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You have many choices within a week, however very regularly one prevents you in your tracks since it needs a larger issue of principles. Jeffrey Seglin, Inc.‘s local ethicist answers to several latest ethical questions.

You have many choices within a week, however very regularly one prevents you in your tracks since it needs a larger issue of principles: What is correct and what is incorrect? Here are a few latest questions.

Women Need Not Apply

Dear Inc.:
I have carry on the terrible incident of wrongly charged of sexual harassment from a lady who reports to me. Although, I was vindicated of those offenses, character and name has been pulled to the dirt for months. Therefore, I will no longer think about employing a female on my staff. It is very risky. I recognize there are many lawful charges carried; however, surely I cannot be by myself in this incident. — Wall Street Executive

Dear WSE:
It is not surprising you are very mad and focused to not take it once more. However envision what you may happen if you pursue your current route.

You must know at the moment the natural risk in your rule of not employing a female. Once you are caught, your company can cost big money. The year 1992 case, State Farm paid $157 million to several females who charged they had been sexually singled out since they have not been given jobs as sales representatives.

Thus you need to remember: it is immoral, unlawful, and money-wise risky not employ females.

Yet, you are most likely not by yourself to have been accused wrongly. From the 17,000 cases decided by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission the year 1998, 42% are discharged for being “no sensible grounds.” It is a dark part, still. Given the “proof” is regularly a he said, she said range, cases might be tough to verify. Plus, certainly, in the first place it is possible that many cases do not even get reported.

Pocketing Payroll Taxes

Dear Inc.:
I am the accountant of a small business. I have been working here ever since the business was launched. We have remarkable expansion in profits however frequently discover that our flow of cash is too firm. In some incidents after the firm’s owner and I talked and review the records of places we owed cash to and give priority that would be paid when. Our accounts receivable do not constantly enter timely to cover up our debts, therefore we leak the cash out. But four months past, that move was okay. However, the owner, currently — my boss — has been telling me to stop giving the payroll tax to the IRS. “It is only a temporary loan,” he promised me. However I am actually not comfortable with the procedure. Two queries: Is this a normal action? And if this is unlawful, can I be accountable for the cash once the IRS finds out? — Cook of the Books

Dear Cook:
If you pass through the IRS’s figures, your business is not the single one hold up. Based on the latest records of IRS, from September 30, 1998, 2 million companies owed $49 billion in not paid taxes. According to Richard M. Colombik, a tax attorney and head of International Tax Associates, in Schaumburg The IRS would possible look into anybody whose name is on the payroll checks. However, he added, “once you are the accountant and your superior says, not to pay the IRS or you are done,’ you actually do not have the capability to decide who is getting paid, plus you probably will not accountable.” However, after the profits service follow you, it would target your superior and forcefully.

As the accountant, you might be in a quite better situation to evaluate the financial well-being of the business. Frequently if taxes are not paid, the huge problem is this, says Colombik: “Many individuals are very intent on handling exclusively with the tax problems. They do not look back and say, ‘Is saving this company worth it? ”

Here Come the Bribes

Dear Inc.:
I am a superior sales executive in a international business. The head of our business has told us to be constantly kind to potential clients throughout our initial meeting, however don’t to attempt to sell our goods next. Rather, we are to prove importance in their business and provide them a kind corral with our firm’s symbol in it as a present. Out of 10 times, 9 times we have the business, though we are not the most affordable. Everything is well; however the actions of providing pens to succeed business upheavals me. My superior is laughing he said, “What is the matter? Can you still be good to individuals any longer?” How could I persuade him this is not right? — Conflicted Sales King