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Running head: Xerox

Xerox: A Legal Compliance

Sara M. Brailsford
Dr. Gay Spencer
Strategic Human Resource Management
July 24, 2011

Abstract

This paper will discuss how human resource professionals can ensure that
top organizational leaders encourage managers and employees to follow laws and
guidelines. It will also discuss how hiring women and minorities improved Xeroxs
profitability, and identify the changes that Xerox made to become a more attractive
employer for women and minorities. Finally, it will evaluate whether or not hiring and
promoting women and minorities has been unfair to white men.

Business ethics is commonly described as the branch of ethics that examines

ethical rules and principles within a commercial context; the various moral or ethical
problems that can arise in a business setting; and any special duties or obligations that
apply to persons who are engaged in commerce(Merl,1991). Business ethics are very
important in a successful business. Human Resource Professionals are always urged to
practice a certain set of principles when conducting business. For a business to achieve
long-term profits, customer relationship is of utmost importance. To gain a long-term
relationship with customers and achieve customer return for the business, the business
needs to be based on ethics.
How can human resource professionals ensure that top organizational leaders
encourage managers and employees to follow laws and guidelines? A human
resource professional can talk to leaders of the company by addressing
federal laws, how important it is to follow the laws and how it will affect them
if they dont abide by the law. The Fair Employment Act required that all federal

agencies include in their contracts with private employers a provision obligating such
employers not to "discriminate against persons of any race, color, creed, or nationality in
matters of employment"(Merl, 1991 ). If a company somehow fails to abide by such laws,
possible sanctions could result and therefore hurt the reputation and profits of that
organization. A Human Resource Professional should ensure that leaders understand
these practices, and that in itself will motivate them to provide programs and make
policies to show that the organization has a working relationship that is not
discriminatory. Another thing HRM can do is to promote a safe work environment and
make sure leaders follow safe work practices and ensure their employees follow practice

as well. HRM can encourage leaders to implement some type of reward or incentive to
employees who follow safety rules. A safe work environment means that less disability
claims are filed and increased profitability.
How has hiring women and minorities improved Xeroxs profitability? According
to the text, by the 1970s, Xerox was aggressively hiring blacks and supporting a caucus
of black employees who met to network and discuss grievances. As feminism took hold,
Xerox's progressive attitudes on race made it especially receptive to changes(Stewart,
2008 ). David Kearns felt that these changes would help Xerox compete. It has been
consistently ranked as one of the top places for women to work and the stock continues to
soar due to its diversity. Kearns also felt that by hiring from a diverse pool of people it
would help not hurt the company. People from different classes view things in differenent
perspectives and new ideas and approaches always help a company succeed as proven by
Xeroxs rise. Xerox is a family friendly workplace and studies often show happy workers
equal positive results.
What changes did Xerox implement that made them a more attractive employer to
minorities and women? One of the first changes that Xerox made was in regards to the
amount of time in the office. The employees believed that they could complete their
tasks, be productive, and not be at the desk for hours. Xerox employees proved to be
productive by being proficient at what they do. This allowed them to keep the energy up
for the time they have at the job and have enough energy to complete the task at home.
Xerox also shows that they care that many women who work for them are mothers. The
organization reschedules meetings in order that a mother can take a child to a
pediatrician. By the 1970s, Xerox was aggressively hiring blacks and supporting a caucus

of black employees who met to network and discuss grievances. This type of support
enticed talented minorities to the organization. The company is routinely ranked among
the best places for women to work. The changes that were made early on in the company
for women and minorities help build the company and its stock.
Has hiring women and minorities created an unfair situation towards white men?
Xerox has proven to be a top place for minorities and women to work but what about
white men? The civil rights act of 1964 states that employers must give equal
opportunity employment, and not to discriminate against those who are of the protected
class. Protected classes such as women and blacks who make up a large portion of the
U.S. population did not have equal opportunities of being hired by employers in the past
(Merl, 1991) . Xerox took into consideration talent, education, and experience. They
strive to be a company that bases the hiring of potential employees on who is best suited
for the job. If they were the type of employer who discriminated against a white male
who was best suited for the job, they would be discriminating and breaking the law. The
success of the company speaks for itself. All classes of people are given the opportunity
to do the job best suited for them regardless of race.

References

Fair employment practices. (2000, October 1). In the GE Community.

Hardina, D. (2006). An empowering approach to managing social service organizations.
Springer publishing.
Merl E. Reed. Seedtime for the Modern Civil Rights Movement: The
President's Committee on Fair Employment Practice, 1941-1946 (1991

Stewart, G., & Brown, K. (2008). Human resource management: 2010 custom edition (1st
ed.).