The article, “Lincoln Center President’s Abrupt Departure Was Prompted by a Relationship” discusses a forbidden relationship by the company policy between the president of Lincoln Center, Jed Bernstein and a subordinate woman. The center, the world’s leading performing arts complex, had presented the resignation as a sudden but understandable decision by a cultural leader who wanted to return to producing shows for the stage, where he had spent much of his career.

In reality, Mr. Bernstein, 61, was forced from the top post after an anonymous complaint revealed that he had been involved in a consensual relationship with a woman in her 30s who worked for him and whom he had twice promoted, according to two people briefed on his resignation. They spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations over his departure were confidential. Concerns about Mr. Bernstein first came to the board’s attention in November when he asked to renew his contract, which was to expire in December 2016. In preparation, Lincoln Center which was planning to grant the renewal, sought feedback about him from members of the senior staff. While some praised Mr. Bernstein for his energy and enthusiasm, others complained about his management style, namely his telling off-color jokes and addressing female employees as “Sweetie” and “Honey,” the people briefed on the matter said. Executives from Lincoln Center asked Mr. Bernstein to work with a coach about his behavior but in reality most employees at Lincoln Center didn’t believe it’s president involved such sexual harassment. Then in March before Mr. Bernstein’s contract was signed, an anonymous worker alerted Lincoln Center Executives about a sexual relationship between Mr. Bernstein and a female employee whom he had promoted, most recently to a senior position in September. Although the inquiry determined that the relationship had ended by the time Mr. Bernstein was confronted and that it appeared to be consensual, the sources said, it violated Lincoln Center’s policies about senior management dating subordinates. The organization declined to provided a copy of the policy.

Lincoln Center officials confronted Mr. Bernstein, who agreed to resign and was paid a sum of money according to the terms of his contract, which are confidential. As for why Lincoln Center did not originally disclose the true circumstances of Mr. Bernstein’s departure, the sources said the institution wanted to protect the woman involved. The Times is withholding her name to protect her privacy. Lincoln Center was also satisfied that the woman, having been twice promoted under its previous president, Reynold Levy, deserved the latest promotion that she had received from Mr. Bernstein, the sources said.

This case shows us an important ethical problem we all face in business world. Not only at Lincoln Center, this problem can be seen in lots of different organizations. Some organizations don’t hinder such relationships between workers but most of them do. Mr. Bernstein on the other hand was the president of the company and of course he was aware of this policy. The relationship he had, was neither professional nor ethical. He was at the top position in the company and his unethical behavior surely damaged his career. However, I believe that Lincoln Center also followed unethical steps in Mr. Bernstein’s resignation.

First of all, this case leaked into public. Spokesman of the company let media know that Mr. Bernstein involved sexual harassment and had an affair with his subordinate. I always believe that those problems should be kept inside of company. When inside information leaks to public, this situation may damage the workers as well as the company. Lincoln Center couldn’t even protect the woman’s identity, but thankfully, The Times was responsible enough by withholding her name to protect her privacy. In my point of view, inside relationships within the company shouldn’t be hindered as long as unfair promotions and other benefits take into place. One other issue was, Lincoln Center declined to provide a copy of the policy stating rules on senior management dating subordinates. At this point Lincoln Center should have been transparent. On the other hand, executives at Lincoln Center agreed that, woman deserved the latest promotion that she had received from Mr. Bernstein. So we can not say Mr Bernstein did an unethical promotion by following his feelings.

All in all, Mr Bernstein’s behavior was unethical because he failed to abide the company policy. In the resignation stage Lincoln Center also made unethical procedures by letting public know about the situation. Since United States is a free country, in my point of view, inside relationships within the same company should not be banned. This may de-motive workers and decrease productivity or vica versa is also possible but again, it is always better to provide a free environment, get rid of bias and judge people if they cant get things done.