ethical issues in human resource management what are the basic arguments for each course of action?

by Elliott Bernhard 10 min read

What are the ethical issues in Human Resource Management?

Ethical issues arise when the HR manager is put to pressure to favour top executive interests over the interests of the other employees and the investors. 3. Employees Discriminations:

What are HR ethics and why do they matter?

HR must cope with conflicting needs to keep labor costs as low as possible and to invite fair wages. Ethics come into action when HR must select between outsourcing labor to countries with lower wages and harsh living conditions and paying competitive wages.

What is Human Resources Management?

Rather, human resources’ methods and policies relating to repetitive cycles of staffing, reward and compensation, and performance management enlightens how any individual or group of people is introduced into the organization, managed while there, and exited from the organization.

What are the major ethical challenges an organization faces in ethical management?

As conflict arises, the HR manager must be adept at resolving conflicts between the demands of company culture and those of ethical behavior. Some of the major issues an organization deals with is handling ethical challenges in workforce diversity. The following are some of the major ethical challenges an organization faces in ethical management −

What is HR's responsibility?

This means monitoring company-managed benefits as well as insurance companies to make sure there are no financial problems that would shortchange employees.

Why do HR have to deal with conflicting needs?

HR must deal with conflicting needs to keep labor costs as low as possible and to offer fair wages. Ethics come into play when HR must choose between outsourcing labor to countries with lower wages and harsh living conditions and paying competitive wages in the United States. While there is nothing illegal about outsourcing labor, HR can create a public relations problem if consumers object to using underpaid workers to save money.

Why is training important in HR?

Because training is an opportunity for advancement and expanded opportunities, employees who are left out of training may argue that they are not being given equal opportunities in the workplace.

What does Aristotle say about ethics?

Prescriptively, all Aristotle says is that virtue and wisdom will certainly elude leaders who fail to engage in rigorous ethical analysis of their actions. The bottom line is that ethics depends on asking tough questions. Oct 6, 2015.

What does Aristotle say about moral virtue?

Although the moral choices we face in HR, thank God, are far less dramatic than these, Aristotle tells us that motivation is a powerful indicator of the degree to which virtue is present in all of our social acts.

What did Aristotle say about the role of leaders?

Aristotle has much to say about the role of leaders in terms of the conditions of work they provide employees. He also raises useful questions about the distribution of rewards in organizations. Those of you in Silicon Valley will find it very interesting when you go back and read the Ethics, to find that he talks about the question of the just distribution of wealth created by a start-up organization: How much does the venture capitalist get? How much should go to entrepreneurs? How much to the managers and employees? It is fascinating that he would give thought to those questions in 400 b.c. He also tells us how to think about futures markets!

Which philosopher asked ethical questions?

Aristotle was the most practical and business-oriented of all philosophers who asked ethical questions. Now you may scoff at the idea that a person who's been dead for nearly 2,400 years has anything practical to say about the modern organizations in which you all work.

Did Aristotle ever hear of a corporation?

Of course Aristotle never heard of a large business or corporation. Nonetheless he did raise a set of questions that corporate leaders who wish to behave ethically need to ask themselves:

What is the underlying subject in all HR-involved workplace issues?

It appears that an underlying subject in all HR-involved workplace issues is a management culture that promotes ethical ignorance – or at the very least knowingly welcomes an action to happen – even when the organization implements a Code of Ethics. Ethical and moral issues are complex.

What is ethical dilemma in HRM?

Ethical dilemmas in HRM can be seen as complex issues, involving personal, professional, and organizational considerations. Ethics oftentimes fall by the wayside when organizations do not have a concrete value-based culture from the top and until its way down.

What is HRM in business?

INTRODUCTION. Human resource management (HRM) is the study of managing people methodically in organizations. The unique individual member in the organization – a given executive, manager, line worker – is not the focus of HRM by itself.

What are the legal requirements in moral analysis?

Legal requirements in moral analysis weigh the rights that are exercised versus the rights denied. These legal requirements seek to determine that which is most equitable or evenhanded within the context of a Veil of Ignorance (i.e., determining fairness and the balance of rights vs. wrong if everyone considered the laws to adopt while ignorant of their own self-interests). Hosmer noted the challenge of focusing on the self-interest of all of society but argued that this Veil of Ignorance model is ideal for measuring the efficacy of laws. Nesteruk (1999:306) has noted that legal and moral issues are historically intertwined in the analysis of workplace issues.

How to distinguish moral impacts of a choice?

