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UPCOMING EVENTS Distinguished Ethics Speaker "Ethics is Ethics" Staci L. Ziants January 31, 2007 ------ Ethics Luncheon Forum "Breaking the Glass Ceiling" Gretchen R. Haggerty Major General February 8, 2007 Sponsored by:
Ethics Luncheon Forum "One Man's Opinion: Why Employees Must Come First" Le Herron May 23, 2007 Click here to request additional information about either event. RECENT EVENTS Ethics Luncheon Forum "Making the Right Choice... Timothy J. Noonan LINKS Beard
Center CONTACT US For more information, contact Rebecca Ellsworth at 412.396.4005 or beardcenter@duq.edu
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FEATURE
SPOTLIGHT |
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| Rite
Aid Scandal: An Insider's Story As President and COO of Rite Aid Corporation, Timothy J. Noonan had a front-row view of the scandals the company was involved in during the late 1990s. At an October 24, 2006, Ethics Luncheon Forum hosted by the Beard Center for Leadership in Ethics, Mr. Noonan presented his views on where the company, and he personally, made missteps that resulted in the Department of Justice and SEC investigations that led to indictments of several Rite Aid executives. Over 100 audience members gathered at the Duquesne Club to listen as Mr. Noonan talked about his regrets, which include accepting a position with Rite Aid as interim CEO during this tumultuous time, and the way he made amends for his mistakes. In 2000, Mr. Noonan pled guilty of withholding information from investigators. This plea allowed him to avoid the jail time that several of his co-executives at Rite Aid were given, and instead serve two years’ probation. What did Mr. Noonan learn from his experiences with Rite Aid? Thomas Olson, a reporter with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, attended the luncheon and included the following quotes from Mr. Noonan in his October 25, 2006, article: “Know what you’re getting into at all times,” Noonan advised. ”Don’t let loyalties and friendships get in the way” of good judgment and "It’s best to tell the truth in every circumstance you get into.” Mr. Noonan also advised audience members to learn about a company’s culture prior to accepting employment. A company’s culture will give an idea of the kind of ethical (or unethical) decision-making that is expected of employees. As Mr. Olson quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article: “The culture of Rite Aid was very, very aggressive. It was, ‘walk the gray line.” The suggestions provided by Mr. Noonan should help most to avoid becoming tangled in an ethical situation or scandal such as the one he experienced. The Beard Center for Leadership in Ethics continues
to offer Ethics Luncheon Forums for the business community. Upcoming
programs include: “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” “One Man’s Opinion: Why Employees
Must Come First” If you would like more information about these or
any other Beard Center programs, please contact Rebecca Ellsworth,
Program and Publicity Coordinator, at 412.396.4005 or beardcenter@duq.edu. |
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