Case of Bundoc I.
Content of the case
Mr. Francisco Bundoc was a newly appointed member of the board of regents of a state university. He is well-known for being a successful businessman who owns a chain of restaurant in Central Luzon and he is also the current president of the local chapter of a civic organization. Dr. H.C. Agao, the state university president, proposed an increase in tuition during the monthly meeting of the board of regents. Initially, Mr. Bundoc did not agree to this proposal and he personally convinced the other board members to do the same which resulted to a majority of opposing votes.
Dr. Agao came up with another way of convincing Mr. Bundoc to agree with him. He decided to do business with Mrs. Bundoc's catering services. She soon became the sole food caterer of the university. This business arrangement became a good source of income for Mrs. Bundoc. With such arrangement, she would always remind her husband the importance of keeping a good relationship with Dr Agao. Eventually, Mr. Bundoc became more accommodating to any proposals by Dr. Agao.
II.
Background of the Client
Dr. H.C. Agao is the current president of the state university.
Mr. Francisco Bundoc is a successful businessman who owns a chain of restaurant in Central Luzon. He is the current president of the local chapter of a civic organization. He just recently became an appointed member of the board of regents in the state university.
Mrs. Bundoc owns a catering services and she just recently made business with Dr. Agao as the university's sole food caterer.
III.
A. General Question
1. What is a state university board regents?
According to the Republic Act No. 9500 Sec. 12-13 of the University of the Philippines charter of 2008, the university board of regents is vested the power to govern the university. One of the necessary duties of the board of regents is to dwell with the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, as the board may deem proper to impose, after due and comprehensive consultation with the students concerned.
2. Why is it important?
The university board of regents serves many duties and responsibilities in governing the national university. They play a big role in the decision-making for the university's improvement at all aspects through board meetings. They perform many important functions like defining the thrusts of the university and ensuring the implementation of the policy guidelines, preserving the integrity of the university, adhering to the recommendations and concerns of the university council, and to approve the rules on disciplinary measures provided by the university council (University of the Philippines Charter ,2008).
B. Case specific Questions
1. Is there anything wrong with the actions of the three personalities in this case? Elaborate your answers
The three personalities involves Mr. Bundoc, Mrs. bundoc, and Dr. Agao. The problematic behavior about Mr. bundoc is that he personally persuaded other board members of the board to side with him instead of discussing his opposition to Dr. Agao's proposal during the board meeting. According to Amico (2008) one of the components of workplace ethics is integrity which involves honesty and to always do what is right. He also stated that people with integrity avoid sneakiness in the workplace.
Dr. Agao was problematic in a way that he befriended Mrs. Bundoc and arranged a business relation with her for the sake of his personal interest. There was a conflict of interest in this situation wherein his intention of doing business with Mrs. Agao was to make sure that he stays in the good graces of Mr. Bundoc. McDonald (2007) stated that conflict of interest will not just damage particular clients or employers, but it also results to reduces the trust people have for their colleagues.
IV.
Discussion
Mr. Francisco Bundoc is the newly appointed member of the university board of regents. During one of the monthly board meetings, he disapproved with the proposal of Dr. Agao to increase the tuition fee. Dr. Agao devised another option on convincing Mr. Bundoc to agree with his proposal. Dr. Agao decided to do business with Mrs. Bundoc as the sole food caterer of the university for meetings and events. This business relationship became a good source of money for Mrs. Bundoc which made her convince husband to keep a good relationship with Dr. Agao. Eventually, Mr. Bundoc's opposition towards Dr. Agao soften and he became more accommodating towards any of his proposal.
The decision of Mr. Bundoc to convince other members of the board was unprofessional. Professionalism involves always fighting fairly. As mentioned by McKay (2018) disagreements with your co-workers is inevitable and you should openly explain your opinion.
Dr. Agao's decision to make Mr. Bundoc agree with him was also unethical. He shouldn't involve his personal interest in doing business with someone.Conflict of interest usually affects the judgement or decision-making of a person towards their work, duties and relationships with their co -workers which would have a negative impact towards the productivity of the organizat (Desmit, 2015).
V.
Recommendations
1. Openly discuss your stand to your co-workers during a meeting. Refrain from personally convincing them to side with you.
2. Refrain from the influence of you personal interest when doing business with people and always be upfront with your intentions.
VI.
Summary
Both professionalism and ethical behavior are highly valued by every organization today. Professionalism in the workplace is about respect and service.
San luis (2018) stated that it is evident in the workplace today that the attitude of professionalism is becoming less present. Mr. Bundoc and Dr. Agao should maintain the implementation of the ethical guidelines of the workplace. As members of the university board of regents which plays a big role in governing the university, they must be careful with their decision-making and they must be well aware of
workplace ethics. Mr. Bundoc must practice discussing his opinions fairly by not personally persuading his co-workers. Dr. Agao should avoid the influence of his personal interest because it may result to unethical actions.
References
University of the Phillippines Charter (2008). Retrieved from https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2008/ra_9500_2008.html
Amico, S. (2018). Workplace Ethics & Behavior. Retrieved from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-ethics-behavior-5239.html
Desmit, K. (2015). Conflict of Interest in the Workplace. Retrieved from https://www.lawdepot.com/blog/conflict-of-interest-in-the-workplace/
McDonald, M. (2007). Ethics and Conflict of Interest. Retrieved from https://ethics.ubc.ca/peoplemcdonaldconflict-htm/
McKay, D. R. (2018). 11 Tips To Help You Act Like a Professional. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/professionalism-526248
San Luis, G. (2018). Professionalism in the workplace. Retrieved from https://business.inquirer.net/252614/professionalism-in-the-workplace