Question 1

If a firm decides to retain employees on the basis of longevity with the firm, and the retained employees are mostly of the male gender, then legally, the firm will not be violating any regulations.

Accepted Answer

From a legal perspective, the decision about whom to include in a downsizing effort must be carefully planned. If the firm's decision is based on some criterion that seems to be neutral on its face, such as seniority, but the plan results in a different impact on one group than another, the decision may be suspect. In this case of retention based on longevity, the effort may violate Title VII's prohibition against discrimination based on gender because the termination policy has a more significant-and negative-impact on women.

Question 2

Employees have a universal right to a "happy" workplace.

Accepted Answer

While no one is claiming that employees have some universal right to a "happy" workplace, a comprehensive review of research by Jeffrey Pfeffer suggests that effective firms are characterized by a set of common practices, all of which involve treating employees in humane and respectful ways.

Question 3

In legal contexts, due process is the right to be protected against the arbitrary use of authority.

Accepted Answer

Philosophically, the right of due process is the right to be protected against the arbitrary use of authority. In legal contexts, due process refers to the procedures that police and courts must follow in exercising their authority over citizens.

Question 4

The most important influence on workers' commitment is salary.

Accepted Answer

When asked about the greatest influence on their commitment, workers responded that the most important factor is fairness at work, followed by care and concern for employees-all key components of an ethical working environment.

Question 5

A mistreatment needs to be physically threatening to be termed as "bullying."

Accepted Answer

"Bullying" in the workplace is defined as "the repeated, malicious, health-endangering mistreatment of one employee . . . by one or more employees." The mistreatment need not be physically threatening, but might simply involve a boss who is constantly yelling dictates at workers, or a coworker who spreads rumors about another in order to sabotage his position.

Question 6

Philosophically, the right of _____ is the right to be protected against the arbitrary use of authority.

Accepted Answer

Philosophically, the right of due process is the right to be protected against the arbitrary use of authority. In legal contexts, due process refers to the procedures that police and courts must follow in exercising their authority over citizens.

Question 7

Rewards and compensation structures have no impact on the emotions of workers.

Accepted Answer

Rewards and compensation structures can clearly impact the emotions of workers, as can the composition of teams or the power relationships within a workplace.

Question 8

Employment security is the most significant aspect of work from the employee's ethical perspective.

Accepted Answer

Employment security-getting and keeping a job-is perhaps the most significant aspect of work from the employee's ethical perspective.

Question 9

Identify the correct statement about "bullying."

Accepted Answer

"Bullying" in the workplace is defined as "the repeated, malicious, health-endangering mistreatment of one employee by one or more employees." The mistreatment need not be physically threatening, but might simply involve a boss who is constantly yelling dictates at workers, or a coworker who spreads rumors about another in order to sabotage his position. These behaviors lead not only to emotional abuse but a complete loss of personal dignity, intimidation, and fear.

Question 10

"Sweatshops" lack even the most basic health and safety protections.

Accepted Answer

In some regions, employees lack even the most basic health and safety protections, such as in working environments that are often termed "sweatshops."

Question 11

Standards are fundamentally a social approach that can address public policy questions ignored by markets.

Accepted Answer

Standards can be set according to the best available scientific knowledge and thus overcome market failures that result from insufficient information. Standards prevent employees from having to face the fundamentally coercive choice between job and safety. Standards also address the first generation problem by focusing on prevention rather than compensation after the fact. Finally, standards are fundamentally a social approach that can address public policy questions ignored by markets.

Question 12

Some employers might decide to treat employees well as a means to produce greater workplace harmony and productivity. This approach is reminiscent of _____ ethics.

Accepted Answer

There are two very distinct, and sometimes competing, perspectives on the ethics of workplace relationships. Some employers might decide to treat employees well as a means to produce greater workplace harmony and productivity. This consequentialist approach could be reminiscent of the utilitarian ethics.

Question 13

When the employer is the government, constitutional limitations on government authority are extended into the workplace to protect employees.

