Ethics of care in action: Overview of holistic framework with application to employee engagement

• Published in: Public relations review 2022-11, Vol.48 (4), p.102232, Article 102232
• Main Authors: Lemon, Laura L., Boman, Courtney D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied Model of Care Considerations; Dialog; Employee engagement; Ethics of care
• ISSN: 0363-8111; 1873-4537
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pubrev.2022.102232

At the heart of public relations is the act of creating relationships that facilitate dialog, collaboration, and ongoing trust. This paper aims to conceptualize a framework based on ethics of care (EoC) that harnesses these core underpinnings, which propel the public relations industry, to enhance employee engagement. The ethics of care applied to employee engagement (EoCAEE) framework combines the success found within the EoC phases, along with the landscapes presented in the Applied Model of Care Considerations (AMCC), to ensure ethical, holistic decision making. EoCAEE repositions employee engagement as an ethical practice for organizations to prioritize with actionable steps. •This paper aims to conceptualize a framework based on ethics of care (EoC) to enhance employee engagement•The ethics of care applied to employee engagement framework (EoCAEE) combines the EoC phases with the Applied Model of Care Considerations.•To aid in the evolution of EoC’s framework within work environments, the framework presents a fifth landscape to AMCC, the holistic landscape.•Consideration of the EoCAEE framework within employee engagement leads to an environment that facilitates a supportive organizational culture.