Ethical decision-making processes and frameworks

Ethical Decision Making Process

Underage Garment Workers Dodge Rules in Cambodia

The press has been waiting for three hours and Steve, the chief communications officer cannot wait any longer for fear of the press houses growing even larger. He knows keeping the press waiting long could be part of the story on top of the story already unfolding. He opens the door for Melanie and Cindy, both from Human Resources Management and they wait for Ben, the floor manager.

"We know the situation is not impressive, with the press right out there and the underage workers right behind us doing their jobs, this is a potential bomb on our reputation." Steve sighed. "I need to get words from you to communicate to the press right outside"

Melanie cuts him short as Ben walks in, "well we all know this happens in our company, we need to face it right away, take responsibility and correct what we can soonest possible." "It is not that straight Melanie, we have several factors to consider" Ben interrupts. Silence prevails as though the meeting was contemplating the several factors insinuated by Ben, then Steve jumpstarts the conversation again, "we need to make a decision on what to give to the press and what to do next, we need to make up something"

"I feel we ask for the best information from the workers prior to us employing them, the paperwork they bring us is the best gauge we can use to determine their age without falling pray to discriminative employment, from the human resource perspective, the underage employee has to take the blame for presenting forged paper" asserted Cindy. "Well, with all honesty we try to treat our employees well and pay them according to the agreement signed" said Ben, "the aspect of the age verification is not in our jurisdiction as long as we have notified all potential employees that we do not accept under 18 years of age as employees. About the hours, as long as our records indicate a maximum of 80 hours a week, we are safe." Steve stood, up with a gait of finality, "Well, we are in business and we need to cut down on our costs as we increase production, as long as it is work for pay, then there is no harm, factually on our records we do not employ underage workers neither do we over work them, that is it." Steve walked out to meet the media with denial of claims and feigning ignorance of facts as his weapon.