Equal Pay For Equal Work
Introduction:
Society is based on the rule of law, which requires the moral and ethical judgment of those within to ensure that justice can be implemented in the most beneficial way. In a society in which people are not given equal opportunities and specific individuals are given advantage over others there can be no equality. This is especially true for the issue of equal pay. The concern with this idea is that when certain individuals are given a higher reward for the same amount of work as others it creates injustice. This injustice is based on the fundamental tenets of the social contract, which dictates that everybody give something up for the benefit of all. This contract is based on the idea that governments will be established in a way that does not discriminate against one group or another. This is because discrimination can often lead to economic divides between these classes, making future generations further apart in the level of access that they have to education and other important resources. Due to the level of impact that this can have on society, it is a major concern. In looking at the issue, it is evident that there is a strong moral need to provide equal pay to everybody in society. It is a moral obligation to provide pay in an equal and unbiased way.
Research indicates that, despite all of the progress that has been made in ensuring equal pay to women and minorities major gaps still exist in the compensation that they are given for their work. These gaps demonstrate a profound moral failing in regards to the capacity of society to ensure that justice is delegated in an equal manner. Evidence suggests that there exists a “tendency of some organizations to compensate female employees less for equal positions of responsibility and contributions to organizational growth and progress than their male counterparts” (Grey-Bowen, 2010, p. 66). This demonstrates a major concern in regards to the moral and legal obligations that society has towards these groups. These pay gaps are often the result of biased opinions regarding the capacity of workers to provide a specific level of ability to the job. This is based on the assumption that “there is a difference in productivity, based on a person’s sex” (Grey-Bowen, 2010, p. 69). Over the past few decades there have been major advances in regards to the level of equality that is given to women and minorities in the workplace and elsewhere. Despite this, it is evident that “women’s skill and knowledge are still more likely than men’s to be under-valued and under-utilized” (Grey-Bowen, 2010, p. 72). This demonstrates a profound moral concern due to the limitations that this can instill on current and future generations that are effected by these discrepencies.
This position is important because society has an obligation to its workers in order to maintain equality. The aim of the paper is to not only establish an objective understanding of the moral issues related to equal pay but to also demonstrate the underlying moral reasoning that has led to this position. Furthermore, in providing an objection and response to the issue, a better idea of how the problem can be dealt with can be established. This will help to demonstrate the underlying weaknesses of the argument that is being presented as well. In doing so, the general reasoning that is used in order to reach this position can be better understood. By following this formula, the paper will be able to demonstrate the essential aspects of the issue and the best way to approach it as well.
Explanation and Demonstration of Moral Reasoning:
The kind of reasoning that best helps to approach the question is moral reasoning and developing insight into the underlying values that are inherent in the positions related to equal pay. In consideration of the various principles that are associated with the issue of equal pay for equal work there are various elements that must be regarded. These elements are related to the capacity of society to provide a level field for the application of free market rules. The tension between the need for market flexibility and social justice is therefore apparent in this issue. While there might be strong social values in regards to the continuation of free-market ideologies these can often conflict with underlying moral or ethical concerns regarding the need for equal pay. In looking at the argument from deontology it is evident that these inherent values are necessary for the application of moral obligations and responsibility within society. This reasoning has helped to support the position that has been taken by providing a basic framework with which to better understand the challenges that face the implementation of measures that are designed to promote equal pay.
This line of reasoning is persuasive due to the established doctrines regarding social justice that are a fundamental part of modern society. This represents an argument from the point of deontology. Deontology expresses the need to commit to a framework for ethical standards. These standards can then be applied in a variety of situations. In a democratic society in which the rule of law is presented as an obligation it is evident that this is the best framework to abide by. In this sense, “following universal norms that prescribe what people ought to do, how they should behave, and what is right or wrong” (Van Staveren, 2007, p,. 23). These norms are essential in establishing the underlying rules that govern how people live in society. In this way, it is possible to contribute to a greater good through the adherence to strict doctrines of will that have been accepted by the greater part of the social being. Other principles that help to support concrete judgments include the establishment of moral principles regarding the way that people view one another and their value within society. These views have a profound impact on the way that people might act towards one another or the level of respect that they give one another. This can directly influence the level of compensation that they are believed to deserve. This demonstrates the importance of the will or the motive in regards to the level of compensation that workers are given. This is basically the idea that “human beings are considered to be equal and therefore should never be turned into means for other people’s ends” (Van Staveren, 2007, p. 23). In understanding these moral principles it is evident that there are essential obligations and moral virtues that should be lived by.
