Family Business Case
LS 312-02 Ethics and the Legal Environment
Kaplan University
4-27-14

INTRODUCTION
The stakeholders in the “Family Business” case are Brad the owner, the employees, R and S Electronics, Eddie the General Manager, Greg the service technician, and Jane the head of the Payroll Department. The interests of the stakeholders are to run a smooth, profitable business. Jane’s interest is to insure the employees get paid correctly and to manage payroll. The employee’s interests are to perform the assigned worker orders timely and efficiently. Eddie’s interest is to assign work order correctly, and that they get done in the order he describes. Brads interests are to make sure the business runs smoothly. Greg’s interests are to perform his assigned duties and complete work orders correctly and timely. The interests of all employees are to work ethically and legally.
LEGAL ANALYSIS The employment at-will doctrine applies to this case study. Most often businesses face wrongful termination lawsuits. However, businesses can get sued for improper promotions, hiring practices, and favoritism of work assignments (eGuide, n.d.). In this case, Eddie altered the work orders when he divided them. Greg received easier assignments with higher commissions while the other employees got the harder ones. Eddie would have violated the policy regarding ticket assignment in his treatment toward Greg his brother. When Eddie gave Greg a special list of tickets, favoritism and nepotism presented its self. All of the employees including Jane have the right to sue the company because of Eddie’s actions. Eddie also threatens to fire Jane if she mentions his actions to anyone else. The action creates a hostile work environment. Jane will now be looking over her shoulder in fear of her job. Eddie’s discriminatory actions, of giving Greg easier tickets