1: Employment and Labor Law

The Legal, Ethical, and Sustainable Business Management Decision

Jakaya works for Wassira Enterprises in middle management as an accounts representative. Wassira Enterprises is an at-will employer. All individuals offered a job at Wassira Enterprises are told that the company embraces the at-will-employment doctrine; language to that effect is included in the Wassira Enterprises' human resource management policy document that employees receive within one week of being hired. Jakaya has worked for Wassira Enterprises for six years and nine months. During that time, he received two promotions and five raises (for merit), exceeded all sales expectations assigned to him, and earned the following praise from his supervisor, Benjamin: "You keep doing this type of work, and you can work for us as long as you wish." Last week Margareth, the president of Wassira Enterprises, wrote an email to Jakaya stating that Friday would be his last day at work. No explanation was given for the dismissal.

Has Wassira Enterprises violated the law? If so, is Jakaya entitled to tort or contract damages? Is it ethical to dismiss Jakaya without any explanation? How does Wassira's actions impact their on-going and future relationship with their other employees?

2: Employment Discrimination

The Legal, Ethical, and Sustainable Business Management Decision

You are a senior-level executive. Annie, one of your employees, knocks on your door. As she enters, you see she is crying. Annie states she believes Steve, her immediate supervisor, is sexually harassing her. Annie states that Steve just asked her out on a date.
What additional information would you need to clarify whether sexual harassment has occurred?

If sexual harassment occurred, what actions should you take?

If Steve denies asking Annie out and there is no other evidence to "prove" Annie's actions, what actions should you take?

You tell Annie that she is overreacting and that since Steve has done nothing wrong, explaining that co-workers ask each other out all the time. Discuss the legal, ethical, and sustainable business impacts of your actions.