Ethics Scenario #11: Harristown Rape Crisis Center

11. Mia is the executive director of the local Rape Crisis Center. One of her friends from college, Penelope, was recently fired from her job as the government relations officer for a local college, and asks Mia if she knows of any similar positions that might be available. Mia’s organization has a government relations officer, Sandy, who has done a relatively good job for the organization, but Mia does not feel that she has become friends with this staff member, and it would be great to have someone work for her whom she can be friends with, as well, in the same way she and Penelope were in college. Mia decides to ask Penelope to work for her and fire Sandy, an “at will” employee.

a. Is Mia acting ethically if she hires her friend and fires Sandy?

b. Is Mia acting legally if she does this?