Articles>Workplace>Ethics

Alienation

A hypothetical example to help technical communicators think through ethical issues in the workplace (before they occur in real life).

Responses to "Alienation"

In the April 2003 issue, Intercom printed a hypothetical dilemma by John G. Bryan entitled 'Alienation.' A summary of this story appears in the box on this page; reader responses appear below. The responses do not reflect the views of STC's ethics committee and may have been edited for length.

Following the Doctor's Orders

In this ethics case, O'Neill presents a fictional scenario in which a technical communicator is asked to modify copyrighted materials from a training program. Readers are asked to forward their opinions concerning the scenario to be published in a later issue of Intercom.

In the Company of Lawyers

In this hypothetical dilemma, a senior technical writer at a pharmaceuticals firm must choose between honoring his company's nondisclosure policy or publishing the results of a usability study that could greatly improve patient compliance with written instructions for prescription drugs, thereby saving lives.

In the Gyres

A fictional account of an in-house newsletter editor pressured to serve his bosses' interests raises important questions about the ethics of office politics.

The India Paradox

Kamath describes the complex interplay among many competing cultural forces that makes technical communication in India such a challenge.

Is a Game Always Just a Game?

Smith presents a hypothetical dilemma in which a technical writer discovers that a product she's documenting falls short of the extravagant claims published in her company's marketing materials.

Responses to 'Following the Doctor's Orders'

This article presents reader responses to a hypothetical dilemma published in the February 2000 issue of Intercom.

Responses to 'In the Company of Lawyers'

This article presents reader responses to an ethics case published in the March 2002 issue of Intercom.

Responses to 'In the Gyres'

In the September/October 2000 issue, Intercom printed a hypothetical dilemma entitled 'In the Gyres.' A summary of this story is reproduced, followed by reader responses.

Responses to 'Who's Policing the Policy Makers?'

This article features reader responses to a hypothetical dilemma printed in the April 2001 issue of Intercom.

Spam on the 'Net: An Ethical Dilemma

Archee examines the ethical and practical problems associated with receiving and sending unsolicited e-mail.

Who's Policing the Policy Makers?

This ethics case concerns a technical writer charged with the task of introducing new company policies to employees. The writer faces a dilemma when she discovers that the workplace habits of some managers contradict the policies. Reader responses to this ethics case will appear in an upcoming issue of Intercom.