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A New Work Ethic

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Running Head: A NEW WORK ETHIC 1

A New Work Ethic:
Case Study 4.4

Patricia Woodhouse
Harry Mamaux
Business Ethics- Bus 309
October 30, 2011
A New Work Ethic 2

1. Describe how typical the attitudes that Sheehy reports appear to be on the work environments you have experienced.
After reviewing the case study a new work ethic, it reminds me of the job I have today. The workers attitudes are just that of my coworkers I work with every day. There attitudes are unbelievable. I currently work in Customer Service for a major cable, internet and phone provider. Most employees at my place of employment don’t value their jobs. They don’t see customer service in their future and many say it’s not their last stop. They too don’t like hard work and long hours. I often hear co-workers brushing customers off the phone with a quick transfer to another department, that can’t even resolve that customers issues. Many of them don’t have any work ethic. Work ethic is a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character. I think the importance of work will show if you are performing in a job that you love. In most work environments that I have worked in it’s the same. My co-workers hated that job, they hated the long hours and they hated the boss. They would dream of the day that they would no longer have to do this job and actually retire.

2. Explain the implications of the work ethic Sheehy describes for the future of American business. In the case study the implications are more based on that of college students. It seems as the future of American business will have younger employees focused on no-holds- barred, trample-over-anybody, get-what- you- want approach to be successful in the business world. Shaw (2010).
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Ethics is critical to any society not only surviving, but thriving. Poor work ethics risk the future of American business, education and ultimately freedom.

3. Explain whether it is more reasonable to expect workers, especially in a capitalist society, to be more devoted to their jobs, more concerned with quality and customer service, than Sheehy’s coworkers were?
Yes, it is more reasonable to expect workers, in a capitalist society to be more devoted to their jobs and more concerned with quality and customer service. In a capitalist society the most important means of production is money. When you show a lack of concern for your work you won’t produce well. I hate the job that I am at right now. I am never motivated to go to work and less motivated when I arrive. I, simply in my position because it produces a pay check, that allows me to pay my bills.

4. Explain the reasoning behind employee theft? There are many other basic reasons why employees steal. Low morale at the workplace is the main reason. This is also a major reason why businesses suffer from low production. The employee feels that the business or company has wronged or mistreated them in some way. The employee feels that they are underpaid [and under-appreciated] for the "hard" work they do. The consequences for theft are minimal meaning the chances of getting caught are low. The company has no punitive procedures or policies regarding employee theft. If there are no set consequences to employee theft then employees will continue to steal, because they
A New Work Ethic 4

think that they won’t be punished. There’s also lack of control over inventory. It is easy to steal because the employer does not have preventive measures to stop them. Preventive measures are crucial to reducing the risk of employee theft. If preventive measures are not existent then the opportunity to steal is very high. When you think of employee theft you may think of stealing of supplies. However, there are several examples of employee theft. Money is the number one asset that is stolen from employers today. Theft of time is also one example. Putting in ones time for hours that were not working is considered stealing from the company. Theft by overcharging customers and pocketing cash, stealing supplies, and theft of merchandise are all examples of employee theft.

5. Explain ways the culture of our capitalists society encourage attitudes like those of Sheehy describes.
The impact of capitalism on culture and society has been a matter of great debate ever since its emergence in Europe as an economic system in the late 1700s. The impact of capitalism on culture and society is an issue that really stands apart from all of the other economic concerns. One of the biggest downsides of any capitalist society is extreme individualism of all of the parties in the marketplace. Since success is not shared between parties, but taken by one person, that person is sometimes encouraged to intentionally cut corners and take the glory for herself. Capitalism is based on the fact that in any transaction there is a "winner" and a "loser"; a successful capitalist does all she can to be the "winner", even at the cost of
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creating disclosure and outright fraud. Capitalism encourages success and rarely cares as to how that success is ultimately achieved. The ends really do justify the means. In addition, the more successful a capitalist can become, the more assets are at her disposal to stay successful and to shut down possible claims of playing dirty--regulations, laws, stronger market share, and attitudes all serve to foster a believe that a master capitalist can overcome and bully through smaller market users simply based on her own resources.
This lack of oversight and intentional cutting of corners all in the pursuit of profit maximization can lead to very tragic results.

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References
Shaw, W. H. (2010). Business ethics (7th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage.

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