The debate around the value of work and how individual skills contribute to organisational success is based largely in tradition and expectation. The more recent issue regarding rewarding failure again is reduced to contractual obligation and matters of expediency. Underlying morality or consensual views of ‘value’ in the wider population are relatively rarely applied, although increasingly loudly heard. The criteria for effective performance are often mysterious and opaque for those at the very top, but rigorously applied to the wider society.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

? Issues of equity and fairness should form part of the discussion around overall
equality and inequality in wealth distribution. This can be considered at the unit,
organisational or national level, along with consideration of social responsibility
for sustainable development. The World Economic Forum debate provides a
useful insight into this.
? A key question in this domain is ‘what are we paying for?’ Consider what it is
that Ronaldo does, or that senior executives do, for which such large rewards are
garnered. The bullet list of lenses through which to view fairness could be used as
a starting point for such a discussion.
? Discussion around the nature of what is ‘valuable’ could take the form of a
balloon debate, where students present a case for the value of different jobs.
? Variations in the construction of fairness, from a political, social or cultural
standpoint can be highlighted and used to share understanding of difference.