Ethical Issues Surrounding Walmart

Ethical issues surrounding Wal-Mart Ronald L. Reeves Columbia Southern University Ethical issues surrounding Wal-Mart Sam Walton, founded Wal-Mart over forty years ago, where it started as a five-and-ten store in Bentonville, Arkansas (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Since then it has become one of the largest retail stores in the world, with an estimated annual sales of close to $300 billion (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). His business philosophy was to provide low prices to its customers everyday (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009).With such tremendous success in profits and growth, it has also brought many challenges relating to ethical issues in regards to; off-the-clock-work, sexual discrimination, health benefits, the role of unions, use of illegal aliens, and issues relating to child and labor laws. It is the intent of this case study to identify the ethical issues Wal-Mart has faced, as well as, discuss four questions of thought. Off-the-Clock-WorkFrom 2000 to 2007, Wal-Mart has been in cou rt facing numerous law suits, in which they have paid out millions of dollars, for violation of laws surrounding non-payment of overtime compensation to its employees (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Several employees claimed that managers required them to work off the clock by requiring them to work after punching out their time card (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). If the employee refused to work after their shift and off the clock, then they would be threatened with termination of employment.One of the many complaints include the use of â€Å"lock-ins† (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). According to Stanwick and Stanwick (2009) they stated, â€Å"Managers would lock the doors after the store had closed and would force the workers to stay in the store until all the work had been completed† (p. 410). Employees were also told that if they could not complete their assigned work in their eight hour shift, that they would have to remain at work, off the clock, until their work was comp lete.It was evident that the mangers had no respect or appreciation for the employees, who should have been valued as stakeholders that contributed to the success of the store. Sexual Discrimination In 2001, Wal-Mart faced a lawsuit with regards to sexual discrimination for not promoting women to managerial positions and for not paying them a wage equivalent to what the male employees were making (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Some of the facts that supported the lawsuit include; 65% of the hourly employees and 33% of the managers were women, and on average women received 6. % less in wages than their male counterparts received (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). One example of discrimination included a female employe being told that a man was promoted over her, who was qualified, because the man had to support his family (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Another example of discrimination was when a women was told that a man was paid more becauase according to the Bible, Adam came before Eve. The managers involved in these and other sexual discrimination cases included in this lawsuit made poor ethical decsions by discriminating against its female employees.Health Benefits Stanwick and Stanwick (2009) mentioned, â€Å"In 2003 Wal-Mart’s policy of lower costs in every part of its operation was highlighted based on the type of health benefits that it offered to its employees† (p. 413). New employees had to wait six months before being eligible for the health care benefit, and retirees were not allowed to keep their benefit (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Wal-Mart’s payout for employee healthcare benefits in 2002, were 40% lower than the average that all companies in the U. S. ere paying and 30% less than their competive retailers (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). In an effort to keep health care costs down, Wal-Mart recommended to the board of directors that it should hire more part time employees and try to discourage unhealthy employees by requiring all employe e’s responsibilities to include some type of physical activity (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). It is evident that Wal-Mart’s board of directors and upper management were more concerned with profit than the welfare of the employees. The Role of the UnionsIn an effort to keep low prices for its customers, Wal-Mart kept its labor cost low (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). There has been a constant battle between Wal-Mart and its employees, who wanted to create a union. The purpose of the union was to ensure that employees, who were members of the union, would receive a wage that was competitive to others in the workforce. Stanwick and Stanwick (2009) stated, â€Å"In 2002 a comparison of wages for unionized workers and Wal-Mart employees showed that unionized Kroger employees would get four to five dollars an hour more than the Wal-Mart employees† (pgs. 15-416). It was discovered that Wal-Mart would discourage employees from forming unions, by firing those that promoted it (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Of the contrary, the Wal-Marts in China were allowed to have unions, as they received pressure from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions which is belived to be apart of Chinese Communist Government (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Use of Illegal Aliens In an efforet to keep their costs low everyday for its customers, Wal-Mart used a campaign slogan of â€Å"Roll Back the Prices,† but agian it came at the sacrifices of its employees.Wal-Mart outsourced to third party contractors to hire janitors to clean its stores afterhours (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). To keep cost down, these third party contractors, with Wal-Mart’s knowledge, hired illegal aliens to clean the stores afterhours (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). This was discovered after federal agents, from the Immigration Servive, raided sixty Wal-Mart stores in an operations called â€Å"Operation Rollback,† in 2003 (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009).As a result of the raid, more than 250 i llegal aliens were arrested, and Wal-Mart faced thiteen felony indictments and paid $5 million dollars in fines (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Some of the illegal aliens also