LawsSome ethical issues have led to the enactment of laws to prohibit certain conduct. In this case, the behavior is more than unethical; it is illegal. The following is a sample of United States laws that address organizational ethics.Employment DiscriminationTitle VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees and job applicants against discrimination due to race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. Employers may not discriminate when hiring; terminating; promoting; paying; training; or providing any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. Employers may not make employment decisions based on stereotypes and assumptions about the abilities or traits of the groups listed above. In addition, it is illegal to discriminate because of marriage to or association with someone in any of the protected groups.Sexual HarassmentSexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The definition of sexual harassment is: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment; unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance; or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.DisabilitiesThe Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities when hiring, firing, promoting; paying; training; and providing other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Employers are required to make a reasonable accommodation for the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee to apply for a job, perform a job, or enjoy the privileges of employment, as long as it does not impose an "undue hardship" on the business.Read more about employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and the Americans with Disabilities Act at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission web site. Sarbanes-Oxley ActThe Sarbanes-Oxley Act created various reforms to enhance corporate responsibility and financial disclosures and minimize corporate fraud. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board monitors auditing activities. Read the text of the law at the Securities and Exchange Commission web site.Whistleblower ProtectionsSeveral federal and state laws include a provision to protect employees who report legal violations. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires employers to maintain a safe and healthy workplace and comply with related regulations. Employers may not discharge or discriminate against an employee for filing an OSHA complaint, requesting an inspection, or participating in an inspection or proceeding. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also contains a whistleblower provision. Read more about whistleblower protections at the Department of Labor web site. |