Question 1

Germany grants its workers great rights to participate in the management of the business.

Accepted Answer

Germany has a system of co-determination where workers have representation on the supervisory board of companies with more than 2,000 employees. This allows workers to have a say in decisions related to company strategy and management. Therefore, Germany does grant its workers great rights to participate in the management of the business.

Question 2

Many foreign nations attract investment because of less demanding labor and environmental laws.

Accepted Answer

It is true that some foreign nations attract investment by having less stringent labor and environmental laws, which often translates to lower costs for businesses.

Question 3

The U.S.view is now that an employer must bargain with its employees over whether to shut down part of its business.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. view is not that an employer must bargain with its employees over whether to shut down part of its business. Employers have the right to make business decisions without having to negotiate with employees over them, although in some cases they may choose to do so as part of good-faith bargaining. However, certain aspects of plant closings, such as providing notification to employees under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, may be required by law.

Question 4

In Germany,the supervisory board of directors is responsible for representing shareholder interests.

Accepted Answer

In Germany, the supervisory board of directors is responsible for representing shareholder interests. This is because the supervisory board is elected by the shareholders and has the power to appoint and dismiss members of the management board. The management board, in turn, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. Therefore, the supervisory board is the primary mechanism for protecting shareholder interests in German companies.

Question 5

In many countries,employers are required by law to consult with worker's groups prior to any large-scale dismissals.

Accepted Answer

In many countries, such as members of the European Union, employers are required to consult with worker's groups before making large-scale dismissals. This is known as collective redundancy consultation.

Question 6

In Japan,union leadership is a stepping stone to management.

Accepted Answer

In Japan, it is common for union leaders to eventually transition into management roles within the same company. This is seen as a way to promote harmony between labor and management and to ensure that those in management positions have a good understanding of the concerns and needs of workers.

Question 7

Workers in the United States acquire a property interest in their jobs such that severance pay is an entitlement to compensate for property taken upon dismissal from the position.

Accepted Answer

Workers in the United States typically do not have a property interest in their jobs, and therefore severance pay is not an entitlement but rather a benefit that may be offered by an employer. There is no automatic legal requirement for employers to provide severance pay upon termination.

Question 8

An American citizen working abroad for a wholly owned subsidiary of a British company will be protected by the ADEA if the subsidiary is a U.S.corporation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An American citizen working abroad for a...

Question 9

In the Civil Rights Act of 1991,Congress extended Title VII to all U.S.firms operating outside the United States.

Accepted Answer

The Civil Rights Act of 1991 did not extend Title VII to firms operating outside the United States. Title VII only applies to U.S. employers within the United States or its territories.

Question 10

EU laws prohibiting sex discrimination are similar to those in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The European Union and the United States have similar laws prohibiting sex discrimination, with both aiming to protect individuals from unfair treatment based on their gender. However, there may be some differences in specific details and implementation of these laws.

Question 11

In Germany,companies that employ more than 2,000 workers must have supervisory boards with 25% representation from labor and 75% representation from shareholders.

Accepted Answer

In Germany, companies with more than 2,000 employees must have supervisory boards with equal representation from labor and shareholders, meaning 50% representation from each side, not 25% labor and 75% shareholders.

Question 12

A number of foreign countries,especially those with a two-tiered board structure,require substantial employee representation on the board of directors.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Many foreign countries with a two-tiered board structure, such as Germany, require a significant level of employee representation on the board of directors.

Question 13

Europeans tend to feel that over a period of time,employees acquire a property interest in their jobs.

Accepted Answer

In Europe, it is commonly believed that employees acquire a property interest in their jobs over time, meaning they have a sense of ownership and stability in their employment. This is reflected in many European countries' labor laws and practices, which prioritize worker protections and job security.

Question 14

Under German Works Constitution Act,an employer has the right to close a plant or business facility at any time and without consultation with workers.

Accepted Answer

The German Works Constitution Act requires employers to consult with worker representatives and negotiate in good faith before making any decisions that could result in a significant change to the operation of a plant or business facility, including closure. Therefore, an employer cannot simply close a plant or business facility without consulting workers or their representatives.

Question 15

As compared to the United States,there has been greater litigation in Europe concerning discrimination than in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The United States has a more litigious culture and a longer history of legal actions concerning discrimination compared to Europe.

Question 16

The European Union treaties do not address discrimination on the grounds of nationality.

Accepted Answer

The European Union treaties expressly prohibit discrimination on the grounds of nationality. Article 18 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that "any discrimination on grounds of nationality shall be prohibited."

Question 17

With the Civil Rights Act of 1991,Congress extended Title VII to firms operating outside the United States under the "control of U.S.entity."

Accepted Answer

The Civil Rights Act of 1991 did extend Title VII to firms operating outside the United States under the "control of U.S. entity." This was a significant expansion of the law's reach and ensured that U.S. companies would still be held accountable for discriminatory practices even if they were operating abroad.

Question 18

In Reyes-Gaona v.North Carolina Growers,the court grappled with the issue of:

Accepted Answer

The case involved the question of whether the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applied to employment situations involving U.S. companies operating in Mexico.

Question 19

Some of the newly formed countries of the former Soviet Union have laws that mandate discrimination against certain people.

Accepted Answer

Some countries of the former Soviet Union, such as Russia and Uzbekistan, have laws that discriminate against LGBT+ individuals and limit their rights, as well as laws that restrict freedom of expression and assembly for political dissidents and human rights activists.

Question 20

In the United States,employers must have a good cause and give adequate notice before dismissing an employee.

Accepted Answer

In the United States, most employment is at-will, meaning that employers can terminate an employee for any reason or no reason at all, as long as it is not discriminatory or in violation of a contract. Some states and cities do have laws that require employers to have a good cause and/or provide notice before terminating an employee, but this is not a universal requirement across the country.

Quiz 19: Labor and Employment Discrimination Law