Of the many challenges faced by people during the pandemic, employees being exploited by businesses were one among the most discussed. Making the employees work in closed spaces during the heights of the pandemic drew flak from many corners. Many companies had come under fire during that time for not taking steps to protect employees from COVID-19. Some of the worst offenders were the meat processing plants, as workers were unable to social distance and were rarely entitled to sick days. As a result, plants across US had seen major outbreaks.

Company T (pseudo name for a famed offender) initially shut a few of its facilities, but the company later reopened everywhere. As a result it had the highest rate of positive cases of all meat processing plants in the U.S. (according to some estimates). In fact, more than 100 labour rights, food justice, animal welfare, and environmental justice groups recentlysent a letter asking shareholders to demand a response.

1. Is the above act of making employees work during the pandemic time in closed spaces, ethical (or not)? Apply the moral reasoning process to arrive at this moral judgement. Use Relationship-based (ethic of care) ethical theory from the following, and relevant factual data/information to help you make the judgement.500 words