filed lawsuits that claimed they were forced to work every night and did not receive compensation for overtime (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). This was not only a violation of federal law, it also showed a lack of the citizenship principle where every employee should respect the law (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009).Child and other Labor Laws From 2000-2005, Wal-Mart was faced with fines and lawsuits pertaining to violations of child and labor laws. It was identified by audits, that employees under the age of eighteen were working past midnight, working during school hours, and working more than eight hours a day (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Discovered were employees under the age of eighteen operating machinery that was dangerous, which included chainsaws and cardboard balers (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009).Also, exposed wer e employees who were not taking their breaks or given time off for a meal period (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Questions for Thought 1. Are the ethical issues Wal-Mart faces really any different from other large retailers? I don’t think the ethical issues facing Wal-Mart are any different than that of its competitors. I do believe though that since Wal-Mart is considered the largest retailer and it promises to keep the lowest prices everyday for its customers that they are misusing the reliability principle of taking care of its employees.Stanwick and Stanwick (2009) stated, â€Å"Traditional violations of the reliability principle would include breaching a promise or contract or not fulfilling a promised action† (p. 9). An example of this is when Wal-Mart managers did not pay their employees for working overtime. 2. Wal-Mart officials have stated that they don’t feel women are interested in management positions at the company. Do you agree or disagree? I disagre e. Based on the case study, it seems to me that women are discouraged from seeking positions in management through sexual discrimination.If women were not oppressed by comments such as a man needing the promotion over a qualified woman because he needed to support his family, or that a man works at Wal-Mart for a career and women do not, then they may feel more competitive for managerial positions (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Wal-Mart’s managers in this case demonstrated a failure in the dignity principle by not respecting all of its employees (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). 3. Wal-Mart is continually criticized for its health care policy. Is this really and ethical issue?Why or why not? I do not think that Wal-Mart’s health care policy is unethical and meets the requirement of the fairness principle. Of the four types of fairness’s: reciprocal, distributive, fair competition, and procedural fairness, they demonstrate the distributive fairness (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). They do provide both part time and full time employees with a choice to enroll in its health care policy and at different levels of coverage (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). The also have provided a health savings account for its employees.Stanwick and Stanwick (2009) stated, â€Å"In a Wal-Mart survey of 220,000 employees, it was found that 90% were covered using Wal-Mart’s health insurance† (p. 415). The 10% that did not have their insurance were either covered under their spouse’s insurance, insured by Medicaid, or through a military health insurance plan (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). 4. Should Wal-Mart be concerned about unionization of stores since allowing unionization of workers in China? Wal-Mart should be concerned about unionization in stores outside of China, as they have allowed it in China.This is a double standard that is not fair to the other Wal-Mart employees throughout the world. The case study identified that employees who were in favor of a union were either discouraged or terminated (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). The National Labor Relations Board, ordered Wal-Mart in 2003 to negotiate with former employees of the meat market, whom formed a union, to bring back the meat department that was originally closed when the employees formed a union (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009).This thought encompasses the values of the fairness principle, with regards to the reciprocal fairness (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Wal-Mart should address the thought of a union fairly as the employees seek a way to have competitive wages. Conclusion While Wal-Mart is considered to be one of the highest grossing retailers in the world, which strives to offer the lowest prices everyday to its customers, it has done so by adversely affecting their employees.The management’s efforts to keep prices down resulted in poor ethical choices which resulted in employees being forced to work beyond their normal working hours and not be compensated for their overtime. In addition, many employees were forced to work during their breaks or denied mealtime breaks, in which they were not compensated for either. Sexual discrimination was also an issue, as women were discouraged or discriminated against for seeking management level positions.Although Wal-Mart did offer health benefits to its employees, they were questionable and came at a high cost for low paid employees. Wal-Mart also set a double standard by allowing its stores in China to have a union, while it discouraged or terminated employees in other parts of the world who were in favor of developing a union. Child labor laws were another issue for Wal-Mart, as they required employees under the age of eighteen to work late at night, working during school hours, working more than eight hours a day, and operating dangerous equipment in some of its stores.The results of their unethical acts and violations of federal laws, has caused Wal-Mart to review its policies and identify ways to im prove its ethical principles concerning the treatment of its employees. Stanwick and Stanwick (2009) mentioned, â€Å"The managers at Wal-Mart agreed to meet with the ten rank-and-file workers every week from each of its 4,000 stores to get employee feedback† (p. 419). This program that Wal-Mart created is called â€Å"Associates out Front† (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). Reference Stanwick, P. A. , & Stanwick, S. D. (2009). Understanding business ethics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall.

