Question 1

An employee who observes ethical misconduct at work but does not discuss the matter with the person engaged in the misconduct or with someone else in the organization with authority is engaging in _____________.
A) whistleblowing
B) internal communications
C) employee silence
D) loyalty
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Employee silence refers to the act of employees not reporting ethical misconduct even though they know about it. This can lead to an unhealthy work environment and damage the reputation of the organization. It is not considered whistleblowing as the employee is not reporting the misconduct to someone with authority. It can, however, be seen as a lack of loyalty to the organization as the employee is not taking steps to protect the interests of the organization.

Question 2

Which of the following observer factors are not associated with employee silence?
A) low moral intensity
B) lack of evidence
C) lack of empowerment
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the observer factors listed (low moral intensity, lack of evidence, and lack of empowerment) are associated with employee silence. Therefore, the best answer is none of the above.

Question 3

________________,previously referred to as "ethics hotlines," have long been popular with organizations as a method of obtaining information about situations that may be unethical or illegal.
A) Assist lines
B) Asset lines
C) Answering services
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Assist lines are the most appropriate option because they are designed specifically for reporting ethical or behavioral concerns within an organization. Asset lines refer to a financial reporting service, and answering services are general communication services not necessarily focused on ethics reporting. Therefore, the best option is A) Assist lines.

Question 4

The position serving as a deterrent against managerial abuse of power and other unethical activities,a concept which originated in government,is known as a(n) ____________.
A) ethics and compliance officer
B) whistleblower
C) ombudsperson
D) manager
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The position of an ombudsperson is specifically designed to serve as a neutral and impartial third party who can investigate and resolve complaints or concerns about unethical behavior, abuse of power, or other issues within an organization. While ethics and compliance officers and whistleblowers can also play important roles in promoting ethical behavior and preventing misconduct, the ombudsperson role is uniquely focused on providing a safe and confidential avenue for employees to voice their concerns and seek resolution. Managers, on the other hand, may be subject to ethical dilemmas or abuse of power themselves, rather than serving as a check against such activities.

Question 5

The ethics and compliance officer's primary duty is to:
A) manage the organization's internal reporting system
B) report wrongdoing to the management team
C) supervise whistleblowing within the organization
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ethics and compliance officer's primary duty...

Question 6

Which of the following is not an anticipated negative outcome associated with employee silence?
A) being labeled or viewed negatively
B) damaging a relationship
C) retaliation or punishment
D) no corrective action will be taken
E) no established reporting system

Accepted Answer

The option "no established reporting system" is not an anticipated negative outcome associated with employee silence, rather it is a condition that can lead to employee silence. The other options represent negative outcomes that often result from employee silence.

Question 7

The position in an organization charged with broad oversight of ethical performance is the:
A) ombudsperson
B) ethics & compliance officer
C) manager
D) CEO
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The ethics & compliance officer is typically responsible for overseeing the ethical performance of an organization, including developing and implementing policies and procedures, providing training and guidance to employees, and investigating and addressing ethical concerns or violations. While the other positions listed may have some responsibility for ethical performance, they do not typically have the same level of broad oversight and authority in this area.

Question 8

An approachable manager displays which of the following characteristics?
A) authoritarian leadership
B) honesty and transparency
C) discourages dissent
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

An approachable manager is characterized by honesty and transparency, which makes it easier for employees to talk to them about issues without any fear of reprisal. This openness and accessibility help foster a conducive work environment where employees feel heard, valued, and supported. In contrast, an authoritarian leadership style that discourages dissent or any show of independent thinking can lead to a stressful and unproductive work environment.

Question 9

In general,ethically approachable managers embody _____________ behaviors.
A) dissenting
B) virtuous
C) inconsistent
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Ethically approachable managers embody virtuous behaviors, which include honesty, integrity, fairness, and concern for others. Dissenting and inconsistent behaviors may undermine their ethical credibility and trustworthiness.

Question 10

According to recent research by the Ethics Resource Center,which percentage of respondents who observed ethical misconduct did not report it?
A) 77%
B) 57%
C) 37%
D) 17%
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

According to the Ethics Resource Center's research, 37% of respondents who observed ethical misconduct did not report it.

Question 11

The best ethics reporting system is:
A) an anonymous tip line
B) weekly ethics training
C) an ethically approachable manager
D) an ombudsperson
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

An ethically approachable manager fosters a culture of openness and trust, encouraging employees to discuss ethical concerns directly and effectively.

Question 12

Which of the following organizational factors are associated with employee silence?
A) work culture discourages dissent
B) loyalty to the organizational members is not aligned with ethics
C) no established reporting system exists
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above factors - work culture, loyalty to the organization, and a lack of reporting system - can contribute to employee silence or reluctance to speak up about unethical or inappropriate behavior in the workplace.

Question 13

Which of the following attributes should characterize an ethics and compliance officer?
A) insider status and well-networked
B) high position that exemplifies authority
C) operational experience
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

An ethics and compliance officer should ideally have insider status and be well-networked to understand the organization's culture and dynamics, hold a high position that exemplifies authority to enforce policies and decisions, and have operational experience to understand the practical implications of compliance within the organization's operations.

