Ethical and Unethical issues in Human Resource

Meaning of Business Ethics

Business Ethics is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics, that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that can arise in a business environment. These ethics originate from individuals, organisational statements or from the legal system.

Meaning of Human Resources

Human Resources are the people who make up the work force of an organization, business sector or an economy. "Human Capital" is sometimes used as synonymously with "Human Resources", although human capital typically refers to a  narrow effect . Likewise other terms sometimes include manpower, talent, labour, personnel or simply people.

Ethical issues in Human Resource:

1. Discrimination:

In many organisations till recently the employees were differentiated on the basis of their race, gender, origin and their disability. Managers are trained for aligning behaviour and avoiding discriminatory practices.

2. Cash and Compensation Plans:

There are ethical issues pertaining to the salaries, executive perquisites and the annual incentive plans etc. The HR manager is often under pressure to raise the band of base salaries and to pay out more incentives.

3. Safety and Health:

Industrial work is often hazardous to the safety and health of the employees. Legislations have been created making it mandatory on the organisations and managers to compensate the victims of occupational hazards.

4. Privacy issues:

Any person working with any organisation is an individual and has a personal side to his existence which he demands should be respected and not intruded. The employee wants the organisation to protect his/her personal life.

Unethical issues in Human Resources:

1. Unlimited hours of work:

Since last 10-15 years there is a revolution in working hours. Younger generation now works from 10 to 14 hours/day compared to 8 hours of standard work. Even women employees work long hours, night shifts and go alone on overseas trips to attend their project work.

2. Talent and Compensation:

These days it is found that employees at early age of 30 to 45 years becoming CEO, MD and Chairman of Corporate. In earlier decades it was unwritten rule to have top executives only in the age range of 50 to 80 years.

3. Dual Responsiblities of Women:

It is fair to say that women have equal opportunities in jobs and salaries. But invariably women play a dual or triple role of job, home and children responsibilities. Hence she needs more leave and flexible work timings.

4. Knowledge based:

The senior and experienced employees are finding themselves at wrong end in terms of emoluments and encouragement. This is due to fast change of technology and knowledge base. The younger generation is quick to adapt to changes. Hence the gap is difficult to fill and the disparity will continue till retirement of elderly employees.