Ethics and Corporate Responsibility in the Workplace and the World Essay

Ethics and Corporate Responsibility in the Workplace and the World - Essay Example 151). As such, case studies are a valuable tool to gauge the ethical behavior of a company and to determine what course of action should be taken as future events dictate. PhramaCare is a factitious company, yet the situation presented can be considered likely to happen to almost any type of company, anywhere in the world. This paper will detail various ethical issues ranging from the treatment of indigenous populations to the methods of handling and dealing with whistleblowers. All the while, decisions made will be analyzed and potential consequences discussed. PharmaCare’s Treatment of Colberia’s Indigenous Population Regardless of the economic or political reasons governing a firm’s entry into another country, they have the ethical responsibility to act in the best interests of their host. In this case, PharmaCARE failed to abide by this code of responsible conduct. While there has always and will always be a disparity of wealth existent in the world, PharmaCA RE’s lack of compassion in dealing with the indigenous population of Colberia is particularly egregious. Rather than doing their small part in raising the standard of living among the people, they succeeded at continuing to keep the people of the country mired in poverty while they reaped the benefits. A responsible company sees their employees as partners, and even shareholders. As they contribute to the success of the company, they should be properly compensated. Naturally, few would argue that the people of Colberia should receive the same wage as those in the Western world, but they are certainly entitled more than $1 a day, particularly given the backbreaking work they were partaking in. In the end, however, there is little wrong with the executives of PharmaCARE living in luxurious compounds in Colberia. This is a standard practice with international corporations, as many employees leave their home country for years at a time, so they are granted living conditions simil ar to those that they are used to. This is does not excuse, however, the unethical treatment in terms of salaries and working conditions that the company was engaging in. Actions To Take Against Donna, Tom, and Ayesha Deciding to fire workers is often a painful decision, and one that potentially carries legal ramifications. Since New Jersey is not a right to work state, the situation becomes a bit more muddled. Without having the benefit of reading the contracts of employment for each respective employee, it is difficult to make a determination as to the legality of these particular firings, but in essence they could be termed legal. Donna had begun to develop poor attendance records and, even though she made the claim that it was due to mold in the work environment, Allen could argue otherwise. By properly documenting reported absences, if Donna lacks adequate proof the work environment causing her absentee rate to rise, the firing may be legally justified. It is also generally acc epted that companies can protect their reputation against employees who set out to damage it in the public. If the claims made by Tom end up being true, he would certainly have a case against an unjust termination. Barring that, however, Allen would likely prevail in a legal proceeding based on the comments he would make about the company in public. Likewise, Ayesha would need to prove that she was fired based on religious discrimination. If Allen can prove otherwise and demonstrate a history of poor performance, once again he could justify the legal