Workplace Policies And Discrimination

QUESTION

This analysis paper involves a case analysis.  You must first choose the case you wish to analyze.  You can find the cases along with these directions on Canvas.

The cases involve one of four business areas: accounting, finance, management, and marketing.  You are free to choose any case you wish. I suggest picking the one that most interests you or is closest to your major.  Each case presents an ethical dilemma. If you’re not sure you understand the dilemma in the case you choose, please contact me.

Your paper should be divided into 3 separate sections as discussed below. Please put your last name in the document title when submitting.  Also, please submit your paper using Word or Word compatible format. Please don’t submit your paper in a PDF format.

Section I.     Each case ends with a decision to be made.  First, putting yourself in the role of the person making the decision, indicate your key decision options.  What basic choices do you have?  In stating your decision options please avoid imagining a solution that would solve the ethical issue in the case, as the purpose of this case is to assess your ability to apply accurately the ethical perspectives. Second, do a stakeholder analysis that lists the stakeholders to the decision, and include an explanation of how the decision would affect each stakeholder.  Please present a table with plusses and minuses to summarize your ideas.  See the ATTACHMENT for guidance on setting up this table.

Note: Do not summarize the case in your paper unless you wish to make some additional assumptions.  Assume the reader knows the content of your case.

Section II.     Analyze your decision options from an ethical standpoint. To do this, apply each of three main perspectives discussed in the course for making an ethical decision: utilitarianism, profit maximization, and universalism.  You are free (and encouraged) to apply others discussed in the Deckop chapter as well; although apply at least these three main ones. Indicate what each perspective would say is the ethical course of action, and why. Be sure to refer back to your stakeholder analysis when discussing the utilitarian decision in the case.

Please subdivide this section into 3 subsections – first, discuss what utilitarianism would say is the most ethical choice.  Second, discuss what profit maximization would say is the most ethical choice.  Third, discuss what universalism would say is the most ethical choice.

To the extent possible, make links to the Mackey-Friedman-Rodgers debate article, Carter article, and any other course reading that you find applicable. These articles may provide insight for your analysis.

Section III.  Indicate which of your decision options presented in Section I you would choose, and the degree to which it is consistent with each ethical perspective.  Be as detailed in possible in describing the decision you would make and/or the action(s) you would take.  If one or more of the perspectives disagrees with your decision, indicate why you do not choose to follow the guidance of that perspective(s).  Say what is wrong with the perspective for you, either in the context of the decision, and/or for you in general.

Suggested length: Approximately 5 double-spaced pages, normal sized font and margins, though your paper can be as long or short as you like.  However, it will be difficult to present an analysis of sufficient depth in less than 5 pages.

Evaluation

Grading Rubric: The maximum score for your paper is 40 points. It will be evaluated on four criteria, with 10 points available for each:

1. A) your stakeholder analysis and application of utilitarianism (10 points)
2. B) your application of profit maximization (10 points)
3. C) your application of universalism (10 points)
4. D) how well your paper is written and organized (as discussed below) (10 points)

Your application of additional readings, e.g., Carter and the Mackey-Friedman-Rodgers debate articles, will be considered extra credit and can improve your grade.

Please note: To get a good grade on this paper (i.e., A or B), you need to apply the ethical perspectives (i.e., utilitarianism, profit maximization, universalism) in depth.  This will require a thorough understanding of the ethical perspectives.  If after reviewing the assigned readings and Part 2A video you do not feel you possess this depth of understanding, you should contact me so that we can go over the ethical perspectives to enhance your understanding.

Writing and organization:  spelling, grammar, sentence construction as well as clarity in presentation are evaluated.  If your paper does not meet a basic threshold in terms of spelling, grammar, and sentence construction, it will be returned un-graded and you will be asked for a revision, which will be graded as late.

How to construct a stakeholder analysis table (for Section I):

List your decision options across the top, the stakeholders along the side, and in the table indicate with plusses and minuses (i.e., + & -) the effect of each decision on each stakeholder.  If a decision has a strong effect on a particular stakeholder, you can indicate this with more than one + or -.

For example, a generic stakeholder analysis table might look like:

Decision

Decision A      Decision B      [note: for your paper don’t say “Decision A;                                                                                               use a descriptive label for the decision.]

Stakeholders

Stockholders                    +                      –

Employees                       —                     +                 [note – these stakeholders are just

Customers                        +                      –                  examples; your stakeholders will

Community                      –                       +++            probably be at least somewhat different]

(etc.)

Also, a good way to conduct your utilitarian analysis would be to count up the plusses and minuses, and to pick the decision where the plusses most outweigh the minuses.  In the above table, Decision A has 2 plusses and 3 minuses.  Decision B has 4 plusses and 2 minuses.  So, from a utilitarian perspective, Decision B is more ethical.

ANSWER

Workplace Policies and Discrimination

Section I

The first decision is to allow Lucia and other employees to go back to their old dressing and stop wearing the revealing clothing and risk losing customers. Another promotional strategy that does not encourage female employees’ exploitation can be developed. The decision may result in the loss of customers. The alternative decision is to continue with the revealing dressing and forbid Lucia from going back to her initial dressing. This decision will ensure that the customers are not chased away, and sales remain high. The decision is likely to offend Lucia and the other waiters.