To distinguish the moral impacts of a choice, four issues are to be addressed. Firstly, what individuals or groups are going to be aided by the implementation of the decision and what is the expectation in terms of financial or personal benefit? Second, who will be affected by the implementation of the decision and what is the financial or personal nature of those harms? Third, who will be able to effectively exercise their rights as a result of the proposed action? Fourth, whose rights will be denied as a result of the proposed action?

What is a moral solution?

A recommended moral solution must specifically determine the stakeholders affected; the moral issues to be addressed; and the corresponding benefits, threats, and involved rights. Management practitioners (DePree, 2004) and scholars (Caldwell & Karri, 2005; Cameron, 2003) have noted that moral solutions must not only positively impact the welfare, growth, and universality of all stakeholders but must also support societal wealth creation.

Why is knowledge sharing important in human resource management?

It has been acknowledged that knowledge sharing in organizations is vitally important in human resource management systems as attempts made by other organizations to bridge between the policies and practices of a company (Dowling, et al., 2009). Kasper and colleagues (2008:64) noted that both formal and informal relationships need to be developed between individuals and groups to produce an integrated new partnership that balances differences in perspective while constructing a framework that successfully blends corporate objectives with local capabilities. Yaping and Song (2008) noted that quality performance management systems that incorporated information sharing saw increased extra role behavior among organizational employees.

Why is ethics important in management?

An ethical design of management is essential to attract support and positive involvement of all participants in the success of the company: employees , customers , shareholders , creditors, suppliers and the community in which the firm operates.

What is moral harassment?

Moral harassment at the workplace Harassment is a form of discrimination manifested through an unwanted conduct, which has affected the human dignity of the person in question and which creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment against a person based on any of the grounds for discrimination.

What is the new type of organization in our interdependent world, immersed in issues and global challenges,?

social responsibility for the future of mankind and society .

What is the Golden Rule in human resources?

The Golden Rule in human resources management is the vision of a perfect organization, which, in an environment of good will, brings together employers and employees, seeking the same goals. Echoes of the old thinking coming from the past are still alive today, promoting tolerance and progress of humanity.

What are moral obligations of employees?

Moral obligations of the employees Like in the case of the employees’ rights, the employees’ duties to their employers are included in the work contracts, according to current legislation and internal regulations of the various companies.

What is the right to work?

3. Moral rights of employees The right to work As one of the fundamental human rights, the right to work is enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights and the European Charter of Human Rights.

What are ethical ideals?

Ethical ideals such as honesty, truth, fairness are standards for how people should treat each other.

What is employee discrimination?

Employees Discriminations: A framework of laws and regulations has been evolved to avoid the practices of treatment of employees on the basis of their caste, sex, religion, disability, age etc. No organisation can openly practice any discriminatory policies, with regard to selection, training, development, appraisal etc.

What is the basis of performance appraisal?

Performance Appraisal: Ethics should be the basis of performance evaluation. Highly ethical performance appraisal demands that there should be an honest assessment of the performance and steps should be taken to improve the effectiveness of employees.

What is the first dilemma in information technology?

(i) The first dilemma relates to information technology. A firm’s need for information particularly about employees while on job may be at odds with the employee’s privacy. Close circuit cameras, tapping the phones, reading the computer files of employees etc. breach the privacy of employees.

Is industrial work hazardous?

Industrial work is often hazardous to the safety and health of the employees. Legislations have been created making it mandatory on the organisations and managers to compensate the victims of occupational hazards. Ethical dilemmas of HR managers arise when the justice is denied to the victims by the organisation.

What is ethics in HRD?

It remains to be said that ethics is about the relationships between people. Being comfortable in the ethical landscape is of immense practical importance. Given the conjunction of these two facts it is not surprising that there are so many issues confronting the HRD professional.

Why are complementary aims disguised?

As noted above, the existence of complementary aims can be disguised when the terms of debate are dominated by one particular point of view. It may be that the professional has a particular responsibility to develop a critical faculty that can be applied in the assessment of the relationship between means and ends.

Why is the distinction between education and training blurred?

One reason for the blurring of distinctions between education and training has been the realisation that modern industrial practice requires a workforce possessing many of the attributes developed under the principles of liberal education. These include a healthy respect for the autonomy of individuals.

Who is credited with the idea that human society is a “kingdom of ends”?

Immanuel Kant is credited with the formal articulation of the idea that human society is a “kingdom of ends”. Kant was, of course, building on older traditions such as that in which all men are seen as being equal in the sight of God.

