Employment-at-Will

EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL DOCTURINE

CHERYL YOUNG

DR. BONEITA CAMPBELL

LEG 500- LAW AND ETHICS IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

APRIL 23, 2013

Describe what steps you would take to address the following scenario involving skills, competence, and abilities: The employee seems to be unable to learn the computer applications that are basic to her job responsibilities, but, consistently “tells” her boss that she is “a good worker and a genius” and that he does not “appreciate her”. Even after a few months of training and support, she is unable to use the computer tools to be productive and efficient in completing the required tasks.

This scenario requires a look at utilitarianism. Utilitarianism weighs the pros and cons of a decision and then requires us to consider the consequences of an act by all those affected by the act. In order to discover what we should do in any given situation, we must first identify scenarios determining courses of action that may be implemented. Next, we must determine all of the benefits and damages of all involved that would result from these scenarios. And finally, we must choose the course of action that provides the greatest benefits to all involved after the costs have been taken into account.

The step I would take to address the scenario is to train the employee. In addition to what is listed on one’s resume, new employees need to be trained on policies and procedures, office functions and software upgrades just to name a few. Then I would provide the employee with written performance objectives which I would derive from the position description. The next step is to make sure that the outcome of the training is documented. An official document stating my concerns of their inabilities to do the job and a warning of termination is they are not able to improve within a given time period which is usually a 90 day probation period should be submitted to Human Resources. If at the end of the probation period it is determined that the...