Decision-making in the recruitment process : ethical considerations

Abstract

This study looks into the decision-making element that is involved in the recruitment process, and aims to define and analyse the ethical concerns that may arise when an organisation is looking to recruit. The first chapter is devoted to different decision making models which focus on various factors that may affect one’s thought process. Subsequently the recruitment process is deconstructed and each step is analysed in order to uncover the ethical dilemmas that HR professional are faced with in the business world today. It will be argued that in order to have an ethical process, then the company itself must have an ethical culture, with ethical employees who have the right knowledge to spot and question the action that is about to be taken. The third chapter will focus on the qualities that make up ethical leaders and the role of an Ethics Officer in an organisation. Ethics Officers may be the key in solving most of the ethical issues that may arise on the workplace. Together with the HR team, the Ethics Officer can help to ensure that an ethical recruitment process is being observed in the organisation.