Human Resource Management, 12e (Dessler)
Human Resource Management, 12e (Dessler)
Chapter 14 Ethics, Justice, and Fair Treatment in HR Management
1) The principles of conduct governing an individual or a group are referred to as ________.
A) judgments
B) norms
C) ethics
D) laws
E) virtues
Answer: C
Explanation: Ethics refers to "the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group; specifically, the standards you use to decide what your conduct should be."
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 506
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
2) When someone concludes that something is good or bad, right or wrong, a(n) ________ has been made.
A) moral assessment
B) non-normative statement
C) normative judgment
D) distributive assessment
E) affective attitude judgment
Answer: C
Explanation: Making ethical decisions always involves normative judgments. A normative judgment means that something is good or bad, right or wrong, better or worse.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 506
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
3) Ethics refers to the ________.
A) basic beliefs about what is right or wrong
B) values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share
C) principles of conduct governing an individual or group
D) standards used by the organization to decide upon proper conduct
E) standards of behavior accepted by society
Answer: C
Explanation: Ethics refers to "the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group; specifically, the standards you use to decide what your conduct should be. A normative judgment means that something is right or wrong. Morals are society's highest accepted standards of behavior.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 506
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
4) Which of the following is a normative statement?
A) "Sam is wearing a business suit for today's meeting."
B) "Our company offers health insurance for employees and their families."
C) "The benefits offered by the company are exceptional compared to competing companies."
D) "The company's revenue in 2003 was approximately $1.2 billion."
E) "Employees are eligible to receive benefits after a 60 day period."
Answer: C
Explanation: A normative judgment means that something is good or bad, right or wrong, better or worse. Choice C offers an opinion, so it is a normative judgment. Choices A, B, D, and E are factual statements.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 506
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 1
Objective: 1
Skill: Application
5) What are the two components of ethical decisions?
A) distributive justice and procedural justice
B) normative judgments and legal precedents
C) morality and normative judgments
D) moral awareness and common law
E) morality and fairness
Answer: C
Explanation: Making ethical decisions always involves normative judgments and morality. A normative judgment means that something is good or bad, right or wrong, better or worse. Morality is society's highest accepted standards of behavior.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 506
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
6) Which of the following best describes a normative judgment?
A) assessment of whether something is good or bad
B) values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share
C) principles of conduct governing an individual or group
D) standards used by the organization to decide upon proper conduct
E) highest accepted standards of behavior in a society
Answer: A
Explanation: A normative judgment means that something is right or wrong. Morals are society's highest accepted standards of behavior. Ethics refers to principles of conduct governing an individual or a group.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 506
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
7) Which of the following guides the most serious societal behaviors such as murder, stealing, and slander?
A) normative judgments
B) ethical conclusions
C) distributive justice
D) human rights
E) moral standards
Answer: E
Explanation: Moral standards guide behaviors of the most serious consequence to society's well-being, such as murder, lying, and slander. Moral judgments trigger strong emotions, and violating moral standards may result in shame and remorse.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 506
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
8) According to surveys, which of the following is the most commonly observed unethical behavior in the workplace?
A) misuse of confidential information
B) abusive behavior towards workers
C) falsification of financial records
D) e-mail or Internet abuse
E) sexual harassment
Answer: B
Explanation: Abusive or intimidating behavior towards employees is the most commonly observed unethical behavior in the workplace according to surveys. Choices A, C, D, and E occur as well but with less frequency.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 506
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
9) What are the two components of organizational justice?
A) distributive justice and normative judgments
B) procedural justice and distributive justice
C) normative justice and ethical treatment
D) interactional justice and morality
E) interpersonal justice and fairness
Answer: B
Explanation: Experts generally define organizational justice in terms of at least two components—distributive justice and procedural justice. Distributive justice refers to the fairness and justice of the decision's result. Procedural justice refers to the fairness of the process.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
10) Which component of organizational justice refers to the fairness and justice of a decision's result?
A) distributive justice
B) procedural justice
C) interactional justice
D) normative justice
E) interpersonal justice
Answer: A
Explanation: Distributive justice refers to the fairness and justice of the decision's result. Procedural justice refers to the fairness of the process.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
11) The distributive justice component of organizational justice is best defined as the ________.
A) fairness of the decision process
B) fairness of the decision's result
C) manner in which the decision is made
D) degree to which the decision is moral
E) extent to which the decision is good or bad
Answer: B
Explanation: Distributive justice refers to the fairness and justice of the decision's result. Procedural
justice refers to the fairness of the process.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
12) Which component of organizational justice refers to the fairness of a process?
A) distributive justice
B) procedural justice
C) interactional justice
D) normative justice
E) interpersonal justice
Answer: B
Explanation: Distributive justice refers to the fairness and justice of the decision's result. Procedural
justice refers to the fairness of the process.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
13) Which of the following best defines procedural justice?
A) fairness of a decision's result
B) manner in which firms conduct business
C) fairness of the process used to make a decision
D) manner in which managers treat subordinates
E) the extent to which a decision is good or bad
Answer: C
Explanation: Distributive justice refers to the fairness and justice of the decision's result. Procedural
justice refers to the fairness of the process.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
14) Based on research into ethical behavior in the workplace, which of the following is a true statement?
A) Offering rewards for ethical behavior supports the intrinsic nature of personal ethics.
B) Punishing unethical behavior fails to alter the behavior of others in the workplace.
C) Managers significantly influence the ethical behavior of their subordinates.
D) People typically maintain their moral compasses when they join a firm.
E) Employees feel uncomfortable discussing ethics, so it should be avoided.
Answer: C
Explanation: Managers do a lot to influence ethics. According to one report, workplace misconduct dropped dramatically when employees said their supervisors exhibited ethical behavior. Rewarding ethical behavior can backfire, while punishing unethical behavior is essential. People alter their moral compasses when they join a firm, and discussing ethics openly is beneficial.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 508-509
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
15) Which of the following terms refers to the characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share?
A) organizational culture
B) organizational climate
C) organizational ethics
D) corporate climate
E) corporate mission
Answer: A
Explanation: Organizational culture is the characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share. A value is a basic belief about right and wrong.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 509
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
16) Which of the following best defines organizational culture?