Question 14

Members of a religious clergy trained in providing spiritual advice,sometimes contracted by businesses in consulting functions,are known as ___________.
A) priests
B) ombudspersons
C) ethics officers
D) chaplains
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Members of a religious clergy trained in providing spiritual advice, sometimes contracted by businesses in consulting functions, are known as chaplains.

Question 15

Even when the appropriate reporting systems are in place and when individual factors such as seniority and possession of clear evidence are available,some workers still fail to speak out against unethical misconduct due to a lack of _____________.
A) moral courage
B) reward
C) moral incentive
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The question specifically mentions "ethical misconduct" which refers to actions or behaviors that go against moral principles. Hence, the lack of moral courage is the most appropriate factor that could prevent individuals from speaking out against such misconduct. Although reward and moral incentive may also play a role in encouraging individuals to report misconduct, the focus of the question is on why some individuals fail to speak out despite the presence of reporting systems and clear evidence. Therefore, D and E are not applicable in this case.

Question 16

Which of the following duties is not consistent with those of the ethics and compliance officer?
A) managing internal reporting systems
B) offering guidance
C) developing and interpreting ethics policies
D) assigning all ethical issues equal standing
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Ethics and compliance officers should prioritize and appropriately address ethical issues, rather than treating all issues as equal.

Question 17

Based on factors of __________________,observers are likely to remain silent about ethical misconduct if the misconduct causes minimal consequences to the recipient or the organization,occurs in a physically distant part of the organization,or if there is a lack of consensus in the organization that the misconduct is actually unethical.
A) moral sensitivity
B) moral intensity
C) moral norms
D) moral diversity
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The factors mentioned are related to the concept of moral intensity, which refers to the degree of ethical import or significance of an issue that influences the amount of moral attention and concern it receives from individuals. Lack of perceived harm, physical distance, and moral disagreement can reduce moral intensity, and therefore, reduce the likelihood of observers reporting ethical misconduct.

Question 18

Which of the following principles is not consistent with the legal obligations of an organization's ombudsperson?
A) independence
B) neutrality and impartiality
C) prosecution of wrongdoing
D) confidentiality
E) informality

Accepted Answer

The principle of prosecution of wrongdoing is not consistent with the legal obligations of an organization's ombudsperson. Ombudspersons are designed to be neutral, impartial, and confidential resources for employees to voice their concerns or complaints. Their role is not to prosecute wrongdoing but to assist in resolving conflicts and improving communication within the organization.

Question 19

External whistleblowing is the result of the failure of ______________ within an organization.
A) ethical values
B) internal communication systems
C) privacy
D) employee loyalty
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

External whistleblowing occurs when internal communication systems fail to address the issue being reported. This indicates a lack of proper channels for employees to raise concerns within the organization, leading them to seek external help through media or regulatory agencies. Ethical values, privacy, and employee loyalty may also contribute to whistleblowing, but the failure of internal communication systems is the primary reason for external whistleblowing.

Question 20

Employee silence about observed ethical conduct can be attributed to all but which of the following?
A) organizational factors such as work culture
B) observer factors such as lack of evidence
C) anticipated negative outcomes such as being viewed negatively
D) organizational factors such as the lack of an established reporting system
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

All the options (A, B, C, D) are valid reasons why an employee might remain silent about observed unethical conduct. Organizational factors like work culture and lack of a reporting system, observer factors such as lack of evidence, and fear of negative outcomes like being viewed negatively can all contribute to employee silence.

Quiz 8: Ethics Reporting Systems

An employee who observes ethical misconduct at work but does not discuss the matter with the person engaged in the misconduct or with someone else in the organization with authority is engaging in _____________.

Which of the following observer factors are not associated with employee silence?

________________,previously referred to as "ethics hotlines," have long been popular with organizations as a method of obtaining information about situations that may be unethical or illegal.

The position serving as a deterrent against managerial abuse of power and other unethical activities,a concept which originated in government,is known as a(n) ____________.

The ethics and compliance officer's primary duty is to:

Which of the following is not an anticipated negative outcome associated with employee silence?

The position in an organization charged with broad oversight of ethical performance is the:

An approachable manager displays which of the following characteristics?

In general,ethically approachable managers embody _____________ behaviors.

According to recent research by the Ethics Resource Center,which percentage of respondents who observed ethical misconduct did not report it?

The best ethics reporting system is:

Which of the following organizational factors are associated with employee silence?

Which of the following attributes should characterize an ethics and compliance officer?

Members of a religious clergy trained in providing spiritual advice,sometimes contracted by businesses in consulting functions,are known as ___________.

Even when the appropriate reporting systems are in place and when individual factors such as seniority and possession of clear evidence are available,some workers still fail to speak out against unethical misconduct due to a lack of _____________.

Which of the following duties is not consistent with those of the ethics and compliance officer?

Which of the following principles is not consistent with the legal obligations of an organization's ombudsperson?

External whistleblowing is the result of the failure of ______________ within an organization.

Employee silence about observed ethical conduct can be attributed to all but which of the following?