I need flashcards with information from this book Business Ethics (Byars & Stanberry, 2018), that correspond with the PowerPoint
Starbucks Employees Issues
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Starbucks Employee Issues
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for joining today’s presentation. The presentation focuses on real-world labour union protests by Starbucks workforce that continue to take place.
Our discussion investigates three elements of Starbucks’s employee strike which includes the employee reasons for strike action and the company’s response and assessment of the ethical framework.
Our discussion will analyse the essential takeaways from this experience and we will investigate our activities if we encounter parallel situations in the future.
The following discussion commences by defining Starbucks as a company alongside presenting details about this particular problem.
The presence of all attendees means a great deal to me. This presentation investigates the major problem caused by Starbucks staff who started their strike movement. We will identify the fundamental reasons behind these work stoppages that staff members initiated as they seek fair compensation along with superior workplace standards and job stability.
We will examine Starbucks’ reaction to the protests along with the ethical aspects of employee strikes and their company policies. Going through the specifics of this scenario allows us to discover vital guidance that will be useful for future such challenges. We start by explaining how Starbucks operates as an organization while illustrating the national significance of this ongoing dispute which employees continue to protest.
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Who and What is Starbucks?
Since its 1971 Seattle origin Starbucks operates as an international coffeehouse organization with more than 33,000 global locations.
People recognize Starbucks because of its dedication to sustainable practices and responsible activities in addition to its ethical purchasing.
Starbucks operates under a distinctive brand framework that upholds excellence and social environment leadership.
Although recognized positively as a company, Starbucks has received negative feedback about its employee working standards and compensation which triggered staff demonstrations.
Starbucks is one of the largest coffeehouse chains globally, founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington. With over 33,000 stores worldwide, it’s not just known for its coffee but also for its commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. The company has built a strong brand around its promise of quality and community. However, despite its positive image, Starbucks has faced criticism over issues related to employee treatment, wages, and working conditions. In this context, we’ll be looking at the recent events involving their employees and the protests that have sparked widespread attention.
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What is the Current Event?
Starbucks employees have launched organized strikes against poor working conditions and inadequate benefits in their workplaces.
National attention focused on strike protests because employees conducted their protests across the peak holiday season extending into Christmas Eve.
Employees want wage increases at the same time they are asking for better safety measures and union approval.
The employees have chosen to strike at a critical time which demonstrates their full commitment to solving their work-related problems.
The current event revolves around a growing wave of employee strikes within Starbucks, specifically focusing on workers who are protesting for better working conditions and benefits. The protests gained national attention when employees announced their expansion of strike actions during the busy holiday season, including Christmas Eve.
This decision to strike during a high-demand period is significant, as it highlights the seriousness of the employees’ grievances. They are demanding better wages, improved safety standards, and union recognition. Let’s now look at the perspectives of the employees involved in this movement.
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POV of the Employees
Workplace employees demonstrate for enhanced treatment along with evidence showing poor payment and risky working environments and requesting better healthcare benefits.
Employees are fighting to establish unions in order to gain authority in organizational choices at their workplace.
Workers have organized a protest because their management fails to address their issues according to their perception.
The public ethical commitments of Starbucks remain unfulfilled according to employees who believe their concerns lack proper resolution (Byars & Stanberry, 2018).
From the perspective of the employees, the protest is driven by a desire for better treatment in the workplace. Employees have cited several key issues, including inadequate pay that does not align with the rising cost of living, unsafe working conditions, and the need for better benefits, such as healthcare. Additionally, there’s a demand for union recognition so that workers can have a greater voice in their workplace decisions. Many employees feel that Starbucks’ management is not doing enough to address these issues, despite the company’s strong public commitment to social responsibility and ethical practices (Byars & Stanberry, 2018).
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Starbucks as an Employer’s Response
The corporation pledges to support staff members with exemplary pay structures coupled with comprehensive health benefits together with upbeat workplace conditions.
The organization states that it has sought honest negotiations with union representatives alongside fulfilling employee demands.
Employee inclusion and workplace respect form the core commitment at Starbucks for every member in its workforce.
