An ethical issue is a shortcoming or an occurrence that an individual or an organization needs to address and must be treated as right or wrong. One of the ethical issues that have been observed in most of the companies is racial discrimination. There are other forms of discrimination that are experienced in most organization among them includes; gender, age, religion and many more. This paper will address racial discrimination or racism as one of the ethical issues in the companies across the world as well as causes of racism, stakeholders of the racism, and effects of racism to the society.
The first stage of addressing racism is to understand the weight of the effect of racial discrimination on the society. Despite the fact that there has been a significant campaign and human Rights Activists struggle to ensure that all people from every particular race is equally respected, there is still signs of discriminatory attitudes that affects workplaces, public facilities, law and policies. The importance of human rights and tolerant society is based on the principle that there has to be equal recognition and fair treatment of all people of different races. Racism is a belief or a feeling that a particular race is inferior or superior to another. Racism is one of the most significant ethical dilemmas in the most of the company in European countries as well as Africa. Racism can be of two different categories; disparate treatment where an employee is treated differently from others or disparate impact where employees have changed policies that favor a particular race.
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In a company set up, racism is one of the ethical issues that can reduce the chances of an organization from achieving its goal and target because the workers or the employees are not working in cohesion for a common goal. I found it interesting to address racism as an ethical dilemma amongst many other ethical dilemmas that affect an organization. Broadly, racism not only affects companies but also has a negative impact on the society. There are high chances of black being discriminated in countries such as Indian where they perceive themselves to be superior than Europeans and Europeans believe there are superior than Africans. The virtual of racism is widespread and has a tremendous negative impact on the growth of society in all aspect whether socially, economic or politically.
In most organizations, stakeholders of racism are both employees and employers and customers of the business. Some of the cause of racism in a particular company is the Instinctive reaction for species protection; this implies that it is natural to interact with individuals of the same color or language and fell comfortable to socialize and hang around with them. In a workplace, it is easy to get employees from one race hang around each other because of that natural attraction. The second cause of racism in workplace is ignorance amongst the stakeholders; they are ignorant about other races ideologies. This is as a result of being uneducated or uninformed about the consequences of racism.
Thirdly, aspects that significantly contributes to racism in an organization is how individuals were brought up and their moral values. Similarly, another cause of racism can be desire to be superior. Some people tend to thin their races are superior than others. Lack of love and confidence towards other races and perception that people from other races cannot be able to perform a particular task as compared to other is one of the issues that compel racism at workplaces. Additionally, lack of unity among the stakeholders who are workers in this case is one the crucial pioneers of racism in most organizations (Schroeder, 2002).
Organization policy is one of the tools that can be used to solve the ethical issue of racism at workplace. Organizational policies are rules or guidelines set or adopted by an organization to achieve its objectives. Therefore, a company can establish laws against discrimination of any race and emphasizes on equality to all its stakeholders despite the religion, gender or complexion. In addition, consequences against any stakeholder found discriminating any individuals in an organization should be outlined. The companies should also look for ways of educating and campaign for equality despite your complexion, gender or religion.
Developing and establishing written organizational policies can be an effective way of reducing racial discrimination in an organization. Companies facing issues of racial discrimination among its employees should implement a zero-tolerant workplace policy that will minimize the incidences of racism and discrimination. Companies should emphasis on business policies that are based on civil human rights such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, state employment law and the disabilities policies that restrict discriminatory issues. There should be policies that includes disciplinary actions and consequences for any employee who violate such policies and rules.
The media has also spotted the ethical issue of racism in workplaces. Press has shown its effort by campaigning through rallies against discrimination of other races, and as a result, it has created awareness to the public about the outcomes of racism. The media has greatly educated the public on the importance of equality of all races in various radio or television programs. Media is on the forefront in the fight against racism. Additionally, the church and the community as well have not been left out in this fight against racism (wood,1991). Discrimination due to races is not only evident in workplaces or companies but also in the current society. In every situation that involves people of different races living or working together racism has been significantly been reported.
Some of the published cases of racism as an ethical issue in a company are: In 1993 in a company in California a high rate of discrimination was evidence where white men were to perform office work while black men were to be the carriers in the same company. Another example is in 1987 in South Africa where a white Indian and an African could not have enjoyed the same priorities in the workplaces (moon, 2004). In 1965 in Europe. in a Textile Company, the assistance manager was fired from the work for employing a black American. In 1978 Thomas Brian was fired from work after marrying a black American. In 1965 in South Africa, 20 Africans we killed for sharing the same road with the whites (moon 2004). Considering the mentioned published cases, it is evidence that racism is real and it started long ago our society.
In conclusion, racism is one of the ethical issues that occurs at our workplace and evident in our society today. It is the initiative of each one of us to fight against racial discrimination. In summary, massive education through churches, rallies and documentaries against racism should be encouraged. Additionally, religious groups should play a significant role in the campaign against racism. Consequences against any stakeholder found discriminating any individuals in an organization should be established and implemented in all companies.
The companies should also look for ways of educating and campaign for equality despite its employees’ gender or religion. Establishment of written organizational policies can be an effective way of reducing racial discrimination in an organization. Companies facing issues of racial discrimination among its employees should implement a zero-tolerant workplace policy that will minimize the incidences of racism and discrimination. Companies should emphasis on business policies that are based on civil human rights such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, state employment law and the disabilities policies that restrict discriminatory issues.
References
Wood, D. J. (1991). Corporate social performance revisited. Academy of management review , 16 (4), 691-718.
Borgerson, J. L., & Schroeder, J. E. (2002). Ethical issues of global marketing: Avoiding bad faith in visual representation. European Journal of Marketing , 36 (5/6), 570-594.
Matten, D., & Moon, J. (2004). Corporate social responsibility. Journal of business Ethics , 54 (4), 323-337
