The Gray Area Between Legal and Ethical Dilemmas

Many of us at one time or another have experienced issues that are binding by laws that tell us what is legal and what is not. But let's say an employee has a situation in which by the law the company complies, yet ethically, regardless of the law it's not right to do. For example, in the 1800s slavery was legal, yet ethically it was not right nor was segregation between whites and African Americans and for those of us who took a stand towards morality like Rosa Parks, who refused to move to the back of the bus, knowing full well that was the law, she stood up against the law and did what was ethically right. Regardless, of our culture, the color of our skin, and our up bringing, men and women from all walks of life are challenged with what is right (legally) and what we ought to do is right (ethically). This gray area between law and ethics encompasses all walks of life and is particularly evident in business. This paper will assess four situations between Diversified Worldwide Industries (DWI) that could have portrayed different outcomes between what is right and what we have the right to do.

Diversified Worldwide Industries, Incorporated operates activities in areas that are associated with the environment; oil and energy; communications; leisure and recreation; real estate financial market; and manufacturing. With all of these diverse activities, DWI needs to insure that each activity meets federal, state, and local regulatory compliance and furthermore, that each business unit follows the company's corporate vision and mission with regards to policy such as code of conduct, corporate governance, and ethical standards. However, everyday, managers, colleagues, and subordinates could possibly be challenged with what is legal and what is ethically right that creates a dilemma based on making the right choice. Some may argue that if a situation is in fact legal, making a subsequent different choice is not needed nor required. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. Let's start with DWIs cruise ship the Koko.