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Ethics Case
A promise is a binding contract between two people or parties that requires commitment from the participants. Withdrawing from such a relationship is not right, as this promise is like an agreement, which, once broken, has consequences. A promise creates a relationship between the participants; hence, breaking the promise may encourage the creation of unproductive effects, especially on the betrayed party. People sign contracts after evaluating all possible alternatives and selecting the most favorable one. Backing out of the promise indicates unreliability and indecisiveness, which may ruin a person’s character. Self-respect and appreciation from colleagues and friends can be acquired through honoring one’s promises.
Breaking promises can have a negative effect on a firm or individuals, and this may include monetary costs. This act also delays plans, as alternative measures have to be formulated to counter the challenge. Backing out on a promise may have irreversible effects, which may have permanent damages to the other party. Respecting a promise to the end increases the credibility of a person, and this is essential for character development. Positive recommendation from parties, previously involved in a contract, increases the chances of getting other agreements in future.
The stakeholders in this case are accounting firms Tick and Check LLP and Foot and Balance LLP. The Tick and Check LLP offered a job opportunity to Billy Tushoes, expecting him to honor the commitment agreement. The firm has a right to expect loyalty from Billy Tushoes because he agreed to accept the job offer. He should continue working for Tick and Check LLP, for the respect of the earlier promise made to the employer. This will protect his reputation and help him avoid the legal consequences of terminating an agreement made with the first employer.
The dilemma sets in when the Foot and Balance LLP offers Billy Tushoes a job opportunity, as he has a passion for the company, and since he did not sign any contract with Tick and Check LLP, he has a right to terminate the promise. It is hard to distinguish whether it is fair for Billy to leave a firm that he does not enjoy working for to go and work for the one that he desires. The ethical concern in this case is whether it is fair to break a promise to pursue another one. Billy stands at a risk of dealing with the consequences of whichever decision he makes concerning this case.
Billy can embark on honoring his promise to work for Tick and Check. He accepted the firm’s offer, which is a type of a promise made to the company. He has the obligation to maintain his loyalty to the firm because he already had started working when the Foot and Balance LLP offer was given. The alternative courses of action for Billy include pursuing his interests by working for Foot and Balance LLP and overlooking the consequences of backing out on Tick and Check LLP. This measure can be justified by the fact that Billy had not signed any contract with Tick and Check. He also had worked for only a week, which makes the termination process easy. The consequences of leaving his job at Tick and Check include a bad reputation for Billy; Foot and Check managers may learn of his act, which may lead to their negative perception of this employee.