Rushworth Kidder, Ethicist and founder of the Institute for Global Ethics, offers a comprehensive ethical decision-making model that fits the underlying parameters of the Parental Equality policy. Kidder proposes nine steps to clarify an ethical issue to arrive at an ethical decision. The first step involves the determination of and recognition that an issue exists. To that extent, gender inequality and discrimination in the workplace exists. It is a recognized issue, and Kidder would agree. The second step is identifying the actor. Lowe’s is the primary actor since their currently Maternity leave policy leads to gender inequality and contributes to gender discrimination in the workplace. The third step involves collecting “adequate, accurate, and current information” on the issue (Johnson, 2015). Relevant information was compiled and is expounded in the paragraph headed ‘Corporate Policy Support’. The fourth step is the gut-check or the test for right-versus-wrong. The Parental Equality policy easily passes this test since it stands on the side of higher ethical standards and greater social responsibility. No stakeholder is ethically wronged through its implementation. …show more content…
The fifth test pits two opposite core values against each other. The Parental Equality policy poses greater workplace equality against lower worker productivity and greater corporate expense. The deciding question here is; is the increase in gender equality and the improvement in family values more important than larger corporate profits? Based on the Moral Rights Approach of Emmanuel Kant and others, the answer is ‘yes’. In deciding the best approach, the decision is guided by the approach that “best protects and respects the moral rights of those affected” (Velasquez et al.,