Hypothetical Ethics Question
Billy Bob
Bree...@AOL.COM writes:
<< Here is a question for you to ponder during the holidays.
>>
Happy New Year Ya'll!
Our school district has a $5.00 amount limit on the "size" of a gift a teacher
can accept. This is a board policy. But, if I were a teacher I would accept
the movie tickets from the poor family, to not do so may hurt their feelings.
The heck with the board policy!
Dither
Dithe...@aol.com
Sue Kovacs
gifts which mirror those of state employees.
No 1 scenerio would be acceptable, but I did like the one response about giving
them to their children as a return gift from me--especially since it has been 4
years since I had time to go to a movie.
No 3 scenerio would be illegal for us, and very suspicious for a teacher.
sko...@pdnt.com (K-8)
Sanford Morris
> Scenario #1
> You have worked very closely with a family regarding their children. This
> family is exceptionally poor (but highly values education and the importance
> of school). The day before the holiday recess, this family gives you a pair
> of movie tickets as a token of their sincere appreciation for all that you
> have done to help them educate their children. Is it ethical to accept such a
> gift, why or why not?
This is a sincere effort to say thanks. Tell them that you don't feel you can
accept their generous gift but recognize what they are saying to you, and that it
is truly appreciated. However, some others in the community would not understand
their generosity and might object. Therefore, ask them to use the tickets to take
their own children to a holiday show. You will enjoy a tremendous satisfaction
knowing that they will be having quality time with their children.
Their feelings will not be hurt and you have avoided an ethical dilemma
> Scenario #2
> Same situation except the family is middle class and the gift is movie tickets
> and a $50 gift certificate for dinner. Again, is it or is it not ethical to
> accept and why?
Same response as above.
> Scenario #3
> Same details except it is now a very wealth family and the gift is $5,000
> because they know you are trying to buy a house but haven't saved quite enough
> money for the closing costs (they have connections in the community). Is it
> ethical to accept, why or why not?
Get real! This scenario is clearly a breach of confidence with the
community. Besides, if you have made that great an impact on their children, they
should be nominating you for sainthood. :-)
> What do you think!!!!!!!
>
> Bob Breidenstein
> Asst. Principal
> Orchard Park Middle School
Sanford Morris
Curriculum Coordinator
Oakfield-Alabama Schools
Oakfield, NY 14125
716 948-5211