Question 1

Which of the following jobs is most likely to be unionized in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare workers, including hospital lab technicians, are some of the most highly unionized workers in Canada. This is due to the high pressure, challenging working conditions, and high risk involved in their jobs. While auto mechanics may also be unionized, it is not as common, and retail clerks and lawyers are much less likely to be unionized.

Question 2

What distinctive feature characterizes a communist economic system?

Accepted Answer

State ownership of property is a key feature of a communist economic system. In this system, the government owns the means of production, distribution, and exchange of goods and services, rather than private individuals or companies. This includes ownership of land, factories, machinery, and other resources required for production.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Willie's situation characterizes the stage of initial proletarianization, which is marked by the displacement of traditional forms of work by new modes of production, leading to the emergence of a working class that sells its labor power in exchange for wages.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Kristin is a policy analyst for the provincial government.Which sector of the economy is she engaged in?

Accepted Answer

Kristin's work as a policy analyst for the provincial government falls under the tertiary sector, which includes activities related to services, such as healthcare, education, and government administration. The primary sector involves activities related to natural resources, such as agriculture, forestry, and mining, while the secondary sector involves activities related to manufacturing and construction. The social reproduction sector refers to unpaid work that supports the reproduction of daily life, such as household chores and caregiving.

Question 6

Janet and her partner Sylvie have an organic farm.They sell vegetables in the summer at the local farmers' market and run a "brown box" program in the winter, delivering vegetables to local subscribers' doorsteps.Which sector of the economy are Janet and Silvie engaged in?

Accepted Answer

Janet and Sylvie are engaged in the primary sector of the economy, which involves the extraction and production of raw materials, such as agriculture and farming.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

What do we call work that requires a high level of education, is highly paid, has a high level of autonomy, and has possibilities for promotion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do we call work that requires...

Question 9

The largest concessions to workers have been made in nations with the highest proportion of which of the following types of workers?

Accepted Answer

Concessions to workers have been made in nations with a high proportion of unionized workers. Unions have historically played a significant role in advocating for workers' rights and negotiating improved working conditions, wages, and benefits with employers. Therefore, countries with strong labor unions tend to have better working conditions and benefits for workers.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

According to Ester Reiter's research on fast-food workers in Toronto, the workers were trained to continue smiling regardless of how obnoxious customers may be.

Question 11

In 2013, approximately what proportion of Canadian workers were part-time employees?

Accepted Answer

In 2013, about one-fifth of Canadian workers were part-time employees. This reflects the structure of the labor market at that time, where full-time employment was still the predominant form of employment, but there was a significant minority of workers engaged in part-time work.

Question 12

Harbinder is a lawyer for a busy Toronto law firm.How much of Canada's population is engaged in the same sector of the economy as she is?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Harbinder is a lawyer for a busy...

Question 13

There are a number of reasons why the increase in part-time work in Canada may not be problematic.Which of the following reflects one of these reasons?

Accepted Answer

Some people may prefer part-time work as it offers more flexibility and frees up time for other pursuits such as education or caregiving. Additionally, some individuals may be able to afford to work part-time and may not require full-time employment to support themselves financially. As a result, the increase in part-time work in Canada may not necessarily be problematic for everyone.

Question 14

Over the final third of the twentieth century, what is believed to be responsible for speeding the pace of change from the industrial to postindustrial economies?

Accepted Answer

The advancement of computer technology is believed to be responsible for speeding the pace of change from industrial to postindustrial economies, as it revolutionized the way business was conducted and led to the development of new industries such as software and internet-based services.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of One outcome of the introduction of computers...

Question 16

Connie and her daughters all work in a salmon processing plant on the north coast of British Columbia.Which sector of the economy are they engaged in?

Accepted Answer

The salmon processing plant is engaged in transforming the raw material of salmon into a finished product, which is a characteristic of the secondary sector of the economy. The primary sector involves the extraction of raw materials, while the tertiary sector involves the provision of services. The social reproduction sector involves activities related to maintaining and reproducing the labor force, such as childcare and household tasks, and is not applicable in this scenario.

Question 17

Which of the following is the fastest-growing category of part-time workers?

Accepted Answer

Involuntary part-time workers, also known as "involuntary underemployed," are those who work part-time because they cannot find full-time work or their hours have been cut back by their employer. This category has been growing rapidly in recent years, particularly after the 2008 recession, making it the fastest-growing category of part-time workers.

Question 18

Which of the following is linked to increased rates of substance abuse, stress, aggression, and depression in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Increased time pressure has been linked to higher rates of substance abuse, stress, aggression, and depression in Canada. With more demands on their time, workers may feel like they have less control over their lives and may turn to substances or unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the stress. Additionally, the pressure to meet deadlines or produce results can lead to aggression or hostile behavior.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Reiter's research suggests that front-counter workers who smile in response to humiliating customer behavior report feeling less anger and frustration than those who do not. Therefore, the best choice for Jessie would be to smile at the customers, even though it may be difficult in the moment. This could help her cope with the situation and feel better overall. The other options such as walking off the job, yelling at the customers, or inviting them to talk to management are not effective strategies for dealing with customer humiliations.

Question 20

Daniel sits on the board of directors for a marketing corporation, a diamond exploration company, and a grocery chain.What do we call the situation he is in?

Accepted Answer

The situation described is an example of interlocking directorates, where an individual sits on the board of directors for multiple companies.

Quiz 13: Work and the Economy