A) basic beliefs about what is right or wrong within a business or corporation
B) characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a firm's employees share
C) principles of conduct governing an individual, group, or company
D) standards used by an organization to determine proper conduct
E) standards of behavior accepted by society and its businesses
Answer: B
Explanation: Organizational culture is the characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's
employees share. A value is a basic belief about right and wrong.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 509
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
17) Which of the following best defines values as they relate to organizational culture?
A) characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share
B) standards used by the organization to decide upon proper conduct
C) principles of conduct governing an individual or group
D) basic beliefs about what is right or wrong
E) standards of behavior accepted by society
Answer: D
Explanation: A value is a basic belief about right and wrong. Organizational culture is the characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 509
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
18) According to research, which of the following has the greatest impact on work-related ethical decisions?
A) organizational characteristics
B) environmental pressures
C) management attitudes
D) corporate procedures
E) personal inclinations
Answer: E
Explanation: Researchers concluded that personal inclinations more strongly affected decisions than did environmental pressures or organizational characteristics. Managers have a significant influence over ethics in the workplace, but less than an individual's own morality.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 509
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
19) As a manager, all of the following are methods that you should use to shape the ethical behavior of subordinates EXCEPT ________.
A) clarifying expectations
B) serving as a role model
C) rewarding honest work
D) taking credit for others' work
E) penalizing workers' wrongdoings
Answer: D
Explanation: Taking credit for others' work is one way that managers lead subordinates towards unethical behavior. Managers need to set good examples, clarify expectations, reward honesty, and penalize wrongdoing.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 509-510
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Application
20) Johnson & Johnson has a corporate ethics code that states "We believe our first responsibility is to the doctors, nurses and patients, to mothers and fathers and all others who use our products and services." What is the most likely purpose of Johnson & Johnson's ethics code?
A) providing physical support for managers
B) establishing disciplinary procedures
C) providing incentives for employees
D) clarifying expectations for employees
E) marketing to potential customers
Answer: D
Explanation: Johnson & Johnson's ethics code clarifies the firm's expectations with respect to the values it considers critical. The firm expects its employees to follow the ethics code, but it does not clarify disciplinary procedures or offer incentives.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 510
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Application
21) When a company rewards employees who behave ethically using the firm's incentive plan and appraisal system, they are ________ to encourage ethical behavior.
A) providing physical support
B) using stories
C) organizing ceremonies
D) clarifying expectations
E) using symbols
Answer: A
Explanation: Provide physical support. The physical manifestations of the manager's values—the incentives, appraisal criteria, and disciplinary procedures he or she uses, for instance—send strong signals regarding what employees should and should not do.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 510
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
22) Which of the following terms refers to a firm without any procedures for diminishing bad behavior?
A) fraudulent corporation
B) unethical organization
C) misguided company
D) ethically toxic company
E) corporate toxin
Answer: D
Explanation: An ethically toxic company is one in which all the usual procedures that normally diminish bad behavior are simply missing. For example, managers pressure or even reward employees for bad behavior or no one publicizes ethical standards.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 511
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
23) According to surveys, which of the following is the primary cause of ethical compromises in the work place?
A) feeling peer pressure
B) meeting schedule pressures
C) helping the business survive
D) advancing a boss' career interests
E) advancing personal career interests
Answer: B
Explanation: Being under the gun to meet scheduling pressures was the number-one reported factor. For most of these employees, "meeting overly aggressive financial or business objectives" and "helping the company survive" were the two other top causes. "Advancing my own career or financial interests" ranked toward the bottom.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 511
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
24) All of the following are methods used by companies to prevent ethical compromises by employees EXCEPT ________.
A) instituting ethics hotlines
B) providing ethics training
C) penalizing whistleblowers
D) establishing codes of conduct
E) providing ethics training
Answer: C
Explanation: Ethics training and codes of conduct are ways of discouraging unethical behavior. Whistleblower policies can help reduce employer unethical behaviors. Whistleblowers
are employees, who report incidents of unethical behavior to company ethics officers.
While many employers fear whistleblowers, others encourage them, for instance, by instituting ethics hotlines.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 511-512
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
25) Which of the following requires companies to declare whether they have a code of conduct?
A) Taft-Hartley Act
B) Landrum-Griffin Act
C) Norris-LaGuardia Act
D) Davis-Bacon Act
E) Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Answer: E
Explanation: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (passed after a series of top corporate management ethical lapses) requires companies to declare whether they have a code of conduct. The other legislative acts are not related to corporate ethics.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 512
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
26) Which of the following memorializes the standards by which the employer expects its employees to adhere?
A) ethics code
B) ethics test
C) corporate code
D) mission statement
E) employee handbook
Answer: A
Explanation: An ethics code memorializes the standards to which the employer expects its employees to adhere, for instance with respect to bribery. All publicly traded companies in the United States should have one.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 512
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
27) A selection interview would most likely be considered unfair if a manager ________.
A) involved two-way communication
B) assessed applicants with consistency
C) focused on personality issues
D) included an appeals process
E) measured job-related criteria
Answer: C
Explanation: The screening process should focus on job-related criteria rather than personality issues. Applicants should have a chance to demonstrate competence and appeal decisions. Two-way communication is essential to screening applicants.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 512
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Application
28) What is the most likely reason for more firms providing ethics training to employees?
A) Universities do not require all students to enroll in ethics courses.
B) Employees seeking professional certification are tested on ethics.
C) State laws require businesses to have written codes of conduct.
D) Businesses fear being sued by customers for ethical misconduct.
E) Federal laws encourage firms to comply with ethics training guidelines.
Answer: E
Explanation: For all practical purposes, ethics training is mandatory. Federal sentencing guidelines
reduced penalties for employers accused of misconduct who implemented codes of conduct and ethics training. An amendment to those guidelines now outlines stricter ethics training requirements.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 512
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Application
29) Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment.
Health-Tech's HR department has devised a brief ethics test for employees to use when determining if their actions match Health-Tech's code of conduct. Which of the following questions is LEAST likely to be included on the ethics test?
A) Do these actions match Health-Tech's core values?
