Employees often differ in their needs for time off from work. Employees with small children, single parents, employees with health problems, and employees who are the primary caregivers for an elderly or infirm relative may need more time off, for example, than employees who are single with no dependents and in good health. And one could argue that organizations should be responsive to these differing needs on ethical grounds. However, some might feel that the same expectations should apply to all employees regardless of their needs.
1. Why should organizations take employees’ personal needs into account in providing benefits such as time off from work?
2. How can organizations take employees’ personal needs into account while at the same time ensuring that organizational members perceive that they are being treated fairly?