Deck 11: Managing the Diverse Workforce

Question 1

The glass ceiling is an invisible barrier that makes it difficult for women and minorities to move beyond a certain level in the corporate hierarchy.

Answer 1

True
Explanation: The glass ceiling is an invisible barrier that makes it difficult for women and minorities to move beyond a certain level in the corporate hierarchy.For example,just 12 women are chief executives of Fortune 500 companies;that's only 12 out of 500.

Question 2

Affirmative action means special efforts to recruit and hire members of groups that have been discriminated against in the past even if they are not as qualified as others.

Answer 2

False
Explanation: To correct the past exclusion of women and minorities,companies introduced affirmative action,which includes special efforts to recruit and hire qualified members of groups that have been discriminated against in the past.Those hired are considered qualified.

Question 3

One of every four married women in two-income households earns more than her husband does.

Answer 3

True
Explanation: Almost 60 percent of marriages are dual-earner marriages.One of every four married women in two-income households earns more than her husband does.

Question 4

One possible explanation for the wage gap between men and women is that women are not negotiating pay as effectively as men seeking the same positions.

Question 5

Frequently employers have found that disabled employees tend to be less dependable than other employees and exhibit higher turnover.

Question 6

Accommodating all sorts of differences among employees is sufficient for managing diversity.

Question 7

Today's young workers from Generation Y are often described as high-performing and low-maintenance.

Question 8

By definition,managing diversity means that all individuals are to be treated the same.

Question 9

Diversity includes differences in religious affiliation,age,disability status,military experience,economic class,and educational level.

Question 10

Hostile environment harassment occurs when submission to or rejection of sexual conduct is used as a basis for employment decisions.

Question 11

A multicultural workforce can provide a company with a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Question 12

Workers today,both women and men,are trying to achieve a balance between career and family.

Question 13

The affirmative action programs were initiated in part to correct the past exclusion of women and minorities from the business world.

Question 14

Women make up about 47 percent of the workforce.

Question 15

Managing diversity simply means hiring women and minorities and making sure they are treated equally and encouraged to succeed.

Question 16

Black,Asian,and Hispanic workers are about one-fifth of the labor force in the United States.

Question 17

A proactive approach to developing and managing a diverse workforce has become a fundamental business requirement.

Question 18

The term hostile environment refers to the invisible barrier that makes it difficult for women and minorities to rise above a certain level in the organization.

Question 19

The traditional American image of diversity has been one of assimilation.

Question 20

One of the most important developments in the U.S.labor market has been the growing number of women working outside the home.

Question 21

Nationwide,turnover rates have been decreasing as more people are staying with their organizations for a longer period.

Question 22

The term used to refer to all kinds of differences including religious affiliation,age,disability status,economic class,and lifestyle in addition to gender,race,ethnicity,and nationality is:

A) diversity.
B) hierarchy.
C) ethical climate.
D) ethnocentrism.
E) integrity.

Question 23

In multicultural organizations,diversity not only exists but is valued.

Question 24

Managing diversity means treating all people equally,meaning exactly the same.

Question 25

Monolithic organizations have a more diverse employee population and take steps to involve persons from different cultural backgrounds.

Question 26

Diversity training has two components: team building and self-esteem building.

Question 27

Understanding and appreciating employee differences to build a more effective and profitable organization is known as:

A) minority recruiting.
B) managing diversity.
C) ethnicity selection.
D) ethnicity job analysis.
E) diverse organizational assessment.

Question 28

Employers that offer onsite child care report decreased turnover,decreased absenteeism,and improved morale.

Question 29

As related to managing human resources,diversity refers to differences in:

A) employee benefit plans,such as pensions,insurance,and vacations.
B) recruiting methods,such as job posting,want ads and referrals.
C) demographics,such as age,race,and educational level.
D) pay methods,such as hourly,salaried,overtime,and hazard pay.
E) training methods,such as on-the-job and off-the job training.