Section II

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism ethics suggest that actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the concerned individuals are what is considered ethical. It states that the consequences of actions are the only determinants of what is wrong and right. Actions that cause unhappiness and harm to individuals are considered unethical. Any action that maximizes happiness, well-being and reduces suffering for a significant number of people is deemed to be ethical by utilitarianism. In management, utilitarianism suggests that actions that maximize the satisfaction of most stakeholders should be considered right (Smart, 2020).

In this case, the decision that increases happiness and pleasure for the most significant number of people ensures that the waitresses continue wearing tight and revealing dresses. The customers will be kept happier, and the owner will reap more profits. While the employees may face harm, they will be only a small number of individuals that have been affected. As the theory seeks to maximize utility, the happiness of a greater number is sought at the expense of the few people who will have an opposite experience. The business should try to ascertain if other waitresses other than Lucia are experiencing sexual harassment and are uncomfortable in the new uniform. If they are comfortable with it, the option will be to continue to enforce the new uniform policy and increase happiness for the greatest number of individuals.

Profit Maximization

Profit maximization suggests that the business should pursue profit maximization by attracting customers and creating sales at all costs. This theory claims that a company’s ultimate goal is to increase profits. Thus, it is ethically justified for management to undertake profit maximization as their ultimate goal in their operations. Under this theory, managers should engage in actions that entail doing right by all the stakeholders affected (Jahn & Brühl, 2018). In this case, the best decision according to profit maximization is to continue with the revealing dressing. This option will ensure that the sales increase and the business obtain more profits. The other option, which involves getting rid of revealing clothes, will not be applicable in the short term as it will lead to the reduction of profits.

However, in the long term, the option that will maximize profits entails getting rid of revealing clothes. If the customers continue sexually harassing employees, the organization may be faced with a lawsuit and may be accused of allowing sexual harassment of their employees and having unfair policies. If the organization fails to remedy the issue, it may be legally responsible under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for failing to remedy the sexual harassment of its workers. Consequently, it may be required to pay a lot of fines, and it may lose clients who are against sexual harassment and gender discrimination. In the long term, the theory would suggest reverting to the previous attire, which will ensure profit maximization in the future (Jahn & Brühl, 2018). In contrast, it will recommend sticking to the revealing attire to attract more customers in the short term.

Universalism

Universalism is an ethical principle that implies applying generalized concepts, norms, and values to all people regardless of their differences. These norms and values include human rights, needs and are based on the assumption that all people are equivalent.  People are subjected to the same ethical standards regardless of culture, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or other distinguishing features (Kohfeldt & Grabe, 2014). If something is right in one place or culture, it is considered right in another culture or situation. This theory also suggests that everyone has equal rights and should be treated equally regardless of their differences and social status. In this case, the decision that will be relevant will allow employees to dress like they wish to, regardless of what the customers like.  This way, everyone is accorded equal rights, and no one is treated more superior to the other. As sexual harassment is considered wrong in most cases, it will also be considered in this case. Thus, the best decision will be to get rid of the revealing dressing that subjects Lucia and other employees to physical and verbal abuse.

Section III

The decision option that I would choose will be to revert to the old uniform. I will Lucia and other waitresses who are not comfortable with the new attire wear their original uniform.  I will pick this option to avoid any sexual harassment that may occur as a result of skimpy attires. While this decision may lead to a reduction in sales and profit, it will, in the long run, in the long run ensure profitability and continuity of the business. It will help the company avoid any lawsuits related to gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace. Besides, there are customers who may prefer the old uniform and may be retained.  While the skimpy attire may have attracted more customers, customers may be retained through other promotional strategies that do not involve employee exploitation. These strategies may include hosting unique entertainment such as DJs, bands, or comedians. Customers can also be offered discounts on different products. This way, profits can be maximized while ensuring that employees are not discriminated against or sexually harassed.

This decision is consistent with the universalism theory as it ensures that everyone is treated equally.  However, it is not consistent with the profit maximization in the short term as it may lead to making customers leaving for other restaurants. However, if the other promotional strategies are implemented, profit maximization is likely to be achieved but not at the expense of others’ happiness.  If the second option, which entails allowing sexual discrimination of Lucia and other female employees, is pursued in the long term, it will lead to loss of customers and reduced profits for the organization. Nevertheless, this decision will not be aligned with the utilitarian theory. As it seeks to maximize the happiness of the majority shareholders involved, this option will not be suitable, particularly in the short run. The customers who were attracted by the revealing clothes worn by the waitresses may be displeased. The owner of the restaurant may also be happy as the profits will decline. However, I chose not to follow this perspective as it only considers short-term happiness (Smart, 2020).  In the long term, if the employees are forced to continue wearing the revealing attire, they are likely to face more harassment, resulting in lawsuits for the organization. Consequently, there will be reduced happiness for most of these stakeholders. Moreover, this perspective encourages the pleasure of the majority at the expense of the female employees experiencing physical and verbal abuse from male customers.

References

Jahn, J., & Brühl, R. (2018). How Friedman’s view on individual freedom relates to stakeholder theory and social contract theory. Journal of Business Ethics, 153(1), 41-52. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309436332_How_Friedman’s_View_on_Individual_Freedom_Relates_to_Stakeholder_Theory_and_Social_Contract_Theory

Kohfeldt, D., & Grabe, S. (2014). Universalism. Encyclopedia of Critical Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://link.springer.com/10.1007%2F978-1-4614-5583-7_545

Smart, J. J. C. (2020). Utilitarianism and its applications. In New directions in Ethics (pp. 24-41). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003031475-2/utilitarianism-applications-smart

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