Do human resources have a deciding vote?

Professionals working in the field of human resources are unlikely ever to have a deciding vote when considering such matters. However, this is not to diminish responsibility when it comes to preparing policy advice for consideration by those who govern.

Is the pursuit of one goal mutually exclusive?

The first thing to note is that these aims are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, you could argue that they are complementary. Much debate takes place as if the pursuit of one goal must always be at the expense of another. Naturally enough, interest groups tend to focus attention on their bit of the agenda.

Does professional status affect agenda?

In a sense, professional status may provide an opportunity to affect the agenda about aims. However, it is even more likely that the professional’s knowledge and skill will be drawn upon when it comes to determining the means to secure the desired end. So let us return to Plato.

What is the right to humane working conditions?

The right to humane working conditions, in which the psychosomatic health and integrity of employees is not endangered, is one of the ethical issues concerning the status of employees. In the case of occupations involving considerable risk taking, the ethical principle of fully aware consent must be respected. This involves informing the employees about the dangers they run by accepting the job.

What is a form of discrimination manifested through an unwanted conduct?

Harassment is a form of discrimination manifested through an unwanted conduct, which has affected the human dignity of the person in question and which creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment against a person based on any of the grounds for discrimination.

What is workplace discrimination?

By workplace discrimination we understand any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference made based on race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, belief, sexual orientation, age, disability, non-contagious chronic disease, HIV infection or belonging to a disadvantaged category, which has as purpose or effect the restriction or removal of recognition, use or exercise on an equal footing of any human rights and fundamental freedoms recognized by law in the politic, economic, social and cultural fields of or in any other areas of public life2.

What is the right to work?

The right to work derives on one hand from the right to life, because work provides the foundation necessary for subsistence and on the other hand, from the right to respect as the ability to create goods and means through labor is a major source of self-respect for each individual. In the context of modern economy heated debates are held around the question whether the right to work is by itself definable as the right of each individual to be offered employment. While governments have a responsibility to create economic conditions to protect the right of every citizen to work, this task can not be met without the contribution

Why did Aristotle use the word "ethos"?

From the word "ethos" used in the sense of character, Aristotle created the adjective "ethical" to elucidate a specific class of human qualities that he called the ethical virtues. These virtues are, according to Aristotle, some character faculties which are also called spiritual qualities. In order to highlight all the ethical virtues within a separate area of epistemology and to include this field in a separate area of science, Aristotle introduces the notion “ethics” 1.

Is the employee's rights included in the work contract?

Like in the case of the employees’ rights, the employees’ duties to their employers are included in the work contracts, according to current legislation and internal regulations of the various companies . However, beyond the legal framework, certain moral duties of employees to the firms where they work are being shaped, duties that are sometimes controversial.

Why is HRM a challenge?

The contingent workforce includes part-time, temporary contract and work-at-home employees. Maintaining such employees in the company is a challenge because they are less attached to the company.

Why should HRM focus on productivity?

In such case, it should thoroughly analyze the situation and make a proper conclusion i.e. whether it is the result of inefficient employee or inadequate resources.

Why is HRM important?

It is one of the essential functions of HRM to collect its staff’s complete information , including health information. It is necessary for employee’s personal safety. Keeping health information about employees help the company in knowing what kind of tasks or activities are safe for their employees to participate in.

Why do companies need to recruit new talent?

Companies sometimes need to recruit new talent for various reasons such as an increase in project scope, operations. While recruiting, HRM faces major challenges i.e. selecting the best candidate and making the hired candidate familiar with the environment and culture.

What happens when discipline is not maintained?

For an instance, when discipline is not maintained, employees neglect their responsibilities and duties. They may procrastinate their tasks and may misbehave with co-workers, leading to a conflict that consumes time as well as energy to resolve.

Why is internationalization a challenge?

Internationalization of firms is obviously a Sign of Success but it is a challenge at the same time because globalization invites issues related to unknown language, laws, work ethics, attitudes, management approach, culture and tradition.

Can HR forget to pay employees?

In this process, HR manager might forget to pay its employees, if not then he can forget the amount to be paid to the individual employee. With proper maintenance of payroll, HR manager will be able to pay right amount to right employee at right time, which is essential for extracting satisfactory output from employees.

