The company is under investigation by the federal government because after going over the companies records they feel the company knew about the defective tires and sold them regardless of the dangers. This has been some really negative public relations for them. Now if you go to any tire retailer that sells Firestone they have some of their best and most expensive tires sale on. They are having some real trouble selling firestone's product this is going to put the company in a huge financial hole for many years. They not only have to replace every tire that is defective but the general public is under the impression that they knowingly sold defective tires.
Human relations are a big factor in an employee's, employer's and company's life.
If workers don't like the people they work with and feel under appreciated and over worked it will show in their productivity. Also if it is taken to extremes it could end in a courtroom settlement against the company as in the case of a sexual harassment case. The companies not only have to relate to its workers it has a huge responsibility to its customers too. If they sell defective or unsafe products then they are liable for that too.