In order to establish justice within society it is necessary to live by the moral principles of duty and obligation that have been developed. These principles presents the underlying framework upon which the responsibilities of society can be highlighted. In doing so, it becomes evident that there are specific attributes of a moral society that must be adhered to. “A just society cannot be based on norms that systematically disrespect certain categories of people, putting stigmas on them or marginalizing their experiences, contributions and suffering” (Holst, 2012, p. 10). The issue of equal pay is directly related to this problem. A lack of pay can have a direct impact on the quality of life for those involved. Even slight discrepancies in pay can result in major challenges for them in the future. For this reason, it is essential to understand “the interconnections between the equal pay issue and the right to free collective bargaining” (Holst, 2012, p. 15). In understanding the associations between these concepts it will be possible to determine a more accurate position on which the social needs of those in society are considered in a more realistic way.
Objection and Response:
A major objection to the deontological argument is that priority should be given to measurable results rather than the value-oriented system of judgment that it is built upon. This has the problem of leading to what can only be considered a moral absolute. This would ultimately result in a loss of adaptability to the moral framework and the instigation of specific obligations or requirements that the ethical theory itself has prescribed. Furthermore, is a specific action is deemed right in and of itself than acting on it cannot itself be considered to be right but simply a response. This presents a major ethical dilemma to the underlying foundations of the deontological argument. This argument seems to be established on the notion that abiding by rules and laws is itself a moral action.
These challenges can be met with the notion that this imperative rests on the assumption that those obligated to the duty are pursuing it for their own ends. It is not abiding by the rule of law or established authority that is considered to be ethical in the deontological argument but rather the intent of those involved. This presents the moral capacity of the individual as the primary element that determines their moral standing. Independence requires a level of control over an individual's environment, including “Having the right to seek employment on an equal basis with others” (Fletcher, 2015). For this reason, it is evident that equal pay is a necessary measure in order to ensure that people are living in a fair, balanced, and just society. These principles demonstrate the argument for equal pay that has been developed.
Conclusion:
The issue of equal pay is important due to the ramifications that it has on not only the level of justice that is inherent within a society but also for the establishment of fair and balanced social and economic opportunities. The effect that unequal pay can have on the ability of groups such as women and minorities and their future generations to compete at the same level of those that are provided with opportunities. The level of equality that is demonstrated within a society is therefore a reflection of the underlying values that can be said to be present in their moral or ethical frameworks. These frameworks can have a profound effect on the perceived responsibilities of those in society and the obligations that they have towards one another. These obligations are predicated on the nature of the society's position regarding the need to promote moral justice for the greater good or for a select few. In order to promote these opportunities for as many as possible, equal pay is necessary. This can be further understood through the lens of deontology, which demonstrates the need to adhere to a moral or ethical code. Despite the legal frameworks that have been developed in order to ensure equal pay, there are still areas in which pay is not given on an equal basis. The moral code or position of the country is not being adhered to. It is therefore necessary to establish a specific doctrine or moral position to abide by. However, this would result in a lack of flexibility in regards to the decisions that people are able to make for themselves. In understanding the intent or purpose of people in their pursuit of moral or ethical purpose these doctrines can be better understood. Due to the social contract, upon which the fabric of society was established, it is evident that there is a need to provide equal pay and opportunities for those within society.
References
Fletcher, G. (2015). The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Well-Being. Routledge.
Grey-Bowen, J.E. (2010). Gender Compensation Discrimination: An Exploration of Gender Compensation Gap and the Higher Education Connection.Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 1, 65-82.
Holst, C. (2012). Equal Pay and Dilemmas of Justice. Arena, Working Paper No. 3.
Van Staveren, I. (2007). Beyond Utilitarianism and Deontology: Ethics in Economics. Review of Political Economy, Vol. 19, No. 1, 21-35.
