Methods of ethical issues implemented in Apple: 1.

Labor and human rights: Apple doesnt allow suppliers to act unethically or in ways that threaten the rights of the workers-even when local laws and customs permit such practices. Apple is working excessively to end the excessive overtime. Their supplier code of conduct limits workweeks to 60 hours except in unusual circumstances and all overtime must be voluntary. To force these rules apple tracked work hours weekly at a handful of their suppliers, by doing so they could address the problems quickly with the suppliers who showed excessive hours. To solve the issue of underage labor and to eradicate it from the industry, Apple has a strict policy. They undergo regular audits of their suppliers and if they found any evidence of child labor, they demand an immediate corrective action by making the supplier return the underage worker to school and finance their education at a school chosen by the family. Moreover the children also continue receiving income matching what he/she received when he/she was employed. To ensure that the supplier continue to uphold their financial commitment and that the children remain in school apple conduct a regular follow up of the case.

2. Sourcing materials: Apple is committed to sing conflict free minerals. They have joined the publicprivate alliance for responsible mineral trade which is a joint initiative among governments, companies and civil society to support supply chain solutions to conflict minerals challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In an industry wide effort to help suppliers source conflict-free materials, we continue to align our program with Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, and we are working with the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI). The primary focus of the EICC and GeSI Conflict-Free Smelter programs is to certify qualified smelters as conflict-free through an independent third-party audit process. 3. Apples commitment to transparency: Because Apple believe in honestly sharing their findings For the past seven years, Apple made the effort to publish reports in the audits they performed in their supply chain.

4. Health & safety: To ensure the safety of workers , Apple in their suppliers code of conduct force their suppliers to provide proper protective gear, guardrails, safety harnesses, and other safety equipment, as well as comprehensive, up-to-date training for workers. They also conduct a specialized process safety assessment at certain supplier facilities. 5. Environmental responsibilities:

Apple pushes suppliers through the whole corrective action process, which included third-party audits under the supervision of local NGOs. This approach requires a high level of transparency and public participation. To ensure their standards and approach reflect material environmental issues, they work with independent organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE). They perform focused environmental audits at suppliers with processes that have higher potential for environmental impact and suppliers that have been identified in the past as violators of local regulations or Apples environmental standards. When they discover serious impact to the environment, they require the process to be shut down until they can be remedied. Moreover, to hold themselves accountable, they reference variety of external sources including the IPE pollution database, which highlights suppliers with environmental citations by local regulatory agencies in China.

Current ethical dilemmas: 1. Working conditions in suppliers factories versus low cost of production:

One of the most ethical dilemmas Apple continues to face is low cost and the working conditions of factories. Apple uses its dominant market position (buying power) to acquire these services at the lowest possible price, thus keeping the largest share of the profit for itself.

Even though workers are paid high salaries when compared to other workers working in the same working conditions, however this doesnt makes it better for the workers.

One example is Foxconn Apple's manufacturing partner. Foxconn employees work well over 40 hours a day, which averages out to around 12 hours in a typical shift. In addition to that, Foxconn places excessive overtime on their subordinates by having them work 7 days a week and up to 15 days straight without any time off in between. The employees of Foxconn had been working under hazardous conditions that resulted in many injuries. These working conditions lead two employees to commit suicide In 2010, 137 workers at an apple supplier in eastern china were injured after they were ordered to use a poisonous chemical to clean iPhone screens. Moreover, 77 people were injured and four killed in explosions at iPad factories in 2011.

2. Profits versus Environmental responsibility: Despite the steps taken by Apple to become a greener company , such as reducing its environmental impact at its facilities , the company admits that the majority of its emissions come from its product. In 2009 Apple stated that 97% of its emissions come from the life cycle of its product. Since Apples success depends on constantly developing and launching new products, Apple faces an ethical dilemma when it comes to the environmental impact of its products. Recommendations: 1. When it comes to working conditions , what I recommend is for Apple to join forces with authorities in those countries where health and safety violations are happening to force the implementation of an appropriate code of conduct to resolve the working conditions dilemma.

