Ethics- Office Supply Theft

The word ethics means a set of principles of right conduct; a theory or a system of moral values. Being ethical is also not the same as following the law. The law often incorporates ethical standards to which most citizens subscribe. But laws, like feelings, can deviate from what is ethical. In any society, most people accept standards that are, in fact, ethical. But standards of behavior in society can deviate from what is ethical. An entire society can become ethically corrupt. Nazi Germany is a good example of a morally corrupt society.
The word theft means the act of stealing; the felonious taking and removing of personal property with the intent to deprive the rightful owner; the unlawful taking of property. Within the office people are constantly using pens, legal pads, and self-adhesive pads that are supplied by their company and sometimes knowingly take these supplies home. If a person knows they are taking from the office they are considered to be stealing because the intent aspect is clearly present. Some companies will terminate their employees if caught “stealing” office supplies because it displays dishonesty and distrust to the company, thus “bringing down moral”. Some people think if theft is expected within the company then they need to reconsider a new Human Resources Department because it gives off the impression of shrugging ones shoulders and saying, “I expected that.” On the other hand some companies would rather their employees

focus on their work and expect some amount of supplies to leave for non-work purposes. However if they start seeing the supplies budget increasing because of these types of things then they will make it someone’sproblem. In some cases people rationalize their theft with the idea of not getting a promotion or a raise they think they deserve; in their mind, they really did not steal.
Ethically, statistics in the office, regarding supplies taken home,may shock some people. Nineteen percent of workers admit that...