ACCEPTING A BRIBE TO HELP THE NEEDY: A MANAGER’S DILEMMA

This case describes an ethical dilemma faced by an employee of an established business organisation. Working in a business environment rife with unethical practices, Zafar came to believe that some of these practices were acceptable for the business to survive, particularly in the context of dysfunctional state institutions. He drew the line when an act became detrimental to the interest of his organisation. Also, he chose not to become directly involved in such practices. In his personal life, a cause close to his heart was helping the poor for which purpose, in addition to other things, he started a school for children of poor families in a low-income area with the help of a friend named Qasim. Funds were needed to run this school, which he generated from his own income and through the support of his family and friends. He also convinced Qasim to secure business from his organisation, ZSP, even if it required using commissions/bribes, and use the funds generated through this venture to further their charitable causes. The dilemma Zafar faced was when a company, FEP, contacted him to help materialize a deal with ZSP in exchange for a handsome commission. Being a reputable name, FEP had all the ingredients of a valuable partner. While Zafar believed that taking a commission for a deal of this kind would not harm his organisation, he could not bring himself to personally benefit from the financial gain. One way out was to utilise the funds for the poor children who attended his school. Refusing to take the commission would not have any impact on this practice since someone else in his organisation would be quite willing to accept it. It would also mean the loss of a good opportunity to support an important cause. Zafar was still unable to decide.