Old Smoke

Old Smoke

Introduction

In this paper we are going to answer the questions based on the situation that was handled by Charles Renfold. Moreover, we will recommend Redwood Associates regarding the smoking policies with respect to business ethics. We will also focus on the reasonable facts that go in favor of banning smoking in company's parking lot.

1. Explain how you would handle this situation if you were Charles Renfold?

The essence of the situation is that I have one employee who has difficulties in working in an environment that smells of cigarettes. I have given her direction to perform her work duties in a manner that is entirely within the scope of her job description. She states she cannot accomplish her duties because of the odor of smoke in the files room. After I explained company policy and state laws that may or may not apply, Darlene still refused to do her job. I pointed out this was the first time she has ever complained about this subject, and explained the time-criticality of the needed report. I would handle the situation this way:

Ask Alice or Frank to pull the required files.

Inform Darlene this is her first “bite of the apple” so to speak, and any other instances of insubordination will be formally recorded and placed in her personnel record.

Petition management to provide a smoking area outside of the office for employees to smoke.

In the end, everyone is working and he gets his report done. It also makes Renford, the boss, more approachable, and this reduces conflict with his subordinates. This is especially important because Redwood Associates is a small office and it is not a big corporation with a definite chain of command (De George, 2007).

2. Describe the policy on smoking that you would recommend to Redwood Associates?

The company is legally entitled to state that all smoking must be done on break, out of the building, and away from the doors, possibly in one or more designated smoking areas. That is probably what the company should do, because they want to make sure they are doing everything within their power to alleviate the problem, just in case Darlene decides to get a lawyer and file a suit. The policy would not solve this problem, because Darlene is complaining about old smoke, and smoke odors can cling to the clothes of her co-workers. A workplace tobacco control program like we had in the military ...