Perspective holders disagree that the current company measures do not address workers’ problems sufficiently while more defined resolutions are essential to solve their problems.
Starbucks has responded to these employee protests by asserting that they are committed to supporting their workers. The company claims to offer competitive wages, benefits, and a positive work environment. They also argue that they have been negotiating with union representatives in good faith and that many of the demands made by the employees are being addressed. Starbucks has also emphasized its commitment to maintaining the company’s values of inclusion and respect for all employees. However, critics argue that the company’s response has been inadequate and that more concrete actions are needed to resolve the issues raised by the workers.
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The Ethical Dilemma Faced in This Current Event
Ethical Dilemma: Organizations must decide how to maintain their duty of accountability without harming employee essentials.
Corporate Responsibility: Despite its reputation for social responsibility Starbucks receives criticism because it fails to address employee needs sufficiently.
Employee Concerns: Employees need suitable compensation alongside healthcare provisions and they should work in secure environments without danger (Byars & Stanberry, 2018).
Core Issue: People argue about the extent to which Starbucks should strengthen its employee satisfaction initiatives compared to the level of support they currently provide.
The ethical dilemma here revolves around the balance between corporate responsibility and employee rights. On one hand, Starbucks is a company that prides itself on ethical sourcing and social responsibility. On the other hand, workers feel that their needs for fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions are not being adequately addressed. This conflict raises questions about the responsibility of large corporations to treat their employees with fairness and respect. Should companies like Starbucks do more to ensure their workers are satisfied, or is the company’s current level of support sufficient? This is the core ethical issue at the heart of the protests (Byars & Stanberry, 2018).
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The Lessons and WWYD as a Group
A work environment needs open employee-employer communication together with collaborative work approaches to function properly.
When employers choose to disregard the issues their employees face it results in protests that subsequently lead to strikes which damage both company reputation and financial outcomes.
Companies need negotiation and compromise strategies to unite worker needs and business targets.
Looking back at these events enables us to practice fair treatment and effective communication when working in our professional environment.
One of the key lessons from this event is the importance of open communication and collaboration between employers and employees. When workers feel that their voices aren’t being heard, it can lead to protests and strikes, which can harm both the company’s reputation and bottom line. As a group, we might ask ourselves: What would we do in a similar situation? How would we approach the issue to ensure that both employee concerns and company objectives are met? This situation serves as a reminder of the need for fair treatment, negotiation, and compromise in the workplace. Let’s now reflect on how we can apply these lessons in our own professional lives.
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Conclusion
The demonstrations by Starbucks employees showcase two key workplace issues which stem from their unappreciated status and doubts about their safety at work.
Currently Starbucks employees continue to stage strikes demonstrating that more employee demands must be resolved.
Employees experience better outcomes only through clear communication and compassionate interaction with their employers.
Future leaders need to study this matter to establish workplaces where workers experience appreciation together with fair payment and understanding.
To conclude, the Starbucks employee protests highlight significant challenges that arise in the workplace when employees feel undervalued or unsafe. While Starbucks has attempted to address some of the workers’ demands, the ongoing strikes indicate that there is still work to be done. The ethical dilemma surrounding this issue points to the need for more transparent and empathetic communication between employers and employees. As future leaders and professionals, it’s important to take these lessons to heart and strive to create environments where employees feel heard, valued, and fairly compensated. Thank you for your attention throughout this presentation.
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references
Byars, S. M., & Stanberry, K. (2018). Business ethics.
•Employee benefits: Analysis of Starbucks, Amazon, and Walmart’s employee benefits program. (2021). International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research, 9(1).
https://doi.org/10.20431/2349-0349.0901005
•Herrera, J. C. (2024). “We are not afraid of Starbucks, what might happen is that colombians will drink more coffee”. The arrival of Starbucks to the land of Juan Valdez.
https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/7mk3c
•O’Neill, R. M., & Levesque, L. L. (2024). Employee support for unionization at Starbucks? A peer-influence negotiation. Management Teaching Review.
https://doi.org/10.1177/23792981241231817
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