Weyco & Child Labor - Essay Example

? Weyco & Child Labor Weyco It was in the year 2005, when a Michigan company d Weyco Group Inc. implemented a policy affirming that it would fireemployees if they are found smoking not only in office premises but also outside the workplace. The employees of the company were offered with advanced warnings regarding the new policy. It was observed that numerous workers were successful to quit smoking; however, there were certain workers who failed to do so and ultimately were fired (WELCOA, 2005). Contextually, the anti-smoking policy implemented by Howard Weyers, the CEO of Weyco, can be considered as partially correct and justified as it would help the employees to live a healthier life by quitting smoking habits. Conversely, it can be stated that Weyer’s attempt to regulate employee’s tobacco consumption outside organization which can be considered to be conflicting with the privacy interests of the employees (Lype, 2012). Employees, in this context might feel that their rights-to-privacy are being threatened by a certain extent. From a generalized view, it can be stated that employers do not possess the rights to interfere in employees’ personal affairs with no relation to the organizational interests. However, those criticizing Weyco with similar policies needs to consider that companies have a legal duty to offer a safe and healthy workplace, which might as well comprise of a smoke free air. Withdrawing the paid and sponsored health care benefits to one and all would be a viable alternative in comparison to firing the employees. Consequently, if a greater number of firms attempt prohibiting smoking inside the workplace, it would be a good thing for corporate America. However, cessation of smoking outside organization might not prove as a viable option with greater chances for companies of being exposed to lawsuits on the basis of discrimination and assault of employee privacy. When faced with similar situation, instead of adopting intrusive means, attempts can be made to motivate the employees in participating voluntarily in such programs (Darrow, 2005). Child Labor Child labor can be considered as morally dangerous as well as legally harmful. However, child labor practices have often been witnessed even in today’s modern day scenario. Such practices are fundamentally forced because of poverty when child labor is considered as the only option for the survival. Contextually, it has often been witnessed that various industries, especially apparel industry contractors in major instances practices child labor which has today led to the polarization of these companies in two distinct groups, one being ethically sound and the other being unreliable on ethical grounds. Consequently, apparel manufacturers as well as retailers often have to witness challenges when opting for strategic alliances with contractors without compromising their ethical responsibilities and profitability. With this concern, manufacturers as well as retailers need to motivate the contractors with rewards in order to attain the objective of ethical business practices and to remain competitive in its long-run (Emmelhainz & Adams, 1999). Additionally, code of conduct can be developed for the contractors that will prohibit the use of child labor by a significant extent. However, USA or any other particular country must not be permitted to “dictate” other nations to conduct their businesses ethically determining the wage rate in those economies. It is in this context that when such authority will be bestowed upon USA, it will become quite likely that the nation would gain greater power in world politics which might cause dissatisfaction amid international trading associations. USA can instead support and set examples on ethical trade practices for other nations. In this regard, price, performance and productivity are often considered to be of secondary importance. It is utmost important for the firm to take ethical considerations when choosing foreign suppliers which can be executed through legal contracts. Additionally, apparel manufacturing as well as retailing firms, need to regulate the behavior of the suppliers on a continuous basis by making repeated visits to the suppliers. It can be considered that increased surveillance of third world factories might have a negative impact on the social development in a particular economic region, thereby increasing unemployment and resulting in augmented poverty. It is fundamentally owing to the fact that continuous monitoring over unethical practices might lead to the termination of most of the employees and hence lead to increased unemployment and poverty, which can further motivate child labor. Hence, the national government and international bodies, such as ILO needs to take the responsibility to eliminate it (Shell, 2012). Pork power It has been identified that hogs has now replaced the industrial position of tobacco, which once used to be a leading crop in the American region. Irrespective of its industrial value, pig farming has emerged as a social concern within America, especially owing to the excreta or waste of such huge quantity of hogs which has been recently counted as more than human population in North California. Continuous dumping of hog wastes is hampering the civilized society to a substantial extent. Smell of the excreta tends to be quite offensive which further leads to air pollution. It has further been observed that there are greater chances for damage in case the manure is liquefied and used as fertilizers in the fields. It is also contaminating the drinking waters and ground waters which in turn tend to have a negative impact upon the natural environment as a whole. There are numerous powerful companies such as Wendell Murphy, which is regarded as one of the largest pork manufacturers in the world. There are many other corporations who are involved in creating numerous laws that can help them in protecting the pork industry. It is in this context that since the companies earn huge profits through pig farming, they lack due concern regarding the ill impacts of their operations on the environment. It is quite significant for the pig manufacturers to have risk assessment of their business from a socially responsible perspective. Additionally, they must bring into practice appropriate waste management systems in their business in order to minimize the issue. Local people should also be motivated to actively participate in the risk assessment program with the businessman in order to encourage the remedy. Campaigns can be conducted in order to educate the community on the negative impacts arising from pig farming. Notably, the situation might have been evolved to this far without a quick solution fundamentally owing to the lack of considerations by the manufacturers towards the issue. It might also be due to the lack of knowledge regarding the negative impacts caused by excessive farming of the pigs and their wastes. Lack of legal considerations might have also encouraged such issues to evolve at a rapid pace. Theory of corporate citizenship demonstrates the role of the company towards the society where organizations are responsible for contributing towards the betterment of the society. However, witnessing the recent trends and the essentials of corporate citizenship, industrial pig farmers cannot be considered as good citizens of the community owing to their insignificant concern towards environment protection and other social responsibilities (Leung, 2009). References Darrow, T. L. (2005). State law protects workers who smoke away from job. Retrieved from http://www.littler.com/files/press/pdf/11448.pdf Emmelhainz, M. A. & Adams, R. J. (1999). Clothing industry (human resource management) sweatshops (prevention). Journal of Supply Chain Management. 35(3), pp: 1-40. Leung, R. (2009). Pork power. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/06/19/60minutes/main559478.shtml Lype, B. E. (2012). Privacy and social media in the workplace. Retrieved from http://www.lypelaw.com/privacy-and-social-media-in-the-workplace.html Shell. (2012). Business and child labour. Retrieved from http://www.shell.com/static/envirosoc-en/downloads/management_primers/business_and_child_labour_primer.pdf WELCOA. (2005). Where there’s smoke, you’re fired. Retrieved from http://www.welcoa.org/freeresources/pdf/weyers_smoke_fire.pdf Read More