Ethics and Social Challenges

Ethics and Social challenges faced by companies today One of the most profound social challenges that companies face today is the hostile free work environment. Millions upon millions of dollars are spent each year on sexual harassment awareness and prevention training, and other areas such as cultural awareness training. All this money is spent in an attempt to get all of a company’s employees on the same moral page. Some argue that this is a waste of money, and that the company may be better served by a zero tolerance to which would provide a since of justice for an employee who feels they have been sexually harassed, or a victim of racial favoritism. I disagree with that train of thought though. A company has a social responsibility to its employees to provide a hostile free work environment that prevents those types of acts, not just provide some small since of justice after. Another Social responsibility companies have is a responsibility to their communities. This entails providing jobs, and conducting business in a manner that is beneficial to the community.
Companies also have ethical issues that they must deal with. A hospital for example must ensure that its personnel adhere to its ethical standards which include patient privacy, protecting patients’ personal information, performing procedures on patients that are most beneficial to the patient and not the hospital or doctor. Another ethical dilemma can often be found in contracting and purchasing. Some companies will offer “kickbacks” or other benefits to contracting agents or companies to encourage or bribe them into purchasing their products or services. This practice is highly unethical but very common, and can often do more harm to a company than benefit. A company must strive to prevent these two issues through training and