Ethics Training: Class Is in Session, but Can Ethics Really Be Taught?

...

Name: Yes, because of an incident that occurred last year, UTC has begun to train all employees in export standards. It’s important that we all have a general knowledge of ethics and right and wrong when dealing with export issues.

“United Technologies Corporation (UTC) has agreed to pay more than $75 million as part of a “global settlement” with the State Department and Justice Department to address arms export violations to China, false and belated disclosures to the U.S. Government about these illegal exports, and many other compliance failures” (Office of the Spokesperson, 2012).

What this means in plain English is Pratt & Whitney Canada made a mistake in exporting information to another country, then lied to cover up the facts. United Technologies must be heavily regulated and monitored for the next year. UTC is changing our standard practices and we must prove that we are in compliance with the government’s rules on exports. Read the story: export issues

Please read the online article which describes the corrective actions UTC is taking to resolve this issue:

“Commenting on the resolution, United Technologies Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Louis Chênevert stated, “Export controls are an integral part of safeguarding U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. As a supplier of controlled products and technologies to the Department of Defense and other domestic and international customers, we are committed to conducting business in full compliance with all export laws and regulations. We accept responsibility for these past violations and we deeply regret they occurred” (United Technologies Announces Resolution of Export Control Matters, 2012)

Name: Name, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me about ethical business practices at Pratt & Whitney.

Name: My pleasure!

References

Office of the Spokesperson, 2012, U.S. Department of State. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/06/194223.htm

United Technologies Announces Resolution of Export Control Matters, 2012, Retreived from

http://www.utc.com/News/United+Technologies+Announces+Resolution+of+Export+Co ntrol+Matters