Chapter 6: Inmate wages
Question 1(a): Should you include jail training on your resume?
I would consider my interests first and leave out my jail training experience from my résumé. Many might consider this selfishness. However, I would argue that the mistake that landed me in jail was in no way connected to my ability to do the upholstery job.
b) Does the nature of the “mistake” influence the response in the question 1(a) ethically?
The nature of the mistake does influence the consideration of whether I should acknowledge my jail training on my résumé. If the mistake did not involve intentional or malicious harm to others and/ or theft of property (like in drunk driving), I would include my jail training. In a home situation, potential employers would realize that I would not repeat the mistake. However, if the mistake involved theft or intentional harm to others (like in shoplifting), I would not include my jail training because the employer would judge me on that and, therefore, not give me the job.
c) After how long should one omit jail training from a résumé?
There should be a kind of statute of limitations allowing one to omit jail training from a résumé after some time. The amount of time should be one-tenth of the jail time served or one year, whichever is longer. This is because jail terms relate to the severity of the transgressions. The individual should also show that, during this period, he or she undertakes job related activities.
Question 2 (a): Should prisoners have lower wages than others in the larger community doing the same job?
Fenny L’s reasoning is not convincing in an ethical sense. This is because the quality of the job is unaffected by the fact that the doer is a prisoner.
b) Should the prisoners be justified in claiming a pay-rise?
Question 3: Should those who have never been in prison claim higher wages than ex-convicts with similar skills?
If I were working with ex-convicts, I would never claim a higher wage because I had never had trouble with the law. Eventually, this fact does not give me better skills and abilities for the upholstery job.
Question 4: Should you use dishonesty while claiming a pay hike. What are the ethical obligations?
I would not use dishonest means while claiming a pay hike. Ethically, I have an obligation to my employer to be honest since he or she has given me the prospect of working in the company.
Question 5 (a): Is low wage internship a humiliation?
An internship where the wages are lower than the community wage level is not a humiliation. This is because interns learn on the job and their productivity is lower than that of professionals. In addition, the skills learnt could serve as adequate consideration in some cases.
b): Is it ethical to object to humiliation?
It is ethical to object to humiliation if one feels that the skills learnt are not enough consideration for work done in an internship. In addition, if the wages are not enough to sustain one’s stay in the program, then the objection is ethical.
Question 6: Are repayment clauses ethical?
The argument that repayment clauses are a form of prison is ethical. This is because the clauses are signed before the actual training begins. The trainee or employee, therefore, has no idea whether the training in question is worth the consideration, in case of a breach in the contract or the amount of time they should remain in the company.
Question 7: Do employees, who have been in a company longer, in a job that does not require experience, deserve higher wages.
If I were an employee who has been in the company the longest, I would lay an ethical claim to a higher wage. This is because, in the course of my employment period, the company has acquired loyal customers, built a strong reputation, and was part of that process.
Chapter 7: Loyal to the Badge
Question 1(a): In the case of April Leatherwood, how is non-instrumental attachment manifested?
April Leatherwood displays her non-instrumental attachment to the police department by endangering her life and health to bring offenders to justice.
b) How is the idea of “a deposited value in the organization” manifested in this case?
April Leatherwood leaves her hometown, knowing that her departure might end her romantic relationship. She puts the organization’s goals first.
Question 2: Where does April fall on the loyalty intensity scale?
April Leatherwood belongs to the free agency measure on the loyalty intensity scale.
Question 3 (a): What sacrifices would you make in you line of work that are similar in scale to April Leatherwood’s?
Sacrifices in my line of work would include leaving my family and girlfriend to start a company branch in another town.
(b): Would you make the sacrifice?
I do not think I would be able to sacrifice by moving to another town.
Question 4(a): Has April acquired a status? How?
April has acquired a status through her work. She is now a hero amongst her peers due to her bravery and sacrifice. However, her status pales in comparison to that enjoyed by a senator or movie star.
(b): Does this status compensate her suffering?
The new status does not compensate April’s suffering. This is because we cannot put a value on the emotional or physical damage that the undercover assignment inflicted upon her.
Work cited
Brusseau, James. The Business Ethics Workshop. New York: Flat World Knowlegde,.L.L.C.,
2011. Print.
