Professional Documents
Culture Documents
20 April 2018
CASE STUDY
America, known as the land of the free and home of the brave. Where opportunities are
supposed bottomless and dreams are achieved. Though not known, are the stakes to getting to
such a place. Thousands of immigrants flock to America from a variety of different countries,
and when they finally reach the place for that new life. They work to the bone for it. Such as the
A Sweatshop is defined as “a shop employing workers at low wages, for long hours, and
under poor conditions,” (“sweatshop”.) These shops can take the form of single restaurant
chains, family-owned businesses, to large companies. The size of the business doesn’t matter
According to the Encyclopedia of Management, sweatshops have dated way back. As far
as the Spanish Conquistadors. There in Ecuador, the Spanish took advantage over the natives by
putting them to work for their new rulers. As long as there are people whom to abuse, and
2. Long Hours
3. Poor Conditions
These factors are important to the business side of the sweat shop. Let’s focus on number
1. Low Wages. This is a business man’s dream, being able to make the max amount of dollars
per product sold. According to McQuerry, the number one cost to a business is Payroll. By
limiting the biggest cost, the amount of saved money that could be spent in other ‘resources’ is
tremendous.
Next, is Number 2. Long Hours. Along with wanting to decrease how much the
employee’s make. An employer will also want to get the maximum amount of work from the
employee. Because the Employee no longer will make enough money, they will be required to
work longer periods of time to make up the difference. This is more of a side effect to number 1.
Finally, Number 3. Poor Conditions. This is left to speculation, as it is a wonder why any
human being is morally okay with the suffering of another. However, in 1993, The Workplace
Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations finally became law (UNISON National.) This ensured,
“minimum standards for workplaces and work in or near buildings.” A hope that sweat shops
However, this is not the case. Sweatshops remain a modern day crisis as businesses
continue to unfairly treat employees. I was lucky to sit down and interview a man named Juan,
who asked if his true identity could remain a secret for fear of consequences. Juan talked about
his current job at a local factory in Salt Lake City, Utah where he has been employed 12 years.
He spoke how he came to america 15 years ago, and was still defined as an ‘Illegal Immigrant’.
Juan said his dream was to raise a family away from the dangers that existed in Texcoco, a town
close to Mexico City. He had hoped to bring the rest of his family with him when he had the
funds necessary, but he is still saving. Juan believe he is working in a modern day sweatshop.
His current wage around $12/hr, even after 12 years. When he began, the company allowed for
as much overtime as one wanted. Juan remembers working 80+ hours a week during those days
and being alone in America he recalls was, “just enough to get by.” Since then the company has
a strict 60 hours a maximum per week. “I went to the bosses and asked for more money, but they
Juan’s case is just a drop in the sea of injustice that still exists today. In conclusion,
everywhere a business can make a quick buck, and there are people who can be taken advantage
ANALYSIS
The sources of the conflict reside in someone having more power over another person, or even
the system of which the person is under. People need money to survive and businesses determine
The differences have increasing values. The employee is working to live. Whereas the business
is producing to grow. Some people value the growth of a company over the lives of the
employees therein.
The power difference is simple. People need money to survive. An company/business determines
how much they will give for that employee. The company/business has more power than the
employee. Everyone wants to make money so therefore employees become expendable and
replaceable.
History plays an important role. The entire issue with slavery created a stigma that it is okay to
exploit others for money. Slaves have been acquired throughout history in order for mass
production of goods. It’s created a hardness of the heart that allows people to treat each other
indifferently.
I don’t think any conflict management strategies have been applied. I think people today are still
being abused by the system and are not treated fairly by employers. The employee can either be
to help the group and its members become more a part of the mainstream community?
I would recommend that those that are oppressed in a sweatshop learn the laws that have been
inplace to protect them. I would recommend they get to know the people in the appropriate
channels to help them as well. Such as Human resources. I would recommend them to not
yourbusiness.azcentral.com/top-5-business-expenses-11388.html.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/sweatshop>.
www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/economics-business-and-labor/labor/sweatshop
s#1G23273100289.
www.unison.org.uk/get-help/knowledge/health-and-safety/working-conditions/.