James is on the management team of a health insurance company called HIC. At a team meeting,
Question:
Although Jamesdoes not smoke, he is troubled by this new policy. HIC is located in a city with high rates of unemployment and poverty, as well as a large minority population. He is familiar with the following data:
James fears that the policy will prevent HIC from hiring the very people who need jobs the most. Also, he knows that nicotine is highly addictive and that many people who want to stop smoking struggle to do so.
Lifestyle choices affect a whole range of illnesses, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and sexually transmitted diseases. Is it fair to single out smokers for punishment? While only one-tenth of the companys workers smoke, two-thirds are overweight or obese, which also increases health costs. Even some healthy activities may increase costs the CEO had been injured in a bike accident. Should the company refuse to hire overweight and cyclist groups as well?
To complicate James decision, the CEO tends to resent employees who disagree with him. If James speaks out against the nonsmoking policy, his job prospects could be damaged.
Questions:
1. What would Mill, Kant, and Rawls have said about the CEOs plans? About what James should do?
2. What would have been the result if James had applied the Front Page test?
Step by Step Answer:
Business Law and the Legal Environment
ISBN: 978-1337736954
8th edition
Authors: Jeffrey F. Beatty, Susan S. Samuelson, Patricia Sanchez Abril