ETHICS & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

An Ethical Dilemma, Resolving Ethical Business Challenges, Starbucks' Mission: Social Responsibility and Brand Strength

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An Ethical Dilemma, Resolving Ethical Business Challenges, Starbucks' Mission: Social Responsibility and Brand Strength

An Ethical Dilemma

Q1.

In this case, the ethical and legal issues comprise of unethical behavior of Allen and Lavonda. Lavonda being a new employee finds it difficult to understand the policies and practices of the company, and she finds it convenient to take help of Allen. While, neglecting the fact that Allen was not only Lavonda's colleague but also her supervisor; and gets involve in intimate personal relationship, as she thinks that his behavior will not much affect to her and in case it will then she switch her job or move to another city. On the other hand, Allen want to take sexual advantage of Lavonda, as he did in past with Karline. He constantly harassed Lavonda by appraising her poorly, and taunting her in front of others. Similarly, he continuously forcing her directly and indirectly to continue sexual relationship with him otherwise gets ready for consequences. Such practices considered being unethical, as these ethical dilemma increases the mental pressure on Lavonda (Bredeson & Goree, 2011).

Q2.

Lavonda, instead of being a new employee or having problems in fiddling with the company, she should not get involve in intimate relationship with her supervisor (Allen). She has chosen the easy path to get success in her career. Therefore, she eventually became victim of Allen's sexual harassment. As an alternative, at the initial stage when Allen approaches her for the first time, Lavonda can confront Allen by stating the whole case calmly and asking to stop discriminating practices against her. She can also file a formal complaint against Allen with the company by talking to the relevant person such as HR manager, at an initial stage. Moreover, if the company fails to take notice of his unethical behavior, she can also file a complaint with outside agencies like EEOC. However, Lavonda did not file a complaint at preliminary stage, as a result she faced mental depression, as Allen appraised her performance poorly, and all sales employees pointed her by saying she slept with Allen. By taking action against Allen, she can lose her job and encounter financial crises, but she can find another job in another city as she was a brilliant student along with a good track record in previous employment.

Q3.

There is no doubt that Allen violates the laws of sexual discrimination/ harassment in the United Sates, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Since, Allen wants sexual favors from Lavonda, as well as physical and verbally abuses his employees Lavonda and Karline. This law does not forbid isolated incidents, offhand comments, simple teasing; however constant harassment is prohibited. In the case of Allen, he constantly harasses Lavonda to have sexual relationship by creating a fear of demotion or firing her from the job.

Q.4

Such continuous discriminatory and harassment practices by Allen have ...