Causation is the first factor that is related to handing over of an erratic responsibility. Causation depends on the results caused by an act of omission or an act of commissions. Capability is another significant related factor. Greater capability is connected with greater responsibility. Other than this, in order to identify the degrees of ethical responsibility, knowledge and awareness are two other factors. If the need for action is recognized by the company, then only it can be held responsible for ethically.
Knowledge and awareness are connected with another factor that is proximity. This refers to the belief in comparison to groups that may be operating at a far distance; the actors close to the scenario are more likely to be cognizant. The concept of proximity depends on the subsidiarity principle that states that ethical responsibility must be offered to actors that are close to the circumstance.
A kind of responsibility chain is also formulated by the subsidiarity principle. If there are any ethical failures by the closest actors, then the subsidiarity chain can be passed down to other actors for ethical action.
Other than this, minimal required actions must be identified by ethical obligations. According to the required kind of action, the assessment of levels of ethical responsibility can also be carried out. A negative injunction is comprised of the general ethical mandate, i.e., do no harm. On the other end, affirmative actions, like, to provide assistance and to protect others are more positive ethical obligations.
With reference to the Kline’s criteria, it can be stated that responsibilities must be taken by the following companies in the case, i.e., Fortnum & Mason’s Tea, Yorkshire Tea, Twinings, Tetleys, Liptons, and PG Tips. As these plantation workers are responsible for supplying tea to these companies. Secondly, the responsibility must also be considered by the tea manufacturing organizations involving Assam Company and McLeod Russell who own these plantations. Third, the responsibility must be taken by the people living in that area and the media so that these ethical issues can be presented on a larger scale.
