Task 2. READING Read the text below and choose the best word to fill each gap from A, B, C or D below.
Most people think of ‘being ethical’ in business ethics as compliance with laws and financial regulations to avoid (1) . When these are not (2) , as in the case of Enron, the story makes headlines around the world and has a huge negative impact on the people and companies involved. Most business people are not tempted to commit large scale financial fraud, though, and are (3) of the consequences. Instead, it is the day-to-day actions and behaviour of individuals which present the most problems.
As a manager, if you (4) a blind eye to seemingly small matters such as staff taking home office supplies then you are not (5) yourself with an ethical workplace. Everyone watches everyone else to see where the ethical boundaries are. You should carefully consider what messages you are sending by your (6) or inaction, words and attitudes.
(7) the whole there are three areas to consider in everyday business ethics. The first is respect. Respect for the people you work with; respect for the company resources – time, equipment and money; and respect for the working environment, which includes obeying laws and regulations. You should treat the people you work with well – with (8) and honesty – and use the company equipment for work purposes – that means no personal phone calls.
Responsibility is the second area, and means working well with others – (9) instance doing your share of the work – and providing high quality services and goods to your customers.
(10), the ‘The end justifies the means’ argument is not one that an ethical person would use. Means are as important as ends because good results are important. (11) you achieved the results by being unethical either morally or legally then you endanger the business and your own career.
Do not forget: don’t take what isn’t yours. This applies to everything from taking office supplies (12) as paper and pens to taking the credit for work done by others. Also, (13) you agree to confidentiality, keep your word. And be able to say that every answer you give is as (14) as it can be, because if you give (15) information it is bound to affect your future business relationship. And remember that the excuse ‘Everyone does it’ just doesn’t work, especially in a court of law.
1 A legal B law C lawyers D lawsuits
2 A obeying B obeyed C obey D disobey
3 A careful B respectful C mindful D lawful
4 A see B show C take D turn
5 A aligning B sharing C turning D leaving
6 A words B thoughts C actions D message
7 A To B At C In D On
8 A integrity B pleasant C nice D polite
9 A in B for C to D as
10 A Secondly B At last C Finally D Then
11 A If B Unless C When D Could
12 A seen B good C like D such
13 A providing B could C unless D if
14 A sure B reasonable C accurate D believable
15 A misleading B true C correct D real
1. He should come as soon as I was ready.
2. Peter would know that I had gone to the concert if I was not at home by eight.
3. She would come to the Philharmonic with you if you got tickets.
4. Five years ago there had been no people living here at all.
5. She should go skiing on Sunday if I had time.
6. They had finished building this house only last week.
7. It would be so pleasant when Tom came home.
8. She should do it now if you liked.
9. My brother had been here that day.
10. It was a pity you hadn't come earlier.
11. There would be an interesting lecture at the school assembly hall next day. One of our teachers would speak about Charles Dickens.
12. Last year he had spent my summer vacation in the Caucasus.
13. He had come to live in this town several years ago.
14. Jane would be reading you a story until it was time to go to bed.
15. You had read all about it in the newspaper.