Making the Right Decision

The request made by the boss to make fake online reviews that paint the company in
positive light and its competitors negatively is clearly unethical. However, in order not to
attract retaliation from the boss and harm my relationships at work or job status, I will
explain my objections to the request of the boss respectfully and clearly provide reasons for
my objection in a manner that will enhance my boss’ understanding of my objections.

Since the request is unethical, I will let my boss know that I am uneasy with it. If
possible, I will cite specific company policies that the implementation of the such a request
goes against. It could be that the boss had not considered that the request went against the
policies of the company. Bringing such information to his attention may possibly make him
change his mind.

Apart from company policies, I will also point out to him that the request is unethical
by citing applicable ethical theories. With regards to the request made by the boss, one of the
applicable ethical theories is virtue ethics. Developed by Aristotle, virtue ethics holds that
one’s actions and behaviors should be guided by personal virtues (Stos, 2018). These virtues
include openness. justice and honesty. Providing fake online reviews about our company and
that of our competitors will be lying. Thus, it will be in violation of virtue ethics because
lying is not a virtue.

Another ethical theory that applies to the situation is deontological ethics. Associated
with Immanuel Kant, this theory holds that people have objective obligations, or duties, that
are required of them (Stos, 2018). Deontological theories have a clear set of rules that people
should follow in all situations without considering the consequences of their actions. Acting
in accordance with these duties helps to ensure that everyone is treated in a respectful and

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dignified manner. Any time that a person is faced with an ethical situation, one should
identify their duty and make the appropriate decision. In the study example, obeying the
request of the boss would involve lying, which is against deontological ethical rules. Thus,
such action will be unethical.

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References

Stos, S. (2018). Utilitarianism, Deontology and Virtue Ethics: Teaching Ethical Philosophy
by Means of a Case Study. Journal of Business Ethics Education, 15, 315-322.