Casper Test

Question 1

You are Britney’s Friend

1) Describe the major differences between schoolyard bullying and cyberbullying.
2) How would you respond to this act of cyberbullying?
3) What are a few strategies to detect, monitor, and confront acts of cyberbullying?

Answer 1

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Question 2

One member of your student group, Sue, is showing up unprepared and not contributing. She blames this shortcoming on a paper she had to write, but the other members argue that they were responsible for the same paper yet still managed to show up prepared. Two other members begin confronting Sue about the problem.
1) You are a member of the study group and have not participated in the interaction so far, but now the group is looking to you. How would you defuse this situation?

Answer 2

Due to not being aware of Sue’s life or responsibilities I would try to obtain this by giving her the benefit of the doubt. I would ask tactful, non-accusatory questions to help reveal whether she is withholding information from the group. Questions, such as “Is there anything going on outside of class that could be causing a distraction?” And if so, “Is there any way we could help?” This will make her aware of my concern and hopefully feel trusting enough that she could open up about something affecting her ability to work, such as a grandparent’s unexpected passing away. If a serious personal issue was discovered, I would offer to talk with Sue after the meeting to offer support and possibly recommend we talk to the professor as a group to explain the situation at hand. If she seemed hesitant to open up, but there seemed to be an obvious personal issue I would try to talk with her in private outside of a group setting. If this is not the case and Sue simply failed to do her work I would discuss with her the significance of the assignment and the importance of working as a team to achieve a good grade. In the future, if Sue still neglects to do her part of the assignment I would inform the professor about the situation and ask for their guidance.

Question 3

You work at a retail store. A customer wants to return an item for an $80.00 cash refund without a receipt, which is against the store policy. She pleads her case, explaining that she needs the money for her child’s prescription. Your manager is unavailable, so as the most experienced employee, you must advise a younger salesperson and make the final decision.

1) What do you tell the other employee – go ahead and give the refund or abide by store policy? Justify your answer.
2) Assume you advise the newer employee not to give the refund, but she does anyway. Do you report this to your supervisor? Why or why not?
3) If you were asked to establish a policy for a new store around refunds, what aspects would you take into consideration?

Answer 3

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Question 4

You and your friend Sarah are walking down the street on your way home from a tough day of university classes. Sarah is complaining angrily to you about a particular professor and his teaching methodology. Furthermore, Sarah is threatening to submit a formal complaint about the professor to the university administration to initiate disciplinary action for his teaching style. You happen to enjoy the professor’s way of teaching.

1) Given your opinion about the professor, how will you counsel Sarah about her desire to submit a complaint to the university administration?
2) If Sarah’s submission of the complaint would lead to a permanent blemish on the professor’s record, would you change your answer to question 1? Why or why not?
3) Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

Question 5

You are a professor teaching organic chemistry to first year students at a prestigious university. Throughout the year you notice that Sally is consistently late for class, and often times is missing altogether. A few days prior to a major exam you pass by Sally in the hallway and decide to ask the cause of her behaviour. She confides in you that adjustment from high school to university has been difficult for her and asks for an extension on the exam.

1) What do you do?
2) What services do you think that universities should offer students experiencing difficulties transitioning from high school?
3) Considering that individuals learn using different methods and at various paces, should universities consider offering exams in different mediums (for example, written, oral or via demonstration where applicable)?

Question 6

You are waiting in line to purchase some beer at a concert and the person next to you starts chatting and mentions that she forgot her identification. She asks if you could buy liquor for her and her friend. You think they may be underage.

1) What are some of the ethical considerations that need to be taken into account in this situation?
2) What is your decision? What circumstances would change your decision?
3) What if you knew the individual personally, and knew her age. Would that affect your decision

Question 7

You see an 18-month-old girl for her regular visit, which includes routine vaccines. Her mother announces that she doesn’t want to have her daughter vaccinated because she has heard on television that vaccines lead to autism.

1) What are the important questions to ask the mother?
2) How can doctors reconcile what patients see and hear in the media with suggested medical practices?
3) What can be done to promote effective communication in a healthcare setting?

