Employment at Green Move - Essay Example

Lecturer: Topic PART A - EMPLOYMENT AT GREEN MOVE The United s Consumer Product Safety Commission through the Consumer Product Safety Act obligates all the manufacturers, importers, distributors or retailers of goods that are to be used by consumers to report in case the goods are defective and if they are to be recalled. It is important to report so that injuries can be prevented and lives saved since all the parties benefit in the event that action is taken quickly and efficiently. As the act states, I would immediately make a report to the Consumer Product Safety Commission about the defects that are in the product that has been developed by Green Move so that public health and safety can be protected. This would be a step towards identifying any more risks of injury that may be associated with the product. In the report to be presented, I will identify the product and also make an accurate description of it as per the regulations of the commission. In the report, I will make sure that I include the name of the manufacturer as well as the distributors of the product that I have information on while stating the nature and extent of the defect that is in the product. I would also include my name and address in the report even though I will hope that the commission keep this confidential since I would not want to be victimized by the management of the company for reporting about the defect to the commission. The decision to report the defects to the commission would be a difficult one since I would have to surrender the reports without the approval of the directors and from previous experience, the board of directors does not tolerate the employees who present to them their findings on the defect and this might be the same action that is taken against me. Nevertheless, I will approach them with the information prior to making the report to the commission. Regardless of the outcome of the presentation of the information to the directors, I will ensure that they commission gets the report and although this is a difficult decision since am new to the job and there is a possibility that reporting about the defects will lead to my dismissal. I consider the USD 5000 that I am being asked to pay on behalf of Green Move to have the Zero Pedal on the shelves of a Sporting goods store illegal since in my opinion, it is tantamount to a bribe. The store should stock the goods depending on the demand by the customers since if the demand is available and the store is not willing to stock the Zero Pedal, then other stores that are willing bring the product closer to the customers. Therefore, I would not recommend that Green Move pay this fee to have the Zero Pedal on the shelves of this store. Asking for this fee and paying it on the part of the company is also unethical since it is a barrier to fair competition from the companies that may be developing products of the same nature especially with the knowledge that the Zero Pedal is defective. Green Move can apply the cost-benefit analysis to assess the safety concerns associated with the Zero Pedal since as the management board had stated, the conditions that make the product malfunction are not experienced in all the areas where the product is sold. The cost-benefit analysis will enable the company to make a decision on whether it is viable to change the design of the whole product or make adjustments on the ones that will be distributed to the areas that may experience the conditions that may cause the malfunction. PART B – SUPPLY CHAIN When a company experiences growth and expansion to a point that it is known globally and the products it develops become popular commodities that are consumed by the general public, its position in the society is important and exceptional. Each process that is associated with it is of huge effect to the society thus the company develops a bigger responsibility that is not limited to the business sector but also addresses the upholding of social justice as well as ethics while serving as a reputable model to other establishments and the public. Green Move is a good example of such a company even though if more often than not avoids responsibility through remaining quiet about the defects that are in its Zero Pedal product. The company should make adjustments that will enable it to start producing the component parts of its product in an ethical manner while offering improved working conditions for the workers in Bangladesh rather than profiting and ignoring the critical conditions of the workers. Green Move is the solution to the improvement of the working conditions of the workers at Solar Group and if it decides to ensure that it sources ethically, then this issue can be resolved. Green Move should not abandon Solar Group as a supplier, rather, it should commit to the and make sure that the conditions of its workers are corrected by urging them to offer the employees legal working hours as well as wages that allow sustainability and better working conditions. If the blog is published, Green Move will lose a considerable market share and it is highly likely that other products that are developed by the same may also lose market. It is also highly likely that some lawsuits will be filed and this will be bad for business for the company. On the other hand, Solar Group may have to improve working conditions and various other issues and in the process, might push the expenses incurred in this adjustment to Green Move. PART C – FOREIGN EXPANSION Since Viktor thought of it as a good idea that can help the situation of unemployment and underemployment, he should still go on with the pursuit for the lease of the property as the board has already decided that it is a good idea. If he the company continues with this endeavor, then it will be beneficial since it will allow it to save costs while at the same time improve management since it will deal with people who are well educated. However, paying the facilitation fee will not be ethical since this will mean that Green Move will have an unfair advantage over the other companies that will be bidding for the lease of the property. Viktor should consider reporting the matter to the relevant authorities that deal with corruption in the area so that the case can be dealt with. It is obvious that if he puts in his bid together with an amount that is not substantial in the other envelope, then he will not win the bid. There is also the possibility that the other companies which are involved in the bidding have been asked to part with the “facilitation” fee and this makes the whole process lose its competitive characteristic. PART D – THE BOARD AND REMEDIAL MEASURES Continued marketing of the Zero Pedal even though I have prior knowledge of the defects that are associated with it will mean that I disregard the safety and health of the people that will buy them and use them. This also means that the company can be sued for developing a product that can hurt their consumers. Further, the company can be sued for having information that the Zero Pedal malfunctions in some conditions but it still went on to withhold the information from the public as well as the relevant commission. Paying the store to stock the Zero Pedal is also illegal and unethical since it means that the company that pays the highest fee will have its products stocked. This is bad for competition in the business and is also a classic example of a bribe. The working conditions in Bangladesh might also make the sales of the company go down if discovered since no one wants to be associated with goods that are developed in an unethical manner. The directors at Green Move should deal with the issue of the defect by recalling the Zero Pedals that have already been sold and making adjustments on the design or changing the whole design. They should also adopt a policy that will allow the employees to speak out in case there are issues that need to be aired. Green Move should also make sure that the suppliers of the parts and components that it uses are conducting business in an ethical way to avoid impacting its business in a negative manner. The government on the other hand should make an effort of ensuring companies have ethical working environments and conditions. It should also make sure that the companies are able to compete fairly and openly in business. Read More