In Recession, Do You Give up the $4 Latte or Fire the Help?
Mar 23rd, 2009 • Posted in: NewsThe moral advice: Remember you are dealing with people, not transactions
LOS ANGELES
The Los Angeles Times last week looked at an ethics issue sure to hit home during turbulent economic times — the moral implications of firing household help.
According to the report, while Southern Californians have come to rely on cheap hired help — often undocumented nannies, gardeners, and handymen — cost-cutting is the new pastime.
The Times interviews Fordham University theologian and ethicist Tom Beaudoin, who contends that it’s a hard question. “We have built an economy that allows us to lie to ourselves about how much we exploit human beings who don’t show up on the radar screen,” Beaudoin told the paper. “This situation forces that front and center, and that’s why we feel ethically confused.”
He suggests that one possible solution is to think creatively: Find other homeowners who might like to share the costs of the hired help, or perhaps pay in other ways, with food and services.
Beaudoin says that in the balance between cutting a worker and giving up a $4 latte, it’s important to factor in the notion that you are dealing with humans, not commodities.
“If we employ folks who clean our houses or cut our lawns or haul our garbage for us,” Beaudoin said, “and we are thinking about cutting them off to save money, I would say: Think about the ethical responsibilities. These are relationships we have. They’re not just transactions.”
Source: Los Angeles Times, Mar. 21.
For more information, see: Related Newsline story, May 21, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Sep. 5, 2006 — Related Newsline story, June 12 2006 — Related Newsline story, Apr. 10, 2006 — Related Newsline story, Apr. 3, 2006.
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