Question 30

An invisible barrier that makes it difficult for certain groups,such as minorities and women,to move beyond a certain level in the organizational hierarchy is referred to as the:

A) regression line.
B) glass ceiling.
C) entry barrier.
D) job limit.
E) developmental milestonE.

Question 31

The surest route to successfully cultivating a diverse workforce is to set up formal diversity training programs.

Question 32

Mentors are high-potential people who help ensure that middle-level managers are socialized into the norms and values of the organization.

Question 33

A diverse workforce often tends to inhibit organizational flexibility.

Question 34

The underlying goal of managing diversity is to:

A) treat all people the same.
B) increase the numbers of minorities in business.
C) realize improved immigration figures.
D) enhance organizational cohesiveness.
E) understand and value employee differences.

Question 35

One way to increase retention of minority workers is to form support groups.

Question 36

Cohesiveness refers to how tightly knit a group is and the degree to which group members act in mutually agreed-upon ways.

Question 37

In the context of diversity training,skill building incorporates the teaching of effective interpersonal skills to all employees.

Question 38

To support diversity efforts,top management can set an example for other organization members by participating in diversity programs and making participation mandatory for all managers.

Question 39

Pluralistic organizations use an affirmative action approach to managing diversity.

Question 40

Effectively managing a diverse workforce requires overcoming challenges such as unexamined assumptions,lower cohesiveness,and communication problems.

Question 41

When unwelcome sexual conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with job performance or creating an intimidating or offensive work atmosphere,it is known as:

A) quid pro quo harassment.
B) an occupational hazard.
C) performance reciprocity.
D) hostile environment.
E) glass ceiling.

Question 42

A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities is referred to as a(n):

A) inherent defect.
B) personality disorder.
C) corporeal impairment.
D) disability.
E) deficiency.

Question 43

Which of the following companies is among the top 10 for valuing diversity?

A) Exxon Mobile
B) Ernst & Young
C) Pfizer
D) Citigroup
E) Google

Question 44

Examples of attempts made by employers to retain older workers include:

A) an emphasis on physical effort.
B) phased retirement plans.
C) offering more full-time than part-time work.
D) limiting the availability of paid sabbaticals.
E) providing health insurance coverage for dependents.

Question 45

A shift in worker values toward personal time,quality of life,self-fulfillment,and family is occurring among ____.

A) men
B) women
C) both women and men
D) minorities
E) both women and minorities

Question 46

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be a(n):

A) short supply of entry-level workers.
B) decrease in the number of female workers.
C) increase in the number of homogenous workforce.
D) demand for expatriates.
E) increase in the number of young workers.

Question 47

The fastest-growing segments of the workforce in the United States are:

A) Hispanics and Asians.
B) Pacific Islanders and African Americans.
C) African-Americans and Native Americans.
D) Caucasians and African-Americans.
E) Native Americans and Hispanics.

Question 48

Rosalina has recently been passed over for a promotion.This is the third time it has happened despite excellent performance reviews.After this last disappointment,Rosalina discovered that no women or minority candidates have been promoted to upper management positions at the company.Rosalina appears to have:

A) a diversity-oriented employer.
B) a lack of communication skills.
C) hit the glass ceiling.
D) received negative reinforcement.
E) a need to brush up on her skills.

Question 49

Which of the following is true of people with disabilities?

A) They form the largest employed minority population in the United States.
B) Even those who have higher levels of education are unlikely to get jobs.
C) Companies use new assistive technologies to employ people with disabilities.
D) They are less likely than nondisabled persons to have part-time jobs.
E) They tend to be less dependable and exhibit higher turnover than other employees.

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT one of the top five approaches for more fully utilizing older employees?

