Deck 11: Workplace Interactions

Question 1

Though some workplace hierarchies may be more rigid and extensive than others, most work environments have some form of hierarchical structure.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Though it is acceptable among friends in the workplace, humor should be used sparingly among superiors and subordinates in work settings because it often causes misunderstandings.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

While negative face threat is inevitable and understandable in many workplace relationships, positive face threat is often malicious and rarely serves a useful role in a work environment.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

In a workplace environment, indirect messages are best used to communicate important information or when giving instructions.

Question 5

Teamwork is most effective when it is face-to-face. Teams that are geographically separate are less effective and develop fewer interpersonal relationships.

Question 6

When he gets to work, Andy reports to Letitia. She gives him his tasks for the day, and at the end of the day, she checks his work to ensure its quality. Andy is Letitia's:

A) superior.
B) subordinate.
C) out-group.
D) team leader.

Question 7

Olga's assistant, May, is working on a new, exciting project she's been assigned when Olga asks her to call some clients and get their support for a new ad campaign. May hates calling clients, but she must put aside her project and make the calls. For May, this is:

A) an abuse of the hierarchy.
B) a positive face threat.
C) a negative face threat.
D) outside the norm.

Question 8

A clearer, and possibly more rigid, hierarchy is generally found in a workplace with a:

A) tall organizational structure.
B) flat organizational structure.
C) low level of collegiality.
D) casual office culture.

Question 9

Stories, humor, and jargon together help to define:

A) the corporate hierarchy.
B) levels of face threat.
C) response latency.
D) office culture.

Question 10

Though her new office didn't have a formal dress code, Cassie's coworkers laughed when they told her about how the person who previously held her position always wore jeans to work. This is an example of:

A) an introduction to the jargon Cassie will need for the job.
B) positive face threat for Cassie because she wants to wear jeans to work.
C) a story that tells Cassie the norms for appropriate dress.
D) tensions in the workplace caused by out-group status.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of positive face threat?

A) Jonah tells his manager that he can't be disturbed because he is hard at work on a big report, but his manager later catches him in the break room drinking coffee and telling jokes with his friends.
B) Tomas is looking forward to his day off but has to cancel his plans when there is an emergency in the office and his manager tells him he must come to work.
C) Isabelle does not understand the jargon that her coworker is using to explain a new system to her, but she nods along as though she does in order to appear in control of the situation.
D) Beth is considering calling off work during inventory until her coworker tells her about how their boss yelled at him when he asked for time off during inventory week.

Question 12

As part of the marketing group, Leslie has trouble getting information from the production group because they are resentful due to their perception that they do all the work while the marketing group reaps the rewards. With respect to the production group, Leslie is:

A) a superior.
B) part of the out-group.
C) part of the in-group.
D) collegial.

Question 13

When delivering bad news in the workplace, it is best to:

A) come right out with it.
B) not mince words as to fully convey the gravity of the situation.
C) put a positive spin on it.
D) reiterate the bad news at the end of the conversation to drive home the point.

Question 14

Tensions between in-groups and out-groups in the workplace:

A) can be worked out by stressing the groups' shared goals in the company.
B) are fairly rare and usually work themselves out.
C) are generally petty and not detrimental to the company as a whole.
D) should be contained within departments so they don't affect the entire organization.

Question 15

Darnelle is conducting an annual evaluation of his employee Clarissa, and he must tell her that she is not getting a raise this year. The best way for Darnelle to start out would be to:

A) threaten that Clarissa may next lose her job if her performance does not improve.
B) come right out and tell her the bad news, and then discuss it in more depth.
C) blame the higher-ups in the company so that Clarissa will continue to try to do a good job for him.
D) review Clarissa's official job description and some of his expectations for the position.

Question 16

Which of the following would be part of an effective bad-news message in the workplace?

A) "Good customer service is important. Be sure to follow procedures to avoid any further customer complaints."
B) "Just keep in mind that Benjamin started at the same time as you, but his numbers are much higher. This may be an issue at promotion time, if you know what I mean."
C) "We definitely value initiative at this company, and that will be an asset for you. Just make sure to check with me before moving forward with major decisions like this in the future."
D) "I'd like to discuss some of the issues we had on this project so that you don't repeat them on the next one."

Question 17

Barbara, the owner of a bakery, received an order for a very intricate wedding cake with delicate details, and she needs to assign a team for the order. In deciding who will work on the cake, Barbara will likely have to:

A) use a decision-making team.
B) use a division of labor.
C) capitalize on strengths.
D) rely on sheer capacity.

Question 18

A large warehouse handling a high quantity of orders would most likely use:

A) decision-making teams.
B) division of labor.
C) employees who have special skills in order to capitalize on their strengths.
D) sheer capacity.

Question 19

Consider the issue of face threat. What are some instances when you have tried to present positive or negative face in the workplace or a school setting? How was that presentation threatened? What was your response?

Question 20

Describe some specific situations in which a company might use decision-making teams, division of labor, employee strengths, and sheer capacity to get a job done. Do you think one type of team is generally superior to the others? Why or why not?