Deck 12: Ethics, Employee Relations, and Fair Treatment at Work

Question 1

The principles of conduct governing an individual or a group are referred to as ________.

A) judgments
B) morals
C) ethics
D) laws

Answer 1

C
Explanation: C) Ethics refers to "the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group; specifically, the standards you use to decide what your conduct should be." Morality means society's accepted standards of behavior.

Question 2

According to research, which of the following has the greatest impact on work-related ethical decisions?

A) organizational characteristics
B) environmental pressures
C) corporate procedures
D) personal inclinations

Answer 2

D
Explanation: D) Since people bring to their jobs their own ideas regarding morality, each individual must shoulder most of the blame for ethical decisions. Although organizational culture influences personal decisions, the work environment is less responsible than the employee.

Question 3

According to the ethics research presented in the text, "bad apples" are best described as ________.

A) pressures that encourage unethical choices
B) people who are inclined to make unethical choices
C) ethical situations that are ripe for unethical choices
D) environments that foster or condone unethical choices

Answer 3

B
Explanation: B) Bad apples are people who are inclined to make unethical choices. Bad cases refer to ethical situations that are ripe for unethical choices. Bad barrels are environments that foster or condone unethical choices. These three elements combine to determine what a person's ethical choices will be.

Question 4

As a manager, all of the following are methods that you should use to shape the ethical behavior of subordinates EXCEPT ________.

A) clarifying expectations
B) serving as a role model
C) rewarding honest work
D) taking credit for others' work

Question 5

Based on research into ethical behavior in the workplace, which of the following is a true statement?

A) Employees feel uncomfortable discussing ethics, so it should be avoided.
B) Punishing unethical behavior fails to alter the behavior of others in the workplace.
C) Having ethical leaders in an organization reduces the number of unethical decisions.
D) A code of conduct significantly decreases the number of unethical choices in the workplace.

Question 6

According to the ethics research presented in the text, "bad cases" are best described as ________.

A) managers who encourage unethical choices
B) people who are inclined to make unethical choices
C) ethical situations that are ripe for unethical choices
D) environments that foster or condone unethical choices

Question 7

Which term refers to fair processes?

A) distributive justice
B) procedural justice
C) interactional justice
D) normative justice

Question 8

________ is the characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share.

A) Organizational culture
B) Organizational climate
C) Organizational ethics
D) National culture

Question 9

All of the following have been linked to employees' perceiving their employers as fair EXCEPT ________.

A) improved compensation
B) increased job satisfaction
C) enhanced employee commitment
D) enhanced organizational citizenship behaviors

Question 10

Which of the following has the most impact on creating and sustaining an ethical organizational culture?

A) performance appraisals
B) managerial actions
C) compensation packages
D) business policies

Question 11

Morality is best defined as the ________.

A) basic beliefs about what is right or wrong
B) principles of conduct governing an individual or group
C) standards used by the organization to decide upon proper conduct
D) standards of behavior accepted by society

Question 12

Which of the following terms refers to fair outcomes?

A) distributive justice
B) procedural justice
C) interactional justice
D) normative justice

Question 13

According to the ethics research presented in the text, "bad barrels" are best described as ________.

A) pressures that lead to unethical choices
B) people who are inclined to make unethical choices
C) ethical situations that are ripe for unethical choices
D) environments that foster or condone unethical choices

Question 14

Which of the following best defines values as they relate to organizational culture?

A) a basic belief about what is right or wrong
B) characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share
C) principles of conduct governing an individual or group
D) standards of behavior accepted by society

Question 15

Ethics are best defined as the ________.

A) basic beliefs about what is right or wrong
B) values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share
C) principles of conduct governing an individual or group
D) standards used by the organization to decide upon proper conduct

Question 16

Which of the following is LEAST likely to convey signals to employees regarding ethical behavior?

A) benefits plans
B) incentive plans
C) appraisal systems
D) disciplinary procedures

Question 17

Organizational culture refers to the ________.

A) basic societal beliefs about what is right or wrong
B) characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share
C) principles of conduct governing an individual or group
D) standards used by the organization to decide upon proper conduct

Question 18

According to ethics surveys, which of the following is the underlying factor behind most ethical lapses in the workplace?

A) unclear standards
B) company pressures
C) distrust of co-workers
D) personal financial problems

Question 19

Which of the following leads to the majority of ethical compromises in the workplace?

A) meeting scheduling pressures
B) meeting financial objectives
C) feeling peer pressure
D) saving jobs

Question 20

According to research, most adults base their work-related ethical decisions on ________.

A) high-level ethical principles
B) expectations of co-workers
C) fears of being punished
D) upward feedback

Question 21

Which of the following is the primary element of properly developed disciplinary procedures?

