Ethics Scenario #101: People's Voting Project

101.  Morgana is an administrative assistant for the People’s Voting Project, a consortium of progressive organizations working to increase voting among populations most likely to vote for progressive candidates. Morgana is riled up about a new dress code that has recently been put into effect by the executive director, Melvin, who put the policy in a formal memo. The policy includes a ban on nose rings, eyebrow piercings and certain other types of decorative piercings that Morgana has spent good money for and is quite proud of. Those who violate the policy will be sanctioned, and may be even fired if they fail to honor the terms of this policy. The policy was never discussed by Melvin with the staff, and certainly was never considered by the organization’s  board of directors. She sits down and drafts an email complaining about new policy and sends it to the entire membership of the People’s Voting Project Board of Directors, suggesting that Melvin be fired if he refuses to rescind the policy.

a. Is Morgana’s behavior ethical?

b. Is Melvin’s behavior ethical?