Ethical Issues in Employment - An Overview.pptx

The presentation on “Ethical Issues in Employment” provides a comprehensive overview of the major ethical concerns that arise in modern workplaces. Employment ethics deals with the principles, values, and moral standards that govern employer–employee relationships. Maintaining ethical standards at work helps organizations build trust, ensure fairness, and create a positive and productive environment.

This presentation begins with an introduction to the concept and importance of employment ethics, highlighting the need for fairness, justice, respect, transparency, and accountability in the workplace. It then explores a wide range of ethical issues commonly faced by both employers and employees in today’s business world.

The major ethical issues covered include:

Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on gender, caste, religion, age, or disability.

Harassment and Bullying: Unwanted behaviors causing emotional or physical distress, including sexual harassment and workplace intimidation.

Privacy and Surveillance: Balancing organizational monitoring needs with employee privacy rights.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: Ensuring fair recruitment, promotion, and inclusion practices.

Wages and Compensation: The importance of fair pay, benefits, and compliance with labor laws.

Health and Safety: Ethical responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment.

Work-Life Balance: Promoting employee well-being through flexible schedules and realistic workloads.

Whistleblowing and Retaliation: Protecting employees who report unethical or illegal activities.

Employment Contracts and Termination: Ensuring transparency, fairness, and respect for labor rights.

Employee Loyalty and Conflict of Interest: Maintaining integrity, confidentiality, and professional conduct.

In addition to ethical dilemmas, the presentation discusses the responsibilities of employers and employees, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, honesty, and accountability. It also highlights key Indian legal frameworks that promote ethical employment practices, including:

Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

Factories Act, 1948

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014

The PPT concludes with strategies for promoting ethics in employment, such as developing a Code of Conduct, conducting ethics training, establishing grievance redressal mechanisms, and encouraging open communication and ethical leadership.

This presentation is highly useful for students, educators, HR professionals, and business leaders who wish to understand how ethical values influence employee relations, organizational culture, and corporate reputation. It can serve as a learning resource for courses in Business Ethics, Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, and Corporate Governance.

1. Ethical Issues in Employment Presented by Ms. C. Keerthana Assistant Professor Department of Commerce with Retail Marketing (ACCA) Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science

2. Introduction Employment ethics refers to the moral principles and standards guiding behavior in the workplace. Ethical employment practices ensure fair treatment, respect, integrity, and justice between employers and employees. Unethical practices—such as discrimination, exploitation, or unfair dismissal—can harm not only individuals but also the organizational culture, productivity, and reputation .

3. Key Ethical Principles in Employment Fairness and Justice – Treating all employees equally and making unbiased decisions. Respect for Persons – Recognizing the dignity, privacy, and rights of every employee. Transparency – Maintaining honesty in communication, performance evaluation, and policies. Integrity – Upholding honesty in all employment relationships and avoiding manipulation. Accountability – Accepting responsibility for decisions affecting employees’ welfare.

4. Major Ethical Issues in Employment Discrimination Definition: Unequal treatment based on gender, caste, religion, age, disability, or race. Examples: Denying promotions to women or minority employees. Preferring certain candidates based on personal bias. Ethical Principle Violated: Justice and equality. Solution: Implement anti-discrimination policies, diversity training, and unbiased recruitment systems.

5. Harassment and Bullying Definition: Unwanted or offensive behavior that humiliates, intimidates, or offends an employee. Forms: Sexual harassment, verbal abuse, psychological bullying, or cyber harassment. Effects: Mental stress, absenteeism, decreased productivity. Solution: Enforce strict anti-harassment policies. Establish complaint redressal mechanisms (like Internal Complaints Committees). Promote respect and civility in workplace culture.

6. Privacy and Surveillance Issue: Balancing organizational security needs with employees’ right to privacy. Examples: Monitoring emails, internet use, or CCTV surveillance without consent. Collecting personal data beyond professional necessity. Ethical Consideration: Respect for privacy and informed consent. Solution: Inform employees about monitoring practices. Limit data collection to job-related purposes only.

7. Equal Opportunity and Diversity Concept: Every employee must have equal access to opportunities based on merit. Unethical Practices: Favoritism and nepotism in recruitment or promotions. Ignoring qualified candidates from underrepresented groups. Solution: Transparent recruitment and promotion criteria. Diversity and inclusion programs.

8. Wages and Compensation Issue: Paying fair wages aligned with skill, experience, and contribution. Unethical Practices: Underpayment, wage discrimination, or withholding benefits. Exploitation of contract or temporary workers. Solution: Fair remuneration policies. Compliance with labor laws and minimum wage acts.

9. Health and Safety Ethical Duty: Employers must ensure safe working conditions and prevent occupational hazards. Unethical Practices: Ignoring safety standards to cut costs. Forcing employees to work in risky environments without protective measures. Solution: Adherence to safety laws (e.g., Factories Act, 1948). Regular training, audits, and emergency preparedness.

10. Work-Life Balance Issue: Overburdening employees with unrealistic targets or excessive overtime. Effects: Stress, burnout, and decreased job satisfaction. Ethical Concern: Respecting employees’ personal time and well-being. Solution: Flexible working arrangements. Encourage leave and wellness programs.

11. Whistleblowing and Retaliation Whistleblowing: Reporting unethical or illegal practices within an organization. Ethical Dilemma: Balancing loyalty to employer vs. duty to public interest. Unethical Issue: Retaliating against employees who expose wrongdoing. Solution: Protect whistleblowers through confidentiality and legal safeguards. Promote ethical reporting channels. Employment Contracts and Termination Ethical Issues: Misleading employees about job roles or benefits. Arbitrary or unjust dismissals. Breach of contractual terms. Solution: Transparent contracts, clear terms, and due process in termination. Ethical HR policies aligning with labor law provisions.

12. Employee Loyalty and Conflict of Interest Issue: Employees should act in the best interest of the organization. Unethical Acts: Misuse of company resources. Sharing confidential data or engaging in competing businesses. Solution: Conflict of interest disclosure policies. Ethical training on professional conduct.

13. Ethical Responsibilities Employer’s Responsibilities Employee’s Responsibilities Provide safe, fair, and respectful working conditions Maintain honesty, integrity, and loyalty Offer fair pay and opportunities Follow company policies and legal standards Protect employee data and privacy Report unethical conduct responsibly Prevent discrimination and harassment Respect diversity and coworkers