Mgt 305 - Ethical Dilemma

Matt Wheeler

Ethics Assignment

MGT 305 / Dr. Ingram

October 17, 2015

The ethical dilemma that takes place in this case is the question of whether or not a set hours in a work week is substantial, and the impacts it can make on the employee thus funneling down to the company. I do agree with many of the points within the case that benefits, securities, and equalities are some of the main reasons that Europeans have a higher quality of life. Americans are overworked, overstressed, and seem to always be on the go, but it is a balance between an employee and employer and coming to an understanding of what the expectations are. Workers often put in more time than necessary, but have alternative motives such as taking advantage of available overtime. I do not think limited work week hours would be the best solution to raising the quality of life. Different jobs require different skill sets, thus pay is based off of what you bring to a company’s overall performance. To work in a simple skill set position, would mean one would have to work more hours than that of someone who has large responsibilities, and requires more to the position such as educational background, but is paid more per hour. I feel the government should have limited to no involvement in which it mandates a company to require time off or work times. A company that does not pay well or offer benefits that are enough to keep even limited employees will eventually self-destruct and fall apart.

        I feel the ethical dilemma at hand impacts the middle to lower class citizens whom which work the majority of the hours worked in America. Many in the middle to lower class depend on benefits that may not be readily available for people working less than half time at work. The government has put in place certain programs to assist those in absolute need, however these programs become easily taken advantage of, and a bigger issues becomes how to ethically cut off programming as such or enforce ways that only those truly in need are assisted. Impoverished areas typically have lower incomes and quality of life, however social issues often get misconstrued with what is ethically important. We should always do our best to help those in need, but need to be aware if hardships are self-inflicting. I personally do not feel it was wrong to eliminate the 35 hour workweek as it now gives employees that may want to put in extra time at work the opportunity to do so, so long as the company does not require the employee to work a mandatory set of hours above the 35. If a company requires the employee to put in the extra time without compensation reflecting as such, then the quality of life will lower due to disgruntled employees, but it is important to rely on employees to raise these issues if evident.

        I would suggest a deeper look the individual employees themselves. How involved and engaged is an employee? Does the employer know anything more about the employee besides just what they do at work? I think knowing your workers both inside and outside of work is very important for a manager to better understand and foresee issues that may impact both performance at work, and when things at home need to be changed. I do feel employers have an obligation to consider their employee’s quality of life as it can quickly become a direct reflection on the company itself. There is a fine line in human resources as to when it is ethically ok to step into someone’s life and try to assist, but I think it is becoming more important if a company wants to keep an employee happy, and have end results on performance and quality. I think if the company and employee have an understanding upfront of what is expected, and if these boundaries are over met, what steps are taken to correct, it would lead to better communication between the company and employee. I do think that employees of a company should be subject to their territorial requirements when it comes to what laws and rules they should follow. This will keep companies from all headquartering in areas where there may be less strict worker laws, but will be important for a company to understand the global differences within their operational territories.