A) electronic employee monitoring
B) clearly established rules
C) anonymous surveys
D) severe penalties

Question 22

How can a firm identify ethical people during the selection process?

A) ask closed-ended interview questions
B) conduct background checks
C) explain promotion policies
D) utilize job evaluations

Question 23

Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment. Which of the following best supports the argument that Health-Tech should distribute an opinion survey to employees?

A) Exit interviews at Health-Tech indicate that employees feel uncomfortable about raising ethics concerns with managers.
B) Health-Tech managers have been reluctant to terminate unqualified employees for fear of lawsuits and other forms of retaliation.
C) Unsatisfactory performance is the primary reason for the majority of employee dismissals at Health-Tech.
D) Independent contractors working for Health-Tech are not allowed to work for the firm's competitors, which angers most contractors.

Question 24

Where are an organization's rules and regulations usually stated?

A) employee handbook
B) code of ethics outline
C) sexual harassment training guide
D) human resource policy manual

Question 25

Which of the following is a procedure that corrects a subordinate for violating a rule or procedure?

A) coaching
B) training
C) discipline
D) appraisal

Question 26

Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment. Health-Tech's HR department has devised a brief ethics test for employees to use when determining if their actions match Health-Tech's code of conduct. Which of the following questions is LEAST likely to be included on the ethics test?

A) What Health-Tech employees will be affected by my actions?
B) Will my actions reflect negatively on the image of Health-Tech?
C) Would I perform this action if I worked for a Health-Tech competitor?
D) Is the action I am about to perform on behalf of Health-Tech a legal one?

Question 27

A fair discipline process is built on all of the following EXCEPT ________.

A) established rules and regulations
B) a system of progressive penalties
C) performance appraisals
D) an appeals process

Question 28

What is the most likely reason for more firms providing ethics training to employees?

A) Universities do not require all graduate students to enroll in ethics courses.
B) Federal laws encourage firms to comply with ethics training guidelines.
C) Employees seeking professional certification are tested on ethics.
D) State laws require businesses to have written codes of conduct.

Question 29

Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment. Which of the following best supports the argument that Health-Tech should make significant changes to its disciplinary process?

A) According to surveys, Health-Tech employees feel that managers do not listen to their concerns or take their opinions seriously.
B) Health-Tech requires employees to receive annual ethics training to ensure that they understand the firm's latest policies.
C) Health-Tech's main competitor uses fictional scenarios to test applicants' morality and has fewer ethics problems than Health-Tech.
D) Historically, arbitrators have overturned the dismissal decisions of Health-Tech's managers because of unclear company rules.

Question 30

According to experts, ethical behavior in the workplace begins with ________.

A) fraudulent deeds
B) organizational fit
C) moral awareness
D) reward systems

Question 31

Employees at R&R Carpet and Tile are allowed to take one-hour lunch breaks. Todd's assistant, Suzanne, took a two-hour lunch break today without prior approval. Suzanne has never broken any other rules since being employed by the company. R&R has a nonpunitive discipline policy. Which of the following will most likely be Todd's response to Suzanne's violation?

A) issuing an oral reminder to Suzanne
B) telling Suzanne that she is dismissed
C) giving Suzanne a one-day leave with pay
D) issuing a formal written reminder to Suzanne

Question 32

Johnson & Johnson has a corporate ethics code that states "We believe our first responsibility is to the doctors, nurses and patients, mothers and fathers, and all others who use our products and services." What is the most likely purpose of Johnson & Johnson's ethics code?

A) providing physical support for managers
B) establishing disciplinary policies for managers
C) providing incentives for employees
D) clarifying expectations for employees

Question 33

When an employer informs everyone of the standards for judging performance and the penalties for failure up front, the employer is enhancing the perceived fairness of the situation via ________.

A) expectation clarity
B) engagement
C) friendliness
D) explanation

Question 34

When a company rewards employees who behave ethically using the firm's incentive plan and appraisal system, they are ________ to encourage ethical behavior.

A) providing physical support
B) using stories
C) organizing ceremonies
D) using symbols

Question 35

Which of the following is a true statement regarding ethical behavior in the workplace?

A) Discussions in the workplace about ethics lead to more ethically problematic behavior.
B) Significantly challenging goals that are pursued blindly may increase unethical behavior.
C) Punishing unethical behavior leads to problems with employee morale.
D) Joining an organization does not alter people's moral compasses.

Question 36

Which of the following suggests that when a woman fails to act as anticipated, men and women will treat her more harshly than if a man had acted in the same manner?

A) glass ceiling
B) Evil Woman Thesis
C) gender role error
D) self-serving bias

Question 37

The CEO of Southwest Airlines can sometimes be seen helping out at a gate, handling luggage, and assisting cabin attendants while in flight. This is an example of ________ to create and sustain the company's culture.