Accepted Answer

When the employer is the government, constitutional limitations on government authority are extended into the workplace to protect employees.

Question 14

The "feasibility" approach to standards allows OSHA to make tradeoffs between health and economics.

Accepted Answer

When OSHA was first established, regulations were aimed at achieving the safest feasible standards. This "feasibility" approach allows OSHA to make tradeoffs between health and economics.

Question 15

The life of one who dies in a workplace accident has instrumental value that can be measured, in part, by the lost wages that would have been earned had that person lived.

Accepted Answer

The life of one who dies in a workplace accident has instrumental value that can be measured, in part, by the lost wages that would have been earned had that person lived.

Question 16

The doctrine of 'employment at will'(EAW) holds that unless an agreement specifies otherwise, employers are free to fire an employee at any time and for any reason.

Accepted Answer

Employment at will holds that, in the absence of a particular contractual or other legal obligation that specifies the length or conditions of employment, all employees are employed "at will." This means that, unless an agreement specifies otherwise, employers are free to fire an employee at any time and for any reason.

Question 17

It is discriminatory to refuse to hire someone about whom you simply have a "bad feeling," even if that bad feeling is not based on their difference in race or gender.

Accepted Answer

It is not discriminatory to refuse to hire someone about whom you simply have a "bad feeling," unless that bad feeling is based on their difference in race or gender.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is true about the right of due process?

Accepted Answer

Philosophically, the right of due process is the right to be protected against the arbitrary use of authority. In legal contexts, due process refers to the procedures that police and courts must follow in exercising their authority over citizens.

Question 19

Some employers emphasize the rights and duties of all employees, and treat employees well simply because "it is the right thing to do." Identify the ethical approach for this perspective.

Accepted Answer

There are two very distinct, and sometimes competing, perspectives on the ethics of workplace relationships. Some employers might treat employees well out of a Kantian sense of duty and rights, regardless of the either utilitarian or self-interested productivity consequences. This deontological approach emphasizes the rights and duties of all employees, and treating employees well simply because "it is the right thing to do."

Question 20

"Relative risks" is determined by comparing the probabilities of harm involved in various activities.

Accepted Answer

"Risks" can be defined as the probability of harm, and we determine "relative risks" by comparing the probabilities of harm involved in various activities.

Quiz 6: Ethical Decision Making: Employer Responsibilities and Employee Rights

If a firm decides to retain employees on the basis of longevity with the firm, and the retained employees are mostly of the male gender, then legally, the firm will not be violating any regulations.

Employees have a universal right to a "happy" workplace.

In legal contexts, due process is the right to be protected against the arbitrary use of authority.

The most important influence on workers' commitment is salary.

A mistreatment needs to be physically threatening to be termed as "bullying."

Philosophically, the right of _____ is the right to be protected against the arbitrary use of authority.

Rewards and compensation structures have no impact on the emotions of workers.

Employment security is the most significant aspect of work from the employee's ethical perspective.

Identify the correct statement about "bullying."

"Sweatshops" lack even the most basic health and safety protections.

Standards are fundamentally a social approach that can address public policy questions ignored by markets.

Some employers might decide to treat employees well as a means to produce greater workplace harmony and productivity. This approach is reminiscent of _____ ethics.

When the employer is the government, constitutional limitations on government authority are extended into the workplace to protect employees.

The "feasibility" approach to standards allows OSHA to make tradeoffs between health and economics.

The life of one who dies in a workplace accident has instrumental value that can be measured, in part, by the lost wages that would have been earned had that person lived.

The doctrine of 'employment at will'(EAW) holds that unless an agreement specifies otherwise, employers are free to fire an employee at any time and for any reason.

It is discriminatory to refuse to hire someone about whom you simply have a "bad feeling," even if that bad feeling is not based on their difference in race or gender.

Which of the following statements is true about the right of due process?

Some employers emphasize the rights and duties of all employees, and treat employees well simply because "it is the right thing to do." Identify the ethical approach for this perspective.

"Relative risks" is determined by comparing the probabilities of harm involved in various activities.