B) What Health-Tech employees will be affected by my actions?
C) Will my actions reflect negatively on the image of Health-Tech?
D) Would I perform this action if I worked for a Health-Tech competitor?
E) Is the action I am about to perform on behalf of Health-Tech a legal one?
Answer: D
Explanation: Choices A, B, C, and E are relevant questions for an employee to ask when evaluating the ethics of a decision made on behalf of Health-Tech. It is less relevant to ask if the action would be taken if the person worked for another firm because the other firm's values and ethics are not the issue.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 512
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Critical Thinking
30) Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment.
Which of the following, if true, best supports the argument that Health-Tech should utilize online ethics program software?
A) Health-Tech executives want to quantify the types of ethical issues that are most common at the firm in order to provide the most relevant training to employees.
B) Health-Tech managers are required to monitor the computer usage of subordinates to determine their levels of productivity.
C) Health-Tech discusses its code of conduct during employee orientation and also provides new employees with the firm's handbook.
D) The Health-Tech web site provides dismissed employees with outplacement counseling and job posting links.
E) The Health-Tech legal department requires the firm to post its ethics code and hiring procedures on the firm's web site to prevent legal problems.
Answer: A
Explanation: Online ethics program software enables firms to keep track of how well a firm and its employees are doing in terms of maintaining ethical standards. Such software would allow managers at Health-Tech to measure what ethical issues are most common in order to determine the most relevant training.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 513-514
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Critical Thinking
31) When do most firms provide employees with ethics training?
A) after employees have taken sabbaticals
B) during employee orientation sessions
C) after employees receive promotions
D) during annual company conferences
E) after annual performance appraisals
Answer: B
Explanation: Almost 90% of employers convey their ethics codes during new hire orientation sessions. Other firms provide ethics training during annual training sessions or during new employee follow-up sessions.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 514
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Concept
32) Which of the following is the most common method of providing ethics training to employees?
A) requiring participation in videotaped ethics programs
B) e-mailing copies of the firm's ethics newsletter
C) distributing copies of company policies
D) developing monthly ethics podcasts
E) offering online ethics assistance
Answer: C
Explanation: Distributing copies of company policies or ethics handbooks are the most commonly used methods of conveying a firm's ethics to its employees. However, some firms use ethics newsletters or provide online assistance.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 514
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Concept
33) Which of the following supervisory actions is LEAST likely to enhance the perception of fairness?
A) asking employees for their input
B) making more normative than nonnormative statements
C) allowing employees to participate in decisions that affect them
D) ensuring that employees understand the reasons for a decision
E) making sure that employees understand the standards by which they will be judged
Answer: B
Explanation: The number of normative or nonnormative statements made by a supervisor has little influence on the perception of fairness. Supervisors should involve employees in decisions that affect them, ensure that employees understand the reasoning behind decisions, and make sure everyone knows in advance what standards are expected.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 516
AACSB: Communication
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Application
34) Employers can foster perceptions of fairness through all of the following methods EXCEPT ________.
A) distributing opinion surveys
B) establishing employee hotlines
C) focusing on two-way communication
D) addressing the big picture instead of specific details
E) involving employees in the decision-making process
Answer: D
Explanation: Employers who foster two-way communication and focus on the specifics of a decision are more likely to be perceived as fair. Opinion surveys and hotlines help employees air concerns. Involving employees in decisions also helps enhance the perception of fairness.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 516
AACSB: Communication
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Application
35) Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment.
Which of the following best supports the argument that Health-Tech should establish an employee hotline?
A) Health-Tech monitors its employees phone calls and Internet usage to protect itself from lawsuits and ethical violations.
B) Independent contractors working for Health-Tech are not allowed to work for the firm's competitors, which angers most contractors.
C) Exit interviews at Health-Tech indicate that employees feel uncomfortable about raising ethics concerns with managers.
D) Health-Tech managers have been reluctant to terminate disruptive employees for fear of lawsuits.
E) Unsatisfactory performance is the primary reason for employee dismissals at Health-Tech.
Answer: C
Explanation: Employee hotlines are used by firms to provide employees with an anonymous method of bringing questions or problems to management's attention. Employees who feel uncomfortable raising concerns with managers or fear retribution for doing so would benefit from a hotline.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 516
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Critical Thinking
36) Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment.
Which of the following best supports the argument that Health-Tech should make significant changes to its disciplinary process?
A) According to surveys, Health-Tech employees feel that managers do not listen to their concerns or take their opinions seriously.
B) Health-Tech requires employees to receive annual ethics training to ensure that they understand the firm's latest policies.
C) Health-Tech's main competitor uses fictional scenarios to test applicants' morality and has fewer ethics problems than Health-Tech.
D) Health-Tech assigns decision-making leave to employees who repeatedly fail to comply with company rules.
E) Historically, arbitrators have overturned the dismissal decisions of Health-Tech's managers because of unclear company rules.
Answer: E
Explanation: Arbitrators are more likely to overturn employers' decisions when the employer fails to have clear rules and regulations. Choice D indicates the firm uses nonpunitive punishment methods.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 517
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Critical Thinking
37) Which of the following is the primary element of properly developed disciplinary procedures?
A) electronic employee monitoring
B) clearly established rules
C) anonymous surveys
D) legal representation
E) severe penalties
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper disciplinary procedures require employers to clearly specify rules and expectations of behavior, otherwise employees do not know what is required of them. Severe punishment and legal assistance may be required in some cases but not all.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 517
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
38) Which of the following suggests that when a woman fails to act as anticipated, men and women will treat her more harshly than if a man had acted in the same manner?
A) glass ceiling
B) evil woman thesis
C) gender role error
D) self-serving bias
E) fundamental attribution error
Answer: B
Explanation: The Evil Woman Thesis argues that women who commit [certain] offenses violate stereotypic assumptions about the proper behavior of women. These women will [then] be penalized for their inappropriate sex role behavior in addition to their other offenses." In other words, it argues that when a woman doesn't act the way other men and women think she should act, the men and women tend to overreact and treat her more harshly than they might if a man committed it.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 517
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
39) In which organizational document are an organization's rules and regulations usually stated?
