Anyone who bothers to read the “About Me” page would know that my ex-employer NEVER bothered to pay for my Accident & Emergency and initial medical fees when I hurt my right hand at work (I worked in a framing shop).  My ex-employer’s daughter was even sarcastic and suggested that I had hurt my hand while I SLEPT (and that I should have a camera switched on while I slept)!  April 2008 marked a change in labour laws (too late for me cos my hand injury was months before April 2008) that not only protected maids and construction-workers, but also managers and executives.  So, it’s not a surprise that I made it a point ….

to BOYCOTT anyone or any organisation that is unethical.  (Yes, my ex-employer is one of them.)

However, I do have a question with regards to unethical ONLINE WEB BUSINESSES.

Bloggeries.com has a (forum) thread that says,”I’ve removed all Amazon links from my blog as a result and won’t support them again. “  Apparently, TimeOnline has the full news of Amazon ill-treating sick staff!

I am already thinking whether I should STOP “spinning” songs and music via Blip.fm (actually it’s a very nice site to share your fav music with others without having to upload the music online). Because the BUY links on Blip.fm link to Amazon.com without rewards back to us music-spinners (DJs).  Blip.fm may view it as fully ethical as it’s in return for public DJs to broadcast music they (I) like.

What do you think?  Should I stop using Blip.fm? Blip.fm has not been unethical in other ways but they seem to support organisations whose management think they own staff and can treat them anyway they want.  Does “Birds of the same feathers flock together.” apply for online and offline relationships?

From a consumer’s viewpoint: Beware of companies selling you stuff that say they are safe when in fact they are not!

From an author’s viewpoint (whose books/products are listed on Amazon.com): It’s better to place my eggs in different baskets!

From an entrepreneur’s viewpoint: Bloggers’ boycott may only place a small dent on Amazon’s bottomline but entrepreneurship should also be about good ethics.  It just goes to prove that companies who hire the “wrong” staff DO SUFFER.  Robinsons (Department Store) suffered recently due to a government fine because operational management ignored safety procedures in relations to placing cargo/boxes that blocked fire exits of shopping centre buildings.  The Singapore Flyer suffered recently due to ignorance of secondary engine or other reasons (some of their Singaporean managers is very arrogant – my first-hand experience with them before The Singapore Flyer officially opened).  What do you think Jeff Becoz of Amazon.com should do?

What’s your viewpoint?

Share