Ethical Principles in the Corporate World - Essay Example

? Ethical principles in the corporate world the main ethical principle(s) in the case as you see it What are theparticularly relevant details of the case? The case at hand is one of the emerging ethical concerns on the corporations handling of employees in terms of health and safety. The matter at hand presents the dilemma in which the employee is placed by two important factors that determines destiny. It is important to note that the company management is reluctant to solve the issue of employee exposure to the harmful asbestos and instead avoids the cost of carrying out cleanup. The management silently threaten the employee with job loss in case of raising alarm on the health risk posed by asbestos in the vault while the employee is attempting to balance losing the job and retaining it but awaiting the consequences of long term exposure to the asbestos in the work place. What is wrong and why? What do you see as the conflict? The issue of central concern in this case is the healthy risk that asbestos in the vault poses to the employee. The company management has put in place restrictive measures that prevent the employee from airing their views or seeking government intervention over the evident health hazard they face from asbestos in the vault. The employee is juggling with two competing decisions with equally enormous consequences. If the employee report the matter to the healthcare agencies there are chances of losing job and silent on the other hand means ultimate health risk from the long term exposure to the toxic asbestos in the work place. Employee is the most affected party and the conflict of interest arises from company avoiding cost while the employee considering health and safety in the work place. Who is affected? (Individuals, groups, companies, etc.) The affected party in this conflict is the employee who faces loss of job in an attempt to raise alarm or alternatively keeping quiet but shouldering the health risks from long term exposure of asbestos during working years. 2. Consider options in resolving the problem from the perspective of the: Consequentialist: the rightness of the decision is based on the consequences ~ utilitarianism From utilitarianism front, the cost/benefit analysis is undertaken by the employee from the consequence of any action taken towards an attempt to resolve the problem. In this case the consequence of seeking external intervention over the management unethical treatment of employees is losing a job. This comes with several socio-economic repercussions on the life of the employee. On the other hand, silence means continued exposure to the harmful asbestos which will end up with respiratory infections at retirement or upon leaving the company. In the context of this case, the employee will make decision based on the ultimate consequences attached to each move. Deontologist: decision is tied to duty and obligation From the approach of deontologist, the universal obligation and responsibility of every person to ensure safety and general welfare of humanity is upheld. It is important to underline the duty of every employee in serving the company with utmost faith and considering that the welfare of the employees takes center stage as far as productivity of the corporation is concerned. This mode of making a decision considers the cardinal significance of physical health in employee’s ability to discharge duties and derive better socio-economic life which is the fundamental role of corporates. In this respect, the employee should act for the interest of fellow workers without fearing for the short term consequences like loss of job. Virtue ethics: decision is based on “who am I?” (Consult article: “The Discipline of Building Character”) Personal identity is an important consideration when making such a critical decision. There are a number of factors to put to play and the most important one is the long term benefits from any decision made. Loss of job like in this case may mean seeking another one in a better work environment and good healthcare measures while keeping job and suffering under asbestos related respiratory problems is more harmful. Acting in the interest of all workers is equally important as this is a gesture of virtue ethics. 3. What would you do? Identify what you see as the solution. Answer by applying your values and course concepts that are supported by the ethical principles covered in class lecture/reading The best approach to this problem is diplomacy with the management before involving the external intervention of the government authorities and healthcare agencies that would impose punitive measures on the organization. In that respect the best approach is to make unanimous agreement to work together in formulating orderly and convincing ideas regarding the health and safety of employees and the role of this to organizational performance. Electing representatives to raise such concerns amicably with the management is a sign of spirit of solidarity and hence prevents any possibility of victimization and management’s punitive reaction. The management needs to be given in-depth explanation on the ethical consideration when dealing with the staff as a way of boosting their living standards and overall performances in various facets of life. This approach is likely to bear fruits since the managers themselves are human beings and if convinced are able to see the sense of the corporate responsibility in improving the welfare of the members of the society. 4. What was the most challenging aspect of this case for you personally? Have you faced any similar situation in your work-life experience? Are there current workplace and/or world events that are similar to this case? In many working places, there are a number of cases where some actions which the company compels one to undertake pose health risk to the employee like an experience with standing noise when lawnmowers are clearing the immediate surroundings of the office. Another common one is where a strained relationship between managers is felt by the employee who is sacrificed against acceptable rules in relaying information or serving the ideologically different persons. Work cited Tittle, Peg. Ethical Issues in Business: Inquiries, Cases, and Readings. Peterborough, Ont: Broadview Press, 2000. Print. Read More