Jenae works at a small costume shop in New York City. She likes her job, but she has a long commute and consistently comes in late or leaves early to avoid traffic. Jenae is also attending night school and regularly uses her time at work to complete school assignments rather than tidying the inventory when business is slow. While these may seem like minor offenses, what unethical behavior is Jenae guilty of?

Answer 1

Jenae is guilty of several unethical behaviors in the context of her job:

1. Misuse of Work Time: By using her time at work to complete school assignments instead of performing her job duties, Jenae is not fulfilling her responsibilities to her employer. This can be considered a form of dishonesty as she is being compensated for work she is not actually performing.

2. Tardiness and Early Departures: Consistently arriving late or leaving early to avoid traffic can be seen as a lack of professionalism and respect for her scheduled work hours. This behavior can affect team dynamics and the shop's ability to serve customers effectively.

3. Potential Breach of Company Policies: Many workplaces have policies regarding punctuality and productivity. Jenae’s actions may violate those policies, placing her at risk of disciplinary action.

4. Impact on Colleagues: By not carrying her weight during slow business periods, Jenae might be placing extra burdens on her co-workers who are fulfilling their roles, creating inequality among the team.

While some may view these behaviors as minor infractions, collectively they demonstrate a pattern of unethical behavior that could have broader implications for her relationship with her employer and colleagues.