Having a job is very important to many individuals, especially because of the difficult economic times that we are living in today. At the same time, though, another reason why getting an efficient job can be difficult, is because of the state of the economy as well. As Donald Trump mentioned during his debate with Hillary Clinton recently, American’s economy is a bubble at the moment, and one slip could end up causing a recession, like what has happened in 2008. However, it is also important to mention that as the years have gone by, the economy continues to grow rapidly. And thus, the labor market demands continue to increase.
At the same time, though, with this increase in the labor market also come questionable economic morals too. An example of this would be something such as greed and corruption, which is so common in society today. As “Labor force projections to 2024: the labor force is growing, but slowly” states, “The U.S. labor force—the number of people working or looking for work—is projected to reach 163.8 million in 2024.2 The labor force is anticipated to grow by 7.9 million, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 0.5 percent, over the 2014–24 period” (Toossi 2015 p.1).
Now, through the current difficult economic times and questionable moral decisions, it is essential to analyze the economic system as a whole. In other words, the current economic system, which is said to be moral, should be able to allocate society's scarce resources and configure its markets. The problem, though, is that most of the economic system is failing to do this. However, solutions to this issue are as follows. Create a proper balance between the economic benefits that each part of the world has, and help those in need. While both aspect may seem to lack substance on the surface, there is depth underneath.
Now, there are different labor levels and different labor conditions. However, individuals when it comes to financial needs and benefits, everyone should be treated with economically fairly. For example; third world countries are often looked down upon, because they have a lack of resources. Thus, they are not treated with the respect that they deserve, while other countries are favored over them. This is an example of morally corrupt economics. Now, a solution to this problem, would be getting markets to take notice of third world countries, thus, creating the start of proper economical balances.
Now sometimes, whether business choose to create a proper economical balance not only depend on their morals. However, sometimes it also depends on the risks that they may have to take as well. In other words, certain work environments can play an essential factor in this. For example; certain labor conditions can not only very arduous and time consuming, but they may also need extra time and resources as well. Moreover, if a business is struggling financially, they would be less willing to aid others as well. At the same time, though, positive work conditions can benefit the abilities of an employee and be very beneficial to them. With this in mind, it is important to for businesses to expand their resources, because if they do not, they will not only be hurting themselves, but others business that they may be linked to as well.
Now, the unfortunate part about labor conditions in the United States is that people will not always be treated fairly. In other words, while there should be a proper economic balance for all the world, this will never fully be the case, due to the selfishness of people. However, what people should consider when configuring markets, is what is known as utilitarianism. This is defined as the moral that happiness and joy are the most moral when shared with others. In relation to economics and market sharing, this is what people need to consider. Now, this does not just apply to people who may be working at a low paying job that offers poor income. But it also refers to those with higher paying jobs as well. As “Why Unions States” states, “People work in all sorts of jobs, in all types of industries, and under all kinds of conditions. We do not work for ourselves or for each other, which means fundamental aspects of work are not controlled by us” (Yates 2009 p.1).
In other words, while people cannot control where they work, they cannot control how choose to increase their market share for essential economic balances. For example; let’s say that an individual is working at a company such as Fed Ex. It is possible that they could be dealing with a manager who treats them poorly and wants them to stick with the status quo. However, if an employee branches out by finding ways to increase the amount of market share that is being implemented, this will create a proper economic balance. Now, when it comes to creating this core balance, there is also another aspect that is the focus as well: aiding other individuals in need.
What is essential to address about this, is that when choosing to help others economically, one side of the labor job may be against this. Thus, this will make an individual’s job more difficult. For this reason, both sides of the job need to come into agreement. Now previously, the discussion was on creating a proper economic balance. However, when aiding others economically, specific countries need to be targeted. For example; let’s say there is a business that wants to keep their reputation as having moral values for those in need. One way that they could be efficiently implemented, is through setting up a charity donation. Through this charity, the money would go to third world countries to help those who have no food to eat. Moreover, even low paying jobs an implement these kinds of strategies as well. For example; let’s say that an individual is working as a waiter positions, which is a lower playing position than market and business jobs. Waiters could set up charity for those who are look to use their business assets to reach out economically to others. At the same time, though, employees would also need to speak to their managers as well.
At the end of the day, it is employers that have the real power within the realm of labor conditions, because they are the ones who have a say on whether an individual can go about using financial assets of the company to aids those who are less fortunate. As “Why Union States” states about employers, “They know that as individuals we are less powerful than they are. We have only our ability to work to sell, but they have the jobs. In our economic system, these jobs belong to them and not to us” (Yates 2009 p.1). In other words, an employer can be demanding, but at the end of the day, they have a say in regards to how labor goes for the company that they run.
Now, employers can be a source of the problem within a labor market, there is also positive to the labor market as well: opportunities to improve employment conditions. While there is bad in labor opportunities, there is also good as well. And when employment conditions are improved, there is a higher chance that employers will be willing to use their company assets to help third world countries and those in need. They will also see it as their right and duty to benefit someone that is out of their comfort zone.
In closing, when it comes to economics and moral duties, there needs to be a proper balance between proper market sharing and taking advantage of company assets. By combining these two factors, not only will there be strong financial benefits to the company, by those in need will be aided as well. Less people will be homeless and struggling financially, and there will be larger economic benefits. For example; when a company reaches out to financially unstable parts of the world through charity events and donations, they will not only be recognized by other companies as doing something morally good. However, they will also be praised by the financially weak as someone who has chosen to put other individuals before themselves.
Work Cited
Toossi, M. 2015. “Labor Force Projections to 2024: the Labor Force Is Growing, but Slowly: Monthly Labor Review: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 29, 2016 (http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2015/article/labor-force-projections-to-2024.htm).
Yates, M. 2009. Why Unions Matter. New York, NY. Monthly Review Press. Retrieved September 28, 2016 (http://faculty.uml.edu/mduffy/48.371/Yates._Why_Unions._Why_Unions_Matter._pp._8-23__17_.pdf).
