Gender Discrimination Is Not Just “Harmless Fun” It Is Unethical There is a real lack of concern when it comes to gender discrimination at Sterling Jewelers. Recently hundreds of former Sterling Jewelers employees made statements accusing Sterling of gender discrimination. Not only did females receive lower pay, they were also denied positions simply because they were female. However, those who were “friendly” with the men who held higher positions often received some form of advancement in the company. Many of the former employees described an “atmosphere in which female employees endured unwanted sexual advances from male superiors at the company”(Hersher, 2017). In many of the cases where the women did not adhere to the sexual advances
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At Sterling this is evident, however we see that good moral acts are replaced with unethical ones, and employees are adopting these behaviors as other members they work with encourage them. Not only did this create an uncomfortable workplace for women, it created a culture that encouraged discrimination. It put women in a place where they felt as if they had no power over the men, and if they resisted they would lose their job. It is clear that “executives have an immense influence on the corporate culture, climate, and ethics of a firm” (Cavanagh, 2010, p.271). Executives should act in a way they want their subordinates to act, as many employees follow in their footsteps. Ethical behavior should be instilled in all employees, however in Sterling’s case we see the …show more content…
It was unfair that they had to endure sexual harassment in the workplace, as well as gender discrimination when it came to pay and promotion opportunities. Clearly the leaders in this company do not have good character. Those with good character would make better decisions. “An organization made up of people with mostly good habits, and hence good character, will possess a better climate and thus a better corporate culture” (Cavanagh, 2010, p.109). This case illustrates that the people who hold top management positions at Sterling do not possess good character. Leaders act as role models for their subordinates. Those who hold the power heavily influence habits and attitudes in a company, so if they choose to act unethically chances are their subordinates will adopt those
At Sterling this is evident, however we see that good moral acts are replaced with unethical ones, and employees are adopting these behaviors as other members they work with encourage them. Not only did this create an uncomfortable workplace for women, it created a culture that encouraged discrimination. It put women in a place where they felt as if they had no power over the men, and if they resisted they would lose their job. It is clear that “executives have an immense influence on the corporate culture, climate, and ethics of a firm” (Cavanagh, 2010, p.271). Executives should act in a way they want their subordinates to act, as many employees follow in their footsteps. Ethical behavior should be instilled in all employees, however in Sterling’s case we see the …show more content…
It was unfair that they had to endure sexual harassment in the workplace, as well as gender discrimination when it came to pay and promotion opportunities. Clearly the leaders in this company do not have good character. Those with good character would make better decisions. “An organization made up of people with mostly good habits, and hence good character, will possess a better climate and thus a better corporate culture” (Cavanagh, 2010, p.109). This case illustrates that the people who hold top management positions at Sterling do not possess good character. Leaders act as role models for their subordinates. Those who hold the power heavily influence habits and attitudes in a company, so if they choose to act unethically chances are their subordinates will adopt those