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Philosophy

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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1 "Cultural Perspectives in HR Dilemmas: Navigating Employee Theft with Compassion and Values in India, China, Saudi Arabia, and the United States" Penn State World Campus HRER 860 Veronica Giamusso

2 The readings for this lesson emphasized the variety of values widely held worldwide and influence how people react to moral conundrums. Regarding an employee's use of business property to support their family, responses and strategies vary greatly among countries, including the US, Saudi Arabia, and China. Below, the various methods that each nation might use to handle this problem are explored. In Saudi Arabia, the term “Zakat” represents a strong belief in giving alms to the poor, emphasizing values such as mercy, justice, forgiveness, tolerance, and attentiveness. Zakat is a compulsory procedure for Muslims who earn above a certain threshold. Sadaqah is the act of voluntarily giving charitable gifts out of kindness or generosity (Liberto, 2023). According to the teachings of Prophet Mohammed, when assessing whether an action is right or wrong, one should primarily consider its benefit to people and society (Ali et al., 2013). In the context of an employee stealing food to support their family, this act would likely be forgiven due to the compassionate nature of the circumstances. The Islamic perspective emphasizes the importance of intentions, and if the employee's actions were driven by the pure motive of providing for their family, it would not be condemned in this cultural context. Moreover, Islamic principles mandate that businesses adhere to a morally driven philosophy, preventing the deliberate concentration of wealth in the hands of a few (Ali et al., 2013). This underscores the importance of equitable distribution of wealth among employees, aligning with the notion that no individual should disproportionately profit compared to others. In China, the cultural context is heavily influenced by Confucian values, which emphasize the importance of social harmony, family, and filial piety, the act of obeying one’s parent’s wishes, taking care of them when they are old, and working hard to provide them with

3 material comforts, such as food, money, or pampering (Mack, 2019). It is Chinese custom to put family first, especially in business. Many companies in China practice nepotism first, which is frowned upon when done in the United States. Confucian ethical judgments are highly particularistic. Whether or not a behavior is ethical depends heavily on context and the relationship between the parties (Budd and Scoville, 2005). The determination of right and wrong is rooted in the practice of self-control, achieved through the suppression of desires or strict limitations on material comforts. Business practices often prioritize personal relationships over adherence to formal regulations (Wang, 2005). Chinese organizations significantly emphasize employee loyalty, considering it a crucial standard. Challenging or opposing any form of leadership or authority is culturally inappropriate. Consequently, stealing from a Chinese company would have severe consequences, as it violates the trust and loyalty integral to the organizational culture. Such a breach could lead to termination, but forgiveness, a prominent aspect of Confucianism (Wang, 2005), might offer a potential path forward if the employee expresses genuine remorse. In the United States, employees are expected to follow the rules of the company set forth by an employee handbook. There is very little room for judgment if the policies are followed correctly. Many companies in the United States have a progressive discipline policy that would tier the “punishments” to a series of warnings, such as verbal, written, and final, and then proceed with termination, depending on the severity of the violation(s). Theft for any reason in most companies would be considered an egregious violation regardless of the reason. The employee would be terminated for cause. Ultimately, examining cultural perspectives in addressing HR dilemmas, such as an employee resorting to theft to provide for their family, highlights the significant influence of

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