Question 1

Emma secures an office job, but the contract of employment is 6 months. She is categorized as an "unclassified" employee, working full-time hours yet receiving no benefits. This is her fifth contract job in the last two years. Which of the following groups does Emma belong to?

Accepted Answer

Emma belongs to the "precariat," a social class formed by people suffering from precarity, which is the condition of existence without predictability or security, affecting material or psychological welfare. Specifically, the term is often applied to the condition of lack of job security, including the state of being on temporary or short-term contracts, which is Emma's situation.

Question 2

According to Ester Reiter's research on fast-food workers in Toronto, what were the workers trained to do?

Accepted Answer

Ester Reiter's research on fast-food workers in Toronto highlighted that workers were trained to maintain a friendly demeanor, continuing to smile regardless of customer behavior, as part of the service expectations in the fast-food industry.

Question 3

One outcome of the introduction of computers to the workplace is a reduction in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The introduction of computers has automated many repetitive and mundane tasks, leading to a reduction in the number of bad jobs, which are often characterized by low skill requirements and poor working conditions.

Question 4

In the middle of the 1800s, Willie was forced to close his blacksmith shop and get work in the new textile mill. According to the stages of labour market development model, which stage does Willie's situation characterize?

Accepted Answer

Willie's situation characterizes the stage of initial proletarianization, which refers to the process where individuals who were previously self-employed or working in small-scale, traditional industries (like blacksmithing) are drawn into the workforce of larger, more modern industrial enterprises (like textile mills). This shift often involves a loss of autonomy and the beginning of working under wage labor conditions.

Question 5

According to Human Resources Development Canada (2000), which of the following is an emerging growth sector in the Canadian economy?

Accepted Answer

Multimedia was identified as an emerging growth sector in the Canadian economy by Human Resources Development Canada in 2000, reflecting the increasing importance of digital content and technology in the economy.

Question 6

Jessie has a position as a front-counter worker at a fast-food chain. She often endures putdowns by older customers and ridicule by teens that go to the same school as her. Based on Reiter's research, how will Jessie most likely respond to these humiliations?

Accepted Answer

Reiter's research suggests that individuals in service roles, like Jessie, are likely to respond to humiliations or negative customer interactions with a strategy known as "service with a smile." This approach involves maintaining a positive demeanor and smiling at customers, regardless of how they are treated, as a way to uphold the service standards expected in their role.

Question 7

Silvio has low-wage employment where he works long hours, is regularly exposed to toxic substances, and is three times more likely to suffer an industrial illness than others in similar jobs. According to the textbook, in what industry is Silvio most likely employed?

Accepted Answer

Electronics assembly workers, especially in certain countries, often face long hours, exposure to toxic substances, and a higher risk of industrial illnesses due to the chemicals and processes involved in assembling electronic devices.

Question 8

Regarding the importance of skilled labour in the current economy, what did Braverman and Zuboff do in their analyses?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Regarding the importance of skilled labour in...

Question 9

According to the textbook, why do youth in particular have a difficult time accepting ridicule and humiliation in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Their personal values are contradicted by this treatment.

Question 10

Studies conducted at the Hawthorne plant of the Western Electric Company near Chicago demonstrated the need for a less dictatorial leadership style on the shop floor, and more attention to worker needs. What did this school of thought come to be known as?

Accepted Answer

The studies at the Hawthorne plant led to the development of the human relations school of management, which emphasized the importance of social factors in the workplace and the need for management styles that addressed the human needs of workers.

Question 11

Thomas had employment on an auto assembly line but left to enlist in the army, so he could fight Nazis. According to the stages of labour market development model, which stage did Thomas's pre-war employment situation characterize?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Thomas had employment on an auto assembly...

Question 12

Which of the following principles was advocated by the human relations school of management?

Accepted Answer

The human relations school of management, which emerged from the Hawthorne Studies in the 1920s and 1930s, emphasizes the importance of social factors in the workplace. It advocates for more attention to workers' feelings, attitudes, and relationships, thus promoting job satisfaction as a key to enhancing productivity and efficiency.

Question 13

Zoe works as a journalist, examining the employment situation in her province. She notices that the larger organizations tend to provide better pay, better benefits, and greater job security than the smaller businesses. What stage of the labour market development model is she observing?

Accepted Answer

Zoe is observing labour market segmentation, where the labour market is divided into separate segments, in this case, larger organizations offering better conditions compared to smaller businesses. This reflects a division based on job security, pay, and benefits.

Question 14

According to the textbook, which of the following is a major problem with the deskilling thesis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the textbook, which of the...

Question 15

Despite the importance of the deskilling thesis in capturing certain tendencies in the development of work, it does not paint a complete picture of work. Which of the following reflects what it misses?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Despite the importance of the deskilling thesis...

Question 16

David is a member of the Cree First Nation, and he has found work as a welder's helper on the oil pipeline in Northern Alberta. According to the labour market development model, what is the name of the setting he works within?

Accepted Answer

The secondary labour market typically includes jobs that are lower-paying, less secure, and often involve manual or unskilled work, such as a welder's helper.

Question 17

Medina and Aleksa both work full time sewing children's clothing. The factory Medina works in is unionized, whereas Aleksa's workplace is nonunionized. Based on research cited in this chapter, if Medina is earning $18 per hour, what is Aleksa earning?

Accepted Answer

Unionized workers typically earn more than their nonunionized counterparts. If Medina earns $18 per hour in a unionized setting, Aleksa, working in a nonunionized environment, would likely earn less, making $14 per hour a reasonable estimate based on the wage gap often found between unionized and nonunionized workplaces.

Question 18

Kate started her career as an assistant professor at a small university and has quickly moved up the ranks to become an associate professor. She is looking forward to becoming a full professor before she reaches age 40. According to the labour market development model, what is the name of the setting she works within?

Accepted Answer

Kate's career progression within a university context is indicative of the primary labour market, which is characterized by higher wages, job security, and opportunities for advancement, typical of professional and career-oriented jobs.

Question 19

Carlos is a recent immigrant from Guatemala, and he works most of the year in construction. When construction slows down in the winter, he plays music at a local lounge. According to the labour market development model, what is the name of the setting he works within?

Accepted Answer

Carlos works in the secondary labour market, characterized by lower pay, less job security, and fewer benefits, typical of jobs like seasonal construction work and informal music gigs.

Question 20

In which of the following respects are unions and professional associations alike?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which of the following respects are...

Quiz 13: Work and the Economy