Should AT and T mandate a Diversity Policy
Research Paper, Business
Mandating Respect for Fellow Employees: Can It, Should It, Be Done?
Project description
In this assignment, referencing the tenets of Kantianism and Utilitarianism, you will appraise the nature and scope of the employer’s duty of care owed to its employees. Then, utilizing your concept of the employer’s ethical duty to care, justify the right thing to do when considering a Diversity Policy.
Albert Buonanno was employed by AT&T. He performed his work as required without any disciplinary incident. Buonanno is a Christian who believes that the Bible is divinely inspired, and he attempts to live his life in accordance with its literal language. Because the Bible requires that he treat others as he would like to be treated, Buonanno values and respects all other AT&T employees as individuals. He never has nor would he discriminate against another employee due to differences in belief, behaviour, background or other attribute. However, his religious beliefs prohibit him from approving, endorsing, or esteeming behaviour or values that are repudiated by Scripture.
AT&T’s “Employee Handbook” featured a section entitled “Doing What’s Right: Business Integrity & Ethics Policies” that attempted to promote the company’s “Diversity Policy:”
The company places tremendous value on the fresh, innovative ideas and variety of perspectives that come from a diverse workplace. Diversity is necessary for a competitive business advantage and the company is competing for customers in an increasingly diverse marketplace. To make diversity work to our advantage, it’s our goal to build an environment that:
* respects and values individual differences
* reflects the communities we serve
* promotes employee involvement in decision making
* encourages innovation and differing perspectives in problem solving
* allows our diverse employee population to contribute richly to our growth.
We want to create a team that is diverse, committed and the most talented in America. To that end, AT&T Broadband has a “zero tolerance” policy toward any type of discrimination, harassment or retaliation in our company. Each person at AT&T Broadband is charged with the responsibility to fully recognize, respect and value the differences among all of us. This is demonstrated in the way we communicate and interact with our customers, suppliers and each other every day.
AT&T mandated that all employees sign a Certificate of Understanding, thereby agreeing to “abide by” the Diversity Policy. Buonanno questioned the meaning of the highlighted sentence. He believed that some behaviour and beliefs (e.g., a “neo-Nazi skinheads’ belief) were deemed sinful by Scripture; he could not “value” that is, hold in esteem or ascribe worth to such behaviour or beliefs without compromising his own religious beliefs.
Buonanno refused to sign the Certificate. AT&T fired him. A US District Court Judge found that AT&T had illegally discriminated against Buonanno because of his religious beliefs.
Source: Buonanno v. AT&T Broadband, LLC, 313 F. Supp. 2d 1069 (D. Colo. 2004). http://co.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20040402_0000022.DCO.htm/qx
write a two- to three-page essay addressing the following:
1- Should AT&T mandate a Diversity Policy?
2- If you believe AT&T should mandate a Diversity Policy, explain why. Then, rewrite the following section of the policy to ensure that all diverse beliefs are respected. Clearly explain, in practical terms, AT&T’s expectations.
Each person at AT&T Broadband is charged with the responsibility to fully recognize, respect and value the differences among all of us.
3- If you contend that AT&T should not mandate a Diversity Policy, explain why that value should not be enforced.
4- Cite and utilize the principles of either Kantianism or Utilitarianism in support of your position.
Answer preview to should AT and T mandate a Diversity Policy
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