A) providing physical support
B) organizing ceremonies
C) clarifying expectations
D) using signs and symbols

Question 38

Which of the following enforces the need for organizations to provide ethics training to employees?

A) Sarbanes-Oxley Act
B) Taft-Hartley Act
C) Landrum-Griffin Act
D) Davis-Bacon Act

Question 39

Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment. Which of the following, if true, best supports the argument that Health-Tech should utilize online ethics program software?

A) The Health-Tech legal department requires the firm to post its ethics code and hiring procedures on the firm's website to prevent legal problems.
B) The Health-Tech website provides dismissed employees with outplacement counseling and job posting links.
C) Health-Tech discusses its code of conduct during employee orientation and also provides new employees with the firm's handbook.
D) Health-Tech executives want to quantify the types of ethical issues that are most common at the firm in order to provide the most relevant training to employees.

Question 40

The periodic administration of employee opinion surveys helps managers to ________.

A) implement training programs
B) collect downward feedback
C) quantify performance appraisals
D) build two-way communication

Question 41

Which of the following has increased the need for employee monitoring in recent years?

A) cell phones
B) GPS software
C) social media
D) productivity software

Question 42

According to the text, what is typically included in a firm's ethics training?

A) summaries of ethics-related legislation and policies
B) methods for creating ethical job evaluations
C) graphs that chart changing ethical issues
D) tools for recognizing ethical dilemmas

Question 43

An employee who perceives an employer as providing high distributive and procedural justice will most likely experience ________.

A) employment-related stress
B) co-worker compatibility
C) organizational satisfaction
D) improved communication

Question 44

Hawkins Publishing has a formal, publicized, three-step process for employees who want to appeal disciplinary actions. Hawkins is most likely striving to achieve ________

A) executive oversight
B) two-way communication
C) employee involvement
D) guaranteed fair treatment

Question 45

Employers found guilty of misconduct frequently receive reduced penalties if they ________.

A) provide orientation to new hires
B) establish whistleblower hotlines
C) implement codes of conduct
D) agree with union demands.

Question 46

What is the most likely result of unfair treatment and abusive supervision in the workplace?

A) reduced benefits
B) increased stress
C) reduced commissions
D) increased whistleblowing

Question 47

Fair performance appraisals are most likely characterized by ________.

A) 360-feedback
B) clarified standards
C) limited notification
D) subjective assessments

Question 48

Which term refers to singling out an individual for the purpose of harassment and mistreatment?

A) social assault
B) victimization
C) dismissal
D) bullying

Question 49

Which of the following would LEAST likely be viewed as an employee privacy violation?

A) publication of private matters
B) disclosure of medical records
C) e-mail surveillance
D) iris scanning

Question 50

Which of the following actions would most likely reduce an employee's chances of becoming a bullying victim?

A) acting less intelligent
B) striving to be a team player
C) joining social media websites
D) working on independent projects

Question 51

Tamika, a FedEx employee, was recently disciplined by her supervisor for insubordination. Tamika believes that the punishment was too harsh. According to FedEx's guaranteed fair treatment program, what should Tamika do first to appeal the decision?

A) submit a written complaint to a middle manager
B) file a written complaint with the employee relations department
C) submit a formal, written appeal to the department's vice president
D) file a letter of appeal with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Question 52

During ethics training, which of the following would most likely emphasize the importance of ethics to the firm?

A) top management participation
B) role-playing opportunities
C) online ethics software
D) disciplinary policies

Question 53

All of the following are areas in which employees currently have legal rights EXCEPT ________.

A) political and union activity
B) injury and illness
C) verbal abuse
D) defamation

Question 54

According to employee surveys, fair treatment in the workplace is exemplified by managers who ________.

A) treat employees respectfully
B) give employees challenging tasks
C) assign employees mentors or coaches
D) encourage employees to make career plans

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT considered a component of bullying?

A) intent to cause harm
B) power imbalance
C) verbal assault
D) repetition

Question 56

An ethics audit conducted by a firm would LEAST likely address ________.

A) access to company information
B) employee discrimination
C) selection tools
D) gift giving

Question 57

Which of the following terms refers to discipline without punishment?

A) democratic punishment
B) corporal punishment
C) alternative discipline
D) positive discipline

Question 58

According to the author, why should ethics be addressed in a human resource management book?

A) Employers benefit from being viewed by employees as fair.
B) Ethics is a complex, theoretical discipline that needs analysis.
C) Legislation related to ethical codes affects business decisions.
D) Unethical business behavior is common in service industries.

Question 59

Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics. The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona. Recently, Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds. In addition, the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge. As a result, Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process, ethics training system, reward system, and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment. Which of the following undermines the argument that Health-Tech should shift from a traditional discipline system to a nonpunitive discipline system?

