BHR 3551
One Cent Policy: is it Ethical?
Columbia Southern University
BHR 3551 Human Relations and Development
One Cent Policy: is it Ethical?
“Interpersonal Relations Case 15.1 – The One Cent Ethical Dilemma”, on p. 375 of
Human Resources by Andrew J. DuBrin challenges the reader to come up with solutions on what
Rajah, the relatively new manager of a discount general store, can do to express his concerns
over a new policy his district manager is implementing. The “One Cent” policy would require
cashiers to keep any customer’s change that totaled one cent, while smiling; only giving the
change due to customer’s if they demanded it. The theory behind this was that if the company’s
1,200 stores adopted this policy it would help boost the company’s overall profit. While most
companies are within their legal rights to establish their own policies, even when it comes to
exact change policies, it doesn’t mean that they are necessarily ethical. In this given instance the
policy may be legal but could end up damaging the relationship between the company and the
customer if the policy is not received well by the latter. For example, several customers could
feel as if the company were stealing from them, no matter how small the amount, become upset
over the new policy, and choose to boycott the company in retaliation. The “One Cent” policy
may in fact boosts the company’s revenue over time, but could also potentially risk them losing
customers, as well.
Addressing Concerns with Policy through Ethical Screening
While Rajah may feel as though he cannot address his concerns surrounding the new
policy with his district manager due to him being relatively new to the company, there are
several steps he can take to make his voice heard. Rajah could conduct an ethical screening test,
One Cent Policy: is it Ethical?
Columbia Southern University
BHR 3551 Human Relations and Development
One Cent Policy: is it Ethical?
“Interpersonal Relations Case 15.1 – The One Cent Ethical Dilemma”, on p. 375 of
Human Resources by Andrew J. DuBrin challenges the reader to come up with solutions on what
Rajah, the relatively new manager of a discount general store, can do to express his concerns
over a new policy his district manager is implementing. The “One Cent” policy would require
cashiers to keep any customer’s change that totaled one cent, while smiling; only giving the
change due to customer’s if they demanded it. The theory behind this was that if the company’s
1,200 stores adopted this policy it would help boost the company’s overall profit. While most
companies are within their legal rights to establish their own policies, even when it comes to
exact change policies, it doesn’t mean that they are necessarily ethical. In this given instance the
policy may be legal but could end up damaging the relationship between the company and the
customer if the policy is not received well by the latter. For example, several customers could
feel as if the company were stealing from them, no matter how small the amount, become upset
over the new policy, and choose to boycott the company in retaliation. The “One Cent” policy
may in fact boosts the company’s revenue over time, but could also potentially risk them losing
customers, as well.
Addressing Concerns with Policy through Ethical Screening
While Rajah may feel as though he cannot address his concerns surrounding the new
policy with his district manager due to him being relatively new to the company, there are
several steps he can take to make his voice heard. Rajah could conduct an ethical screening test,
