Description of the activity and instructions

Assume that you are a cashier, and your manager requires that you immediately enter each sale when it occurs. Recently, lunch hour traffic has increased, and the assistant manager asks you to avoid delays by taking customers’ cash and making change without entering sales. The assistant manager says she will add up cash and enter sales after lunch. She says that, in this way, customers will be happy to, and the register record will always match the cash amount when the manager arrives at three o’clock.

The advantages to the process proposed by the assistant manager include improved customer service, fewer delays, and less work for you. The disadvantage is that the assistant manager could steal cash by simply recording less sales than the cash received and them pocketing the excess cash. You decide to reject her suggestion without the manager’s approval and to confront her on the ethics of her suggestion.

Propose, evaluate and clearly indicate two courses of action that you might consider and explain why. Give the advantages and disadvantages of each proposal.



Answer :

Answer:

Course of Action 1: Follow the Assistant Manager's Instructions

Proposed Action: Enter cash received from customers without recording sales and allow the Assistant Manager to add up cash and enter sales later.

Advantages:

- Improved customer service due to reduced delays

- Less work for the cashier

- Assistant Manager can manage the cash and sales records

Disadvantages:

- Risk of Assistant Manager stealing cash by falsifying sales records

- Violation of company policy and manager's instructions

- Potential loss of trust and integrity in the workplace

Course of Action 2: Refuse to Follow the Assistant Manager's Instructions

Proposed Action: Continue entering sales immediately as required by the manager, and confront the Assistant Manager about the ethical concerns.

Advantages:

- Adherence to company policy and manager's instructions

- Maintenance of integrity and trust in the workplace

- Prevention of potential theft or fraud

Disadvantages:

- Delays in customer service during peak hours

- Potential conflict with Assistant Manager

- Additional workload for the cashier

Evaluation:

Course of Action 1 is not recommended as it compromises the company's policies and ethical standards, putting the cashier at risk of being complicit in potential fraud.

Course of Action 2 is the recommended approach, as it prioritizes integrity, trust, and adherence to company policies. While it may result in temporary delays, it ensures that the cashier maintains ethical standards and avoids potential legal and professional consequences.