Discuss the Implications of Ethical Issues to HRM Policies and Practices a Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Identify and analyze the ethical issues that may arise while operating HRM policies and practices, such as diversity, privacy, discrimination, etc.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of different HRM decisions and actions for various stakeholders, such as employees, managers, customers, shareholders, etc.
- Apply ethical theories and frameworks to HRM dilemmas and scenarios, such as utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, etc.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Human Resource Management is the process through which the manager of an organization recruits, selects, trains, and develops an effective employee team for the business. Human resource management involves employees’ features and performance in an organization or a business. It may also be defined as the strategic approach used in procuring, developing, and maintaining a highly skilled workforce to effectively attain an organization's goals through a distinctive set of integrated employment policies, programs, and practices.
Ethical issues are the moral conflicts that may arise in an organization in the context of Human Resource Management. These may involve the rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, and other stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, society, and the environment. Ethical issues may also relate to the values and principles that guide HRM decisions and actions.
Ethical issues have significant implications for HRM policies and practices. They may affect the effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness of HRM processes and outcomes. They may also influence the reputation, trust, and loyalty of the organization and its stakeholders. Therefore, it is important for HR managers to be aware of the ethical issues that may arise in their field and to address them in a responsible and ethical manner.
Some of the ethical issues that may be experienced in an organization include;
Diversity and inclusion:
These refer to the extent to which an organization respects and values the differences among its employees and ensures that they have equal opportunities and treatment. Diversity and inclusion may involve issues such as discrimination, harassment, prejudice, and cultural sensitivity.
Employee privacy:
This is the degree to which an organization protects the personal information and activities of its employees from unauthorized access or disclosure. Employee privacy may involve issues such as monitoring, data protection, confidentiality, and consent among so many others.
Employee rights:
These are the legal and moral entitlements of employees in relation to their employment relationship with their employer. Employee rights may involve issues such as freedom of expression, association, and participation; health and safe working conditions; compensation; benefits, etc.
Employee responsibilities:
These are the obligations and duties of employees in relation to their employment relationship with their employer. Employee responsibilities may involve issues such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, professionalism, competence, accountability, compliance, and ethics.
Social responsibility:
This refers to the extent to which an organization considers the impact of its actions on society and the environment and contributes to its well-being. Social responsibility may involve issues such as corporate governance, sustainability, philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and social justice.