Question

“The Covid-19 outbreak crisis is unprecedented, causing severe damage to businesses and the economic ecosystem and affecting the profession in all sectors. Despite these challenges and as trusted business partners, the profession must rise to the occasion in these challenging times and demonstrate their relevance in assisting businesses to recover from financial distress, while supporting government initiatives towards nation building.” (Huang Shze Jiun, MIA President)8 Now, more than ever, the Institute must embrace new ways of doing things – CPD activities will only run using online platforms, at a much reduced rate. Popular conferences are now put on hold, most probably indefinitely. The Institute needs to re-strategize, capitalizing on its ever-ready digital platform, in order to ensure that services and activities for its members are not adversely affected. The dedicated web page, Covid-19 Resources for Member and MIA Stakeholders, has been developed to provide essential resources, updates and guidance, including information from the relevant authorities. Nurmazilah hopes that this would help support everyone in this challenging period and to help ensure a fully functioning accountancy profession in the country. Come what may, this Covid-19 storm needs to be weathered. Nurmazilah now contemplates whether any other initiatives should be further undertaken.

Discuss the potential ethical issues that can be deduced from the case and how to solve it?

Answer 1

The potential ethical issues that can be deduced from the case are employees taking undue advantage of online working or working from home and might not be that productive at work since they might feel that nobody is watching over them and hence they can waste time and be less productive. Moreover there are chances of confidential organizational information leaking online since no watch is being maintained on employees sharing such information. Additionally, the employees can enfagevin unfair business practices by doing settlement with clients and the company not coming to know about such developments. All such unethical practices can be followed, giving rise to potential ethical issues and organization has to look into such matter and ensure that upgraded technology is being utilized and ethical approach is being followed by keeping a track on all the employees.