MGT/216 –Wk # 1 – Individual Assignment – Ethical Issues Paper 1

Week # 1 – Individual Assignment

Ethical Issues Paper

Laura Harper

University of Phoenix

November 23, 2009

Dominique Vigliarolo
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Introduction:

The purpose of this report is to address business ethical issues, which we face in our

everyday life, at work, at school and in our personal life in our environments. There will

also be three ethical issues explained, which we faces in today’s business environment

that affect our communities and organizations. Three ethical issues are: layoffs of many

employees, sexual harassment, and discrimination, this is only a few of the issues that

today’s business environment and organizations are faced with.

I. What is business ethics?

Business ethics is the behavior that a business organization conducts on a day to

day basis dealings with the world. These ethics of many particular business can be

diverse. These apply not only to how the business interacts with the world as a whole, but

also to their one-on-one daily dealings with a single customer. (Wisegeek) Business can

also be a form of applied ethics which will scrutinize ethical principles, morals and

ethical problem which may occur in our business environment and organizations. There’s

also pressures which the application of the business ethics that have been exerted through

enactment of the new laws and initiatives.

Business ethics can demand that organizations examine it business towards the

outside world. It should take into consideration the ethical reasoning, ethical applications

and morality. For example, the moral philosophy of the business manager, which does

affects the business manager’s ethical beliefs. This moral philosophy is pertaining to the

overall belief system, which is behind the individual’s perceptions of right and wrong.
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It’s very important that employees quaint themselves with moral philosophy, ethical

reasoning, especially when it come to application of the ethics of the business and

management, Cuizon G, (2009 Jan 29,).

II. Ethical Issues

1. Job Layoff/Downsizing: Why Is It An Issue

At anytime that we are looking at how to make a decision about what will affect the well

beings and rights of others also we are looking at an ethical issue. The justification of a

layoff of a loyal and productive employee to reduce the workforce is upsetting experience

to all who is concerned. The employee on the receiving end faces not only financial

hardship and most of the time psychological injuries. Managers should think of when

they are downsizing they are compromising things, which gives meanings to an employee

life. This is a deep and traumatic experience for those who are being let go, and not just a

mere or a reversal of fortune.

Downsizing does have its legal implications, which is an understandable factor that most

companies will want to minimize their liability when they downsize. There are other

matters to consider such as economic matters which make downsizing a management

issue, at its core. Downsizing is an ethical issue which is a manager’s concern with not

only protecting their company’s legal issues, but financial matters. To honor their

company’s integrity and dignity will be to protect the individuals who works on the front

line who is the lifeblood of the organization.

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Discrimination occurs when something other than the qualifications affect how an

employee is treated. These unequal treatments can take many forms, and is usually

unfavorable. Employees such as older workers will suddenly find themselves having to

report to younger workers, and can be very resentful because they feel that younger

workers lack experience. The younger employees will be tempted to ignore advice

because they feel the older workers are “out of touch” .These attitudes about age will

most likely become increasingly important over the next decade as the general population

grows older. There are other factors to consider such as racial, ethnic, religions, and

sexual stereotypes that can creep into the behavior of even the most sophisticated

individuals. In the United States alone, ethics and racial minorities are growing faster

than the population as a whole. .

Why is discrimination an ethical issue? because it’s at the core of fairness in the

workplace. The concepts of fairness are incorporated around the world, futhermore in the

United States it is considered to be “an inalienable” right. The United States government

has made several attempts to ensure fairness and justice; the word “trust” is on every

piece of currency. The pledge of Allegiance declares “with liberty and justice for all” The

U.S. entire legal system also has justice and the protection of all individuals rights as it’s

cornerstone. Most people expect fairness from organizations in general, but especially

from their employers. Trevino L. and Nelson K. (2007)

Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination among many things

race, color, and national origin. It also prohibit s a employer to

discriminate against an employee by retaliating against an employee who

has either complained of such discrimination or has engaged in any other

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activity. Why is discrimination an ethical issue is because it’s at the core

of fairness in the workplace?

. Williams T. (2008)

3.

Another ethical issue in the workplace , which is sexual harassment that should not be

tolerated by any employee. There is one type of harassment in the workplace which is

called quid pro quo “something for something.” An example of this type of sexual

harassment is when a supervisor promises an employee a promotion if the employee

goes on a date with him or her. Another form of sexual harassment in the workplace is

when sexual favors are the requirement to advance. This forms of harassment in the

workplace is when the working environment is very hostile toward an employee. When

this type of harassment is done to an employee, it is done to make the employee feel very

uncomfortable and treated with unwelcome activities which is related to their sexuality.

The Equal Opportunity Commission now requires all organization with 15 or more

employees to have an sexual harassment policy and to train employees in this issue. (L.

Trevino and K. Nelson, K., Wiley, 2007).

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References:

Treviño Linda K. and Nelson Katherine A. (2007) Managing Business Ethics. Straight
Talk About How To Do It Right, Fourth Edition: John Wiley & Sons: Retrieved from The
rEsource page the University of Phoenix Student and Faculty Web site at
http://ecampus.phoenix.edu.
Cuizon Gwendolyn (2009 Jan 29,) What is Business Ethics: What is

Ethical Principles Practiced in Business; Retrieved on November 20, 2009

from

http://businessmanagement.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_business_ethics

What is Business Ethics?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-business-ethics.html

Weinstein B, (2008 September 12,). Downsizing 101: Charged with giving the bad news?
Here are your ethical responsibilities

http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/sep2008/ca20080912_135498.h

tml

Williams T. (2008 August 25,). AT & T Loses Workplace Racial Discrimination Case

retrieved on November 20, 2009 from

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/08/prweb1230824.html