A) employee handbook
B) code of ethics
C) sexual harassment training guide
D) incorporation papers
E) human resource policy manual
Answer: A
Explanation: Upon hiring, tell employees, preferably in writing, what is not permitted. The employee handbook usually contains the rules and regulations.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 518
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
40) Which of the following terms refers to discipline without punishment?
A) traditional discipline
B) democratic punishment
C) nonpunitive discipline
D) corporal punishment
E) positive discipline
Answer: C
Explanation: Nonpunitive discipline is discipline without punishment. It usually involves a system of oral warnings and paid "decision-making leaves" in lieu of more traditional punishment.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 520
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
41) Employees at R&R Carpet and Tile are allowed to take one-hour lunch breaks. Todd's assistant, Suzanne, took a two-hour lunch break today without prior approval. Suzanne has never broken any other rules since being employed by the company. R&R has a nonpunitive discipline policy. Which of the following will most likely be Todd's response to Suzanne's violation?
A) issuing a formal written reminder to Suzanne
B) giving Suzanne a one-day leave with pay
C) telling Suzanne that she is dismissed
D) issuing an oral reminder to Suzanne
E) docking Suzanne's paycheck
Answer: D
Explanation: The first step in nonpunitive discipline is issuing the employee an oral reminder. After that, a formal written reminder, decision-making leave, and the employee's dismissal are appropriate.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 520
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Application
42) Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment.
Which of the following undermines the argument that Health-Tech should shift from a traditional discipline system to a non-punitive discipline system?
A) The most common employee discipline situations at Health-Tech involve theft or physical altercations.
B) Health-Tech has already modified its hiring process to include ethics tests when screening job applicants.
C) A court ruled in a wrongful discharge case against Health-Tech that the employee handbook served as an implied contract.
D) Frequent tardiness is the primary infraction among Health-Tech employees who receive decision-making leave.
E) During Health-Tech performance appraisals, managers review an employee's discipline record throughout his or her career.
Answer: A
Explanation: A non-punitive discipline program is not appropriate for serious issues, such as criminal activity or fighting. In such cases, immediate dismissal is typical. Non-punitive discipline is more appropriate for tardiness or absenteeism. Decision-making leave is one of the steps in nonpunitive discipline.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 520
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Critical Thinking
43) Which of the following is NOT one of the four points of the hot stove rule?
A) impersonal
B) immediate
C) consistent
D) feedback
E) warning
Answer: D
Explanation: Supervisors traditionally apply the four points of what they call the "hot stove rule" when applying discipline. When touching a hot stove that says, "Don't touch," the person has a warning, and the pain is consistent, impersonal, and immediate.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 520
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
44) Which of the following is NOT one of the four types of privacy violations upheld by courts?
A) intrusion
B) drug testing
C) disclosure of medical records
D) publication of private matters
E) appropriation of an employee's name for commercial purposes
Answer: B
Explanation: The four main types of employee privacy violations upheld by courts are intrusion, publication of private matters, disclosure of medical records, and appropriation of an employee's name or likeness for commercial purposes. Drug testing employees is legal.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 520
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
45) Which of the following involves using fingerprints or iris scans to identify employees?
A) electronic performance monitoring system
B) electronic eavesdropping system
C) location monitoring system
D) digital dashboard
E) biometrics
Answer: E
Explanation: Biometrics involves the use of physical traits such as fingerprints or iris scans for identification. With fingerprint technology, the user passes his or her fingertip over an optical reader, or presses it onto a computer chip. Location monitoring involves checking the location and movement of employees.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 521
AACSB: Use of IT
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
46) The business purpose exception to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act permits ________.
A) employees to access private employer documents if they have reason to suspect unethical behavior by company agents
B) employers to monitor employee communications if the employees have given informed consent
C) employers to monitor communications if they can show a legitimate business reason for doing so
D) employers to listen to personal employee phone calls if the calls are made on employer time
E) employees to conduct personal business during work hours if they can show it is necessary
Answer: C
Explanation: The ECPA is a federal law intended to help restrict interception and monitoring of oral and wire communications. It contains two exceptions. The "business purpose exception" permits employers to monitor communications if they can show a legitimate business reason for doing so. The second, "consent exception," lets employers monitor communications if they have their employees' consent to do so.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 523
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
47) The consent exception to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act permits ________.
A) employees to access private employer documents if they have reason to suspect unethical behavior by company agents
B) employers to monitor employee communications if the employees have given informed consent
C) employers to monitor communications if they can show a legitimate business reason for doing so
D) employers to listen to personal employee phone calls if the calls are made on employer time
E) employees to conduct personal business during work hours if they can show it is necessary
Answer: B
Explanation: The ECPA is a federal law intended to help restrict interception and monitoring of oral and wire communications. It contains two exceptions. The "business purpose exception" permits employers to monitor communications if they can show a legitimate business reason for doing so. The second, "consent exception," lets employers monitor communications if they have their employees' consent to do so.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 523
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
48) Which of the following terms refers to the involuntary termination of an employee's employment with a firm?
A) sabbatical
B) dismissal
C) insubordination
D) time off without pay
E) leave of absence
Answer: B
Explanation: Dismissal is the involuntary termination of an employee's employment with a firm. Insubordination is the willful disregard of authority.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 524
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
49) Which of the following best defines "termination at will"?
A) employees can refuse to collaborate with specific coworkers for personal reasons
B) either the employer or the employee can end the employment relationship at anytime
C) employers can deny employees' requests for vacation and leave for any reason
D) customers can end relationships with service providers for any reason at anytime
E) employers can end business relationships with clients even if a contract exists
Answer: B
Explanation: Termination at will means that without a contract, either the employer or the employee could terminate at will the employment relationship. The employee can resign for any reason, at will, and the employer can dismiss an employee for any reason, at will.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 524
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
50) Which of the following is NOT responsible for eroding the strength of the "terminate at will" doctrine?
A) implied employment contracts
B) public relations campaigns
C) occupational safety laws
D) public policies
E) EEO laws
Answer: B
Explanation: PR campaigns have had no impact on the erosion of the termination at will doctrine. Equal employment laws, OSHA, the concept of implied contracts, and public policies have decreased the power of termination at will.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 525
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
51) When a court determines that an employee handbook implies an employment contract, the ________ exception of the termination-at-will doctrine has most likely been used.
