Question 1

To be ethical, you should always follow your heart and feelings.

Accepted Answer

Ethical decisions should be based on a combination of personal values, societal norms, and universal principles rather than solely on emotions, which can be subjective and variable.

Question 2

Loran calls Russ and asks, "Did you finish the Wilson report?" Russ responds, "Yes, I just finished it. I'll send it to you in a few minutes." Russ quickly finishes the report, which he had actually forgotten. He e-mails it to Loran about 30 minutes later. Russ lied to Loran.

Accepted Answer

Russ initially lied when he said he had finished the report, as he actually completed it after the conversation.

Question 3

Workplace politics can be good or bad.

Accepted Answer

Workplace politics can be beneficial when it fosters healthy competition, innovation, and collaboration among employees, but it can be detrimental when it leads to favoritism, conflict, and inefficiency.

Question 4

Laura supervises a team of administrative associates. Jay complains to her that his three teammates have acted irresponsibly. She immediately sends an e-mail ordering the teammates to apologize to Jay. Laura

Accepted Answer

Laura should have gathered all the necessary information and perspectives from all involved parties before taking action. This ensures a fair and informed decision-making process.

Question 5

Which is NOT an appropriate step when handling sexual harassment?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed (A, B, and C) are appropriate steps when handling sexual harassment.

Question 6

Following the rules means you will always be ethical.

Accepted Answer

Ethics and rules are not always aligned; one can follow rules but still act unethically if those rules are unjust or morally wrong.

Question 7

Which action or decision is NOT illegal according to federal law?

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed are illegal under federal law. Paying a man more than a woman for equal work violates the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Refusing to hire someone because she is pregnant violates the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978. Dismissing an employee because of a diabetes diagnosis can be considered discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Question 8

Each decision you make contributes to your reputation as an ethical employee.

Accepted Answer

Every decision you make at work reflects on your ethical standards and contributes to how others perceive your integrity and professionalism, thus affecting your reputation as an ethical employee.

Question 9

Joan is late for work every day. When confronted by her supervisor, she says it is because traffic is terrible on her commute. Her response shows a lack of

Accepted Answer

Joan's response attributes her tardiness to external factors (traffic) rather than acknowledging her own role in managing her time or finding solutions, indicating a lack of responsibility, accountability, and dependability.

Question 10

Satisfied employees generally cost companies less than dissatisfied employees.

Accepted Answer

Satisfied employees tend to have higher retention rates, increased productivity, and lower absenteeism, which reduces recruitment and training costs, and potential losses in productivity, making them less costly to companies compared to dissatisfied employees.

Question 11

At Laine's company, several employees tell sexually oriented jokes and hang suggestive posters in the break room. She and some other employees have complained to the supervisor that these actions are crude and offensive. The situation could be _____ sexual harassment.

Accepted Answer

The described situation is an example of a hostile environment, where the behavior creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Quid pro quo sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature where submission to or rejection of such conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment.

Question 12

Sunita files a sexual harassment complaint at work. Her employer does not respond to the complaint. Sunita is within her rights to file sexual harassment charges with an appropriate federal agency.

Accepted Answer

If an employer does not respond to a sexual harassment complaint, the employee, in this case, Sunita, has the right to file charges with a federal agency such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the United States.

Question 13

Ethical business decisions include decisions about internal matters and do not include decisions related to the environment.

Accepted Answer

Ethical business decisions encompass a wide range of considerations, including those related to the environment, as businesses are increasingly recognized for their role in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Question 14

Research shows that in organizations with a strong ethical culture

Accepted Answer

In organizations with a strong ethical culture, employees are less likely to feel pressured to act unethically and are more inclined to report misconduct, making both A and B correct.

Question 15

Which is a violation of confidential information?

Accepted Answer

All the options involve sharing or handling personal or confidential information inappropriately, which constitutes a violation of confidentiality.

Question 16

The chapter advises using a(n) ______ to decide the right direction to go ethically.

Accepted Answer

An ethical road map is a tool or guideline that helps individuals or organizations navigate through complex ethical decisions, ensuring that their actions align with their core values and principles.

Question 17

You are interviewing someone who is an excellent candidate for a job, but you're reluctant to hire him because of his age. You're afraid he will retire in a year or two. It is legal and ethical not to hire him for that reason.

Accepted Answer

It is illegal and unethical to discriminate against a job candidate based on age under laws such as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) in the United States. Decisions should be based on qualifications and ability to perform the job, not age.

Question 18

Your company just signed a contract with Company A after considering two other Asian companies. The rejected companies had questionable records with regard to employee safety. This ethical decision is an example of your company being

Accepted Answer

Choosing Company A over others due to concerns about employee safety shows a recognition of global ethical standards, indicating global awareness.

Question 19

An ethical employee is loyal to the organization in all situations.

Accepted Answer

An ethical employee balances loyalty to the organization with other ethical principles, such as honesty and integrity, and may challenge organizational practices that are unethical or harmful.

Question 20

Unethical values can

Accepted Answer

Unethical values can often be changed by adopting new habits that align with ethical behavior (A) and by intentionally focusing on actions that are the opposite of those unethical values (B). Both strategies can contribute to a shift in values over time.

Quiz 5: Ethical Theories and Behaviors