want to be bothered about. Hopefully, when I come back in the store and return the money, the clerk might of course try to be careful next time in returning the change of their customers to avoid loss in their business and to avoid tainting the relationship and trust between the manager and the employee. Not everyone can be honest, and specially if we're talking about money, there's only a few people who are kind enough to return this kinds of things. So I hope the clerk will be careful next time when it comes to dealing with money...