1. W6F1
Question: Be sure to read Ethical Application – Same Qualifications, Different Offers on page 292. Table 7.1 Discriminatory Actions on page 295 can be of use in this discussion. Accepting that discrimination is not morally neutral and “employment discrimination in the United States historically has been directed at a surprisingly large number of groups” (Velasquez, 2018, p 292), is there an example of diversity in business where the situation is improving, getting worse, or not changing? Are some industries better or worse than others? What still needs to be done?
2. W6F2
Question: In chapter eight we are introduced to the concepts of the employee’s obligations to the employer that include issues such as conflicts of interest, objective and subjective (actual and potential), commercial bribes and gifts, employee theft, theft of information, trade secrets or proprietary information, insider trading, etc. The employees’ right to freedom of conscience can complicate that employee obligation to the employer to a point where the employee believes that whistleblowing is the only morally reasonable option.
Discuss the right to whistleblow. Offer an example to support your discussion. Quick Review 8.10 The Right to Whistleblow on pages 363 – 364 may be useful.
3. W6F3
Question: Velasquez (2018) asserts that, “There is no settled definition of organizational politics.” (p 374). Some might suggest that it is one of those topics where the “I know when I see it.” approach applies. (Table 8.2 Different Kinds of Political Tactics on page 374 offer some examples) We are offered an approach to looking at the ethics of politics in organizations through (1) the utility of goals, (2) moral rights and political tactics, (3) the justice of the results, and (4) the impact on caring. Comment on the ethical issues associated with Ethical Application Bendix Corporation (p 375) or another example you find especially interesting and relevant.
4. W6A1
Chapter 7 – The Ethics of Job Discrimination integrates the topic of Affirmative Action into the discussion of business behavior. The topic is approached by segmenting the discussion into the legal aspects of affirmative action, the societal aspects of affirmative action, the compensation arguments for affirmative action, affirmative action as an instrument for increasing utility, equal justice argument for affirmative action, and finally implementing affirmative action and managing diversity. Many companies and organizations have formal affirmative action programs.
Identify an example of a company or organization and their affirmative action program. Discuss that example in any combination of the legal, societal, compensation, utility, equal justice aspects of job discrimination.
5. W6A2
Be sure to read Case Study 7.2: Wal-Mart’s Women (328 – 332). Respond to the following questions:
1. What are the major moral complaints of the women suing Wal-Mart? Do you believe these complaints are justified? Why or why not? Wal-Mart has said that the case should not be heard as a class action suit, but that each woman should be considered individually and that an individual determination should be made regarding whether she specifically was discriminated against by Wal-Mart because each woman’s situation is different. Do you agree?
2. What financial impact do you think the lawsuit could potentially have on Wal-Mart? What if the outcome of the case cost Wal-Mart so much it had to lay off thousands of its workers and close stores?
3. What, if anything, do you think Wal-Mart should do to correct these discrepancies? Should the company institute an affirmative action promotion program for female employees? If so, what should this program be like? If not, why not?
Chapter 7-8 are attached!!