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Philosophy

  • By way of introduction, let me state my most fundamental belief about organizational ethics: Ethics is not about answers. Instead, ethics is about asking questions. It's about asking lots of questions and, maybe, if you're lucky, even asking the right questions every now and then. In my experience, ethical organizations don't shy away from asking potentially embarrassing question…
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Risks

  • The need and value of doing so was brought home clearly in the Enron/Arthur Andersen scandals. Those were two organizations where, apparently, no one dared ask the tough questions that might actually have saved the companies. Now, thanks to those and related scandals, the good news is that corporations are routinely asking tough questions about financial reporting. Today, we're all …
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Issues

  • As we went on, we increasingly sought to discover the extent to which the company was on top of liabilities in those areas from a measurement and analytical perspective. With regard to all major HR systems, our board began to ask the following kinds of questions: Is there a formal system or process in place? Has the system been validated? Is it clearly understood and communicated? …
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Example

  • For example, in my on-going organizational research I have been following the fortunes of a large financial services company that has doubled its sales and halved its workforce over the past three years. You might say that's an indicator of great productivity, and a sign that it can keep up with foreign competitors who have lower wages. But, significantly, this company does not have foreig…
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Impact

  • This example goes beyond narrow ethical issues having to do with the personal effects on employees. There are also questions having to do with the impact of the policy on the culture of the corporation itself. For example, Nancy Austin talks about the value to a company of spontaneous and accidental conversations among workers: she argues that inno...
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Quotes

  • Of course Aristotle never heard of a large business or corporation. Nonetheless he did raise a set of questions that corporate leaders who wish to behave ethically need to ask themselves: If we translate Aristotle into these modern terms, he provides us with a set of ethical questions to determine the extent to which an organization provides an environment conducive to human gro…
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Mission

  • To what extent are there real opportunities for all employees to learn and to develop their talents and potential?
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Criticism

  • Very few CEOs that I work with would be able to respond to those questions with positive self-assessments. Indeed, I think many successful and admired corporate leaders consciously reject such Aristotelian measures of performance as inappropriate, impractical, and irrelevant to the task their boards have hired them to do, which is to create wealth. They say their responsibility i…
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Purpose

  • Aristotle would answer that virtuous leaders have responsibilities to both their owners and their workers. If there's a conflict between the two, it is the leaders' duty to create conditions in which those interests can be made the same. He would remind us that while most potential leaders measure themselves solely in terms of their effectiveness in obtaining and maintaining power, vi…
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Effects

  • As Aristotle would be the first to recognize, employees must be paid market wages. However, it is untrue that markets determine the compensation of executives. In many cases, this particular market is rigged: the widespread use of compensation surveys allows executives to continually ratchet up their salaries. At the other end of the salary scale, board members understand that a …
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Causes

  • Especially when times are bad, and hard choices have to be made, top executives often protect their fair share while cutting training budgets, decreasing employee benefits, and reneging on contributions to pension funds. During the 2001-03 recession, many American executives dealt with the problem of declining revenues by terminating large numbers of employees and, then, gi…
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Ownership

  • In 2000, Massachusetts businessman Charlie Butcher shared the proceeds of the sale of his company, to the tune of $18 million, with all 325 of his employees. He cut them into the deal proportionate to the length of their employment, giving a $55,000 check, on average, to each worker. (In contrast, and at about the same time, when Chrysler was acquired by Daimler Benz, …
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Origin

  • In late 1996, two Taiwan-born, high-tech entrepreneurs, David Sun and John Tu, sold the Silicon Valley business they founded, Kingston Technology, to a Japanese bank for $1.5 billion. Part of the deal was that Sun and Tu would continue to run the business, and reinvest a half-billion from the sale in the company to fund future growth. That was unusual, but what truly was surprising a…
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Introduction

  • Aristotle doesn't provide a single, clear principle for the just distribution of enterprise-created wealth, nor would it be possible for anyone to formulate such a monolithic rule. He admits it's harder to distribute wealth than it is to make it. Nonetheless, here are some Aristotelian guidelines in the form of questions virtuous leaders need to ask themselves:
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Abstract

Introduction

Quality Performance Management Systems

HRM & Ethical Management

The Ethical Management Framework by Hosmer

  • LaRue Hosmer (2008:13) argued in his well-known text, The Ethics of Management, that “an ethical principle is meaningless unless it can be applied” and explained business rules as “a method of moral analysis that . . . would be in the interest of society under all conditions and/or situations.” Hosmer (2008:5) also noted that moral standards “diffe...
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Recognizing The Moral Impacts

Stating The Moral Problem

Determining The Economic Outcomes

Considering The Legal Requirements

Evaluating The Ethical Duties