In many organizations, some groups of employees typically have higher status than others. And sometimes the groups with the lower status feel they are not appreciated and are “second-class citizens.” For example, in hospitals, physicians generally have higher status than nurses; in universities, faculty typically have higher status than staff; and in law firms, partners have higher status than attorneys who are not partners and paralegals.
1. Think about the ethical implications of these kinds of status differences in organizations.
2. To what extent should groups with different status in an organization be treated differently, and to what extent should they receive equal treatment? Why?