1. Which part of this scenario involves an ethical dilemma?
A. The coworker making suggestions to address productivity for a different department
B. Manager A sharing the medical information of an employee Correct
C. The manager and coworker going to a bar together
D. Manager A sharing with the coworker that productivity numbers are suffering
Explanation
Manager A disclosed an employee's confidential medical information (a cancer diagnosis), which is a violation of privacy and ethical standards. While discussing productivity issues might be acceptable in some contexts, sharing the specific, sensitive reason for the decline is the core ethical breach.
2. Which action is a fairness approach to this ethical dilemma?
A. Change to a low-cost, less superior medical plan
B. Have the employees absorb all the increased costs
C. Cancel the medical plan
D. Share the costs between the employee and the company Correct
Explanation
A fairness approach seeks a balanced and equitable solution. Sharing the cost burden between the employer and the employees is a collaborative and fair response, unlike the other options which place the entire burden disproportionately on one party.
3. What is affirmative action?
A. An instance of everyone feeling respected and listened to and where everyone can contribute to their highest potential
B. A body of case-by-case court decisions that determines what is legal and what solutions are appropriate for a situation
C. An effort to eliminate discrimination and the effects of past discriminatory employment practices Correct
D. A preference given to a member of a protected group to assist with guaranteed representation
Explanation
Affirmative action is defined as proactive steps taken to eliminate present discrimination and counteract the lingering effects of past discrimination in employment practices. It is not about preferences or guarantees, but about creating opportunities.
4. Which example shows disparate treatment in employment practices?
A. Requiring all applicants interested in a position in editing to submit a writing sample of at least 10 pages
B. Requiring all accounting applicants to possess an accounting degree
C. Requiring all IT specialist applicants age 50 and above to complete a computer knowledge test Correct
D. Requiring all firefighter applicants to pass a physical abilities test
Explanation
Disparate treatment is intentional discrimination where an individual is treated differently based on a protected characteristic (like age). Singling out applicants age 50+ for a special test is a clear example, whereas the other options describe job-related requirements applied to everyone.
5. Which legislation was established for federal contractors to take proactive steps in affirmative action within their workforces?
A. Executive Order 11246 Correct
B. Civil Rights Act
C. Fair Labor Standards Act
D. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
Explanation
Executive Order 11246, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, specifically mandates that federal contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunity.