Assignment 1: Scenario Analysis and Discussion
Read the case scenario below. Based on the information provided in the case, the textbook, and your own research, prepare answers to the questions found after the case. Interview individuals in your company's human resource department. You may find that they are good sources of information.
Case Scenario
Big Aircraft Company (BAC) is a publicly traded U.S. corporation with more than 500 overseas production facilities. Jeff Bland, an audit manager with BAC, was offered a two-year assignment in one of the factories in the Islamic country of Idzatu. Francine Boyd, a senior audit manager, bid for the position but was denied the job. Initially, BAC explained that cultural issues were involved in the denial. After additional meetings, BAC stated that she was not eligible based on her age, religion, and sex. The country of Idzatu permits discrimination based on age, religion, and sex and practices intentional discrimination based on religion. In Idzatu, women are assigned to low-level jobs and are not permitted to occupy management level positions. In addition, Idzatu laws prohibit women over the age of 45 from working.
After several months in Idzatu, Jeff initiates the annual audit required by the corporate internal audit procedures. During the course of the audit, Jeff discovers a variety of inconsistencies and questionable business practices. His report indicates the following issues.
The BAC Idzatu facility only employs men in management and supervisory positions. Very few women work in the plant and those that do occupy lower level positions.
An inspection of a BAC subcontractor's facility in Idzatu revealed children ages 8-12 working over 60 hours a week in violation of Idzatu labor laws.
Employees in the subcontractor's facility were exposed to toxic chemicals and loud noises without protective clothing and headgear.
Jeff files this report with his boss in the U.S. and is warned by his boss to keep his mouth shut. Jeff has two children under the age of 10, and he is appalled by the working conditions and the lack of action by BAC. Six months pass, and no changes have been implemented in either facility. Jeff is told to mind his own business because different countries have different laws and the ability to manufacture aircraft parts at a lower cost is why BAC maintains a facility in Idzatu. Jeff is outraged and reports these conditions to the U.S. Department of Labor and the ILO.
Two months after filing these reports, Jeff is fired.
Based on the information provided in the case scenario, answer the following questions:
Evaluate the legal issues that Francine Boyd may bring against BAC and any arguments that BAC may use to refute Boyd's claims.
In your view, is Jeff protected by any of the whistleblower statutes? Provide legal arguments that support your position.
In your opinion, what are the legal, ethical, and cultural issues of Jeff's findings?
Write the answers in a 2- pages Microsoft Word and Submit the document to the Discussion Area by Friday, February 12, 2016.
By Monday, February 15, 2016, review the submissions of at least two of your classmates. Provide a balanced feedback, evaluating the business and legal implications of the responses to each question.
All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.
Assignment 2: Course Project Task VI
International Labor and Employment Issues
Managing employee relations can often prove difficult on U.S. soil. The addition of the different laws, ethics, and culture can make management of international employment issues extremely complicated. Using the research from the discussion, interviews with your company's human resources department, and other related research, prepare a paper outlining the employment laws, regulations, and practices related to your selected country in Module 1.
Consider how practices such as hiring, firing, benefits, labor standards, and various employment arrangements are regulated in each country.
Compare the laws and practices of your selected country with what exists with your company. Which law applies? Analyze the extraterritorial impact of U.S. employment law.
Compare the benefits and disadvantages of using employees, independent contractors, foreign sales representatives, and distributors based on your company's products/services and the foreign locations in which your company operates. Don't forget to consider how employment issues are affected by culture, ethics, and
e-commerce. Make note of any pending regulations or laws that could affect your company in the future.
Write a 2- pages paper showing your research on international labor and employment issues. Include links, references, and sources you have used and follow the proper guidelines for citing legal texts. Also provide a statement regarding which specific topics related to your research would be appropriate for inclusion in the International Business Law and Practices Guidelines document you are developing. Provide a rationale for your decisions.
Present your work in Microsoft Word document format to the Discussion Area by Monday, February 15, 2016.
All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.