Social Responsibility Chapter 4-1

Social Responsibility Issues Social responsibility refers to the duty of a business to contribute to the well-being of a community.

This includes……. Social concerns include protection of the Environment Minorities and women in the workplace Employment of the physically challenged and older workers Healthy and safe work environment

Environmental Protection  Conservation is saving scarce natural resources.  Non-renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be replaced when used up. Examples: gas, oil, and minerals.  Pollution occurs when the environment is tainted with the by-products of human actions.  The EPA or Environmental Protection Agency monitors and enforces standard set by the federal government for air and water quality

Workplace Diversity Businesses are more sensitive to the role of women, ethnic groups, the physically challenged and older workers. These groups must have equal access to education, training, jobs, and career advancement. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The Age Discrimination in Employment Act

Challenges of businesses today:  Learning how to manage a work force made up of the diverse cultures in society  The removal of employment barriers for women.  Accommodating individuals who are physically challenged.

Job Safety Employees should be able to work in an office or factory that is free from the risks that cause accidents provides protection from fire and other hazards, and workers need to know how to manage the unexpected

Employee Wellness A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. Workers who have good physical health are valuable assets. Business offer programs to improve the health of their workers.

Social Responsibility Evaluation There are benefits to social responsibility, but there is a cost

Cost vs. Benefit Benefits Expanded justice for groups of a society Enhanced company image Reduced need for government actions Improved quality of life in a community Increased awareness of social issues Cost Non-polluting equipment, repairs, and programs for wellness all cost money. Spending on social programs must be at a suitable level so a business can still earn a reasonable profit.

Business Ethics Ethics are principles of morality or rules of conduct. Business ethics are rules about how businesses and their employees ought to behave. Ethical behavior involves conforming to these rules while unethical behavior violates them.

Code of Ethics A code of ethics is a set of rules for guiding the actions of employees or members of an organization. A code must be worded in terms of acceptable behavior rather than for bidden action.

Ethical Conduct Guidelines Ethical conduct of a business is determined by top management. When considering the ethics of business situations, you could follow these guidelines: ▫Is the action legal? ▫Does the action violate professional or company standards? ▫Who is affected by the action and how?