Chapter 6
September 29, 2010
1. Were you the public relations director of HP, what would you have advised Chair Dunn in terms of “plugging leaks”?
I would never have advised Dunn to do anything like “pretexting.” That is extremely unethical. Taking someone’s personal information to impersonate them to gather more personal information is unacceptable. I would have advised a legal way to acquire the necessary information rather than something so invasive.
2. Had you not been consulted in advance but found out about the leak investigation after-the-fact, what would you have done?
I would advise that the investigation be immediately halted. If word got out that HP was doing something completely unethical, it could ruin their spotless reputation. I would advise the company to keep the investigation under wraps and if that failed then I would advise they admit the investigation to the public.
3. What steps would you recommend Hewlett-Packard take to avoid such ethical problems in the future?
Implementing or requiring a course on business ethics would be good. Everyone could use a refresher course. Also they should review and update their code of conduct. They should include identity theft into the “do not do” category. You figured it would be there already…
Chris Fader Public Relations 
Excellent answer to Question 3. I completely agree that a refresher course is a good idea and revisiting their code of conduct would be wise as well. HP should remain honest from now on and hire employees that are willing to break the law to try to get information.
Chris,
I think you’re right about the business ethics class. Whatever is being taught in our country’s business schools about ethics is obviously not working!!! Hopefully, our A-C COMM majors will act far more ethically.
Dr. Schultz
I teach business ethics and I agree the past years have not been edifying but we learn from experience. Of course, the most effective way of encouraging business ethics are prison time and social disgrace.
Chris,
Congratulations on being the first (and only–so far) person to receive a comment from someone outside of your classmates and me. It may feel a bit creepy but it just proves how public the internet is (the glass house metaphor applies here).
Dr. Schultz
Creepy?!