Juana Bazan
03/12/2023
Business 100 – Ethics Writing Assignment
While reading the assignment, the company that came to my mind was Target. Target has a storewide of products from clothes, school/office supplies, kitchen products, groceries, produce, furniture beauty supplies, etc. You can easily drive or walk to a target. Target is located almost anywhere in the U.S. I can easily order online any product I need now; target offers same-day delivery, scheduled delivery, or pick-up options.
Target is a general merchandise retailer with stores in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Target’s tagline is “Expect More, Pay Less”. However, there can be some controversies. The company’s policies regarding environmental sustainability, supply chain transparency, and employee rights can have some interesting findings and can be a topic of discussion. I will go over the steps toward sustainability and employee relations.
Target works to bring solutions that better serve the community and environment from their inclusive and sustainable product assortments and the increasing renewal energy footprint in their operations, social justice commitments, and philanthropic support. Target also has inadequate hiring practices which is one of the most common challenges encountered in the industry. Facilities that do not have a formal hiring process and controls have a higher risk of using unethical practices.
Target enforces the policy that no candidate can be hired until approved by Human Resources. During the responsible audit, personnel records are reviewed. Throughout the process, verification of established formal procedures ensuring reviews of age documentation, vetting of labor brokers, and safeguarding of high-risk candidates are undertaken. Additionally, Target closely monitors and collaborates with NGOs and other brands to identify and mitigate forced labor. Prioritizing the well-being of workers, according to the 2022 California Transparency in Supply Chains Act disclosure. Target explicitly articulates a zero-tolerance policy for underage labor. Target partners with Better Work and GoodWave which addresses underage labor and remediate cases of underage labor when found in the apparel and rug industries, respectively.
In all, the supply chain labor and human rights policies cover hiring practices, forced labor, underage labor, migrant labor, discipline, discrimination, working hours and time off, payment wages, grievance mechanisms, and training governance programs.
According to glassdoor, target employees’ reviews confirm that the wage is good, and the working environment is great too. “Genuinely want to see you grow and succeed in your career at Target. However, some state that Target had “poor management” creating more work and longer hours. Most employees identify the lack of management as a big con, not being able to get the appropriate training develops controversy between managers, leaders, and staff.
Overall, I feel that to become a more socially responsible and sustainable business, the company must focus on developing better management, and increasing training meetings for leaders, and managers supervisors. Implement bi-weekly meetings with staff to encourage and congratulate outstanding employees. The application of the general ethical principle will give Target a more sustainable business.
