Abstract
After reading the “Mr. Edens Profits from Watching His Workers Every Move” case study in our Contemporary Management textbook, our class was assigned to determine if Mr. Edens’ behavior was ethical and acceptable or unethical and unacceptable. Secondly, we needed to provide the rationale for our answers and provide examples. Mr. Edens has created a highly controlled workplace with close manager supervision and surveillance. Even though I don’t agree with this environment, I think Mr. Edens’ behavior has been ethical and acceptable.
Lockbox Processing: No Place to Hide
Mr. Edens’ company, Electronic Banking System Inc., specializes in “lockbox processing.” Due to the ...view middle of the document...
However, in this environment, it is isolating employees and preventing any type of team involvement or interaction. He falls into McGregor’s Theory X, which states that workers are lazy, dislike work, and will try to do as little as possible. This results in the need for many rules, procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs). He has instilled a very controlling atmosphere instead of empowering his employees. Mr. Edens justifies this by saying, “Order and control are everything in this business” (Jones & George, 2011, p. 69).
Even though I don’t agree with this environment, I think it is ethical and acceptable if the cameras are used appropriately. In any industry or business when employees have contact with money, there is always a risk that someone will be dishonest. Theft and crime are on the rise especially in places of business where employees are not being watched. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but unfortunately there are many workers that cannot be trusted.
These types of surveillance are becoming more and more common. Retail stores like Target and Wal-Mart are filled with security cameras. At casinos, cameras are placed at every point money is exchanged. ...