Gender Inequality relates to the unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender. This is predominantly seen amongst women, due to the negative role of stereotypes cultivated by cultural and societal norms (Player, 2013), however the consequence often leads to professional women being paid less than their male counterparts and are overlooked when it comes to promotions and career progression (ILO, 2007). This is why employer’s ethical obligations should go over and above legislation in order for the successful sustainability of businesses.
Employers are bound by certain legal obligations .South Africa has extensive legislation in place with regards to gender. Legislation that is significant to gender inequality is the Employment Equality …show more content…
The most challenging problem is the lack of women in leadership positions. Globally 40% of women make up the workforce yet a recent study shows that only 11% of women are on the board of directors in the mining sector for instance (Baker, 2013). These statistics are one of many that illustrate the glass ceiling effect that women face (Inequalities of Work, 2014). Employers have an ethical obligation to evaluate their employee’s skills based on work experience and performance and from that conclusion access if those employees are eligible for promotions (Huffman, 2003). According to the Statistician General of South Africa, men in the higher income earning bracket make almost two times more than women. (Gender inequality strong, 2013) Employers should not discriminate wages on the basis of gender and should actively make more of an effort to close the gender wage gap. Employers should also be encouraged to provide training and necessary courses that empower women in the workforce. This leads to greater diversity of skills and aids businesses in the long run. Employers should not be biased towards working parents but instead make provisions in order to aid them especially in today’s modern society where single parents are becoming increasingly common. Perhaps examples of a few provisions would be flexible hours or providing day care facilities …show more content…
(Kretzeschmar, et al., 2012) It is assumed that employers have the following professional traits such as responsibility, understanding and fairness. In this way one can see that employers need to be unbiased towards any gender when it comes to pay and promotion opportunities.
Deontological theory
According to Kant there are objective ethical standards of behavior that everyone should respect others .People should treat everyone as an end not a means, emphasizing respect for people. To assess this further the categorical imperative should be applied. (Kretzeschmar, et al., 2012)If all employers were to discriminate against women in the workplace this would not be acceptable as it is the moral duty of an employer to ensure that all employees are being treated equally in the work place and to ensure that the working environment does not become hostile.
Utilitarian
Employers are bound by certain legal obligations .South Africa has extensive legislation in place with regards to gender. Legislation that is significant to gender inequality is the Employment Equality …show more content…
The most challenging problem is the lack of women in leadership positions. Globally 40% of women make up the workforce yet a recent study shows that only 11% of women are on the board of directors in the mining sector for instance (Baker, 2013). These statistics are one of many that illustrate the glass ceiling effect that women face (Inequalities of Work, 2014). Employers have an ethical obligation to evaluate their employee’s skills based on work experience and performance and from that conclusion access if those employees are eligible for promotions (Huffman, 2003). According to the Statistician General of South Africa, men in the higher income earning bracket make almost two times more than women. (Gender inequality strong, 2013) Employers should not discriminate wages on the basis of gender and should actively make more of an effort to close the gender wage gap. Employers should also be encouraged to provide training and necessary courses that empower women in the workforce. This leads to greater diversity of skills and aids businesses in the long run. Employers should not be biased towards working parents but instead make provisions in order to aid them especially in today’s modern society where single parents are becoming increasingly common. Perhaps examples of a few provisions would be flexible hours or providing day care facilities …show more content…
(Kretzeschmar, et al., 2012) It is assumed that employers have the following professional traits such as responsibility, understanding and fairness. In this way one can see that employers need to be unbiased towards any gender when it comes to pay and promotion opportunities.
Deontological theory
According to Kant there are objective ethical standards of behavior that everyone should respect others .People should treat everyone as an end not a means, emphasizing respect for people. To assess this further the categorical imperative should be applied. (Kretzeschmar, et al., 2012)If all employers were to discriminate against women in the workplace this would not be acceptable as it is the moral duty of an employer to ensure that all employees are being treated equally in the work place and to ensure that the working environment does not become hostile.
Utilitarian