2. To resolve the issue of the impact of its products, Apple should make the process of producing the products more environmental friendly. Encourage people to recycle their old devices. And work on a having on a longer cycle than one year. Justice and common good tests:

When it comes to improving working conditions Apple have taken the following decisions: 1. The joined forces with Fair labor Association (FLA) in conjunction with Foxconn by establishing a code of conduct that ensures that suppliers maintain safe, healthy and environmentally sound facilities. 2. Foxconn is required bring its factories into full compliance with Chinese legal limits and FLA standards on working hours of 49 hours per week including overtime. 3. Both Apple and Foxconn will pay any worker due unpaid overtime. 4. Foxconn will also create compensatory agreement to protect employees from losing income caused by mandate for less overtime. By applying the justice test we can see that both Apple and Foxconn and bearing the burdens of this decision and it is fair distribution of the burden. Therefore, I believe Apples decision is an ethical decision.

Applying the common good test , the parts of common good involved in this decision is human growth, public safety. Both the society and the company benefit from the protection of these two common good aspects because with stable family and the safety of the employees comes production, without these employees the company wont be able to produce the parts required for the production of its devices. The proposed action doesnt conflict with this obligation , it actually promote them , by proving a better working conditions . therefore apple decision is ethical.

When it comes to the impact of its product on the environment the company took these following steps: 1. The company builds its products with materials that are suitable for recycling. 2. To encourage its customers to recycle, Apple has created a recycling program at its stores for old iPods, mobile phones, and Macs. Consumers that trade in their

old iPods can receive a ten percent discount on a newer version. Consumers recycling old Macs that still have value can receive gift cards.

Looking at this solution the distribution of the burden is not fair, although the company now produces products to be recycled , and encourages it customers to recycle by giving them gift cards and discounts , the company still have a short cycle by producing and launching new products each year. Therefore the company benefits more from recycling than the customers . I conclude that the decision undertaken by apple to solve this issue is unethical decision and the right decision is to promote recycling and having a longer cycle than one year.

When applying the common good test to this decision , the common good aspect involved in this issue is environment, the decision doesnt conflict with this common good aspect, in addition it promotes and encourages recycling that protects the environment , therefore I conclude that the decision was an ethical decision.

Creating an ethical policy for Apple: Apple Pledge to make sure : 1. Working conditions in its supply chair are safe. 2. Their manufacturing process and its product are environmentally responsible. 3. Their Suppliers comply and implement the laws of the countries in which they operate. To ensure the compliance of its suppliers with this code of ethics, the company has the following Standers that require its Suppliers to follow : Labor rights: 1. Working hours: Suppliers must not exceed the 60 hours limit of working hours unless in emergency. Overtime must be voluntarily. 2. Child labor: Suppliers are forbidden from hiring children. Suppliers should follow the minimum age set by the country they operate in it.

3. Wages: Suppliers shall pay workers the minimum wage required by the regulations of the country in which they operate.

4. Health and safety: Supplier shall not expose workers to situation where their health and safety is compromised. Health safety training must be conducted to train workers.

The Environment: Being environmentally responsible is the only way to maintain earth and nature. Suppliers must use materials that dont hurt the environment; Apple tries to make its process and products to be environmentally. Apple also works on encouraging its customers to recycle its devices.

The policy ensures that the company follows the right rules when it comes to working conditions and makes is a pioneer in the field of human rights and working conditions. Moreover , customers are getting more concerned about environment and are looking into buying products that a green and more environmentally friendly.

References :

"Two Faces of Apple." Two Faces of Apple. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. <http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/publicatio "Business: Ethical Dilemmas at Apple." Business: Ethical Dilemmas at Apple. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. <http://omibra.blogspot.com/2012/06/ethical-dilemmas-atapple.html>. "Apple supplier audit reveals child labour, environmental violations." Financial Post Business Apple supplier audit reveals child labour environmentalviolations Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. <http://business.financialpost.com/2012/01/13/apple-supplier-auditreveals-child-labour-environmental-violations/?__lsa=a13b-8daf>. "Leaders We Deserve." Leaders We Deserve. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. <http://leaderswedeserve.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/applesnew-leader-faces-ethical-dilemmas-at-foxconn/>.