PHIL 330

Spring 2001

T. White

Second paper

1. Why are policies that restrict employees’ dating an ethical issue?

Employees: freedom of choice, privacy, emotional needs provided for by intimate relationship, job/financial security

Employees’ partners (if at another company): freedom of choice, privacy, emotional needs

Corporations: jobs/financial security of other people at company

Employees’ colleagues: need for fairness and an environment in which they can do their jobs in a way that lets them promote their financial security and professional ambitions

2. What are the possible consequences of these restrictions?

Employees: Loss of job/ financial security (high quality, probably short-term harm) if discovered having such a relationship; possible loss of personal relationship (high quality, long-term loss; such relationships are difficult to find)

Employees’ partners (if at another company): possible loss of personal relationship (high quality, long-term loss; such relationships are difficult to find)

Corporation: Marginally increased financial security (benefit, but it’s important to note that the harm being protected against is pretty unlikely to happen; medium quality?); financial loss if lose a law suit (short-term harm; medium quality?)

Employees’ colleagues: work environment less likely to be affected by negative fallout from a breakup or from some sort of unfairness or favoritism (benefit, probably medium quality)