Paper, Order, or Assignment Requirements

Delayed delivery:

Don is production scheduler at Fitzgerald Machine Company, where a large order is scheduled to go out Friday. The customer calls, however, and asks Don to delay the delivery at least a week beyond Friday, due to a labor dispute at the customer’s plant. On authorization from his boss, Don complies with the request on the condition that the customer will remit the amount due Friday, as specified in the original contract. The customer agrees to these terms, and Fitzgerald sends a bill payable Friday. The next day, Don learns from the production manager that the order won’t be ready until at least a week beyond Friday. Don does not mention this to the customer and collects the payment Friday as agreed. Is this deceptive? Is it ethical?
Business Ethics as Rational Choice