Today’s Business Environment: Law and Ethics Chapter 1

Key functions of the Legal Systems No Precise Definition of Law –In Legal Environment: Refers to rules, standards and principles that define the behavioral boundaries for business activities. Improving Social Stability by Influencing Behavior - Limit actions detrimental to the “public interest”; restricts business practices outside the ethical norms; & encourages furtherance of social and political goals Laws in different countries may reflect countries’ social norms Conflict Resolution – Courts are one mechanism for resolving disputes Businesses moving more to resolution outside the courts Social Stability and Change - Reflect social values and customs –Ex: the changing status of gay marriages & controversies involved –Ex: Laws reflect social changes about discrimination in the workplace

Sources of Law in the United States Constitutions Legislatures and Statutes Administrative Agencies and Regulations The Judiciary and Common Law The Executive International Sources of Law

U.S. Constitution Fundamental law of the land Establishes the limits and power of government U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution in force in the world Establishes Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches of government –Creates the “Separation of Powers”

State Constitutions Like U.S. Constitution, create Legislative, Judicial and Executive Branches of state governments Often very long and detailed Amending a state constitution is often much easier than amending the U.S. Constitution

Legislatures & Statutes Legislatures create statutory law –Federal Laws –State Laws –Municipal Laws Judges interpret Laws must pass Constitutional “muster” Example: 1972 Congress enacted Clean Water Act, setting standards for national water quality, and giving EPA authority to adopt necessary regulations Example: States’ statutes regulate insurance industry, usually giving authority to state insurance commissions to assist in regulation

Administrative Agencies and Regulations Congress creates a statute Statute names administrative agency Agency makes regulations Sometimes both Congress and states enact regulations in the same area of concern –Ex: environmental regulations Agencies and Regulations – very important effect on the legal environment of business

The Judiciary and Common Law Came from old English system Judge usually followed earlier decisions that resolved similar disputes Legal principle from cases is called “precedent” Use of this precedent is Stare Decisis New issue? Judge makes new common law Common law varies by state; but there is consistency Provides stability but allows change SeeSee Davis v. Baugh Industrial Contractors, Inc.

Davis v. Baugh Industrial Contractors, Inc. Glacier hired Baugh to build a processing facility, including underground pipe system. 3 years later, Glacier suspected a pipe leak. Assigned an employee, Davis, to uncover the leak. While Davis was in the hole to get to the pipes, a wall collapsed, killing him. Pipes should last 100 yrs. These were likely damaged in the installation, which caused the leak. Davis’ daughter sued Baugh & others for negligence in father’s death. The trial court used the precedent that when a contractor finishes work & owner accepts it, the contractor (Baugh) is no longer liable; only the property owner has liability. Suit dismissed. Appealed to Supreme Court of Washington (Continued)

Davis v. Baugh Industrial Contractors: Changing the Common Law HELD: Reversed and remanded. HELD: Court rejected old common law rule and adopted a more modern approach: –The contractor is liable for injury to 3 rd parties as a result of negligent work, EVEN IF the work was accepted by the property owner. –Construction has become complex. Landowners rely on a contractor’s expertise and often don’t recognize poor performance by a contractor. –Liability occurs when it is reasonably foreseeable that a 3 rd party could be injured due to the contractor’s negligence.

The Executive President can create law through “Executive Orders” Can require federal agencies to do things within the President’s scope of authority President has influence on administrative agencies – i.e. what duties they undertake

Classifications of Law Public and Private –Public – Legal relationships between members of society and the government influence behavior bring about social change –Private – Legal relationships among members of society resolves disputes primarily common law

Classifications of Law Civil & Criminal –Criminal The guilty can be fined, imprisoned or both Creates either a felony or a misdemeanor Legal requirement for guilt: “beyond a reasonable doubt” –Civil Wrongdoer pays money, but no jail time! Legal requirement for liability: “preponderance of the evidence” Substantive & Procedural –Substantive Defines legal rights and regulates behavior –Procedural How it is to be enforced (the “nuts and bolts”)

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Public perception of business leaders has fallen. Ethics: Rules or standards governing conduct of members a profession Integrity: Living by a moral code & standards of ethics Morality: Conformity to rules of correct conduct within the context of society, religion or other institutional belief Practical consequence are high jury awards against large corporations who cross ethical lines into illegality

Business Ethics Lockheed and Bribes 1970’s: Lockheed was in a struggle for survival To obtain a large order from All Nippon Airways, company bribed members of Japanese government Bribe did not get more money for Lockheed executives It did save thousands of jobs at Lockheed Bribery discovered – top Lockheed executives ousted Question: Was bribe ethical, because it saved jobs? Peter Drucker: “No, a bribe is a bribe.” Once you cross the line, ethics are lost. Others would say, what “ethical dilemma”? If it’s not illegal in Japan, why should we say it is? Still others would say bribes are illegal and unethical See “Test Yourself”, p. 16

From Codes to Compliance Organizations adopt compliance codes, combining ethics and legal requirements Survey of 3,000 workers: 69% had received ethics training Dept. of Justice (DOJ) has emphasized importance of corporate “compliance programs” Good compliance programs can result in civil rather than criminal prosecution of offenders DOJ factors in prosecution or recommendation of leniency: –Whether compliance program is designed to prevent/detect violations –Whether a company enforces its compliance program

Lamson v. Crater Lake Motors Kevin Lamson was sales manager for car dealership. Good employee liked the company’s motto “customers come first.” Good reputation for ethics. Sales were lagging. Company hired sales firm, Real Performance Marketing (RPM) to run a 5-day sales promotion. Lamson observed a number of “unethical or unlawful” activities. RPM video said “all vehicles” cut in price – but only cars in video were on sale. RPM tried to “pack the payments” – providing life ins., service contracts in purchase agreements WITHOUT customers’ knowledge. Lamson complained to General Manager (GM) was told “go home”. After sale, relations worsened between Lamson & GM. GM told Lamson that another sales manager was making $600 profit per sales. (Lied: Lamson found out it was $100.) GM hired RPM to run another sale; GM & Lamson argued. Lamson told GM he thought GM wanted him out; GM said, “You’re right”. Told Lamson to cooperate with RPM. Lamson gave company owner a complaint letter re: RPM – said it violated sales ethics – need to rethink “profit at any cost mentality.” (Continued)

Lamson v. Crater Lake Motors, cont. Owner said company was ethical. Said no misrepresentations or illegality. Lamson did not cooperate with RPM. Was fired. Lamson sued for wrongful discharge because he complained about illegality and violation of company’s code of ethics. Jury holds for Lamson. Company appealed. HELD: Reversed. Lamson lost. No wrongful discharge. Under At-Will-Employment: Employees can be fired for any reason. Lamson not directed to participate in unlawful activities. Internal complaints of unlawful sales practices are not a societal duty protected at law. Lamson not discharged for fulfilling a public duty protected at law. No evidence that company tried to “silence” Lamson to conceal illegal activities. Lamson’s concerns re: RPM’s sales tactics were laudable. HOWEVER, wrongful discharge is narrowly defined – this discharge was not unlawful.