The current capitalist society in the modernized and globalized society is characterized by individualism. There is no oversight moral authority to guarantee mutual dependence and cohesiveness in our social institutions (Masoud, Smith& Ian, 2005). Work ethics are therefore stipulated by tight deadlines, work rules and professionalism. Professionalism is determined by high level specialization and division of labor. The education system also promotes specialization where students pursuing various courses are limited to specifications and requirements of their field of study. There is a vacuum in the education system as far as moral and ethical principles are concerned. Graduates of this education system lack necessary holistic training which provides for inclusiveness and moral authority in life.
It is essential that inclusive education is encouraged in professional training in order to promote virtue, ethics and moral values at the workplace. The scenario brought forward by Sheehy reports is typical of the modern workplace where individualism, cultural pluralism and moral decay are evident in the capitalist society. The notion of “every man for himself and God for us all” is evident in the manner in which employees conduct themselves at work (Rix, Nind & Sheehy, 2005). Work rules are only followed in an environment where strict supervision and surveillance are reinforced. According to virtue ethics, workplace relationships between employers and employees are instrumental in determining whether job outcomes are realistic enough to achieve objectives of an organization or not.
Negative perceptions and job attitudes arise from work environments characterized by hands-on managerial experience. Managers are hard on their subordinates to perform assigned tasks regardless of the working environment and remuneration regimes. Since social stratification is the norm in any capitalist society, employees are categorized depending on their professional pedigrees and academic specialization (Jennings, 2006). Consequently, lower-cadre employees are condemned to a peasant lifestyle where their meager earnings cannot allow them to achieve desired life ambitions. The scenarios depicted by Sheehy in the fast food café are typical of employees who belong to the lower levels in the labor structure of an organization. Since they are poorly remunerated, casual laborers are contracted in the short-term. That is why, such jobs as those for hotel attendants and stewards are merely opportunities for students on holiday or otherwise citizens without proper formal education.
Lack of professional training renders the vulnerable members of the modern American Capitalist society incompetent and unemployable in the long-term. Utilitarianism places moral judgment for a particular action on its consequences. Results that are obtained from peoples’ actions are therefore considered superior to the action’s intrinsic features. According to the theory of utilitarianism, rationality and cooperation among people is esteemed (Dill, 2007). The strife for perfection has always characterized the weak nature of human character. The capitalist perceptions for profit maximization and desire for wealth motivates people to engage in amorous activities in order to make ends meet. “The end justifies the means” philosophy is more esteemed than the process approach in carrying out assignments (Dill, 2007).
The future of American business depends on radical transformations in mainstream society particularly in learning institutions where professionals are trained. The American capitalist society mixed with cultural pluralism is undermining transmission of excellence and inclusive education to the younger generation (Masoud, Smith& Ian, 2005). Apart from the family institution, which is the basic foundation of any society, schools can be considered to be the most powerful social institutions where culture and knowledge is transmitted. The implications of the “new work ethic” in business are complex since most of these essential social institutions are failing to hold. The family is threatened by multiple cases of divorce and controversial sex relations. In addition, there are serious cases of poor parenting in such a competitive society where mother and father are almost engaged the whole day at work, business or school. Children are either left alone at home or in children care centers. Lack of a solid bond between parents and children exposes them to the temptations of engaging in crime and delinquency.
In addition, lack of religious and holistic education is even worsening the prospects of developing a competitive business culture where professionalism, ethics and virtues are highly esteemed. This is because loopholes created in the social fabric have created room for corruption, theft and unethical behaviors to prevail in the workplace (Jennings, 2006). Employees are considered to be the lifeblood of any business organization. To that end, it becomes difficult for globally competitive organizations to thrive under circumstances where labor machinery is leaking from ethical dilemmas.
The haphazard approach in which Sheehy’s coworkers handled their duties and clients alike is totally indifferent with modern business culture and etiquette. Despite the fact that individualism and a “don’t care attitude” characterize the capitalist society, employees in any industry can conduct business non-professionally (Masoud, Smith& Ian, 2005). The emerging culture of reckless negligence in the “new work ethic” is reminiscent of poor organizational culture. According to Utilitarianism consequentialist theory, workers are expected to conduct business professionally while on duty since they are accountable to consequences of their actions.
Business etiquette demands that workers perform their duties in accordance with stipulated rules and regulations which include utmost customer service and quality job outcomes. However, the current capitalist perspective among business firms keen to reap maximum profits and benefits from the global economy demands that cultural beliefs and values which hinder realization of organizational goals be eradicated (Masoud, Smith& Ian, 2005). Such retrogressive practices are reflected in the manner in which Sheehy’s coworkers mishandle clients. It is also evident that there exists an extremely poor relationship between managers and subordinates at the café. Since most of the recruited workers at the hotel were students and untrained women, lack of professionalism could have contributed to the ethical blunders committed at the food facility. Conventionally, professionally-trained hoteliers and subordinate employees subscribe to high standards of hygiene and customer service as expected of a hospitality industry.
Gamesmanship is a dubious way of achieving goals in life commonly used in sports where rules are bent beyond the eye of authorities. Cheating is an ingredient of gamesmanship and this is the foundation behind employee theft. Workers are deliberately involved in stealing from their organization’s coffers in order to boost their earnings (Dill, 2007). Naturally, employees are recruited based on a standardized criterion that matches the candidate’s credentials with a specific job description and remuneration regime. Sheehy’s scenario where hotel workers encouraged one another to rob their company constitutes serious professional misconduct. The workers are highlighted as lazy, non-cooperative and money-minded. They are also untrained and exhibit the worst work ethics in business at the expense of the company. This is a contradiction of conventional business ethics and standards in the modern competitive globalized marketplace. Employee theft is therefore a reflection of the individualistic notions in a capitalist society (Masoud, Smith& Ian, 2005).
The capitalist society magnifies the welfare of an individual at the expense of the community. Religion and cultural values do matter a lot. Poor parenting is also rampant, comprising the proper upbringing of children As such; children are rendered susceptible to corrupt behaviors through peer pressure and distorted celebrity cultures. Essentially, there are few role models in society. Individuals are not governed by mutual cultural traditions. Instead, everyone is convinced about his/her own version of the truth. The categorical imperative exemplified by Kant is the basis through which individuals assess their actions, where universal law for right and wrong is determined by personal will (Jennings, 2006). There is too much freedom at the individual level. Eventually, individuals are isolated from the social fabric by their extreme perceptions and attitudes in life. Due to significant specialization and division of labor, workers become confined in their professional cocoons seeking personal ambition at the expense of the welfare of the society.
References
Dill, J. (2007). Durkheim and Dewey and the Challenge of Contemporary Moral Education. Journal of Moral Education, 36(2), 221-237. DOI: 10.1080/03057240701325357.
Jennings, M. (2006).The Seven Signs of Ethical Collapse: how to Spot Moral Meltdowns in Companies– before it’s too late. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Masoud, T. E. Smith, R. M. & Ian, S. (2004). Problems and Methods in the Study of Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Rix, J. Nind, M. & Sheehy, K. (2005). Ethics and Research in Inclusive Education: Values into Practice. London: Rutledge.