Question

Business Ethics
Case Study
Alwyn a 15-year employee with XYZ Company, was fired for poor job performance and poor attendance, after accruing five disciplinary penalties within a 12-month period under the company's progressive disciplinary policy. A week later, Alwyn told his former supervisor that he had a substance abuse problem.
Although there was no employee assistance program in place and the company had not been aware of Alwyn’s condition, their personnel director assisted Alwyn in obtaining treatment by allowing him to continue receiving insurance benefits and approved his unemployment insurance claim.
Alwyn subsequently requested reinstatement, maintaining that he had been rehabilitated since his discharge and was fully capable of being a productive employee. He pointed to a letter written by his treatment counselor, which said that his prognosis for leading a "clean, sober lifestyle" was a big incentive for him. Alwyn pleaded for another chance, arguing that his past problems resulted from health issue and that XYZ company should have recognized and provided treatment for the problem.
XYZ Company countered that Alwyn should have notified his supervisor of his health problem, and that everything possible had been done to help him receive treatment. Moreover, the company stressed that the employee had been fired for poor performance and absenteeism. Use of the progressive discipline policy had been necessary because the employee had committed a string of offenses over the course of a year, including careless workmanship, distracting others, wasting time, and disregarding safety rules.
Questions:
1. Should Alwyn be reinstated? If yes or no what is the justification?
2. Was the company fair to Alwyn in helping him receive treatment?
3. Did the personnel director behave ethically toward Alwyn?
4. Did Alwyn act ethically for his company? How do you feel?
5. Would it be fair to other employees to reinstate Alwyn? Give your opinion.

Answer 1

Hi,

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Question:

Answer:

Introduction:

We are a social being and live in a society. An organization, institution,firm or company is a part of society. Every individual who live in a Society has some natural and legal rights. We all are living in a neo-liberalism state or society where, some terminologies are very popular like, democracy, capitalism, nationalism, globalization, privatization, liberalization etc. World has became a market and all the organizations, institutions,companies or firms those are producing goods or providing services are profit making bodies instead of some charitable and religious organization or institutes. A good democratic neo-capitalistic market provide everyone equal opportunities to live, work and grow together. Every individuals or organizations or institutions has social responsibilities also and they should be bear it honestly and respect the other's rights. A corporate body has also corporate social responsibilities also know as CSR. A corporate is also responsible for well being of its stake holders, society and nation. Every organization has own culture and business ethics also for well being of stake holders, society and nation and organization also.

Now Come on the questions:

1). Answer:

As per the case, Alwyn a 15-year employee with XYZ Company, was fired for poor job performance and poor attendance, after accruing five disciplinary penalties within a 12-month period under the company's progressive disciplinary policy. A week later, Alwyn told his former supervisor that he had a substance abuse problem. He has taken treatment and now ok and ready to work.  He pointed to a letter written by his treatment counselor, which said that his prognosis for leading a "clean, sober lifestyle" was a big incentive for him. So, company should encourage and appreciate him a give a chance to work and grow in his life to achieve his goals. He had broken the rules because he was mentally sick not intentionally. So, he deserve another chance.

2). Answer:

The company fair to Alwyn in helping him receive treatment. Company had fired him for poor job performance and poor attendance, after accruing five disciplinary penalties within a 12-month period under the company's progressive disciplinary policy. But later when Alwyn inform his former supervisor about his mental health then the company allowing him to continue receiving insurance benefits and approved his unemployment insurance claim. It was really a appreciable step taken by the company.

3). Answer:

The personnel director behave ethically toward Alwyn because there was no employee assistance program in place and the company had not been aware of Alwyn’s condition, their personnel director assisted Alwyn in obtaining treatment by allowing him to continue receiving insurance benefits and approved his unemployment insurance claim.

4). Answer:

He had broken the rules because he was mentally sick not intentionally. Later,  Alwyn told his former supervisor that he had a substance abuse problem and taken the treatment from a doctor to rehabilitated and improved his self and came back. So, i think he was not wrong.

5). Answer:

It be fair to other employees to reinstate Alwyn. He had broken the rules because he was mentally sick not intentionally. Later,  Alwyn told his former supervisor that he had a substance abuse problem and taken the treatment from a doctor to rehabilitated and improved his self and came back. So, i think he was not wrong. . He has taken treatment and now ok and ready to work.  He pointed to a letter written by his treatment counselor, which said that his prognosis for leading a "clean, sober lifestyle" was a big incentive for him. So, now he is ok and realized every thing and there is better chance to he will act better and increase productivity. So, there is no need to worry about other employees to reinstate Alwyn.

Thank You