Stagecoach Group Ethical Issue



Stagecoach Group Ethical Issue

Introduction

Stagecoach Group plc (LSE: SGC) is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin. The group is based in Perth, Scotland, and has operations in the United Kingdom and North America. To has a successful company, the manager must lead by example and provide its employees the adequate tools to accomplish the goals and objectives.

Discussion

Businesses today have to face a multitude of ethical and social issues in the quest to become, and be seen as, a socially and ethically responsible business. When discussing diversity one social issue that directly ties in with ethically responsible management practices, is affirmative action. Affirmative action has been and continues to be a controversial topic and is even less popular during these times of increased unemployment and economic instability (Donaldson & Werhane, 2002). It has been argued that affirmative action was designed to give certain individuals special treatment. Responsible management is tasked with managing diversity based on what each individual can do and bring to the organization. The main purpose of diversity management is to tap into the positive potential of the diverse workforce and then transform that potential into reality. When the balance between responsible management practices and social issues has been achieved, management will produce a workforce that substantially improves society, maintains a moral course no matter how turbulent time are, cultivates strong teamwork and productivity, while supporting employee growth and meaning (DeGeorge, 2006).

Ethical issues in a workplace are common; however the severity of each case varies and has a negative effect on the productivity of its employees. According to an article, Why Global Ethics Count & How HR Can Help, competitive pressure is one of the top three ethical issues today. Creating a code of conduct as an outline for a company's ethics by the human resource (HR) department can provide more efficiency (Why Global Ethics Count & How HR Can Help, 2008).

Stagecoach Group Ethical Issue

Ethical issues in the workplace can be stressful for both staff and management. Competitive pressure in today's global economic state has raised unethical practices (Why Global Ethics Count & How HR Can Help, 2008). The Stagecoach Group used the low revenue generated by those individuals as a justification to their termination and by explaining that lowering the amount of sales professionals would raise the sales of those still employed. The moral of the workplace is mixed in emotions for those who still are employed and reflected a weak ethical stand from the Stagecoach Group (DeGeorge, 2006).

Stagecoach Group Moral implications

Moral values are very important in today's business world. Sometimes moral can be taken for granted and people do not practice them, as they should. People came together because of their moral values, care and responsibility, fairness, equality, freedom, courage, fulfilment in life, the opportunity, community, cooperation, and ...