Advantages and disadvantages of job security Essay

Is government in Mauritius legalized training? With over 20 years innovation in information technology services and training for enterprises in Mauritius, the region and internationally, FRCI is today a leader in the ICT sector. FRCI is structured around 5 areas of expertise, all geared towards the same objective; customer satisfaction. FRCI was recognised as Microsoft 2010 Country Partner of the year for Mauritius and received numerous Microsoft awards for the West, East and Central Africa (WECA) region : 2012 & 2011 Best Learning Partner, 2011 Best Virtualisation Partner and 2010 Best Enterprise Software Advisor. Historically, with the exception of the air wing, the armed forces have been poorly trained and suffered from low morale. Beginning in the late 1980s, the government began to establish a military training infrastructure. On May 16, 1987, the first noncommissioned officers (NCOs) passed through a three-month refresher course at the SPDF NCO Training School. At the graduation ceremony, Chief of Staff James Michel told the NCOs that a new career development program would give each of them â€Å"an equal opportunity to develop his career and rise up the promotion scale to the highest ranks.† On May 7, 1988, the SPDF, supported by the People’s Militia, conducted a simulated offensive at the Grand Police Military Training Center. The troops covered offensive and defensive military tactics, weapons training, field communications and engineering, first aid, map reading, and other military subjects. On June 2, 1990, officials opened the Seychelles Defence Academy, which provided training courses for the SPDF, the People’s Militia, and the police. Despite these efforts, the SPLA and the navy wing have failed to improve their capabilities. Personnel suffer from low morale, poor qualifications, and ineffective combat skills. Training is legalized in various aspects in Mauritius so that to help the country to attain economic growth and to be effective in the market, the following aspects are shown below, namely: 1. Training in education 2. Training in construction 3. Training in information technology 4. Training in defense 5. Training in health care 6. Training in development 7. Training in dealing in the international market 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Is training really a necessity? How do you find the true benefit of your training? I wish I could tell you it was glamorous and exciting. With the right attitude it can always be exciting, but it is hardly glamorous. The most important aspect is patience. You won’t find the benefits overnight. It may take a couple of years before you really understand. However, your understanding keeps growing from that point. Training is exciting if you look for the Basic Principles. I see many students (even high ranking) who know the movements but don’t understand principles such as body shifting and turning, balanced motion, focus on abdomen and proper breathing. In order to maximize your training experience I would like you to do one thing. Don’t just look on the surface at what you are doing. Dig deeper and try to understand the real meaning. I guarantee you will be amazed at the treasures you will discover. Training is the process through which you find it – whatever it is you are looking for. The color of your belt or the number of stripes doesn’t mean anything. It is the process of training that is important. Training is your journey. The destination is up to you . Training is probably the most important decision a new registrant can make, because it will dictate if this individual will be in the industry in two years from their point of entry. Basing a decision to join a brokerage based on commission structure alone is a short-sighted decision, but sadly this is all too common. If an individual truly wants to be successful in real estate they need to be trained properly. They need to ensure that the person offering the fundamental training is licensed and has had practical hands-on experience. There are lots of stories about the quality of  training, and the depth and knowledge of the individuals doing the teaching. Some are good, but many are weak or hollow at best. Due diligence on the training front is an absolute requirement for all new registrants. The registrants need to ensure there is substance, relevancy and credibility to the training programs being offered. More importantly, research the actual trainers providing the course materials – remember, you get what you pay for. A good rule of thumb: if it is free, you are probably wasting your time. Surina Hart, the director of education for Right At Home Realty (RAH), who heads up RAH University, says, â€Å"Having taught the OREA courses, I have become intimate about the training the registrants receive and the gap that exists before that registrant completes their first deal. The problem is many registrants feel that upon completion of the registrant courses they are ready to sell, and I can tell you they are not yet in that position.† â€Å"Inadequate introductory training is a key factor in why so many individuals leave the industry after only two years in the business, not to mention the negative impact they have on the public who are interacting with them.† We need to continue learning, expanding and developing our core skills, on top of taking the required continuing education courses. 