Business Ethics - Rights and Obligations (U3DB) - Essay Example

Business Ethics - Rights and Obligations (U3DB) “Drug use is information that is rightfully private and only in exceptional cases can an employer claim a right to know about such use.”Every individual has his right to privacy. The use of drugs is a private information is not something to be discussed openly, not because there’s something to hide, but because of the right to privacy. There are exceptional situations though, when the employer asks this information to his employee. It then agrees on the moral philosophy based on consequences where morals are based on the results of actions.

In defense to the argument, an employer has the right to know, and even investigate his employees to determine their capabilities in the workforce. The employer needs to protect his company – the business, and the whole workforce contributing to the life of the company. It is a prerogative of a job applicant to apply in any job because he is the one searching. If he wants to apply to a company, he must be ready to comply with its rules and regulations. The employer evaluates the credentials of an applicant to assess his abilities and skills if he fits to the job description he is applying for.

If he gets hired, then the applicant will have to comply with the rules and regulations of the company. The use of drugs means there is a medical condition to cure or needs drug maintenance in order for the user to be productive in spite of the medical condition. The employer claims the right to know about his employee’s use of drugs, not for his personal agendas, but for the company’s welfare to assure that every worker works faithfully and accordingly. This is consistent to the moral philosophy based on consequences given that the employer knows his employee’s condition, he can find a way to support his employee by giving him medical benefits, and even adjust his work schedule that is best for both the company and the employee.

Lest the employee conceals his medical condition and its effects affecting his mobility to the point of delaying business transactions, his employer will not hesitate to fire him for being a liability to the company. In conclusion, the philosophy based on consequences is therefore consistent to the statement “Drug use is information that is rightfully private and only in exceptional cases can an employer claim a right to know about such use.” The employer will base his decisions, either to give or refuse special employee benefits, according to work performance.

An employee will not be given consideration despite of his condition if his employer does not have any knowledge of such.