Question

The owner of a small machine shop has just TOst Oe of his larger customers. The solution to his prob- lem, he says, is to fire three machinists to balance his workforce with his current level of business. The owner says it is a simple problem with a simple solution. 1-6 (e) (a) The three machinists disagree. Why? (b) What are the ethical factors from the perspective of the owner and the workers? deeereomseems E.

Answer 1

The three machinists disagree with the owner because the decision to fire them is not justified and there is no way the machinists have defaulted on their performance or performed poorly. Ideally, the owner must look for reasons why it is losing its customers and then find ways to work on it, rather than simply cutting down production to meet lower demand. b) The ethical factors from the perspective of the owner and the workers are as below: • Understand the reasons for customers leaving Owners not paying attention to falling demand Poor quality products being offered Justify the firing of machinists • Indulge in CBA before making a decision • Workers be made more accountable for their work and performance • Workers losing motivation to work and not being incentivized enough These are some of the ethical factors involved.