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 In which countries are training legalized in developing, less or under developed countries? Differences in training in developing countries can be traced to the experiences of colonization, industrialization, and advancing technology. Since decolonization after World War II, developing countries have had to cope with depleted primary resources and unprecedented and unexpectedly rapid industrialization. Industrialization has taken the form of technology transfer, which has contributed to the loss of indigenous technologies. The developing world is becoming aware that the key to its development lies not in transfer of capital-intensive technologies designed for use where labor is comparatively scarce, but in industrial development that uses those technologies that advance the socioeconomic objective of development. Training and development efforts in developing countries should nrelate to an industrialization that uses technologies appropriate to specific environments. From a developing country’s perspective, training and development have an important role in developing the capacity to use and control appropriate technology. Training and development must be dynamic and focus on an understanding of the respective country’s culture in its transition from a low to a higher technology base. Implementation problems include cultural and linguistic diversity of the audience, poor communication, and limited or out-of-date instructional materials, facilities, and training and development personnel. A visit was made to Washington, D.C., to see Dr. Allan McKelvie, who has spent many active years in the voluntary Organisation, CARE/Medico, and who was responsible for starting the voluntary programmes in Indonesia, Jordan and Tunisia. In these programmes surgeons from the United States, Canada, Australia and elsewhere visit developing countries for periods of one month each to develop the orthopaedic services and train the local surgeons and doctors. Dr. McKelvie is also very active in orthopaedic surgical training programmes in the United States, and has a considerable interest in helping in the training of orthopaedic surgeons from developing countries. The relative needs of the developing countries of the world were discussed, and the realistic methods by which the standard of treatment of the patient crippled by orthopaedic diseases or trauma could be improved in over half the world’s population. The following points were agreed upon as being important: 1. Orthopaedic Surgeons. In developing countries surgeons should be trained either in their own countries or in suitable centres in other developin countries. Little good would come of training them in sophisticated centres in developed countries, apart from short courses in specialised types of orthopaedics. Surgeons from developing countries who are trained in centres in Europe and North America often cannot adapt to simplified procedures on returning to their own countries. In addition, many never want to return to their own countries, while others are dissatisfied after their return. It is therefore essential that certain orthopaedic centres in developing countries, with the facilities, staff and patients suitable for training surgeons from other developing countries, should be assisted and recognised by the major orthopaedic associations in the developed countries of the  world. 2. Type of Training Required. Dr. McKelvie felt that the standards of training in developing countries should be much lower than those of developed countries, in order that the maximum number of orthopaedic surgeons should be trained. In Uganda a very different approach has been used. It is felt that it is essential to have a nucleus of well trained ortho-paedic surgeons with international recognition in order that they can in future train other surgeons to a recognised high standard. The problem of training as many doctors and staff as possible is overcome by running courses of variable length from 3 days to 6 months in duration for other doctors and for general surgeons. In addition a large number of orthopaedic assistants (male nursing assistants with 1-2 years’ additional training in all the simple practical aspects of orthopaedics excluding actual operating) are trained. This method has worked well to date in Uganda. 3. Publications on Training. It was agreed that there was an urgent necessity for books, slides and films devoted to the realistic management of orthopaedics and trauma in developing countries. A booklet was also required on the manufacture of simple appliances and artificial limbs suitable for developing countries. 4. Training of Orthopaedic Ancillaries. In addition to orthopaedic assistants, orthopaedic technicians, physiotherapists, rehabilitation workers and nurses should be trained as far as possible in developing countries. Only a small selected ftw of these should visit a developed country for further training and then only for a specialised course. 