Question 1

It is an ethical violation to disclose personnel information about your co-workers even to your family.

Accepted Answer

Disclosing personnel information without proper authorization is a violation of privacy and confidentiality, which is an ethical issue in the workplace. It is important to maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of your coworkers.

Question 2

You need not disclose in your employment application those positions you held which will not result in good feedback about you if your supervisors there are contacted.

Accepted Answer

It is important to provide complete and accurate information on your employment application. Failing to disclose previous employment, regardless of the potential feedback, could be seen as dishonest and could impact your chances of being hired. It is better to explain any negative feedback in an interview and provide context for the situation. Additionally, some employers may conduct background checks or verify employment history, and leaving out a previous job could be discovered and reflect poorly on the candidate's honesty and integrity.

Question 3

Employers should try to control the sexually suggestive content of worker e-mails.

Accepted Answer

It is important for employers to maintain a professional work environment and prevent any form of harassment. Controlling sexually suggestive content in worker e-mails can help prevent inappropriate behavior and maintain a respectful workplace.

Question 4

A purchasing agent for a company could accept a Rolex from a supplier so long as there is no bid pending.

Accepted Answer

Accepting gifts from suppliers can be seen as a conflict of interest that could potentially influence purchasing decisions. Therefore, a purchasing agent should not accept gifts from suppliers regardless of whether or not there is a bid pending.

Question 5

One benefit of diversity is a better ability to understand customers.

Accepted Answer

When a business or organization has a diverse workforce, they bring different perspectives and experiences that can help them better understand and meet the needs of diverse customers. This can lead to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Question 6

Violation of company rules is not considered an ethical violation.

Accepted Answer

Violating company rules can also be considered an ethical violation because the rules and policies of a company are often designed to ensure ethical behavior and compliance with laws and regulations.

Question 7

Employer hiring practices must be balanced with prospective employees' rights to privacy.

Accepted Answer

Employers need to balance their need to know about a job candidate's qualifications with the candidate's right to privacy. They can legally gather information about job candidates, but they need to make sure they are not violating any privacy laws.

Question 8

Employee hotlines exist to help employees who feel they cannot communicate concerns through the lines of authority.

Accepted Answer

Employee hotlines are established to provide a means for employees to report concerns or potential violations anonymously or confidentially, without fear of retaliation or retribution from superiors or colleagues. This allows employees to express themselves more freely and with greater confidence, knowing that their feedback will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly to address any problems or issues that may arise.

Question 9

When there is a developing safety issue in the workplace, it is best for an employer to just wait and see how much harm can result before taking precautions.

Accepted Answer

It is not best for an employer to wait and see how much harm can result before taking precautions. Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for their employees, and waiting to take action can result in further harm or even legal consequences. It is important for employers to address safety issues promptly and take appropriate measures to prevent harm to their employees.

Question 10

Using things of minimal value that belong to your employer for personal reasons (such as paper, paper clips, pens) is not an ethical violation.

Accepted Answer

Using company resources for personal use without permission is a violation of the employer's trust and is considered unethical. It may seem like a small thing, but it can add up and impact the company's bottom line. Employees should always ask for permission before using company resources for personal reasons.

Question 11

Whistleblowers have both internal and external avenues for dealing with issues.

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowers can report concerns or issues internally to their company's management or ethics hotline, or externally to regulatory agencies, law enforcement, or the media.

Question 12

Some employee screening devices are not as valid as others.

Accepted Answer

Different employee screening devices have different levels of validity, depending on factors such as the type of job, the validity of the test questions, and the potential for bias or discrimination. Therefore, some devices may not be as valid as others in certain situations.

Question 13

It is not your responsibility to report a co-worker who leaves the office early each day without taking time off.

Accepted Answer

It is important to report any unethical behavior, including a co-worker leaving early without proper authorization, as it can impact workplace productivity and morale. Reporting such actions ensures fairness and adherence to company policies.

Question 14

Whistleblowers who turn to external avenues for dealing with issues are unethical.

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowers who turn to external avenues, such as reporting to regulatory bodies or the media, are acting ethically by bringing attention to wrongdoing that may harm the public or violate laws and regulations. This can hold organizations accountable and promote transparency and accountability. However, whistleblowers should also consider internal reporting options as a first step before going externally, if safe and feasible to do so.

Question 15

Employers cannot monitor employee e-mails.

Accepted Answer

Employers have the legal right to monitor employee e-mails if they are using company equipment or accounts. However, there are some restrictions and limitations to this right depending on the country and local laws. It is important for both employers and employees to be aware of applicable privacy policies and laws regarding electronic communication in the workplace.

Question 16

The failure to disclose a current employee's conduct that resulted in dismissal and harm to a prospective employer is a breach of ethics.

Accepted Answer

Failing to disclose relevant information about a current or former employee is considered unethical behavior, and can also result in legal consequences. It is important to disclose any information that may be pertinent to a prospective employer so that they can make informed decisions about their hiring process.

Question 17

A journalist who fails to disclose his or her financial interest in the subject of a story he or she is covering has a conflict of interest.

Accepted Answer

This is because the journalist's financial interest in the subject may influence the way he or she reports the story, making it difficult for the reader or viewer to know whether the story is being presented objectively or not. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is therefore important for maintaining journalistic integrity and transparency.

Question 18

Employer e-mail systems have been ruled as employer property in which employees have no rights of privacy.

Accepted Answer

Courts have consistently ruled that employer e-mail systems are the property of the employer and employees using those systems have no reasonable expectation of privacy. Employers can monitor, access, and review employee e-mails sent on their systems without prior notice or consent from the employee. However, some jurisdictions have enacted laws that limit an employer's right to access certain types of employee communications, such as personal e-mails or those exchanged with an attorney.

Question 19

The safest and simplest conflict of interest policy for purchasing agents is to accept nothing from suppliers.

Accepted Answer

Accepting gifts or other benefits from suppliers can create conflicts of interest and may compromise the ethical decision-making of the purchasing agent. A policy of accepting nothing from suppliers is the safest and simplest way to avoid such conflicts.

Question 20

If whistleblowers do not have internal avenues for dealing with issues, they will quit or turn to external avenues.

Accepted Answer

If whistleblowers do not have internal avenues for dealing with issues, such as reporting to a supervisor or HR department, they may feel compelled to quit their job or turn to external avenues, such as regulatory agencies or the media. This is because they feel that their concerns are not being addressed or that there is a risk of retaliation for speaking up. Therefore, it is important for organizations to have effective internal reporting mechanisms in place to encourage whistleblowers to come forward and address issues internally.

Quiz 7: Ethics, Business Operations, and Rights