Q&A Hero

Q: What can you do as an HR manager to ensure that you hire ethical employees?

Q: What is organizational culture? How can managers influence the ethical nature of a firm's culture?

Q: What legislation exists to ensure that ethical decisions are made in the workplace? What is the role of the HR manager in workplace ethics?

Q: What is an ethics code? What methods do firms use to monitor employees and ensure their compliance with ethics codes?

Q: What is morality? How does an employee's morality relate to making ethical decisions in the workplace?

Q: Unfortunately, employers have no tools for measuring the ethics of an individual during the applicant screening process, so employers do not realize they have hired an unethical person until it is too late.

Q: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires publicly traded companies to declare whether they have a code of conduct, and it increases penalties for companies convicted of ethics violations if they have codes of conduct that were not properly enforced.

Q: Offering rewards for ethical behavior is a foolproof way to ensure ethical behavior from employees.

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

Q: 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.

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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: Fair performance appraisals are most likely characterized by ________. A) 360-feedback B) clarified standards C) limited notification D) subjective assessments

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: Employees who report unethical corporate behavior are primarily known as ________. A) whistleblowers B) consultants C) tipsters D) advisers

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: Which of the following reinforces 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

Q: 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?

Q: 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.

Q: According to experts, ethical behavior in the workplace begins with ________. A) fraudulent deeds B) organizational fit C) moral awareness D) reward systems

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: ________ is the characteristic values, traditions, and behaviors a company's employees share. A) Organizational culture B) Organizational climate C) Organizational ethics D) National culture

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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.

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: The principles of conduct governing an individual or a group are referred to as ________. A) judgments B) morals C) ethics D) laws

Q: The introduction of union relations laws, civil rights laws, and occupational safety laws have led to the diminishment of most employees' legal rights.

Q: A firm's ethics code outlines its mission, vision, appraisal system, and hiring policies.

Q: 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.

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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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 were 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: What would be the best tool for evaluating employee attitudes about workplace safety? A) newsletter B) exit interview C) suggestion box D) survey

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: Which of the following is NOT considered a component of bullying? A) intent to cause harm B) power imbalance C) verbal assault D) repetition

Q: Which term refers to singling out an individual for the purpose of harassment and mistreatment? A) social assault B) victimization C) dismissal D) bullying

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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.

Q: Which term refers to fair processes? A) distributive justice B) procedural justice C) interactional justice D) normative justice

Q: Which of the following terms refers to fair outcomes? A) distributive justice B) procedural justice C) interactional justice D) normative justice

Q: 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

Q: How can an employer use communication tools to improve employee relations?

Q: 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

Q: Which activity involves establishing and maintaining positive employee-employer relationships? A) employee relations B) succession planning C) employee development D) human resource management

Q: As a strategy to increase productivity, employee engagement, and better customer service, organizations are paying higher than competitors' wages.

Q: Why are family-friendly benefits increasingly valuable to employees? What are some examples of family-friendly benefits?

Q: Flexible benefits plans enable employees to spend their benefits allowances as they desire and to opt out of certain benefits, such as disability and unemployment insurance.

Q: Howard's firm allows employees to assemble their own benefits packages from a variety of benefits options, so Howard's firm most likely offers a cafeteria plan.

Q: Providing employees with iPhones, laptops, or other tools they need to get their jobs done in any location is known as workplace flexibility.