This Benchmark Assignment Assesses The Following Competencie ✓ Solved

This Benchmark Assignment Assesses The Following Competenciescompeten

This benchmark assignment assesses the following competencies. Competency 4.2: Examine ethical dilemmas with particular emphasis on business decision making in situations of ambiguity. Competency 1.3: Write effective business messages that meet the needs of specific audiences. The purpose of this assignment is to examine the framework for ethical decision making in business. Consider that you have learned about business law and ethics as you read the scenario below.

Scenario: A manager was in the process of hiring a new employee and interviewed several candidates. After narrowing the search down to two candidates, the manager and another employee searched several social media sites and reviewed the two candidates' accounts to gain additional information about them and to decide who they thought would be a better fit for the organization. The manager and employee used the information found in the social media searches in making their final selection for the position. The use of the information gained from the social media search was not disclosed to either candidate at any point in the interview process. Assignment: Assume you are the director of human resources for the company, and you have just learned about the social media searches that were used in the hiring process.

Write a 250-word memo to the company managers that addresses the ethical issues resulting from this situation. Your goal is to reeducate managers about the ethical framework of your organization and the way business, including hiring, is conducted. Include discussion of the following. The legality of the use of personal information taken from social media as part of the hiring process. The legality of failing to disclose to candidates the use of social media account reviews as part of the hiring process. Summarize the ethical dilemmas and the ambiguities of the situation. Propose guidelines for the review and use of social media profiles as part of the hiring process. APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of personal and professional lives, raising critical ethical considerations in the hiring process. Recently, a situation arose where managers reviewed candidates’ social media profiles without disclosure, prompting a need to examine the legality and ethics underpinning such actions. As the Human Resources director, it is vital to clarify the ethical boundaries and organizational policies related to the use of social media in hiring decisions.

First, regarding legality, the use of publicly available social media information in hiring is generally legal, provided the information is accessible without invasive measures and does not violate anti-discrimination laws. However, the practice then shifts to ethical concerns when such information is used to make hiring decisions without the candidate’s knowledge or consent. Failing to disclose the review of social media accounts constitutes a lack of transparency, possibly undermining fairness and trust in the hiring process. Such nondisclosure could also lead to legal challenges if discriminatory practices are suspected or if candidates argue that their privacy rights were violated.

This scenario underscores a fundamental ethical dilemma: balancing organizational interests with candidate privacy rights. While social media profiles offer insights into potential employees, managers must navigate ambiguities surrounding what constitutes appropriate use. Ethical considerations include respecting privacy boundaries, avoiding bias, and ensuring equitable treatment.

To address these issues, I propose the following guidelines: First, social media reviews should be limited to publicly available information, with prior candidate consent obtained in writing. Second, HR policies must clearly delineate acceptable practices and ensure compliance with legal standards. Third, managers should receive training on ethical social media use, emphasizing transparency and fairness. Implementing these guidelines will promote ethical integrity, protect candidate rights, and enhance organizational reputation.

References

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