Week 13 Integration question

Values & Ethics/micro or macro: Describe an ethical issue, concern or dilemma you experienced in the field. How was it resolved?

The biggest ethical issues I have encountered were actually pretty easy for me to deal with and resolve. When I first started here at Cummins I had several of the consumers try to hit on me, ask me out, and give me gifts. I did not have much prior interaction with the very first consumer who did this. I started here at the end of January, and on Valentine’s Day one consumer brought chocolates and a rose with him to group. I thought it was for one of the female consumers who everyone said like him.

During one of the breaks while I was running canteen this consumer brought the two items and said they were for me. I was confused and asked him for me? He just said yes, and I asked if he was sure. He again only said yes, and I asked why he got it for me. He said for Valentine’s Day. I just sat the two items on the desk and told him thank you, that it was nice of him. I was not sure how I was supposed to handle the situation, or if we were even allowed to take things from the consumers. I waited for Amanda to walk by so I could ask her what to do (I can’t leave canteen while it is unlocked so I had to wait for her to come back).

As soon as I saw Amanda I asked for her help. I picked up the items and told her what happened, and asked what I was supposed to do because it did not seem right to accept it. She told me we were only allowed to accept cards from the consumers and nothing more. I needed to let this consumer know that (even though she said he already knew), but make sure to try not to hurt his feelings in the process. I should tell him thank you and I appreciate the gesture, but that I could direct it more towards the fact that Cummins policy does not allow us to accept gifts from consumers instead of saying I do not want his gift.

I waited until I had a chance to talk to him alone so I would not embarrass him in front of the other consumers. I told him I appreciated the gesture, it was thoughtful and a nice gift, but that I was not allowed to accept anything from consumers. I apologized for accepting it in the first place when I did not know. I told him the only thing we were allowed to accept was cards. To try to lighten the situation I suggested one of the consumers who he should try to give it to instead…it was the female who liked him. He just laughed and said he didn’t want to encourage her. The very next time he came into canteen on a break I made sure to talk to him about other things that way he did not feel awkward around me after what had happened.

The next time this happened one of the older consumers came in, and said look what I have. He opened a jewelry box for bracelets, and there were three bracelets in there, all with price tags still attached. They were all gold bracelets with different jewels in them. All together the bracelets were worth over $900! I looked at the box and bracelets and asked the consumer why he had brought such expensive things with him to group. He said they were for me and he wanted me to keep them. I immediately informed him we are not allowed to accept gifts, that it was a company policy, and the only thing we were allowed to take from consumers was cards.

I told him I was worried about him carrying around such an expensive item though. I was afraid he might lose it or someone might steal it from him. He again said he wanted me to keep it. I explained I was not keeping for myself, but that I was going to put it in Amanda’s office so it would be safe throughout the day. I told him at the end of the day to ask Amanda for his bracelets before he left. I heard him telling people all the rest of the day about the expensive bracelets he brought with him! I am glad I put it up because he was the type of person who would have just given it to the first person who asked for it.

Another time the younger consumers and I were standing around talking. One of them just asked if he could if I would go out with him. Before I could answer the other male consumer told him he knew he couldn’t ask me out, that it would mess up our relationship and we aren’t allowed anyway. I pretty much repeated what the other consumer said, making sure not to hurt the consumer’s feelings since I could tell he did genuinely like me. He did not seem hurt, but just jokingly said it doesn’t hurt to ask! Through these situations I have learned how to handle when a consumer hits on me, or just gets too personal. I have found ways to deal with the situation while trying not to hurt the consumer’s feelings or mess up our working relationship.