You are the CEO of firm X, and you have successfully steered the company to achieve consistent profitability, elevating it to a leading position in the industry. Recently, a local married woman who was pregnant approached your firm seeking employment out of necessity to support herself and her family. Unfortunately, your HR team rejected her application, leading to a tense confrontation as she pleaded for an opportunity to earn a livelihood.

Q7. You are the CEO of firm X, and you have successfully steered the company to achieve consistent profitability, elevating it to a leading position in the industry. Recently, a local married woman who was pregnant approached your firm seeking employment out of necessity to support herself and her family. Unfortunately, your HR team rejected her application, leading to a tense confrontation as she pleaded for an opportunity to earn a livelihood.

Subsequently, a news article surfaced alleging bias at your firm for not providing opportunities to married women. Upon investigating the matter, the HR team explained that the woman applied for an unskilled labor position where there was an available vacancy. However, due to her pregnancy, they adhered to company policy which prohibits hiring pregnant women for roles involving physical labor, citing ethical concerns for their well-being. It was also highlighted that your firm provides a substantial 7-month maternity leave benefit for pregnant employees already in our workforce.

Upon further inquiry, you discovered that the pregnant woman was in a dire situation, being the sole provider for her family since her husband’s recent passing and with her parents being paralyzed. This revelation has placed you in a moral quandary.

In light of the above situation, answer the following questions:

• Identify the stakeholders involved in the case along with the associated issues. Evaluate the options that are available to you in the given case. Which of these options would you choose and why? Do you agree with the view that objectivity and the rule of law are greater than compassion toward the vulnerable? [20M]

• Identify the stakeholders involved in the case along with the associated issues.

• Evaluate the options that are available to you in the given case. Which of these options would you choose and why?

• Do you agree with the view that objectivity and the rule of law are greater than compassion toward the vulnerable? [20M]

Difficulty Level: Medium

Why the Question The question explores the ethical dilemmas involving adherence to rules, compassion for the vulnerable, and balancing organizational policies with societal expectations. Key Demand of the Question To analyze the ethical issues in a case of employment rejection, evaluate possible options, and critically assess the balance between rule of law and compassion. Structure of the Answer Introduction Begin with a brief statement about the ethical tension between rule-based objectivity and compassion, contextualizing it within the given scenario. Body Identify the stakeholders and their associated issues. Evaluate the options available, highlighting pros and cons for each, and justify the chosen approach. Critically assess the view on objectivity versus compassion with a balanced argument supporting both perspectives. Conclusion Conclude with a thoughtful remark emphasizing the importance of blending objectivity and compassion for ethical decision-making, supported by a relevant quote or philosophical principle.

Why the Question

The question explores the ethical dilemmas involving adherence to rules, compassion for the vulnerable, and balancing organizational policies with societal expectations.

Key Demand of the Question

To analyze the ethical issues in a case of employment rejection, evaluate possible options, and critically assess the balance between rule of law and compassion.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction Begin with a brief statement about the ethical tension between rule-based objectivity and compassion, contextualizing it within the given scenario.

• Identify the stakeholders and their associated issues.

• Evaluate the options available, highlighting pros and cons for each, and justify the chosen approach.

• Critically assess the view on objectivity versus compassion with a balanced argument supporting both perspectives.

Conclusion Conclude with a thoughtful remark emphasizing the importance of blending objectivity and compassion for ethical decision-making, supported by a relevant quote or philosophical principle.