Remember the example of the executive in a foreign country being forced to watch a stoning from Unit 3? This is an excellent example of ethical decision-making and considering the culture where business is conducted. Every culture has its own traditions and perspectives, and we must be mindful of those differences and ensure that the policies in the workplace embrace or at the very least consider those perspectives. In this unit, you will learn about diversity and inclusion, making reasonable accommodations, sexual identification and orientation, income inequalities, and animal rights implications.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.
Diversity is not simply a box to be checked; instead, it is an approach to business that unites ethical management and high performance. Business leaders in the global economy recognize the benefits of a diverse workforce and see it as an organizational strength, not a mere slogan or a form of regulatory compliance with the law. They recognize that diversity can enhance performance and drive innovation; conversely, adhering to the traditional business practices of the past can cost them talented employees and loyal customers.
The traditional definition of diversity is broad, encompassing not only race, ethnicity, and gender but also religious beliefs, national origin, cognitive and physical abilities, and sexual preference or orientation. This section examines two of these categories, religion and ability, looking at how an ethical manager handles them as part of an overall diversity policy. In both cases, the concept of reasonable accommodation means an employer must try to allow for differences among the workforce.
As society expands its understanding and appreciation of sexual orientation and identity, companies and managers must adopt a more inclusive perspective that keeps pace with evolving norms. Successful managers are willing to create a more welcoming work environment for all employees, given today's wide array of sexual orientations and identities.
The gap in earnings between the United States' affluent upper class and the rest of the country grows every year. The imbalance in income distribution among the participants of an economy, or income inequality, is an enormous challenge for US businesses and society. The middle class, often called the engine of growth and prosperity, is shrinking, and new ethical, cultural, and economic problems follow that change. Some identify income inequality as an ethical problem, some as an economic problem. Perhaps it is both. This section will address income inequality and the way it affects US businesses and consumers.
Ethical questions about our treatment of animals arise in several different industries, such as agriculture, medicine, and cosmetics. This section addresses these questions because they form part of the larger picture of how society treats all living things – including nonhuman animals and the environment. All states in the United States have laws to protect animals; some violations carry criminal penalties, and some carry civil penalties. Consumer groups and the media have also applied pressure to the business community to consider animal ethics seriously. Businesses have discovered money to be made in the booming business of pets. Of course, as always, we should acknowledge that culture and geography influence our understanding of ethical issues at a personal and a business level.
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.