5. Assistance from Developed to Developing Countries (a) Staff. CARE/Medico orthopaedic surgeons only spend one month at a time on a rota system in a developing country. They teach and do clinical work, but do not take any part in policy making or administration. (b) Many leading surgeons in developing countries, however, feel that a surgeon should spend at least oneyear, and if possible two, in order to be of real value, especially if he has never worked in a developing country before. This is because it often takes 3 to 6 months for a surgeon to re-orientate his management of patients to that which is economicaly realistic to a developing country. The same will apply to orthopaedic technicians and physiotherapy teachers, but in these cases it is essential that the teacher is flexible and realistic in his or her approach. A teacher, for instance,  who will only make calipers and artificial limbs out of imported parts from a developed country at an exhorbitant cost will do more harm than good in a developing country. Financial Assistance. This is required for secretarial and research assistance and for the preparation of books, booklets, slides, films and reprints for teaching purposes. Large sums of money are spent on transport and emoluments and even capital expenditure for buildings by developed countries in developing countries. A small fraction of this amount would achieve many times the good on an international rather than a national scale by distributing teaching aids so necessary for improving standards of orthopaedic care. The amount actxa~ly available is often negligible. There appears to be a universal reluctance throughout the world to help direct6v in the dissemination of knowledge. As a result of this, the lack of communication between countries, except at the highest level, is little short of appalling.

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To Be Determined - Essay Example She grew up within the ambit of various religious influences, but internally, Christ in the heart was more important to her, than cross on the neck! Even though it is not correct to say that the three religious figures she encountered in various stages of life, influenced her thought processes, the interaction of Mr. Brocklehurst, Helen Burns and St. John Rivers, helped her intellectual growth. But they failed to impact her deeply and crystallize her religious beliefs. They were offered to her as religious syllabus, which she rejected. She evolved her own ideas about faith and principle. She came to the conclusion, that which is not practical, can not be religious or spiritual either. Practical consequences of an idea were more important to her. Her different types of spiritual/religious inclinations could be observed right from her childhood. She observes, â€Å"Of these death-white realms I formed an idea of my own: like all the half-comprehended notions that float dim through children’s brains, but strangely impressive.†(Bronte, 1997, p.7) Religion! And what sins are committed in the name of religious practices! Is the hypocrite act of Mr. Brocklehurst subjecting his students to privations and humiliations in the name of purging their pride, a Christian Act? He instructs to trim the curly hair of one of Jane’s classmates to make it straight. These acts can be compared to the ragging practice among the modern college students, which all the right-thinking people condemn! He was not working for the glory of the Evangelical movement. On the other hand, Jane is disappointed with Helen Burn’s meek type of Christianity. The true surrender to God needs to be dynamic and not weak. Jane personally loves and admires Helen Burn but she will not adopt his passive type of Christianity. This is not the type of individual who can lead the Christian masses to the glory of true Kingdom of

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Grammatical analysis - Assignment Example The author of the letter addresses her bank manager with an issue she requires the manager to address as soon as possible. She does this owing to the unique requirements of the bank. Banks always give bank statement only upon request. She therefore uses the letter to request for the bank statements. The format of the text automatically identifies it as an official letter that addresses a specific issue. Furthermore, the author ot the text addresses the issue prudently using the fewest words possible. Such is a requirement in official letters. Official letters must always address a specific issue articulately. The author of the text does this as she addresses the issue to her bank manager before ending the piece. She ensures to include all the details necessary to justify her request for the bank statement. Key among the features of the text is the kind of service she requires from the bank and the urgency with which she requires the bank statements. Such are vital features that enhan ce the process of service delivery. All texts exist in specific genres. The text alongside just as explained earlier is a letter. Letters are pieces of communication that address particular issues to specific audiences. A letter has a definite audience. The letter alongside has a specific audience and addresses specific issue. The author of the letter addresses her bank manager. She explains her predicament to the manager and therefore requests for his help (Bell, 2004, pp123-178). Apparently, the boarder authorities require her bank statement in order for them to process her visa. She therefore writes the letter to the bank manager requesting for the statements. In doing this, she must introduce herself effectively. This validates the bank number she includes in the letter. Such is a vital inclusion since the bank knows her by the number. The genre if an effective way of identifying the text since it enhances the process of analyzing text. Every

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