CONTINGENCY-BASED REWARDS: THE ETHICAL CONCERNS AND RESOLUTIONS

Contingency forms of pay, commonly referred to as pay-for-performance systems, tie employee compensation directly to their achievement of specific performance standards, goals, or outcomes. While this method can significantly motivate employees and align individual objectives with organizational goals, it can also introduce a range of ethical issues. Below, we explore some of these potential challenges and their implications for organizational integrity. Ethical Issues in Contingency Pay Systems Unfair Distribution of Rewards: A significant ethical concern arises when employees perceive the distribution of rewards as inequitable. For instance, two employees achieving similar outcomes but receiving different rewards can lead to feelings of favoritism or discrimination. This perceived unfairness can damage morale and lead to workplace conflicts. Conflict of Interest: When employees' rewards are closely tied to their performance metrics, the...