Ethical dilemma:
Confidentiality agreements & ethics
March 2007
This is the first ethical dilemma for 2007
You are undertaking a few week's of temporary work at a large Australian resources firm. Prior to commencing work you were asked to sign a confidentiality agreement in relation to your temporary role, which you did willingly.
However, in the course of your work you have seen numerous documents which seem to indicate the company is working to undermine the political stability of a nearby small developing nation with a view to securing access to its wealth of mining resources. From what you have read it appears a local Government department is assisting the resources company to secure the right to mine in the developing nation and is aware of the methods being used.
You are aware from media reports that the company you are working for is currently in the process of closing several operations around Australia and will be laying off large numbers of employees. Such is the size of this company, its future success is seen as being important to the Australian economy.
Ethical questions:
- What are the issues?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- What should you do?
- What would you do?
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