Assignment task: How would a utilitarian assess this situation and what action would she view as moral? (Be sure to identify the courses of action you are assessing, the persons involved and how they are affected, and which course of action leads to the greatest overall happiness.)
Case: Grouse Electronics
You work in Manufacturing for Grouse Electronics, a publicly traded manufacturer of cool computers, tablets, and phones. You are five years out of college and two years out of grad school. You have a boatload of school loans. You and your significant other both have good jobs, but you have been living at the edge of your means. You recently bought a small house in a nice neighborhood. Due to a real estate downturn, your mortgage is now under water, and you cannot afford to sell. You also recently took out a large loan on a new car. Your spouse's company is having difficulties due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, and you're concerned whether the job is secure. Put simply, you're very concerned about money and would like very much to improve your financial situation.
As a line manager in Manufacturing, you have been given the task of upgrading and improving the manufacturing process for the Universe 2.0 phone manufacturing line - which will save the Company millions of dollars in manufacturing costs per year. You have recruited a top-notch engineer who will relocate her family from Georgia to your headquarters in Worcester, MA when she starts the new job in three weeks. Without this person, or a similar hire, there is no way you could complete the task required of you - it requires an expertise you simply don't have.
The new employee has not told her current employer she has accepted the new job at Grouse. She has worked for the same company for 12 years. She is married and has two kids, ages 15 and 17. She has lived her whole life in the Atlanta area, but you convinced her that the great promotional opportunities within your company out-weigh the lousy winters. Note that you tried to find an engineer who was already living in your area, but there was no one available with the required skills and experience. Also, time is of the essence so it would be a significant problem to have to start a new search if this engineer changes her mind about the job.
Because of the importance of your project to the Company's plans, you learned yesterday (in a highly confidential meeting) that your company, Grouse, will be put up for sale at the end of this year once (and only if) those manufacturing issues have been fixed. Apple is the likely buyer. If the company is sold, it is probable that all the manufacturing will be moved to the acquirers' new plant in China. In such a sale, because of your stock option package, you are likely to make close to $400,000. A great windfall for your family!
What should you do? It is not an option to find another engineer who does not have to relocate as your search firm has determined there is no one in your geographic area who has the right skills. Also, as the new employee has not yet told her company about your offer, she still has the option of staying with her current employer.