ETHC3311 - Ethics Fundamentals

Spring 2022

Summary of Individual Case Guidelines

1. INDIVIDUAL CASE STUDY (30%)

Due:

See Course Planning Calendar

Details of Assignment:

Proper case format, including headings and sections as described below will be required. The length should not exceed 2000 words (8 pages double-spaced, 12-point font, exclusive of title page, table of contents, and exhibits).

• The case will be provided by the instructor and can be submitted via the drop-box by the due date.
• Lateness will be penalised at the rate of 10 percent per day.
• Grammar, format, and sentence structure are also important part of grading of the hand-in cases.
• Ensure you incorporate textbook information and/or any other relevant research and information as appropriate (cite appropriately!)

Regardless of the peculiar characteristics of the case, problem solving follows a general method, as described below.

CASE HAND-IN CHECKLIST:

1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Executive Summary
4. Introduction and Issue statement

• Describe the key factual elements of the situation - how did the situation come about?
• Who are the key individuals/groups affected by the situation, the stakeholders?
• Who must decide?
• Identify the main problems (or issues) facing the organisation and describe the context of the problem. This includes all the significant issues at stake as presented in the case and any other basic issues that you feel should be examined as well.

1. Analysis
   • What is the most significant of the "presenting issues" - the one that might lie underneath it all?
   • Are there conflicting interests with respect to this issue?
   • Does duty come into the picture?
   • Is character an issue in this case?
   • Incorporate textbook theory as appropriate
2. Alternatives Analysis (Options)

• What are the principal realistic options available to the decision maker(s) in this case, including possible branching among sub-options?
• Examine the alternatives that appear to be suited to the decision maker(s) or organisation in, including those presented in the case or suggested in the case and any others that you believe are appropriate.
• Evaluate and analyse these potential alternatives, including pros and cons of each with inclusion of all relevant analysis.

1. Recommendation (Decision)
   • Based on your analysis, what do you recommend? Why?
   • What is your considered judgement on the best option to take from those listed above?
   • Defend your decision - can you give a good reason for preferring the course of action you recommend? What is your moral framework?
2. Implementation Plan / Conclusion

• Provide a course of action "best solution", implementation of the "best solution", and the creation of a brief plans to ensure your recommended approach works.
• Include a brief conclusion to wrap up your entire case study.

1. References (APA)
2. Appendix (Exhibits and Tables)

Research Topic

Ethics of the Amazon Model

You are an opinion journalist, writing for a leading national Canadian newspaper and have been asked to do an opinion paper on the ethics of Amazon's current workplace practices and whether the Amazon employees should unionize. You have completed some basic research including the following articles that reference Amazon's workplace safety record, business processes and employees attempts to unionize:

Sherman, N. (2022, April 2). Amazon workers win battle to form First Us Union. BBC News. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60944677

Oladipo, G. (2022, April 6). 'The revolution is here': Chris Smalls' union win sparks a movement at other Amazon warehouses. The Guardian. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/apr/06/chris-smalls-amazon-union-warehouses

Serwer, A. (2022, April 14). The Amazon Union exposes the emptiness of 'woke capital'. The Atlantic. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/04/amazon-labor-union/629550/

Weise, K., & Scheiber, N. (2021, April 16). Why Amazon Workers sided with the company over a Union. The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2022, fromhttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/technology/amazon-workers-against-union.html

Kelly, J. (2022, April 14). A hard-hitting investigative report into Amazon shows that workers' needs were neglected in favor of getting goods delivered quickly. Forbes. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/10/25/a-hard-hitting-investigative-report-into-amazon-shows-that-workers-needs-were-neglected-in-favor-of-getting-goods-delivered-quickly/?sh=17f5dbc551f5

Palmer, A. (2021, June 1). Amazon warehouse workers injured at higher rates than those at rival companies, study finds. CNBC. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/01/study-amazon-workers-injured-at-higher-rates-than-rival-companies.html

Strategic Organizing Center. (n.d.). Primed For Pain. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://thesoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PrimedForPain.pdf

Your editor has given you full discretion on writing the piece but asks that you analyze using multiple lenses (i.e. Use multiple ethical points of view per your "The Right Choice" McLachhlan readings before coming to your final recommendation). She also encourages you to find additional sources (minimum of 5 credible sources - outside one's provided above) to back up your arguments. With over 1.6 million employees, the unionization of Amazon is a pressing and contentious issue that will help define workplace conditions for a generation of North American workers. The final draft of your opinion piece will be due on June 20, 2022.