Case Scenario:
A Case of Freedom of Speech
As E-Kin grew, CFO Trump could not effectively manage all of the financial and accounting needs of the organization. The company decided to create a Controller position to oversee internal accounting, financial reporting, and tax administration. Beth Bleedingheart was hired to fill the position.
As Beth began reviewing cost accounting information, she noticed that E-Kin was purchasing its garments from a few select suppliers at very low prices. An Internet search revealed that these vendors are rumored to be using sweatshop textile mills in developing countries.
Beth contacted Purchasing Director Cash to see why E-Kin was able to buy garments at such low prices and to see if he was aware of the sweatshop rumors. Cash stated that the suppliers gave E-kin favorable pricing because E-kin purchased such large volumes. He reminded Beth that the garments were not the name brand clothing that you would buy in a department store. They were plain label and purchased wholesale. He also stated that E-kin has a strict policy against purchasing from suppliers that use sweatshop labor. He had already looked into the rumors and found them baseless.
Not satisfied, Beth went to CEO Pickens. Pickens stated that he had discussed the matter with Cash months ago and that he was satisfied with Cash's investigation of the suppliers.
Beth is still not satisfied. She believes that the low cost of the garments is blinding E-kin to the human rights abuses of its suppliers. She believes that, in general, E-kin is an ethical company that offers a valuable product. She also finds her job rewarding. However, she cannot tolerate the possibility that the company is profiting from sweatshop labor. She decides to create a website that will publicize E-kin's use of these suppliers and their alleged reliance on sweatshop labor. She works on the website only from home. It is housed on a server belonging to her home internet service provider. The domain name is "www.E-kin=sweatshops.com". On the site, she reveals the names of the suppliers and states that "These suppliers allegedly use sweatshop labor." One of the metatags for the website is "E-kin."
Word of the website quickly spreads throughout E-kin. Many top managers are furious with Beth. The controversy is severely harming the working relationships between the Controller's area and other company divisions.
Questions:
1. From an ethical perspective, should E-kin terminate Beth for her actions?
2. From an ethical and legal perspective, can E-kin object to any aspects of the website, such as the domain name, content, or "E-kin" metatag?