Example: What We Owe to Our Parents and Employers From a Confucian HR Perspective

Instead of inheriting ideas from the European Enlightenment (1650–1780 A.D.), Chinese culture bears the legacy of philosophical traditions and moral values dating all the way back to the life and times of the philosopher Confucius (551–479 B.C.). Similar to virtue ethicists, Confucians believe that the path toward proper conduct and wholesome character involves cultivating good habits and virtues (or excellences of character), such as benevolence, moderation, and righteousness. Self-improvement means following the way (dao or tao) by attaining the virtues of jen (care of others), li (performance of rituals) and yi (comprehending what is appropriate). One of the most important routes toward realizing these virtues involves showing respect for the elderly, especially one’s parents. According to Confucian teachings, children owe their parents for raising them and, therefore, must not only express gratitude but also have an obligation to repay the parents for their kindness and generosity. Unlike countries in the West, China and other Asian countries have few nursing homes for the elderly, since children care for their parents in old age, consistent with the Confucian way. What are the implications of the Confucian belief that children owe their parents everything for HR practice? Should HR managers develop more flexible life–work initiatives and paid leave programs for Chinese employees taking care of sick parents? How does this commitment to parents extend to employers? Will paternalistic HR policies generate employee loyalty at a similar level of intensity?