A) Benefit packages targeted toward older employees
B) Part-time work arrangements with continuation of benefits
C) Skill training for older employees
D) Educating managers in ways to utilize older workers
E) Increased availability of full-time work

Question 51

Amanda's manager offered to double her annual raise in exchange for a dinner date with him.She was upset because she had no interest in dating him,yet she really wanted the raise.Which of the following types of harassment is Amanda experiencing?

A) Hostile environment harassment
B) Competitive harassment
C) Quid pro quo harassment
D) Malicious harassment
E) Performance reciprocity harassment

Question 52

Behaviors such as persistent or pervasive displays of pornography,lewd or suggestive remarks,and demeaning taunts or jokes tend to cause ____.

A) a hostile environment
B) cognitive conflicts
C) quid pro quo harassment
D) gender discrimination
E) an occupational hazard

Question 53

The largest unemployed minority population in the United States is:

A) Hispanics.
B) African Americans.
C) people with disabilities.
D) immigrants.
E) Asians.

Question 54

Which of the following is considered a disability under ADA?

A) Chicken pox
B) Sunburn
C) Alcoholism
D) Sinus infection
E) Influenza

Question 55

Allowing older employees to work fewer hours per week as a strategy to attract and retain these experienced people is known as ____.

A) work release
B) partial retirement
C) phased retirement
D) employment reduction
E) engagement reduction

Question 56

Which of the following is needed for an effective sexual harassment policy?

A) Developing a policy on sexual harassment and keeping it unpublicized
B) Punishing the offender within a year,though not immediately
C) Providing training exclusively to female employees on how to protect themselves
D) Waiting for harassers' confessions before taking action when employees complain of sexual harassment
E) Establishing a formal complaint procedure in which employees can discuss problems

Question 57

Work-related issues for LGBT-gay,lesbian,bisexual,or transgendered-employees often include avoiding harassment and:

A) obtaining benefits for a spouse or domestic partner.
B) obtaining adequate elder care.
C) creating a glass ceiling.
D) seeking time off for religious holidays.
E) gaining additional education.

Question 58

Submission to or rejection of sexual conduct that is used as a basis for employment decisions is referred to as:

A) inappropriate engagement.
B) performance reciprocity.
C) quid pro quo harassment.
D) sexual slavery.
E) hostile environment.

Question 59

Conduct of a sexual nature that has negative consequences for employment is known as sexual:

A) slavery.
B) assault.
C) sadism.
D) harassment.
E) orientation.

Question 60

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act,a disability is best defined as:

A) a physical impairment resulting from a hazardous work environment.
B) a disabling condition that results in a lower life expectancy.
C) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
D) an inability to perform a particular task due to lack of knowledge and experience.
E) the contraction of a disease that is contagious or epidemic.

Question 61

Which of the following diversity assumptions states that "our way is one possible way," and that there are many different and equally good ways to the same goal?

A) Similarity and difference
B) Parochialism
C) Culture contingency
D) Equifinality
E) Heterogeneity

Question 62

In terms of its employee population,a monolithic organization is ____.

A) highly homogeneous
B) highly diversified
C) informally integrated
D) completely integrated
E) highly desegregated

Question 63

Less restrictive policies and procedures and fewer standardized operating methods are approaches to:

A) organizational flexibility.
B) corporate governance.
C) strategic maneuvering.
D) competitive advantage.
E) bureaucratic management.

Question 64

Which of the following is an advantage of managing a diverse workforce?

A) Presence of unexamined assumptions and viewpoints
B) Ability to attract and retain motivated employees
C) Effective communication and feedback
D) Increasing organizational rigidity
E) Higher levels of cohesiveness

Question 65

Which of the following is a challenge faced by organizations when managing a diverse workforce?

A) Lack of perspective on a differentiated market
B) Inability to attract and retain motivated employees
C) Inability to leverage creativity and innovation
D) Decreasing organizational flexibility
E) Lack of cohesiveness

Question 66

Which of the following diversity assumptions holds that "we are all the same," otherwise known as the melting pot myth?

