You, a manager in one of the top IT firms in the country, are tasked with hiring new recruits for an upcoming project. You find that the company has given tacit instructions of not hiring female candidates in view of the new maternity law passed by the Government. You find this highly objectionable and lodge a protest with people in the higher management but they are firm as they want to cut down all the unnecessary costs. Based on this information, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the stakeholders and their interests in the situation. (b) What are the dilemmas that a recruiting manager may face in such a scenario? (c) What are the different options available to you? Which one will you pursue and why?

(a) Stakeholders and their interest in the situation

(i) Company and its interest According to business ethics the purpose of the firm is to generate profit by cutting down on cost. Viability of company will be an issue if higher cost are entailed. Along with it they also have to fulfill the social responsibility towards the people.

(b) Female candidates In such scenario they will be left out from job as they will not be allowed to take part in the process. This will be against the law as well as societal norms which aske for gender equality.

(c) Recruitment Manager and his interest As a manager the responsibility is to chose the best candidate. Along with it the responsibility of being fair to everyone is also their for company's and societal interests.

(iv) Government The interest is to protect the vulnerable section through legislation like this so that task of women empowerment could be fulfilled.

(b) Dilemmas that a recruiting manager may face

(i) Institutional integrity vs societal welfare The motive of the recruitment is to select the best candidate incurring minimum amount. This will increase profit. But along with it the issue of societal welfare is also there as the responsibility of companies towards the society is large as it uses the resources for the benefit of all.

(ii) Personal vs professional ethics As a person I am against such thing but my private ethics will have a conflict with professional ethics of following order, cost cutting, profitability etc.

(iii) Legality vs Ethicality Though rejection of women can be done on the basis that they are not good enough as compared to other candidates without incurring any legal provision. But on side of ethics this will be wrong.

(iv) Ethics of business vs business ethics A conflict of profitability and ethical business practices is there.

(c) Options available to me (i) Dont recruit the female candidate

Merit - Following orders

• Profitability of company

Demerit - Not upholding rule of law

• Unethical business practice

(ii) Go on leave to avoid conflict of Interest

Demerit - Running away from responsibility

• No solution to prob

Merit - Avoiding Conflict of Interest

Option I will take:

• I will ask the interviews to be conducted under CCTV and recorded for future purpose.
• I will take the interview of female candidate and if competitive I will hire her.
• I will try to convince to my higher authorities about the diversity they can bring in to institution. Along with that I will also tell them that if it comes out in public company's reputation will go down. By hiring the women an example could be set as this will lead to good image of company.
• Meanwhile I will also keep the record in case of any action against me.