Explain: What, if any, expectations does the employer have of employees to contribute to the companys social responsibility? Are the expectations motivating or not?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Expectations of Employees in Contributing to Company Social Responsibility
Introduction
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a vital aspect of modern business practices, where companies are increasingly expected to act ethically and contribute positively to society. As part of this trend, employers often have specific expectations for their employees regarding contributions to CSR initiatives. This discussion will explore these expectations and evaluate whether they serve as motivating factors for employees.
Expectations of Employers
1. Active Participation: Employers may expect employees to engage in CSR activities, such as volunteering for community service events or participating in sustainability initiatives. For instance, companies might organize charity drives, environmental clean-up days, or partnerships with local nonprofits and encourage employees to take part.
2. Advocacy and Representation: Employees are often expected to embody and promote the company’s CSR values, both within and outside the organization. This can involve advocating for sustainable practices, representing the company at community events, or sharing the company’s social responsibility initiatives on social media.
3. Innovation and Ideas: Employers may invite employees to contribute ideas for new CSR initiatives or improvements to existing programs. This expectation encourages a culture of innovation while aligning employee contributions with the company’s social goals.
4. Collaboration and Teamwork: Companies often expect employees to work collaboratively on CSR projects, fostering a sense of team spirit and collective responsibility towards societal issues. This collaboration can enhance employee engagement and reinforce the company’s commitment to social responsibility.
Motivating Factors
The impact of these expectations on employee motivation can vary depending on several factors:
1. Alignment with Personal Values: Employees who share the company’s values and social responsibility goals are more likely to feel motivated to participate in CSR efforts. When employees see a direct connection between their personal beliefs and the company’s initiatives, it fosters a sense of purpose and engagement.
2. Recognition and Reward: Employers who recognize and reward employee contributions to CSR can enhance motivation. Acknowledgment through awards, bonuses, or public recognition can encourage employees to actively participate and take ownership of their contributions.
3. Sense of Belonging: Participating in CSR initiatives can create a sense of community and belonging among employees. When individuals feel that they are part of something larger than themselves, it enhances job satisfaction and motivates them to contribute.
4. Skill Development: Engaging in CSR activities often provides opportunities for employees to develop new skills or enhance existing ones. This professional growth can be a motivating factor, as individuals appreciate the chance to improve their capabilities while making a positive impact.
Potential Demotivators
Conversely, there are factors that may hinder motivation:
1. Lack of Support: If employees feel unsupported by management or if CSR initiatives are poorly organized, it may lead to frustration and disengagement. Employees need to see genuine commitment from leadership for CSR efforts to be motivating.
2. Mandatory Participation: When participation in CSR activities is perceived as mandatory rather than voluntary, it can lead to resentment among employees. This coercion can diminish enthusiasm and reduce overall motivation.
3. Mismatch of Interests: Employees may not always align with the specific causes or initiatives chosen by the company. If individuals do not feel personally connected to the CSR activities, their motivation to participate may wane.
Conclusion
Employers generally have clear expectations for their employees regarding contributions to corporate social responsibility. These expectations can be motivating when they align with personal values, provide opportunities for recognition and skill development, and foster a sense of belonging. However, challenges such as lack of support, mandatory participation, and mismatched interests can detract from motivation. Ultimately, creating a supportive environment that encourages genuine engagement in CSR initiatives is key to enhancing employee motivation and fostering a culture of social responsibility within the organization.
