Ethical Business

Question 1

What is ethical behaviour?

Answer 1

Doing the right or moral thing.

Question 2

Explain equal opportunities for staff.

Answer 2

• By law, when employing staff, businesses must not discriminate on grounds of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
• Businesses must be careful to treat all workers fairly. They must offer equal pay and promotion opportunities for women and ethnic minorities.
• Bullying and sexual harassment are not tolerated.
• It is unlawful for a business to employ illegal immigrants as ‘cheap labour’ and pay them ‘cash in hand’.
• All workers are guaranteed the National Minimum Wage (currently £6.70 per hour for adults).

Question 3

What will the Living Wage entail?

Answer 3

• It is different to the National Minimum Wage, but it is not law.
• It is a higher rate calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK, currently set at £8.25 per hour.
• Ethical employers can choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis
• 80% of businesses paying the living wage believe it has helped to improve the quality of work from their staff, while absenteeism had fallen significantly.
• But not all businesses can afford to pay the Living Wage. If they were forced to do so (by law) , it would probably lead to redundancies and staff losing their jobs.

Question 4

Explain carbon footprint and its effects on hospitality businesses.

Answer 4

• The measure of the greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a business.
• Harmful greenhouse gases contribute to global warming and climate change, which damage the environment.
• An ethical business that shows it is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint will attract customers who also have concerns about the environment.
• It is also an excellent opportunity to improve the efficiency of a business, thus saving costs and increasing profit.

Question 5

Name some ways that a hospitality business can reduce their carbon foot print.

Answer 5

Use ceiling fans instead of air-conditioning
Read newspapers online to avoid printing
Use local, seasonal ingredients in cooking
Buy energy efficient appliances
Use microwave ovens to heat food
Use rechargeable batteries
Close curtains in summer to cool rooms
Choose a ‘green’ energy supplier
Compost any waste fruit or vegetables
Encourage car sharing at the workplace
Grow your own herbs and vegetables
Use low energy lightbulbs
Install low-flow showers in bedrooms
Use refillable toiletries in bathrooms
Do not leave appliances on stand-by
Use laptops instead of desktop computers
Plant trees, not only do they provide shade and oxygen, they consume CO2 also
Recycle paper, glass and tin cans
Buy goods with minimal packaging
Do not print emails out unnecessarily
Encourage staff to walk or cycle to work
Install low-flow flushes in toilets
Use a cool wash to for sheets and towels
Turn the heating down by 2 degrees
Do not leave lights on in empty rooms
Consider using motion sensors for lights
Avoid using disposable plates and cutlery