Discussion 102

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Discussion Questions

1. Racist email on police computers

The Australian government is investigating dozens of police for circulating racist, homophobic, and pornographic email on department computers. (March 2010). What can be done about these police officers (in your opinions)?

2. Employee files on company computers

An appeals court in New Jersey upheld the principle that an employee cannot expect that files stored on company computers are private. In this case, the company had turned over the computer to the police, who found records on it used to convict the employee of stealing $650,000 from the company. (Sept. 2008.

a. Do you agree/disagree with an appeals court? Why and why not?

b. Do you think the company does the right thing? Will you do the same thing if you own the company?

3. Other work related

Walking through a public Park on the way back to work after lunch, four employees of a large Internet services company begin clowning around and singing silly and raunchy songs. One of them captures the scene on his cell phone and later posts it on a major video site. In the video, the company logo is clearly visible on the T-shirts the employees are wearing. The company fires the employee who posted the video and has not yet decide on action against the others.

Discuss arguments for and against the firing. What disciplinary action, if any, is appropriate for the other employee.