Business Ethics: Analysis of Walmart Employee Case Study

This assignment presents a case study focusing on the ethical issues that can arise in the relationship between companies and their employees, using the example of Walmart and an employee with Down syndrome. The case highlights issues such as discriminatory practices, including the denial of accommodations and termination of employment based on disability, and the unethical behavior of managers. The solution recommends adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act, providing equal pay and suitable working conditions, offering an apology, and reinstating the employee. The assignment emphasizes the ethical responsibility of employers to care for their employees, avoid abuse of power, and ensure employee welfare. The case study references legal and ethical considerations, and the provided solution offers strategies for addressing the identified ethical issues, aiming to promote fairness and inclusivity in the workplace. The solution also includes a list of references to support the analysis and recommendations.

Running head: BUSINESS ETHICS
Employees and Business Ethics
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Question: Explain the unethical issues that may arise in the relationship between
companies and their employees.
Describe any two strategies that may be
applied to handle the unethical issues you have identified."
Answer-
There are many ethical issues that can arise in a company. It can be seen from this case
study that there are mainly two different ethical issues going on in. One can be the abusive
behavior of the managers and the employers and the other can be employee working conditions
(Grover and Piggott 2015).
Spaeth was an employee of the Walmart outlet at Manitowoc. She was a patient of the
Down syndrome. It was because of her condition that she could not obey the new policy of the
company (Sargeant 2016). She worked from noon to 4 pm and the new policy wanted her to
work after her shift timing and also for long hours. She was denied when she requested for some
changes. She was even terminated by the company (Tsai 2016).
The working condition was also not suitable. Amy, Spaeth’s cousin and legal advisor
intervened and was misbehaved by the manager of the company. So, she filed a case.
Recommendations
 Walmart has to keep provisions for the physically challenged employees. They must
make sure that if they are hiring disabled employees then they must provide them the
needed accommodations as well. They must keep short working hours for disabled

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people like Spaeth. Being a Down ’s syndrome patient she cannot bring any changes in
her regular routine.The company must adhere to the laws and ethics. They must at all cost
abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act. They must provide equal pay and suitable
working conditions
 They must apologize for terminating Spaeth and keep her back at work. She must be
respected just like all other employees and given equal pay. WalMart also has to
compensate her amply for the mental and financial grief that she suffered.
Conclusion
So, it can be concluded that it is the ethical responsibility of every employer to the take
care of the employees. The managers must not take undue advantage of their power and position.
They must adhere to the employment disability act and must make sure that they provide for
their employees and look after their interests and welfare.

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References
Grover, C. and Piggott, L. eds., 2015. Disabled people, work and welfare: Is employment really
the answer?. Policy Press.
Sargeant, M., 2016. Age discrimination in employment. Routledge.
The Evening Sun. 2018. Walmart sued for firing of employee with Down syndrome. [online]
Available at: https://www.eveningsun.com/story/money/nation-now/2017/01/19/walmart-sued-
down-syndrome-firing/96763814/ [Accessed 15 May 2018].
Tsai, S.Y., 2016. Health-related quality of life association with work-related stress and social
support among female and male disabled employees. Women & health, 56(8), pp.957-976.