THE ETHICS OF

JOB
DISCRIMINATION

Diversity amongst business executives

has increased due both to increased
efforts by many companies to expand
across the world with a more diverse
workforce

Job Discrimination: Its

Nature

Discrimination means to distinguish

one object from another a moral
neutral and not necessarily a
wrongful activity
If it is based on prejudice or morally
reprehensible attitude, it is unjust

Job Discrimination

To discriminate in employment is to
make an adverse decision(s)
against employees (or prospective
employees), belonging to a
particular class because of a preconceived attitude

Job Discrimination: Basic

Elements

It is a decision against employees (or

prospective employees), that is not
based on individual merit
Decision derives solely from racial or
other prejudices, false stereotypes or
some other kind of morally unjust
ground
Decision has a harmful impact on the
monetary and social interest of
employees

Job Discrimination: Forms

Discriminatory act may be part of the

Isolated behaviour of a single individual

done intentionally out of prejudice
Routine behaviour of an institutionalized
group
Isolated behaviour of a single individual
done unknowingly by adopting a
traditional practice
Systematic routine of a corporate group
which intentionally incorporates unlawful
differentiating practices

Discrimination: Its Extent

How do we estimate whether an

institution is practicing
discriminatory practices?

By statistical indicators
Examples?

Discrimination: Kinds of
Evidences

Comparison of benefits extended to

different groups having
commonalities
Comparison of proportion of
discriminated groups found in the
lowest levels
Comparison of proportion that holds
more advantageous positions with
others

Discrimination: Utility, Rights

& Justice

Arguments mustered against

discrimination fall into three groups:

Utilitarian arguments which claims that

discrimination leads to inefficient use of
human resources
Rights arguments which claims that
discrimination violates basic human rights
Justice arguments which claims that
discrimination results in an unjust
distribution of societys benefits and burdens