Ethical consideration in the food and consumer product industries is becoming an overarching phenomenon for consumers regarding food choices because of the subsequent increase in desire for healthy lifestyles as well as awareness regarding food safety. As such, it is fundamental for consumer product companies like Smucker to be sensitive to ethics because the consumer as ascertained by Korthals (2006) is considered vulnerable, and as such, must be protected by the state and other regulators such as FDA. Furthermore, the fact that Smucker interacts with customers daily means that its ethical behavior in terms of customer service has to be guided by considerations such as respect, trust, fairness, and responsibility.
Here, to focus on ethics, the company needs to proffer proper and competent training to its staff and recruits to ensure all stages of food production and customer service are ethically guided. Also, the company can set an endearing organizational culture through policies that ensure ethical conduct and treatment of customers.
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Opponents to ethical considerations, however, counter-argue regarding consumer protection by stating that the market should be value-free and that the consumer always has sufficient information and skills to make the right consumption choices and hence need no protection. Also, they argue that there is a distinction between a citizen and a consumer. A citizen is and should be protected by the government but the consumer should not because he or she will always follow their private interests and preferences in food consumption such as buying cheap food, and as such, is responsible for their choices and actions, thus need no protection, (Korthals, 2006).
Lists such as “Best Places to Work” are pivotal because they influence the public perception of the business or company, thereby increasing its value, but this does not come without certain drawbacks.
Benefits
Ability to enhance employer or company brand
Ability to retain top talents and reducing turnover
Ability to recruit seven times job applicants (Kugler, 2018).
Drawbacks
On the contrary, opponents to being on such a list assert that;
There is increased competition in the bid to stay on top, thereby overworking employees regardless of massive rewards –as reported by Tugend (2014), “They are golden handcuffs.”
There is a poor work-life balance because of being overworked
There is low motivation despite attracting and retaining employees (Tugend, 2014)
Indeed, I believe being publicly recognized as a good employer is a good thing because not only does the value of the company increase but also the employer will be under increased scrutiny and criticism thereby forcing them to conform to ethical standards and regulations. This way, even the working conditions of employees and compensation increases. On this accord, the certitude that Smucker’s culture ensures that ethical considerations are followed and that they are the core values of the company makes it a potential employer. This means that the culture will ensure that the respect given to customers is equally given to employees, which makes the company a lucrative work environment.
References
Korthals, M. (2006). Ethics of food production and consumption. Understanding Consumers of Food Products , 1-29. DOI: 10.1533/9781845692506.5.624
Kugler, J. (2018). Eight reasons to participate in the best places to work program. Quantum Workplace . Retrieved from https://www.quantumworkplace.com/future-of-work/8-reasons-participate-best-places-to-work-program/
Tugend, A. (2014). The downside of generous workplace perks. The New York Times . Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/18/your-money/the-downsides-of-generous-workplace-perks.html
