Q.4 Sanjay is a fresh post-graduate from a prestigious management college. He was among the top of his batch and has landed a good job with a handsome salary at a food and beverage multinational corporation. This particular company is known for promoting healthy snacks and beverages that have no sugar and low trans-fat content. This was one of the major reasons for Sanjay to apply for this job. Sanjay thinks that through his work, he may be able to contribute something towards a healthy society and fit India. Sanjay likes the work culture of the organization as well as the nature of his new job. In just a few weeks, Sanjay’s out of box thinking has helped him to get into the good books of his manager. One day, Sanjay was called in a meeting by his manager and was given the responsibility of designing a campaign for a new product. This was a big deal for Sanjay because such tasks are given only to experienced employees and he was a fresh joinee. While working on his assignment, Sanjay notices that most of the new products have a considerable amount of sweeteners in it. Although sugar was avoided, it was replaced with other products like maple syrup, corn syrup, fructose etc. This particular product has very high fructose content. High fructose content negatively impacts your metabolic health and may contribute to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Sanjay tries to discuss the matter with his manager but his manager sternly tells him to do as he is told. His manager tells him that the company is claiming that there is no sugar in their product, which is true and everything they are doing is legal. Further, similar practice is followed by all other competitors in the market. Sanjay still feels that this is a manipulative practice where consumers are deceived into buying unhealthy food products. Sanjay is afraid that taking up this matter with his manager can be counter-productive for his new career and he can even be dismissed as he is still on probation. Sanjay is the sole breadwinner in his family and has a huge education loan to pay off. At first, Sanjay thinks that this is how business is done and he should drop this matter but his conscience keeps on pricking him to do something. a) Analyze the conduct of the multi-national company from the perspective of ethics. b) What are different options for Sanjay in this situation? Evaluate each of the options and suggest the most suitable course of action. (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce by describing the conflict in the case. In the first part of the question, reflect on company’s … Continue reading Q.4 Sanjay is a fresh post-graduate from a prestigious management college. He was among the top of his batch and has landed a good job with a handsome salary at a food and beverage multinational corporation. This particular company is known for promoting healthy snacks and beverages that have no sugar and low trans-fat content. This was one of the major reasons for Sanjay to apply for this job. Sanjay thinks that through his work, he may be able to contribute something towards a healthy society and fit India. Sanjay likes the work culture of the organization as well as the nature of his new job. In just a few weeks, Sanjay’s out of box thinking has helped him to get into the good books of his manager. One day, Sanjay was called in a meeting by his manager and was given the responsibility of designing a campaign for a new product. This was a big deal for Sanjay because such tasks are given only to experienced employees and he was a fresh joinee. While working on his assignment, Sanjay notices that most of the new products have a considerable amount of sweeteners in it. Although sugar was avoided, it was replaced with other products like maple syrup, corn syrup, fructose etc. This particular product has very high fructose content. High fructose content negatively impacts your metabolic health and may contribute to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Sanjay tries to discuss the matter with his manager but his manager sternly tells him to do as he is told. His manager tells him that the company is claiming that there is no sugar in their product, which is true and everything they are doing is legal. Further, similar practice is followed by all other competitors in the market. Sanjay still feels that this is a manipulative practice where consumers are deceived into buying unhealthy food products. Sanjay is afraid that taking up this matter with his manager can be counter-productive for his new career and he can even be dismissed as he is still on probation. Sanjay is the sole breadwinner in his family and has a huge education loan to pay off. At first, Sanjay thinks that this is how business is done and he should drop this matter but his conscience keeps on pricking him to do something. a) Analyze the conduct of the multi-national company from the perspective of ethics. b) What are different options for Sanjay in this situation? Evaluate each of the options and suggest the most suitable course of action. (20 Marks)