Based on class material, give one or two examples of ethical problem(s) surrounding employer-employee relations. Analyze why the problem(s) might occur and how to prevent.
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
The Ethical Dilemma in Employer-Employee Relations
In the realm of employer-employee relations, ethical problems can often arise, leading to conflicts and challenges within the workplace. One such ethical issue that frequently occurs is the breach of employee privacy by employers. Another common problem is discrimination in the hiring process or workplace. Understanding why these problems occur and implementing preventive measures is crucial for fostering a healthy and ethical work environment.
Breach of Employee Privacy
One significant ethical dilemma in employer-employee relations is the invasion of employee privacy. Employers may sometimes overstep boundaries by monitoring employees’ personal communications, tracking their internet usage, or accessing their personal devices. This intrusion can lead to feelings of mistrust, invasion of personal space, and a violation of fundamental rights.
This problem often occurs due to a lack of clear policies regarding privacy in the workplace. Employers may not have well-defined guidelines on what constitutes acceptable monitoring practices, leading to ambiguity and potential misuse of power. Additionally, advancements in technology have made it easier for employers to surveil their employees, blurring the line between professional oversight and personal intrusion.
To prevent breaches of employee privacy, organizations must establish clear and transparent policies regarding data monitoring and employee surveillance. Employees should be informed about the extent of monitoring practices in place and their rights to privacy within the workplace. Implementing regular training sessions on data privacy and ethics can also help raise awareness among employees and managers about the importance of respecting privacy boundaries.
Discrimination in Hiring and Workplace Practices
Another ethical issue that plagues employer-employee relations is discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, age, or disability. Discriminatory practices in hiring or promotions can create a toxic work environment, undermine employee morale, and hinder organizational growth. Discrimination not only violates ethical standards but also legal regulations that protect individuals from unfair treatment.
Discrimination often occurs due to biases held by individuals involved in the hiring process or workplace interactions. Preconceived notions about certain groups of people can influence decision-making, leading to unequal opportunities and treatment. In some cases, organizational culture may inadvertently perpetuate discriminatory practices, making it challenging for employees to speak up against such behavior.
To combat discrimination in employer-employee relations, organizations must prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives. Implementing blind recruitment processes, where candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications rather than personal characteristics, can help mitigate biases in hiring decisions. Training programs on diversity awareness and inclusive leadership can also foster a culture of respect and equal opportunities within the workplace.
In conclusion, ethical problems in employer-employee relations can have far-reaching consequences on individuals and organizations alike. By understanding the root causes of these issues and taking proactive steps to prevent them, employers can cultivate a workplace environment built on trust, respect, and fairness for all employees. Prioritizing ethical conduct not only benefits employees but also contributes to the overall success and reputation of the organization.
