Question

A manager decides to lay off 10 percent of the workforce and justifies that action by noting that 90 percent still have jobs and the company will remain solvent. This manager has utilized which of the following views of ethics?

a. Rights view of ethics
b. Theory of justice view of ethics
c. Integrative social contracts view of ethics
d. Utilitarian view of ethics
e. Golden rule view of ethics

Answer 1

The manager used the utilitarian view of ethics, which focuses on maximizing overall happiness or welfare, by retaining 90 percent of the workforce and keeping the company solvent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The manager who decided to lay off 10 percent of the workforce to keep the company solvent has utilized the utilitarian view of ethics. This ethical view is concerned with the consequences of an action, judging it to be moral if it maximizes overall happiness or general welfare. In this case, the manager believes that by laying off a smaller portion of the workforce, the greater number of employees (90 percent) can continue to have jobs, and the company can remain operational.