Question

1. Present a situation where recent technology may present an ethical dilemma in the work place and discuss.

2. Is random drug testing ethical? Discuss.

Answer 1

Since technology has a major role to play at the fast developing situation of the world, it is quite definate that negative side of it will emerge. The following are some:

Communication: This is currently a dilemma because, the employers want to make sure their employees spend their time on work related tasks during work hours, it is really difficult to always focus on work related tasks due to the nature of people, which includes socializing and communicating more often on non working hours, which changes their behavior during the working hours. Therefore, employees should find the balance in between.

Work Hours:  Nowadays, anyone can work from anywhere with an internet connection and is accessible from anywhere with a mobile phone. Traditionally, work was a 8-10 hour job and the works undertake at the administrative building, which means after he/she leaves the building, the employee is free.  At todays age, a employee gets 24hrs emails and calls of work related matter, so working hours is indirectly void. Nonetheless, just because technology makes you accessible doesn’t mean that your employer can make you work 24/7. This is not ethical because every employee deserves the time to relax and rest.

Privacy: For undertaking the works processes, the employee has to work at the computer the company offers him/her. Monitoring the employees while using the company computer that is given to them is very easy for the employer. With the inclusion of monitoring softwares and tracking history of everything available to the main device when syncronised with each and every computer in the office, employer can track social media usage, surfing time on the internet, websites that has been accessed and every other activity of the employee. Ethical problems and privacy issues may arise when the employee uses the company device for personal issues. So, it is best to distinguish between a personal computer and a company computer. Also, companies should set their policies regarding the usage of company devices clearly.