A) good faith exception
B) statutory exception
C) common law exception
D) public policy exception
E) performance exception
Answer: C
Explanation: With the common law exception, state courts often recognize the concept of implied contracts in employment. Thus, a court may decide that an employee handbook promising termination only "for just cause" may create an exception to the at-will rule.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 525
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
52) All of the following are reasonable grounds for dismissal EXCEPT ________.
A) misconduct
B) whistle blowing
C) unsatisfactory performance
D) lack of job qualifications
E) changed job requirements
Answer: B
Explanation: There are four bases for dismissal: unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, lack of
qualifications for the job, and changed requirements of (or elimination of) the job. Whistleblowing is not grounds for dismissal.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 525
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
53) Tracy is frequently absent from work and almost always late, so her manager has decided to fire her. Which of the following grounds for dismissal will her manager most likely use?
A) misconduct
B) insubordination
C) unsatisfactory performance
D) lack of qualifications for the job
E) changed requirements of the job
Answer: C
Explanation: Unsatisfactory performance means persistent failure to perform assigned duties or to meet prescribed job standards. Specific grounds include excessive absenteeism,
tardiness, a persistent failure to meet normal job requirements, or an adverse attitude
toward the company, supervisor, or fellow employees.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 525
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Application
54) Dismissal based on unsatisfactory performance is most appropriate if an employee ________.
A) steals the employer's property
B) fails to accomplish tasks despite diligence
C) shows an adverse attitude towards co-workers
D) criticizes the boss in public
E) acts in an insubordinate manner
Answer: C
Explanation: Unsatisfactory performance means persistent failure to perform assigned duties or to
meet prescribed job standards. Specific grounds include excessive absenteeism,
tardiness, a persistent failure to meet normal job requirements, or an adverse attitude
toward the company, supervisor, or fellow employees.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 525
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Application
55) Which of the grounds for dismissal is defined as the deliberate and willful violation of the employer's rules and may include stealing and insubordination?
A) unsatisfactory performance
B) changed requirements of the job
C) lack of qualifications for the job
D) misconduct
E) disregard
Answer: D
Explanation: Misconduct is deliberate and willful violation of the employer's rules and may include stealing, rowdy behavior, and insubordination. Sometimes the misconduct is more serious, as when it causes someone else harm.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 525
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
56) When an employee's dismissal does not comply with the law or with the contractual agreement stated or implied by the firm via its employment application forms, employee manuals, or other promises, ________ has most likely occurred.
A) mutiny
B) insubordination
C) wrongful discharge
D) gross misconduct
E) emotional hardship
Answer: C
Explanation: Wrongful discharge refers to a dismissal that violates the law or that fails to comply with contractual arrangements stated or implied by the employer, for instance, in employee manuals.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 525
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
57) A situation is most likely considered gross misconduct if it involves an employee ________.
A) distracting other workers
B) violating safety statues
C) showing a poor attitude
D) failing to complete tasks
E) repeatedly arriving late
Answer: B
Explanation: Gross misconduct has occurred if an employee violates safety or civil statues. Distracting co-workers, having a bad attitude, failing to complete tasks, and arriving late for work are not considered gross misconduct.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 525-526
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Application
58) Which of the following terms refers to the willful disregard or disobedience of a supervisor's authority?
A) disobedience
B) insubordination
C) picketing
D) harassment
E) mutiny
Answer: B
Explanation: Insubordination is a form of misconduct, and basically refers to willful disobedience and/or rebelliousness.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 525-526
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
59) All of the following are examples of insubordination EXCEPT ________.
A) publicly criticizing a supervisor
B) disregarding the chain of command
C) repeatedly failing to perform tasks
D) deliberately defying company rules
E) leading an effort to remove the boss
Answer: C
Explanation: Failing to perform tasks is a type of unsatisfactory performance. Acts of insubordination involve willfully disobeying authority, as with Choices A, B, D, and E.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 525-526
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
60) During which of the following is an employee informed of the fact that he or she has been dismissed?
A) exit interview
B) appraisal interview
C) screening interview
D) termination interview
E) outplacement interview
Answer: D
Explanation: Telling an employee about his or her dismissal occurs in the termination interview. Exit interviews are conducted with employees who are leaving a firm for any reason for the purpose of gathering the employee's insight about the firm.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 528
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
61) Which of the following terms refers to a systematic process by which a terminated employee is trained and counseled in how to perform a self-appraisal and secure a new position?
A) exit interview
B) outplacement counseling
C) job counseling fair
D) downsizing
E) outsourcing
Answer: B
Explanation: Outplacement counseling is a formal process by which a specialist trains and counsels a
terminated person in the techniques of self-appraisal and securing a new position. Outplacement counseling is part of the terminated employee's support or severance package and is done by specialized outside firms.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 529
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
62) Which of the following is conducted with employees who are leaving a firm for the purpose of eliciting information about what is right or wrong with the job and the firm?
A) outsourcing interview
B) termination interview
C) screening interview
D) mass interview
E) exit interview
Answer: E
Explanation: Many employers conduct exit interviews with employees who are leaving the firm for any reason. These are interviews, usually conducted by a human resource professional just prior to the employee leaving; they elicit information about the job or employer with the aim of giving employers insights into what is right—or wrong—about the firm.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 529
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
63) Which of the following terms refers to permanently dismissing a relatively large proportion of employees in an attempt to improve productivity and competitiveness?
A) bumping
B) outsourcing
C) downsizing
D) contracting
E) offshoring
Answer: C
Explanation: Downsizing refers to permanently dismissing a relatively large proportion of employees in an attempt to improve productivity and competitiveness.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 531
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
64) Which of the following requires that employers of 100 or more employees provide 60 days' notice before starting a layoff of 50 or more people?
A) COBRA
B) ERISA
C) Layoff Protection Act
D) Electronic Communications Privacy Act
E) Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
Answer: E
Explanation: The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (popularly known as the plant closing law) requires employers of 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice before closing a facility or starting a layoff of 50 people or more. The law gives employees time to seek other work or retraining by giving them advance notice.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 531
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
65) The plant closing law requires that employers ________.
