Ethical Decisions: For Leadership Only?

Monster.com, the Internet job-listing giant, has a quiz on its site called "Test Your Business Ethics." The quiz is aimed at entry-level employees who are new to business and presents five ethical dilemmas, each with three possible courses of action. What's interesting is that the correct answer for three of the dilemmas, what they call the "most ethical response," is not to deal with the situation yourself but to take it to a supervisor (the other two deal with situations where that is not applicable).

The message seems to be clear: if you're a low-level employees and you're presented with an ethical dilemma, consult your supervisors. But is this the right message?

If you're dealing with an ethical dilemma that could impact your entire company, you should seek input no matter where you stand on the organizational ladder. But should we categorically remove the smaller, day-to-day ethics decisions from the hands of lower-level employees as a matter of policy? Is there not something to be gained by challenging employees to make the right decisions, no matter which rung they stand on? Is this how future leaders are made, even if it's a matter of learning from mistakes? Or is this folly?[poll id=45]