The Role Of HR In Navigating Ethical Challenges
Sample Solution
Article: Activision Blizzard Sued by California Over Alleged Workplace Discrimination: [[invalid URL removed]]([invalid URL removed]) (Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2021)
Ethical Issue: The article reports on a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing against Activision Blizzard, alleging pervasive gender discrimination and a hostile work environment for women. This included claims of sexual harassment, unequal pay, and retaliation against employees who spoke up.
Organizational Response:
- Positives:
- Launched internal investigations and terminated some employees.
- Publicly apologized and committed to changes like diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- Partnered with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for oversight.
- Negatives:
- Initial response was criticized for being slow and dismissive of allegations.
- Some high-profile departures in leadership sparked concerns about commitment to change.
- Concerns remained about the effectiveness of implemented changes.
HR's Role for Improvement:
- Proactive approach: Implement robust anti-discrimination and harassment policies with clear reporting procedures.
- Stronger investigations: Ensure thorough and impartial investigations with appropriate consequences for violations.
- Cultural shift: Foster a culture of respect and inclusion through training, employee engagement, and leadership accountability.
- Transparency and communication: Communicate openly and honestly with employees about findings, actions taken, and progress on improvements.
Business Impact:
- Reputation damage: Negative publicity led to boycotts, employee protests, and investor pressure.
- Employee morale: Employee trust and engagement likely impacted.
- Financial repercussions: Regulatory fines, settlements, and legal costs, along with potential revenue loss from boycotts.
- Departures of key personnel: Loss of talent and leadership can hurt innovation and business continuity.
Values and Reinforcement:
While Activision Blizzard has a code of conduct outlining values like respect, integrity, and inclusion, the allegations suggest disconnect between stated values and actual practices. Effective implementation requires:
- Training and Reinforcement: All employees, including leadership, must receive regular training on ethical conduct and diversity & inclusion.
- Performance Reviews: Integrate ethical behavior and commitment to values into performance evaluations.
- Leadership Accountability: Hold leaders accountable for fostering a culture aligned with stated values.