http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/06/04/to-fire-or-not-to-fire-%e2%80%93-the-ethics-of-the-layoff/
"To Fire or Not To Fire - the Ethics of a Layoff" points out the pros and cons to firing an employee, especially to a small business owner. Sam Margolin has a service technician employeed to him, but his company hasn't been receiving enough service calls and can't continue to pay the tech for sitting around. The owner wanted to know what he should do or how to make use of his tech. A Fortune Small Business contributer wrote back to Sam's concern explaining it can be good to his business, but can also have consequences. First, from the business' view, finding another skilled technician when business picks back up can be difficult. Second, from the employees' view, getting laid off will have a huge affect on him and his family. The author points out that the "utilitarian" consequences may be best for everyone if the employee is let go. He concludes with:
“[The idea] is always to treat other people not merely as means to our own ends but as ends in themselves,” Hoopes says. Instead of merely saying “Sorry, I don’t need you anymore,” employers can help the employee find a new job, assist with retraining for a different profession, or by pay severance when the employee leaves."...
Which is of course a more ethical move.
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2 comments:
This is a very valid point that Roberts made. Although Sam Margolin may no longer need his technician, there are other ways to go about it other than just flat out firing him. Helping him find another job or giving him a new position within the company are very ethical moves while at the same time Margolin is still able to eliminate a job that is no longer needed. If Margolin did this he wouldn't feel bad for having to let the technician go and the technician would be more understanding since he wouldn't have been kicked to the curb without anyway of supporting himself and his family.
Layoffs can be hard for everyone involved especially if it's a small business but it is necessary for the business to survive. Sometimes a comprise can be reached, in this case maybe the tech can work fewer hours until business picks up or he could work from home at a reduce in pay. There should be an open communication between both employer and employee to avoid any backlash that might come about from the tech being fired.
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