A) provide employees with training for different jobs
B) offer employees comparable jobs in other facilities
C) provide severance pay for at least three months
D) notify employees 60 days before closing a facility
E) layoff no more than 50 people at one facility
Answer: D
Explanation: The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (popularly known as the plant
closing law) requires employers of 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice before closing a facility or starting a layoff of 50 people or more. The law gives employees time to seek other work or retraining by giving them advance notice.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 531
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
66) Which of the following is a true statement regarding all layoffs?
A) Management provides severance packages to affected employees.
B) Employees continue working for the firm on a part-time basis.
C) Management expects the no-work situation to be temporary.
D) Employees are permanently dismissed by the firm.
E) Management offers employees the chance to retire.
Answer: C
Explanation: With layoffs, three conditions are usually present: (1) There is no work available for
these employees, (2) management expects the no-work situation to be temporary
and probably short term, and (3) management intends to recall the employees when
work is again available. Severance packages, retirement options, and part-time work are not necessarily part of a layoff.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 532
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
67) The New York Stock Exchange recently eliminated all "reporter" jobs at the exchange. Reporters with seniority were able to remain employed by displacing co-workers in lower-level positions. Which of the following most likely occurred?
A) downsizing
B) bumping
C) stealing
D) retiring
E) skipping
Answer: B
Explanation: Bumping occurs when an employee with seniority displaces a lower-level employee, or bumps them out of their position.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 532
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Application
68) In bumping and layoff procedures, which of the following factors is most significant in determining which employees will remain employed with a firm?
A) personality
B) appraisals
C) ability
D) seniority
E) merit
Answer: D
Explanation: Seniority is usually the ultimate determinant of who will work during layoffs. Seniority can give way to merit or ability, but usually only when no senior employee is qualified for a particular job.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 532
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
69) All of the following are layoff and downsizing alternatives EXCEPT having employees ________.
A) agree to pay reductions to keep everyone working
B) use their vacations during slow periods
C) volunteer to work on a part-time basis
D) work overtime hours at regular rates
E) take voluntary time off from work
Answer: D
Explanation: Alternatives to layoffs and downsizing include finding volunteers who are interested in reducing hours or part-time work, reducing pay, having employees concentrate their vacations during slow periods, and having employees agree to take voluntary time
off. Working overtime even at lower rates would not reduce costs for a firm.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 533
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
70) During a merger and acquisition, it is especially important for managers to be sensitive to employees who are dismissed so that ________.
A) lawsuits stemming from ADA and EEO violations can be avoided
B) remaining employees will remain productive and committed
C) exit interviews will reveal positive details about the firm
D) trade secrets are not stolen by disgruntled employees
E) bumped employees can continue being promoted
Answer: B
Explanation: The degree to which an organization treats the acquired group with care and dignity will affect the confidence, productivity, and commitment of those who remain. Choices A, C, D, and E are less relevant.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 533
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Application
71) Ethical decisions always involve normative judgments about what is right or wrong.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Making ethical decisions always involves normative judgments and questions of morality.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 506
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
72) "You are working on a laptop" is a normative statement.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: "You are working on a laptop" is a nonnormative statement. A normative statement makes a judgment that something is good or bad, such as "You are so fortunate to have a great laptop."
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 506
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Application
73) Distributive justice refers to the manner in which managers conduct their interpersonal dealings with employees.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Distributive justice refers to the fairness and justice of the decision's result (for instance, did I get an equitable pay raise?). Procedural justice refers to the fairness of the process.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
74) Procedural justice refers to the fairness of the process by which a decision is made.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Procedural justice refers to the fairness of the process. Distributive justice refers to the fairness and justice of the decision's result.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
75) Two components of organizational justice are distributive justice and procedural justice.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: With respect to employee relations, experts generally define organizational justice in terms of at least two components—distributive justice and procedural justice.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
76) Many people in the new business development group at GRS&M feel that Blaine was promoted due to her personal friendship with the supervisor rather than a fair review of the qualified employees in the group. This attitude is the result of the employees' perceived procedural justice relative to the decision.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Procedural justice refers to the fairness of the process (for instance, is the process my company uses to allocate merit raises fair?).
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 507
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Application
77) The standards an individual uses to decide what his or her conduct should be are known as common law.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Ethics refers to the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group; specifically, the standards you use to decide what your conduct should be.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 507
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1
Skill: Concept
78) The ethical or unethical influence of a manager on a subordinate tends to be subliminal.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: The influence of a boss on a subordinate is often subliminal. He or she sends signals about
the appropriate way to behave. Those signals then create the culture to which employees respond.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 509
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
79) The president of University National Bank in Palo Alto, California has his office on the main floor of the bank just off the lobby, and his door is always open unless he is in a private meeting. This represents a physical manifestation of the company's culture.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Organizational culture is the characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share. The firm's culture should therefore send clear signals about what is and isn't
acceptable behavior, such as leaving office doors open.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 509-510
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
80) Hornblowers use procedural or legal channel to report incidents of unethical behavior to company ethics officers or to legal authorities.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Whistleblowers are individuals, frequently employees, who use procedural or legal channels to report incidents of unethical behavior to company ethics officers or to legal authorities. Whistleblower policies can help reduce employer unethical behaviors.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 511
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
81) The principal cause of ethical compromises is based on organizational pressure to meet a schedule or some other objective.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Being expected to meet scheduling pressures was the number-one reported factor for employees who made ethical compromises. For most of these employees, "meeting overly aggressive financial or business objectives" and "helping the company survive" were the two other top causes.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 511
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
82) The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires publicly traded companies to declare whether they have a code of conduct, and it increases penalties for companies convicted of ethics violations if they have codes of conduct that were not properly enforced.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires companies to declare whether they have a code of conduct.
