In A Well-Written Paper, Relate Your Professional Or Persona ✓ Solved

In a well-written paper, relate your professional or personal

In a well-written paper, relate your professional or personal experience in the business world as an employee or employer and an ethical issue you confronted that falls within the realm of employment law. For example, you could write about your experience working long hours as a minor in violation of federal wage and hour laws. If you have not personally or professionally confronted an issue, consider an issue that could arise within the realm of employment law and describe it.

Be sure that your focus is twofold: first, on an area of employment law and second, on a potential ethical issue within that area of law. Address the following in your paper: Identify and clearly define the relevant law, either defining a legal doctrine, provisions of a law, or elements of a specific cause of action. Apply facts from your situation to the applicable law, doctrine or cause of action studied. Clearly summarize lessons learned from the week as they apply to your fact pattern and make links to the readings and/or module. Include new thoughts or ideas based on the module information. This is your reflection/insight which logically would flow from each information point presented. Identify any related ethical issues. Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length, not including the title or references pages.

Paper For Above Instructions

In my experience as an employer, I faced a significant ethical issue related to employment law that highlighted the conflicts between business practices and employee rights. The situation arose when I became aware that one of my employees was frequently working overtime without receiving proper compensation. This experience drove me to delve into the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which governs wage and hour laws in the United States.

Understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enacted in 1938, aims to set standards for living wages, overtime pay, and the regulation of child labor. According to the FLSA, employers are required to pay employees at least the federal minimum wage and to provide overtime pay at a rate of one-and-a-half times the employee's regular rate for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek (U.S. Department of Labor, n.d.). In my case, I discovered that one of my team members was inadvertently worked an average of 50 hours per week, yet compensation was only provided for 40 hours.

Application of Facts to Employment Law

This situation presented not only a legal concern but also an ethical dilemma. As an employer, I had the responsibility to ensure compliance with the FLSA, which meant addressing the unpaid overtime issue promptly. I initiated conversations with the employee to understand their perspective and ensured them that their effort was appreciated. However, it was equally crucial for me to recognize that the long hours they worked were not aligned with the principles of fair labor and employee satisfaction.

If we consider the legal ramifications of noncompliance, failure to adhere to the FLSA can lead to substantial financial penalties and damage to an organization's reputation. Furthermore, this incident was an opportunity to reflect on the ethical responsibilities of an employer towards their employees, especially regarding fair compensation for their work. The lesson learned here was twofold: firstly, to always maintain a keen understanding of employment law and its implications, and secondly, to foster a workplace culture that prioritizes ethical practices over mere profitability (Katz, 2021).

Lessons Learned and Links to Readings

Throughout the week’s readings, it became increasingly apparent that ethical considerations in employment law are paramount. Ethical business practices not only comply with legal requirements but also enhance employee morale and contribute to a positive work environment. This reflects the key tenet of employment law — that it should protect the rights of employees while also guiding employers in creating fair labor conditions (Siedel, 2020).

Furthermore, the ethical issue of unpaid overtime resonated with the discussions on fairness and transparency in the workplace. Insights from the module highlighted the essential role of employers in ensuring adherence to labor laws and fostering a culture of open communication about wages and hours worked (Franks & O’Brien, 2019).

New Thoughts and Insights

Based on the module information, my perspective on employment law has evolved. I now realize that proactive measures are necessary to prevent ethical issues in the workplace. Establishing clear policies about work hours and overtime payments is crucial. Moreover, implementing regular training sessions for management to ensure understanding of labor laws will help prevent similar situations in the future. As our workforce becomes increasingly diverse, it is vital to create an environment where employees feel safe discussing their concerns about hours worked and compensation (Wilson, 2022).

Related Ethical Issues

In summarizing this experience, it is essential to identify the broader implications of such ethical dilemmas in the workplace. Issues such as wage discrimination, unequal pay for equal work, and the treatment of part-time versus full-time employees can also arise within the realm of employment law. Addressing these concerns requires continuous monitoring of compliance and an unwavering commitment to ethical standards in business practices (Pereira, 2021).

Ultimately, the intersection of employment law and ethical practices is where companies can leverage their legal knowledge into strategic advantages. By valuing employees’ contributions and treating them with fairness, businesses not only comply with the law but also gain a committed workforce aligned with the company’s mission and values.

References

• Franks, A., & O’Brien, J. (2019). Ethical considerations in employment law. Journal of Business Ethics, 155(4), 1041-1059.
• Katz, H. (2021). Employment Law: A Practical Guide. Routledge.
• Pereira, K. (2021). Ethical Issues in the Workplace. Business Ethics Quarterly, 31(2), 227-250.
• Siedel, G. J. (2020). Understanding Employment Law. Harvard University Press.
• U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Wage and Hour Division. Retrieved from https://www.dol.gov/whd/
• Wilson, T. (2022). Diversity and Employment Law. Employee Relations Law Journal, 48(3), 36-50.
• Black, F., & Brown, R. (2018). The Ethical Implications of Wage Enforcement. Labor Studies Journal, 43(1), 123-145.
• Cameron, J. (2020). Fair Labor Standards Act Insights. Journal of Labor Law, 18(4), 363-378.
• Johnson, P. (2021). Employment Rights in a Changing Economy. Employment Law Review, 29(2), 90-105.
• Smith, L. (2020). Wage and Hour Laws: What Employers Need to Know. Business Law Today, 16(3), 22-28.