Reference no: EM133316559

Case Study - Salary Disclosure

The Jensen Hotel has an unwritten policy that forbids employees to discuss their salaries with one another. It recently came to the attention of Dan Maloney, the front desk manager, that George and Barbara, two front desk agents, had compared salaries. Barbara and George have worked at the Jensen Hotel for about a year. By all accounts, the quantity and quality of their work has been essentially the same. However, Barbara found that she earns less than George, even though she does the same work, and they were hired at about the same time.

Barbara approached Dan, wanting him to intercede on her behalf with Mr. Grey, the hotel manager. She told him that she would like her salary adjusted to George's level.

Dan explained to Barbara that even though she was doing the same job, she did not have the same experience as George. George had been in the hotel industry for more than five years, while Barbara had only recently graduated from college. He also told her that George had a family to support while she did not.

The foremost issue in this case is a possible discriminatory compensation policy. Therefore, the principal human resources issue we must consider is fairness. Is it fair to pay two people different salaries for doing the same work? This is both a legal and an ethical question. Many forms of discrimination that are considered unfair have been made illegal in the employment relationship. Beyond the legal ramifications, ethical and practical considerations show that it is unwise for a business enterprise to engage in human resources practices that are considered unfair.

Provide an ethical analysis in relation to:

• Aristotle and the Ethics of Virtue

Case Study - Salary Disclosure

The Jensen Hotel has an unwritten policy that forbids employees to discuss their salaries with one another. It recently came to the attention of Dan Maloney, the front desk manager, that George and Barbara, two front desk agents, had compared salaries. Barbara and George have worked at the Jensen Hotel for about a year. By all accounts, the quantity and quality of their work has been essentially the same. However, Barbara found that she earns less than George, even though she does the same work, and they were hired at about the same time.

Barbara approached Dan, wanting him to intercede on her behalf with Mr. Grey, the hotel manager. She told him that she would like her salary adjusted to George's level.

Dan explained to Barbara that even though she was doing the same job, she did not have the same experience as George. George had been in the hotel industry for more than five years, while Barbara had only recently graduated from college. He also told her that George had a family to support while she did not.

The foremost issue in this case is a possible discriminatory compensation policy. Therefore, the principal human resources issue we must consider is fairness. Is it fair to pay two people different salaries for doing the same work? This is both a legal and an ethical question. Many forms of discrimination that are considered unfair have been made illegal in the employment relationship. Beyond the legal ramifications, ethical and practical considerations show that it is unwise for a business enterprise to engage in human resources practices that are considered unfair.

Provide an ethical analysis in relation to:

• Utilitarianism

Case Study - Salary Disclosure

The Jensen Hotel has an unwritten policy that forbids employees to discuss their salaries with one another. It recently came to the attention of Dan Maloney, the front desk manager, that George and Barbara, two front desk agents, had compared salaries. Barbara and George have worked at the Jensen Hotel for about a year. By all accounts, the quantity and quality of their work has been essentially the same. However, Barbara found that she earns less than George, even though she does the same work, and they were hired at about the same time.

Barbara approached Dan, wanting him to intercede on her behalf with Mr. Grey, the hotel manager. She told him that she would like her salary adjusted to George's level.

Dan explained to Barbara that even though she was doing the same job, she did not have the same experience as George. George had been in the hotel industry for more than five years, while Barbara had only recently graduated from college. He also told her that George had a family to support while she did not.

The foremost issue in this case is a possible discriminatory compensation policy. Therefore, the principal human resources issue we must consider is fairness. Is it fair to pay two people different salaries for doing the same work? This is both a legal and an ethical question. Many forms of discrimination that are considered unfair have been made illegal in the employment relationship. Beyond the legal ramifications, ethical and practical considerations show that it is unwise for a business enterprise to engage in human resources practices that are considered unfair.

Provide an ethical analysis in relation to:

• Kant's Categorical Imperative