Federal sentencing guidelines reduce penalties for companies convicted of ethics violations if they have codes of conduct.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 512
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
83) Unfortunately, employers have no tools for measuring the ethics of an individual during the applicant screening process, so employers do not realize they have hired an unethical person until it is too late.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Employers can use recruitment materials that emphasize ethics, such as honesty tests and background checks. Asking behavioral questions also measures an applicant's ethical nature.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 512
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Concept
84) A firm's ethics code outlines its mission, vision, appraisal system, and hiring policies.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: An ethics code memorializes the standards to which the employer expects its employees to adhere, for instance with respect to bribery. Strategies, mission, and vision are not directly relevant to a firm's ethics code.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 512
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Concept
85) When firms do not deal swiftly and fairly with the unethical behavior of employees, ethical employees feel penalized.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: To the extent that behavior is a function of its consequences, the manager needs to reward ethical behavior and penalize unethical behavior. Research suggests that employees expect the organization to dole out relatively harsh punishment for unethical conduct. If the company does not deal swiftly with unethical behavior, often the ethical employees feel punished.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 514-515
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Concept
86) The fair treatment of job applicants by HR managers leads to applicants having favorable opinions about the selection procedure and and the organization.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Job applicants who felt treated unfairly expressed more desire to appeal the outcome. Those who view the firm's testing programs as fair react more favorably to the selection procedure, and view the company and the job as more attractive.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 515
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Concept
87) Although clarifying performance standards for employees makes them feel like performance appraisals are fair, involving employees in decision-making has no impact on perceived fairness.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Involving employees in the decisions that affect them by asking for their input and allowing them to refute ideas and assumptions increases the perception of fairness. Making sure everyone knows up front by what standards they will be judged also improves the perception of fairness.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 516
AACSB: Communication
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Concept
88) The Evil Woman Thesis argues that when a woman doesn't act the way men and other women think she should, they will tend to treat her more harshly than they might if the alleged misdeed was done by a man.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: According to the evil woman thesis, when a woman doesn't act the way other men and women think she should act, the men and women tend to overreact and treat her more harshly than they might if a man committed the same act.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 517
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
89) With a system of progressive penalties, the severity of the penalty depends on the offense and the employee's seniority level.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: A system of progressive penalties is an aspect of effective discipline. Penalties typically range from oral warnings to written warnings to suspension from the job to discharge. The severity of the penalty is usually a function of the type of offense and the number of times it has occurred.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 518
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
90) Nonpunitive discipline is discipline involving oral warnings and paid "decision-making leaves of absence."
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Nonpunitive discipline involves issuing oral reminders, formal written reminders, and decision-making leaves.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 520
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
91) Nonpunitive discipline attempts to gain short-term compliance from employees, while traditional discipline seeks long-term cooperation.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Traditional discipline has two potential drawbacks. First, no one likes to be punished. Second, punishment tends to gain short-term compliance, but not the sort of long-term cooperation employers often prefer. Nonpunitive discipline aims to avoid these drawbacks by gaining employees' acceptance of the rules while reducing the punitive nature of the discipline itself.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 520
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
92) The four main types of privacy upheld by courts are intrusion, publication of private matters, disclosure of medical records, and appropriation of an employee's name or likeness for commercial purposes.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: The four main types of employee privacy violations upheld by courts are intrusion (locker room and bathroom surveillance), publication of private matters, disclosure of medical records, and appropriation of an employee's name or likeness for commercial purposes.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 520
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
93) If an employee conducts a personal phone call at work, the employer can legally eavesdrop and monitor the phone call.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Federal law and most state laws allow employers to monitor employees' phone calls in the ordinary course of business, but they must stop listening once it becomes clear that a conversation is personal rather than business related.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 523-524
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Concept
94) Wrongful discharge occurs when an employee's dismissal does not comply with the law or with the contractual agreement stated or implied by the firm through its employment application forms and employee manuals.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Wrongful discharge refers to a dismissal that violates the law or that fails to comply with contractual arrangements stated or implied by the employer, for instance, in employee manuals. Three main protections against wrongful discharge have eroded the termination-
at-will doctrine—statutory exceptions, common law exceptions, and public policy exceptions.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 525
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
95) Employers should avoid providing dismissed employees with full explanations of why and how termination decisions were made because such details typically lead the former employees to file wrongful discharge lawsuits.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Dismissed individuals who said that they were given full explanations of why and how termination decisions were made were more likely to perceive their layoff as fair and less likely to take the past employer to court.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 526
AACSB: Communication
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
96) With constructive discharge claims, plaintiffs argue that they quit because their employer made the work situation so intolerable.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: In a constructive discharge claim, the plaintiff argues that he or she quit, but had no choice because the employer made the situation so intolerable at work.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 527
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
97) Experts recommend scheduling termination interviews for at least thirty minutes to allow plenty of time for outplacement counseling.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Termination interviews should be no more than ten minutes long. Outplacement counseling does not occur during the termination interview.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 528-529
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
98) The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires employers of 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice before closing a facility.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (popularly known as the plant closing law) requires employers of 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice before closing a facility or starting a layoff of 50 people or more. It simply gives employees time to seek other work or retraining by giving them advance notice.
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 531
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
99) Merit is the primary consideration used to determine which employees will remain with a firm and which ones will be dismissed when layoffs are necessary.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Seniority rather than merit or ability is the ultimate determinant regarding who will remain working.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 532
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
100) Because seniority is usually company wide, an employee in one job can bump or displace an employee in another job, provided the more senior person can do the job without further training.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Seniority in one job can bump or displace an employee in another job, provided the more senior person can do the job without further training.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 532
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Concept
101) What is morality? How does an employee's morality relate to making ethical decisions in the workplace?
Answer: Making ethical decisions always involve two things: normative judgments and morality. Morality is society's highest accepted standards of behavior. Moral standards guide behaviors of the most serious consequence to society's well-being, such as murder, lying, and slander. Authoritative bodies like legislatures can't change what morality means. Moral judgments also trigger strong emotions. Violating moral standards may therefore make someone feel ashamed or remorseful. The most powerful morality comes from within. Because people bring to their jobs their own ideas of what is morally right and wrong, the individual must shoulder much of the credit (or blame) for ethical choices. Research indicates that personal inclinations more strongly affect decisions than do environmental pressures or organizational characteristics.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 506, 509
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1, 2
Skill: Synthesis
102) What is organizational justice? How can firms ensure organizational justice in performance appraisals?