A) Homogeneity
B) Similarity
C) Parochialism
D) Ethnocentrism
E) Heterogeneity

Question 67

In monolithic organizations,____.

A) minorities are employed in all job levels
B) minority members identify highly with the company
C) minority members must adopt the norms of the majority to survive
D) employee population is relatively diverse
E) discrimination and prejudice are almost nonexistent

Question 68

An organization that has very little cultural integration of diverse workers is a:

A) monolithic organization.
B) multicultural organization.
C) heterogeneous organization.
D) pluralistic organization.
E) monopolistic organization.

Question 69

Oxana was recently passed over for promotion.She was told that management was looking for someone more aggressive to fill the position.Oxana's coworkers were surprised because she had a reputation for getting things done.She later overheard one of the managers saying that he did not believe she was committed to her career since "she,like most women,leaves work every day at 5:00 sharp." It might appear that Oxana's employer has made a mistake regarding ____.

A) stereotyping
B) mistrust
C) affirmative action
D) cohesiveness
E) arbitration

Question 70

When individuals' interests,values,and cultures act as filters to distort,block,or select what they see and interpret,they tend to _____ their different colleagues.

A) differentiate
B) stereotype
C) manipulate
D) accommodate
E) simulate

Question 71

Which of the following is a characteristic of pluralistic organizations?

A) Low levels of conflict
B) Prevalence of discrimination and prejudice
C) Highly homogeneous employee population
D) Lack of cultural integration
E) Acceptance of minority group members

Question 72

Beth hired Bahman,who belongs to a minority group,to work in the accounting department,since he was highly skillful.However,the other workers resented Bahman's presence and excluded him from the work group.Bahman had difficulty performing,since he was not given the needed information to work expediently.Which of the following challenges of a diversified workforce is occurring in this scenario?

A) Gender issues
B) Language barrier
C) Lower cohesiveness
D) Communication overload
E) Lack of flexibility

Question 73

Special effort to recruit and hire qualified members of groups that have been discriminated against in the past is called ____.

A) recrimination
B) proactive recruitment
C) affirmative action
D) the quid pro quo system
E) positive-effect recruitment

Question 74

_____ refers to how tightly knit the group is and the degree to which group members perceive,interpret,and act on their environment in similar or mutually agreed-upon ways.

A) Cohesiveness
B) Ethnocentrism
C) Belongingness
D) Stereotyping
E) Arbitration

Question 75

Which of the following diversity assumptions holds that there is "only one way" and that no other way of living should be recognized?

A) Homogeneity
B) Similarity
C) Parochialism
D) Ethnocentrism
E) Heterogeneity

Question 76

Work team diversity promotes creativity and innovation because people with different backgrounds:

A) value creativity and innovation.
B) require creative efforts to bring out their productivity.
C) hold different perspectives on issues.
D) are more homogeneous.
E) increase the likelihood of groupthink.

Question 77

An organization that has a relatively diverse employee population and makes an effort to involve employees from different gender,racial,or cultural backgrounds is a(n):

A) monolithic organization.
B) ethnocentric organization.
C) pluralistic organization.
D) bureaucratic organization.
E) homogeneous organization.

Question 78

At one time in Portland,Oregon,about one-fifth of the city's population consisted of various ethnic minorities,but only 12 percent of new construction employees were minorities.Which of the following programs when used by the city government is likely to increase minority group members' participation in public contracts?

A) Affirmative action
B) Quid pro quo system
C) Positive-effect recruitment
D) Realignment
E) Proactive recruitment

Question 79

The most common negative effect of diversity is:

A) lowered organizational flexibility.
B) decreased ability to respond to consumer preferences.
C) increased communication difficulty.
D) enhanced cohesiveness.
E) decreased innovation and creativity.

Question 80

Diversity tends to create:

A) organizational rigidity.
B) homogeneous groups.
C) improved communication.
D) high cohesiveness.
E) mistrust and tension.