Question 8

The law firm you work for has a Facebook page, and one of your clients “likes” the page, allowing her to post on the page’s wall. She then posts what you think is private information about her divorce settlement for public viewing.

1) How would you contact her and what would you like to know from her?
2) Who decides what to post in this situation? The client or the firm?
3) What benefits in the medical field could be gained by social media use?

Question 9

A family member is acting as an interpreter as you get consent for a procedure for your patient. You are suspicious that the interpreter is not fully translating what you are saying with respect to the risks involved.

1) How would you ensure that your patient is able to give an informed consent?
2) What potential issues could arise if a family member is acting as a communicator?
3) How would this situation proceed if instead a paid translator, who has no relation to the family, were used?

Question 10

You are working at an electronics store, Excellent Buy Electronics, and helping a customer choose a television. The man is insulting his female partner – telling her that she is stupid and never does anything right and he is getting fed up. His voice rises and the other customers in the store hear this.

1) What is your role in this situation?
2) Should you intervene? If so, how can you diffuse this argument?
3) When and to whom would you report a situation like this?

Question 11

A doctor is managing a 70-year-old gentleman with severe dementia, and she has been in direct communication with the patient’s family. The doctor is becoming frustrated with the family for not helping to remind the patient to take his prescription medication, which will help alleviate his symptoms. The family is upset with the doctor for being irritated with them because, as they see it, they do all they can for their father, given their other professional and personal responsibilities.

1) How could this situation have been avoided?
2) What are the steps of conflict resolution?
3) When does a doctor ask for help in a situation like this? Who can she turn to?

Question 12

You are a university student and you are writing a final exam when you notice the student sitting in front of you glancing repeatedly at his neighbour’s paper without them noticing. The proctors fail to notice as well.

1) What would you do in this situation?
2) How would your answer be affected if you know that the neighbor was intentionally allowing the student to look at his exam?
3) What do you think would be an effective method of reducing cheating among university students?

Question 13

In December 2013, just days before Christmas, the North American ice storm left over one million residents without power. In Canada, the City of Toronto was one of the hardest hit by the ice storm. At one point, over 300,000 Toronto residents were without electricity and heat. Many were without power for 24-72 hours, and it took until the New Year for power to be restored to all residents.

1) In your opinion, how should a city prepare for a natural disaster?
2) What steps would you take to prepare yourself for an emergency situation?
3) During natural disasters do healthcare professionals have a duty to the public (for example, working extra hours in potentially dangerous situations)?

Question 14

You are a customer. You are shopping at the pharmacy and see a young mother with her baby steal formula and walk out of the store. She seems well dressed and healthy. It doesn’t seem like anyone else in the store noticed this happening.

1) What do you do?
2) What are the ethical, legal, and psychological implications of your decision?
3) Would your answer change if you were told this was the only time the mother did this?

Answer 14

I would approach the mother in a private setting and discuss what I observed in a nonjudgemental tone. Then I would give her space to state what her side of the story is, I would also provide an active listening ear and any insight or support at my discretion while maintaining an understanding approach to her circumstance. I would then advise her to approach the store manager with the situation and I would offer to pay for her baby formula if I could. Ultimately if she decides not to approach the manager, I would tell her that I would have to do so myself, but I would still offer to pay for the formula.

What are the ethical, legal, and psychological implications of your decision?

The issue at hand presents a dilemma in not making assumptions based on select observations like how the woman is dressed or simply what I observed transpire as there is information that I am certainly not aware of. Further, if the woman was stealing it is a violation of my personal moral code, while I maintain it is central to adopt understanding to the circumstances of others leading them to contradict my own moral code/ world view. Most importantly the socioeconomic struggle that some face leading them to compromise positions would be a necessary consideration for providing productive insight in this circumstance and addressing the issue in a positive manner. These challenges could lead to the detriment of an innocent child’s well-being.

Would your answer change if you were told this was the only time the mother did this?

I would ultimately not change my decision in this circumstance even if this is a one-time theft.