Answer: Fairness is inseparable from what most people think of as "justice." A company that is just is, among other things, equitable, fair, impartial, and unbiased in how it does things. With respect to employee relations, experts generally define organizational justice in terms of at least two components—distributive justice and procedural justice. Distributive justice refers to the fairness and justice of the decision's result. Procedural justice refers to the fairness of the process. How you conduct appraisals is important in regards to fairness and organizational justice. Studies confirm that, in practice, some managers ignore accuracy in performance appraisals and instead use the process for political purposes Few things can send a more damaging signal about how fair and ethical the company is. To send the signal that organizational justice exists, standards should be clear, employees should understand the basis upon which you're going to appraise them, and the appraisal itself should be objective.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 507, 514
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 1, 3
Skill: Synthesis
103) What is organizational culture? How can managers influence the ethical nature of a firm's culture?
Answer: Organizational culture is the characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share.A value is a basic belief about what is right or wrong, or about what you should or shouldn't do. Values are important because they guide and channel behavior. Managing people and shaping their behavior therefore depends on shaping the values they use as behavioral guides.
The firm's culture should therefore send clean signals about what is and isn't acceptable behavior. Managers can take several steps, including clarifying expectations with respect to values, providing physical support to reward ethical behavior, and walking the talk by setting a good example of expected behavior.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 509-510
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2
Skill: Application
104) What is an ethics code? What methods do firms use to monitor employees and ensure their compliance with ethics codes?
Answer: An ethics code is a document that memorializes the standards the employer expects its employees to adhere to. Monitoring today goes beyond listening in on phone lines. Biometrics—using physical traits such as fingerprints or iris scans for identification—is one example. More than half of employers say they monitor their employees' incoming and outgoing e-mail; 27% monitor
internal e-mail as well. One survey found that 41% of large employers have someone reading employee e-mails. Ninety-six percent block access to adult Web sites; 61% block access to game sites.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 512, 521
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2, 4
Skill: Synthesis
105) What can you do as an HR manager to ensure that you hire ethical employees?
Answer: Employers can start before the applicant even applies by creating recruitment materials that emphasize ethics. Use tools such as honesty tests and background checks to screen out undesirables. Ask behavioral questions such as, "Have you ever observed someone stretching the rules at work? What did you do about it?
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 512
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3
Skill: Application
106) How do both firms and individuals benefit from fair treatment in the workplace? When employee discipline is necessary, how can firms ensure that the disciplinary process is fair?
Answer: In addition to treating others as you would like to be treated, there are other reasons that managers should treat employees fairly. Arbitrators and the courts will consider the fairness of the employer's disciplinary procedures when reviewing disciplinary decisions. Fairness also relates to a wide range of positive employee outcomes. These include enhanced employee commitment and enhanced satisfaction with the organization, job, and leader and more "organizational citizenship
behaviors." Job applicants who felt treated unfairly expressed more desire to appeal the outcome.
Those who view the firm's testing programs as fair react more favorably to the selection procedure, and view the company and the job as more attractive.The three pillars for ensuring that the disciplinary process is fair are establishing clear rules and regulations, a system of progressive penalties, and an appeals process.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 513, 517-518
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 3, 4
Skill: Synthesis
107) Explain the meaning of the Evil Woman Thesis and its implications for managers.
Answer: The Evil Woman Thesis states that women who commit an offense that also violates assumptions about the proper behavior of women will be disciplined not only for the actual offense, but also for failing to adhere to appropriate sex role behavior. Managers must be cautious not to punish women more harshly than they would a man for the same offense. The disciplinary process should be fair and clear.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 517
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Application
108) What is nonpunitive discipline? What are the steps of the nonpunitive discipline process? If you were a manager, would you use a system of traditional discipline or nonpunitive discipline? Why?
Answer: Nonpunitive discipline refers to the use of discipline without punishment. In lieu of traditional punishment, employees who have disobeyed corporate rules are disciplined using the following system. First, an oral reminder of the rules in question is issued. If another infraction occurs within six weeks of the first, a formal written reminder is issued and a copy of the reminder is placed in the employee's personnel file. A private discussion is also held with the employee but without any threats. If a third incident occurs, the employee is given a one-day leave with pay to consider whether this job is a good fit for him or her and whether he or she will commit to meeting the company's policies. The following day, the employee meets with his or her supervisor to discuss his or her decision to stay and follow the rules or leave. If no further incidents occur, the suspension information is purged from the employee's file. If the behavior is repeated, the next step is dismissal.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 520
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 4
Skill: Critical Thinking
109) What is the Sarbanes-Oxley Act? How has the legislation affected corporate ethics?
Answer: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed after a series of top corporate management ethical lapses. It requires companies to declare whether they have a code of conduct. Federal sentencing guidelines reduce penalties for companies convicted of ethics violations if they have codes of conduct. Passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made ethics compliance obligatory. As one lawyer put it, "Sarbanes-Oxley has added a wide range of new issues to the traditional compliance function." Among other things, the act requires that the CEO and the CFO of publicly traded companies personally attest to the accuracy of their companies' financial statements, and to the fact that internal controls are adequate.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 512, 515
AACSB: Ethical Reasoning
Chapter: 14
Objective: 2, 3
Skill: Synthesis
110) What is the difference between layoffs and downsizings? What are the alternatives to layoffs and downsizings?
Answer: Layoff generally refers to having selected employees take time off, with the expectation that they will come back to work. Downsizing refers to permanently dismissing a relatively large proportion of employees in an attempt to improve productivity and competitiveness. Companies use several methods to avoid layoffs and downsizings. These include voluntary reductions in pay, voluntary time off, concentrated vacations during slow times, and early retirement buy out packages. With the voluntary reduction in pay plan, all employees agree to reductions in pay to keep everyone working. With the voluntary time off approach, some employees agree to take some time off without pay. Other employers arrange for all or most employees to take vacations during slow periods. Early retirement programs enable those who can benefit from the layoff to accept an incentive to retire early.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 530-531, 533
Chapter: 14
Objective: 5
Skill: Application
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