Employees often differ in their needs for time off from work. Employees with small children, single parents, employees with health problems, and employees who are the primary caregiver for an elderly or infirm relative may need more time off, for example, than employees who are single with no dependents and in good health. In addition, one could argue that organizations should be responsive to these differing needs on ethical grounds. However, some might feel that the same expectations should apply to all employees regardless of their needs.

Discussion question: How can organizations take employees' personal need into account while at the same time ensuring that organizational members perceive that they are being treated fairly?