However, as a weightlifting coach I understand the importance of affording children an equitable opportunity at success. I coach two young girls in my youth training group, one from an affluent background and the other facing socioeconomic challenges. When coaching the group I sometimes have to discuss affordable nutrition and training equipment alternatives with the girl from a challenging background and provide her some more attention when she needs, while maintaining basal attention to the whole group to afford everyone with an opportunity at success.

Question 15

You are a university student and you haven’t seen one of your closest friends, who also happens to be in many of your classes, all week. This is unusual for them. You attempt to call them, but they don’t answer your calls. Their roommate bumps into you in the hallway and mentions that your friend hasn’t been looking so good lately.

1) How do you handle the situation?
2) What factors do you consider in deciding whether or not to show up at your friend’s dorm room?
3) How do you decide if/when to involve the help of other individuals (professionals, parents etc.) in this situation?

Question 16

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that has quickly taken over our world. Many people feel that we will not be able to return to our “normal” lives until a vaccine is developed. It is likely that when the vaccine is developed, there will not be enough vaccines for everyone to receive it right away.

1) How should priority be determined for the COVID-19 vaccine?
2) What are the ethical concerns to consider in any priority or ranking system?
3) Discuss a time where you had to choose one person over another in a personal situation and how you came to your decisions.

Question 17

Patience is an essential skill in any field, and particularly in medicine.

1) Discuss a time where you lost your temper.
2) What strategies do you practice to foster patience in your everyday life?
3) How does having patience make you a better person and professional?

Question 18

There is some evidence to suggest that the widespread use of certain wireless tablet devices in hospitals has led to significant improvements in patient satisfaction as well as some small decreases in physician error. During the product launch of technologies such as the tablet, product shortages frequently occur, leaving some prospective consumers empty-handed. Knowing that these technologies may benefit patients in hospital, some believe that hospitals should be given priority treatment to receive devices before being offered to the community at large.

1) There is some evidence to suggest that the widespread use of certain wireless tablet devices in hospitals has led to significant improvements in patient satisfaction as well as some small decreases in physician error. During the product launch of technologies such as the tablet, product shortages frequently occur, leaving some prospective consumers empty-handed. Knowing that these technologies may benefit patients in hospital, some believe that hospitals should be given priority treatment to receive devices before being offered to the community at large.
2) Should companies be forced to discount their products when there is a societal benefit?
3) What are some of the security issues related to the use of tablets in hospitals?

Question 19

Air Force One, the private flight service for the President of the United States, makes frequent unscheduled landings at major airports. Because of security concerns, all flights landing at or taking off from these airports are grounded in these instances. The situation often leads to several hours of flight delays for thousands of passengers.

1) Is it fair that the security of an important elected official such as the President of the United States take precedence over the travel plans of thousands of his/her constituents?
2) What guidelines should be followed to determine how often these delays should be tolerated?
3) Describe a situation where you have experienced a travel delay at a time that was inconvenient for you. How did you handle it?

Question 20

Think of a time when you had to make a sacrifice in order to accomplish a goal.

1) Briefly describe the situation and the sacrifice you made.
2) Do you regret your decision to make the sacrifice? Why or why not?
3) Did you learn anything from this situation that can be applied to your desired career? Explain your response.

Question 21

The following skills are deemed essential for success in many professional environments: collaboration, communication, problem solving, empathy, motivation, and self-awareness.

1) Please select what you view as the three most important skills listed above.
2) Please select what you view as the three least important skills listed above.
3) Discuss a time you acted professionally.

Question 22

Consider the following quote: “To say nothing is to say something.” – Germany Kent

1) What does this quote mean to you?
2) How is this quote relevant to the Black Lives Matter Movement?
3) Discuss a time where you were an advocate.

Question 23

In October 2018, the recreational use of cannabis became legalized in Canada.

1) Discuss the pros and cons of the legalization of recreational marijuana.
2) How do you feel this decision has impacted our society to date?
3) Discuss a similar scenario that is currently up for debate in today’s society.

Question 24

From time to time, we are all faced with conflict in some form. With experience, we learn to deal with different forms of conflict.

