The firing of employees due to the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how the world operates. Myriads of changes have been seen in all sectors of economies across the world, including the workplaces. The relationship between the employers and employees has been thoroughly tested, with most employees losing their jobs and companies shutting down. There is a new normal that every person in society has to adapt to and adhere to the guidelines and protocols that come with it. However, despite the genuine challenges that have come with this pandemic, some employers have taken advantage of this situation to make crude decisions that have affected their employees’ well-being. Some employees have been fired in the disguise of downsizing the company due to COVID; some are sent on unpaid leaves while others are operating on reduced salaries and benefits. There are ethical concerns associated with the prevailing circumstances.
Ethical guidelines inform the process of advertising for positions, hiring, and firing employees at the workplace (Fawson, Simmons & Yonk, 2015). However, during this pandemic period, management of companies have overlooked these guidelines and fired employees without adhering to the protocols. It is an ethical issue being discussed across the globe because it has affected many people. Justifiable reasons should inform the process of firing employees and the benefits they are set to receive after losing their job. Employees should not feel that their rights have been infringed upon following their job loss.
The unethical firing of employees is particularly relevant today because many companies are firing their employees, leaving them with no source of livelihood. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw many companies shut or slow down their operations. This aspect negatively interfered with the flow of income, forcing some companies to downsize. However, we cannot peg these misfortunes on the pandemic. Some companies have always wanted to fire some of their vocal employees or employees actively involved in trade unions to get away with some questionable business practices that the companies do. Most of the trade unions advocate for the rights of the employees, an aspect that works to the disadvantage of the management of most companies. This issue is relevant today because some companies prefer firing their highest-paid employees and recruit others who come in with lower pay or fire employees to hire their preferred people who may be their relatives or friends.
Optimal level firing is common in both the public and the private, although it is not devoid of some ethical concerns. Ethical guidelines help in answering the pertinent questions regarding the firing of employees including when can an employee be fired, when should an employee be fired, how should an employee be fired and what measures can the management take to cushion employees who lose their job in a world where firing is inevitable (Saylor). There is At-will firing that gives employers a broad spectrum of firing their employees, although it is also not void of ethical concerns. Justifiable worker firings comprise situations where the employees bear none, some or all the blame for getting dismissed. Employers should always measure the repercussion of firing the employee to the company and the worker. The act of firing should not jeopardize the well-being of either party. Measures should be taken to minimize the need and the effects of firing employees.