An example of business ethics is the scandal that occurred with the Gold’s Gym fitness centres in BC last year. Employees claimed that management was informing them to lie about their credentials and educational level in order to boost gym membership sales. CTV brought hidden cameras to a Gold’s Gym fitness location and consulted with two separate employees. Both claimed to have degrees in kinesiology but when asked to show proof of their degrees neither could provide any. A former employee spoke with CTV and stated that management had told him to say he was a personal trainer but he had felt uncomfortable with the lies and later quit his post. After several attempts at reaching someone in management, the owner of the Gold’s Gym location at UBC agreed to an interview. He claimed that management never had any part with the employees lies and those workers would be suspended.
The main issue of ethics from this is deception and whether or not it is ok to lie about a service that a consumer receives in order to boost sales. Consumers are being provided with false information about this service and even though it is not illegal to claim the title of a kinesiologist in my opinion it is still wrong. Personally I feel as though a businessman or woman should be held accountable for their actions. Whatever business venture they choose to undertake should involve fairness and be a company full of reliability that consumers can trust.
Source: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-kinesiologists-push-for-regulation-1.714080