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Lord Acton and Employment Doctrines: Absolute Power and the Spread of At-Will Employment

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  • James S. Bowman
  • Jonathan P. West

Abstract

This study analyzes the at-will employment doctrine using a tool that encompasses the complementarity of results-based utilitarian ethics, rule-based duty ethics, and virtue-based character ethics. The paper begins with a discussion of the importance of the problem followed by its evolution and current status. After describing the method of analysis, the central section evaluates the employment at-will doctrine, and is informed by Lord Acton’s dictum, “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.â€\x9D The conclusion explores the implications of the findings. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2007

Suggested Citation

  • James S. Bowman & Jonathan P. West, 2007. "Lord Acton and Employment Doctrines: Absolute Power and the Spread of At-Will Employment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 74(2), pages 119-130, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:74:y:2007:i:2:p:119-130
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-006-9224-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Anu Pynnönen & Tuomo Takala, 2018. "The Discursive Dance: The Employee Co-operation Negotiations as an Arena for Management-by-fear," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 147(1), pages 165-184, January.
    2. Albert D. Spalding & Gretchen R. Lawrie, 2019. "A Critical Examination of the AICPA’s New “Conceptual Framework” Ethics Protocol," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 155(4), pages 1135-1152, April.

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