in such instances as the Microsoft upheaval. It is necessary that Office Depot maintain high ethical standards in all situations. Part of Office Depot's mission statement: to be the most successful office products company in the world involves conducting their business with uncompromising honesty and integrity. As an example of this integrity and honesty we will review an ethical scenario. Tom Jones, a newly appointed Sales Assistant, enjoys working at Office Depot and is hoping to have a successful career at this company. His boss, Eric Smith, has given him the assignment of strengthening Office Depot's relationship with local elementary schools. Smith asked Jones to convince local area school teachers to buy their supplies exclusively through Office Depot. Smith has strongly suggested that Jones meet with teachers and offer them substantial incentives if they will agree to require their students to purchase a particular set of school supplies that are available primarily through Office Depot. Meanwhile, the local media is focusing on this issue and the local paper has recently published a letter from a school teacher about similar pressure adopted by other retailers.The ethical dilemma Jones is facing is one that no new employee wants to encounter. He is facing a decision that will either get him into a costly lawsuit and into the public criticism, or the possibility of getting demoted in his company. Jones has to decide whether to be a civil worker for society, or a supportin...
