United Hardware, a small manufacturer of specialty hardware fixtures, is having a rough time due to the general economic downturn. This morning, Karen Hawkins and the other 14 employees received an e-mail from the company president explaining that the only way he could avoid laying off one (unnamed) employee is if all 15 employees agree to take five days of unpaid leave during the first quarter of the new calendar year. The e-mail states that the president is willing to reduce his own salary by the five days. Several of Karen's colleagues have expressed their support for this idea, but Karen does not support it because she is having trouble making ends meet as it is. It would be a real hardship for her to lose the five days' salary.
Karen looks back through the Employee Manual that she was given when she joined the company three years ago. It does not mention unpaid leave. She reviews the e-mail from the company president. He stipulates that the employees are to meet in the conference rooms later this week and take a secret-ballot vote on whether to approve the president's idea.
Is it ethical or unethical for Karen to vote No on the president's idea? Why or why not? Which of the ethical standards is relevant in this situation? Are multiple standards relevant?