CERRITOS, CA - Fleet managers par­ticipated in an exercise titled "Evaluat­ing Ethical Issues" at a meeting of the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the Na­tional Association of Fleet Administra­tors (NAFA) on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000. The meeting took place at The Sheraton in Cerritos.

Leading the discussion were Glenda Berman, employee services manager for the human resources department of the city of Beverly Hills, CA; and David Holmquist, risk manager for the human resources department of the city of Beverly Hills.

Berman and Holmquist told those in attendance that all ethical decisions must take into account three items: stakeholders, principles, and choice, or the ability to choose one action or deci­sion over another.

Fleet managers were asked to answer questions such as: "A representative from the manufacturer from which you acquire most of your vehicles offers you the opportunity to test drive their new luxury model at no expense (except gasoline) for one week. Is this ethical or unethical?"

Fleet managers and others at the meeting were split on this issue, with one fleet manager saying it was unethical "because it doesn't apply to the application of your fleet and it becomes a perk." Other fleet managers, however, thought it did not pose an ethics problem, since the vehicle was offered and was not asked for by the fleet manager.