Reign of Zero Tolerance Case

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Zero Tolerance Policy?

The main advantages of applying a Zero Tolerance Policy are that it prevents conflicting situations from happening in terms of providing a secure environment. Its main disadvantages it that it implies an automatic dismissal with no room for defense or improvement.

2. Under what conditions should this policy be applied?

It should be applied in very extreme conditions where the physical and mental safety of the workers is at stake. It should be applied in non-defendable situations such as drug use or carrying weapons. If you want to have a Zero Tolerance Policy, the company must not have any doubt on the wrongness of the behavior.

3. What do you thing about Melissa Dresser’s arguments?

She has a pretty solid argument where only extreme situations must be taken into account, she defends a very tolerant position and argues that Zero Tolerant Policy afflicted workers do not have any possible mean of defense.

4. Do you thing it would be managed in a different way in a European Company? Why?

We think that due to the EU legislation which is more concerned of democratic and social values than the U.S. probably Zero Tolerant Policy would not be very supported in European companies, nevertheless, it also depends on the type of company because if it is an American multinational company working in Europe it would have very similar policies that those of its headquarters.

5. Would you recommend a different approach? Explain it.

We think that Zero Tolerance Policies should be applied to very extreme situations because on the contrary it affects productivity of workers due to the constant fear of being constantly monitored and supervised. In less extreme situation if the policy is applied they should have the right to defend themselves and at least be heard.