Question: Some employees are given specific, difficult goals and their very livelihood depends on how well they perform. For example, salespeople who are paid strictly on a commission basis have all their earnings hinging on the extent to which they are successful in selling to customers. This can sometimes cause salespeople considerable stress, especially when they are very dependent on their earnings to support themselves and/or loved ones.

1. Think about the ethical implications of assigning specific, difficult goals to employees.

2. Is it ethical to have employees' earnings based entirely on the extent to which they attain their goals?