A) Frequent tardiness is the primary infraction among Health-Tech employees who receive decision-making leave.
B) A court ruled in a wrongful discharge case against Health-Tech that the employee handbook served as an implied contract.
C) Health-Tech has already modified its hiring process to include ethics tests when screening job applicants.
D) The most common employee discipline situations at Health-Tech involve theft or physical altercations.

Question 60

Employees who report unethical corporate behavior are primarily known as ________.

A) whistleblowers
B) consultants
C) tipsters
D) advisers

Question 61

Which of the following is LEAST relevant to an effective employee suggestion system?

A) focus on key organizational goals
B) simple submission process
C) monetary reward option
D) senior management support

Question 62

Many people in the new business development group at GRS&M feel that Blaine was promoted due to her personal friendship with the supervisor rather than a fair review of the qualified employees in the group. This attitude is the result of the employees' perceived procedural justice relative to the decision.

Question 63

Which term refers to the shared perceptions that organizational members have about their organization and work environment?

A) organizational culture
B) organizational climate
C) employee relations
D) public relations

Question 64

Which of the following is a formal, semi-permanent work group that identifies and researches work processes and develops solutions to work-related problems?

A) committee
B) suggestion team
C) problem-solving team
D) self-managing work team

Question 65

Which activity involves establishing and maintaining positive employee-employee relationships?

A) employee relations
B) succession planning
C) employee development
D) human resource management

Question 66

According to research, three actions contribute to perceived fairness in business settings. Which of the following is NOT one of those actions?

A) expectation clarity
B) encouragement
C) engagement
D) explanation

Question 67

What is the intended goal of most self-directed work teams?

A) analyzing and solving a problem in one work area
B) developing a well-defined segment of finished work
C) brainstorming ideas to solve a specific analytical task
D) discussing organization-wide issues and problems

Question 68

R&R has a nonpunitive discipline policy. Employees at R&R Carpet and Tile are allowed to take one-hour lunch breaks. Todd's assistant, Suzanne, took a two-hour lunch break today without prior approval. Suzanne was given a verbal warning five weeks ago for a similar infraction. Which of the following will most likely be Todd's response to Suzanne's actions today?

A) give Suzanne a one-day, paid leave to consider whether she can abide by the firm's rules
B) give Suzanne a formal written reminder that will be included in her personnel file
C) require Suzanne to participate in arbitration with an ombudsman
D) discuss the incident with Suzanne privately

Question 69

Every year, Johnson Technologies hosts a banquet during which employees are given various awards, such as "safest driver" and "branch employee of the year." What is Johnson Technologies most likely trying to accomplish with this activity?

A) demonstrate ethical behavior
B) implement employee benefits
C) improve employee relations
D) gather organizational feedback

Question 70

Kyra, a data analyst, met recently with 10 other employees from different departments at Cushing Communications. The employees were asked questions by a facilitator about the firm's incentive plans and encouraged to share their opinions and attitudes. Kyra was most likely involved in a ________.

A) focus group
B) joint committee
C) suggestion team
D) quality circle

Question 71

Why is employee involvement an effective employee relations strategy?

A) complies with employment laws
B) demonstrates the organizational culture
C) implements organizational development plans
D) shows employees that their opinions are valuable

Question 72

Distributive justice refers to the manner in which managers conduct their interpersonal dealings with employees.

Question 73

Moral disengagement frees people from the guilt they would normally feel after violating their ethical standards.

Question 74

What would be the best tool for evaluating employee attitudes about workplace safety?

A) newsletter
B) exit interview
C) suggestion box
D) survey

Question 75

The standards an individual uses to decide what his or her conduct should be are known as common law.

Question 76

Marco belongs to a specially trained team of eight employees that performs assignments with little or no oversight from managers. Marco most likely belongs to a ________.

A) self-directed work team
B) problem-solving team
C) suggestion team
D) focus group

Question 77

Which of the following would most likely be considered unfair by employees?

A) investigating an issue before administering discipline
B) sustaining the burden of proof on the employee
C) verifying that evidence supports the charge
D) clarifying disciplinary consequences

Question 78

The president of University National Bank has his office on the main floor of the bank just off the lobby, and his door is always open unless he is in a private meeting. This represents a physical manifestation of the company's culture.

Question 79

Kareem belongs to a temporary work group that analyzes manufacturing productivity. The group meets informally to brainstorm and develop ideas to raise productivity. Kareem most likely belongs to a ________.

A) quality circle
B) suggestion team
C) self-directed work team
D) high-performance work team

Question 80

A ________ is a special type of formal problem-solving team consisting of 6 to 12 specially trained employees who meet weekly to solve problems affecting their work area.

A) self-managing work team
B) virtual focus group
C) suggestion team
D) quality circle