Utilitarian Analysis
In evaluating the actions of the West-Central Montreal regional health authority in coercing their employees into redeployment during a pandemic crisis, a utilitarian analysis would consider the overall utility or happiness that could be maximized from this decision. This assessment takes into account the well-being of all relevant audience members. The target audience for this rule includes physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and their workplaces. It also includes residents of senior homes, Montreal authorities, and Canadian citizens who may be affected by the transmission of COVID-19.
From a utilitarian perspective, the primary consideration would be the greatest good for many people. In this case, the Montreal Authorities would argue that redeploying their employees to assist medical colleagues during the pandemic is morally permissible to save lives and improve the overall health outcomes of the community. This reflects a utilitarian approach focused on maximizing society’s overall utility or happiness (McKenna, 2020). However, a utilitarian analysis should also consider the potential negative consequences of such actions. Forcing untrained employees with different areas of expertise to work could present health hazards, endangering both the employees and the patients they are responsible for. This raises ethical issues concerning the potential harm of this choice. Moreover, if employees are coerced into working in fields unrelated to their expertise, it could undermine the standard of care delivered, resulting in less favorable health results.
Regarding the utility calculus, the utilitarian analysis would involve weighing the potential benefits and harms of the Montreal Authorities’ actions. On the one hand, redeploying employees could increase the capacity to respond to the pandemic crisis, potentially saving lives and reducing suffering. This could be seen as a positive utility. However, on the other hand, the potential health risks to ill-prepared employees and compromised quality of care could lead to negative utility. Insufficiently trained or inexperienced employees in new roles might face difficulties in effectively carrying out their responsibilities, potentially resulting in patients receiving less than optimal care. This negative utility needs to be considered as well. Therefore, a utilitarian evaluation of the actions by the Montreal Authorities involves weighing the potential benefits of increased capacity against the potential harms of health risks and compromised care. Terminating physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists who decline to work in long-term seniors’ homes would be morally unacceptable, even if it means resolving a crisis.
Respect for Person Analysis
Negative means-end test:
According to the Respect for Person theory, it is important to consider the autonomy and dignity of individuals when making moral judgments. In the case of the West-Central Montreal regional health authority coercing their employees into redeployment during the pandemic crisis, it is necessary to analyze whether this action violates the principle of respecting persons and undermines the freedom and well-being of the parties involved. Compelling employees to perform tasks beyond their expertise, particularly when unprepared and exposed to health hazards, raises ethical considerations. Forcing employees to work in situations they did not opt for and lack sufficient training could undermine their autonomy. Additionally, subjecting individuals to potential harm without their explicit consent challenges the principle of respect for persons (McKenna, 2020). The negative means/ends test can be useful in evaluating the moral permissibility of the authority’s actions. This test asks whether adopting a particular rule or act would undermine the freedom and well-being of the parties involved. In this case, forcing employees into redeployment might compromise their freedom and well-being.
The authority may jeopardize their freedom to choose their professional practice by forcing employees to work in senior homes. This goes against the principle of respect for individuals as it limits their independence and personal decision-making. Furthermore, workers lacking proper training in a different industry could be exposed to higher chances of harm or might struggle to deliver the necessary quality of service. The possible health risks related to redeployment also put the employees’ well-being at risk. If individuals with unrelated specializations are exposed to hazardous conditions without proper training and protective measures, their physical and mental well-being could be significantly impacted. This violates the principle of respect for persons, as it disregards their safety and potentially endangers their overall health. Therefore, applying the Respect for Person theory and the negative means/ends test to the situation makes it apparent that coercing employees into redeployment without their consent when they are ill-prepared and subject to health risks may violate the principles of autonomy, dignity, and well-being. It is important to consider alternative approaches that respect the choices and safety of the employees while addressing the community’s healthcare needs during the pandemic crisis.
Positive means-end test:
Based on the positive means-ends test, if the West-Central Montreal regional health authority coerces their employees into redeployment to assist their medical colleagues during the pandemic crisis, it may lead to a failure to assist where such obligation exists. When considering the positive means-ends test, it is crucial to evaluate whether the proposed rule or act would hinder the fulfillment of a pre-existing obligation to assist (McKenna, 2020). In this case, the employees of the health authority required redeployment may be ill-prepared, subject to health risks, and have specializations unrelated to the tasks they are being coerced into performing. The obligation to assist during a pandemic crisis cannot be ignored, as it is paramount to help those in need. However, it is equally essential to ensure that those we employ to assist are adequately prepared and protected. Coercing employees who are ill-prepared and subject to health risks into performing tasks for which they have unrelated specializations may lead to a failure to provide the necessary and specialized care that individuals require during this critical period.
Considering the alternative rule, whereby the West-Central Montreal regional health authority uses a voluntary approach rather than coercion, a more appropriate and ethical solution may be achieved. By offering incentives and support systems, the health authority can encourage qualified employees willing and prepared to assist in the redeployment efforts. This approach would prioritize their safety and well-being while also ensuring the provision of competent and specialized care. In applying the positive means-ends test, it is apparent that coercing ill-prepared employees into redeployment may jeopardize the obligation to assist effectively during the pandemic crisis. By adopting a voluntary approach and providing adequate support to willing and qualified employees, the West-Central Montreal regional health authority can address the issue more ethically and responsibly. Therefore, it is not morally permissible for the West-Central Montreal regional health authority to coerce their employees into redeployment when they are ill-prepared, subject to health risks, and have unrelated specializations. Considering the positive means-ends test and evaluating the potential failure to assist where an obligation exists, it becomes evident that alternative approaches prioritizing voluntary participation and adequate preparation should be pursued.
References
McKenna, K. (2020, April 25). Montreal speech therapists, social workers threatened with firing if they refuse to work in seniors’ homes | CBC news. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/physios-social-workers-redeployed-montreal-1.5545292
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