Monday, December 18, 2006
Business Ethics
In light of the recent news items involving Swift and Company...
Some people have asked me about the organization that I am helping to found in Iowa. Back when I told you folks what it was I was up to, I mentioned it. Since the organization is in its infancy and really only getting off the ground, I thought I better give you an update.
Since this website has changed in look and blog title, some of the archival material isn't available anymore. Mainly because I'm lazy and don't want to sit and go through the code line by line to recover it.
Anyway, from back in August, I wrote this...
Well...it's different in many ways. Number one way is we have tougher standards to join. The BBB only has a few rules and pay the membership fee. They don't really investigate actual complaints much more than serving as a means to pass papers back and forth, but I'll get to that portion of the organization at a later date.
Among others, the Code of Conduct includes the following (highlights added):
With that in mind, I've written a Letter to the Editor to several papers regarding the issue of hiring illegal aliens. You see, I've always maintained that businesses (and the public) could be doing more to prevent the illegal hiring that is going on in our country these days. I have nothing against the actual aliens themselves, mind you, but this wouldn't be happening if we didn't have soft enforcement on behalf of authorities and a business and governmental climate that encourages it.
Anything to save a buck and bring lower cost goods to consumers. Again...nothing wrong with that, provided you do it legally. And hiring illegal aliens is...as it should be obvious to anyone...illegal.
To me, the lack of a good database for checking backgrounds is no excuse on behalf of Swift and other businesses that are doing it. To say that Swift and Company didn't know what they were doing is beyond belief. I could be proven wrong - technically - but I don't believe for one second that people in that company didn't know they had illegal aliens working for them. To the same degree, I don't believe the people of Marshalltown are all that "shocked" this was going on.
Total hypocrisy.
So, here is what I wrote. Let me know if you actually see it (or some form of it) in print:
Some people have asked me about the organization that I am helping to found in Iowa. Back when I told you folks what it was I was up to, I mentioned it. Since the organization is in its infancy and really only getting off the ground, I thought I better give you an update.
Since this website has changed in look and blog title, some of the archival material isn't available anymore. Mainly because I'm lazy and don't want to sit and go through the code line by line to recover it.
Anyway, from back in August, I wrote this...
The idea I've been working on is a place for consumers and other businesses to separate the wheat from the chaff. It's called, The Business Guild of Iowa...and it's a website and referral service for what I would like to call legitimate businesses. These are businesses that play by the rules, provide quality service and products, and back them up with integrity and honesty.Several of you have asked me about it and a few have wondered how it is different than something like, The Better Business Bureau.
Well...it's different in many ways. Number one way is we have tougher standards to join. The BBB only has a few rules and pay the membership fee. They don't really investigate actual complaints much more than serving as a means to pass papers back and forth, but I'll get to that portion of the organization at a later date.
Among others, the Code of Conduct includes the following (highlights added):
- Comply with the law in all matters of employment, hiring, and all relevant statutory requirements which may apply to the work they undertake regardless of any lax enforcement of these regulations.
- Members must be responsible for the actions of their own subcontractors, advisers, and agents.
- Members must uphold the standing of the Guild with a view to enhancing its support from clients and the general public.
With that in mind, I've written a Letter to the Editor to several papers regarding the issue of hiring illegal aliens. You see, I've always maintained that businesses (and the public) could be doing more to prevent the illegal hiring that is going on in our country these days. I have nothing against the actual aliens themselves, mind you, but this wouldn't be happening if we didn't have soft enforcement on behalf of authorities and a business and governmental climate that encourages it.
Anything to save a buck and bring lower cost goods to consumers. Again...nothing wrong with that, provided you do it legally. And hiring illegal aliens is...as it should be obvious to anyone...illegal.
To me, the lack of a good database for checking backgrounds is no excuse on behalf of Swift and other businesses that are doing it. To say that Swift and Company didn't know what they were doing is beyond belief. I could be proven wrong - technically - but I don't believe for one second that people in that company didn't know they had illegal aliens working for them. To the same degree, I don't believe the people of Marshalltown are all that "shocked" this was going on.
Total hypocrisy.
So, here is what I wrote. Let me know if you actually see it (or some form of it) in print:
The recent troubles with Swift and Company have caused many to wonder about the ethical values of some businesses in Iowa. While story after story informs us of the sad situation the many families affected are in, it is perhaps time to ask the same question of our business community.
Is the overwhelming desire to earn a profit causing us to lose focus on what is right and ethical? However easy and enticing it may be, it is against the law to employ illegal immigrants. Businesses should do more than simply the minimum in making sure they are following the law…not do so just because they are required to, but because it is in their own best interests.
Legitimate businesses who follow the rules are finding it difficult to compete with those who don’t. Many trade organizations and consumer groups aren’t much help either. Many don’t have much of a standard to join other than paying membership dues.
Due to lax enforcement of these and corresponding issues, proper employment taxes are going unpaid, workers are not protected, the public isn’t getting the quality they deserve, and our system is breaking down.
As a founding member of an organization that opposes such thinking, we think it’s time for legitimate businesses to stand up and provide an example. It’s time for those in business to lead instead of follow the letter of the law. Consumers should know the morals and ethics of the business they are thinking of patronizing.
The Business Guild of Iowa is one such organization. Inspired by the need to protect American values, workers and a standard of service, we have established a lengthy code of conduct that requires businesses to do more than just “toe the line” and meet the bare minimum set by the law.
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