1) Describe a time when you had to deal with conflict and how you coped with it?
2) How might you handle a similar situation differently should it arise again?
3) What would be your strategy if you were faced with a conflict that cannot be resolved?

Question 25

Sigmund Freud wrote, “The doctor should be opaque to his patients and, like a mirror, should show them nothing but what is shown to him.”

1) What does this quote mean to you?
2) Discuss the importance of truth telling and honesty in medicine.
3) Describe a time in your life when you had to tell someone a hard truth. What did you learn from the experience?

Question 26

Consider this statement: An applicant’s GPA and MCAT score are the most important factors in gaining admission into medical school.

1) Briefly discuss your opinion regarding this statement.
2) Which other factors, if any, are important when applying to medical school?
3) Some people suggest that an applicant’s GPA and MCAT should be assigned less weight in a medical school application because doctors require excellent soft skills (communication, empathy, etc.). How do you feel about this statement?

Question 27

Effective conflict resolution is a key skill that many professionals possess.

1) Describe a situation when you had a conflict with someone. How did you resolve it?
2) How does having a conflict with an authority figure differ from having a conflict with one of your peers?
3) “We should never engage in conflict.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Question 28

Why do you want to go into this profession?

Question 29

Why do you want to attend our school?

Question 30

What strengths will you bring to this career? What are your greatest weaknesses?

Question 31

What experiences have you had that have prepared you for this career?

Question 32

What skills do you possess that make you an excellent candidate?

Question 33

Describe an experience in which you learned something about yourself. What was the experience and what did you learn?

Question 34

Discuss your strategies for maintaining a healthy balance between your school work and social life.

Question 35

How do you motivate yourself, others?

Question 36

What are your future goals?

Question 37

A time you failed

Question 38

A time you had a serious disagreement

Question 39

A time you worked with others unlike yourself

Question 40

A time you navigated a personal crisis

Question 41

A time you received unfair treatment or criticism

Question 42

You are an employee at a retail store and you overhear an interaction between a customer and another employee at the cash register. The customer is here to return an item; however, she does not have a receipt for the purchased item and claims to have paid in cash. Despite assurances by the customer that she did buy the item at your store, your colleague informs the customer that, while she can provide store credit or an exchange, store policy does not allow refunds of more than $20 without a receipt. The customer informs your colleague that she really needs a refund given that this was a birthday purchase for her daughter, but now she desperately requires that money to buy her daughter’s prescription medication. While the manager can override the store policy, she is away until next week. Your colleague turns to you for advice given that you have been working at the store for longer than she has.

1. What do you tell the other employee – go ahead and give the refund, or abide by store policy? Justify your answer.
2. Assume you advise the newer employee not to give the refund, but she does anyway. Do you report this to your supervisor? Why or why not?
3. If you were asked to establish a policy around refunds for a new store, what aspects would you take into consideration?

Answer 42

1. As a fellow employee of the store, the pressing issue is that of an ethical dilemma. I would like to help the customer as best as I can without compromising store policy. Before I make a decision on the matter, I would first like to gather more information. As I take this step, I would verbalize my appreciation of the customer’s patience and speak with her in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational manner, demonstrating understanding of the difficult situation she is in by actively listening to her and acknowledging her concerns. If there are other customers around, I would take this conversation to a private space to avoid embarrassing the customer or making her feel uncomfortable. I would like to know when this customer bought the item and confirm that she did buy it from this store location. It’s possible that this customer bought this item a few months or even years ago and, as such, it would not be eligible for a refund. Additionally, I would like to consult the store policy to ensure that there are strict rules with regards to refunding of items without a receipt. There might be a clause where store employees may return items without a receipt for a full refund at their discretion. I am aware that my manager is away, but I can always call a different branch of the store which might have a store manager available to provide guidance, or – if possible – I could call our store’s manager to see if I could get approval to process the return. Based on the information I have gathered, if the customer did indeed buy the item from our location and I am able to refund them in cash, based on a discretionary rule or leeway in store policy, I would not hesitate to complete the refund. If I am unable to provide a refund, I would apologize profusely; however, I would try to assist this customer as best as I can. To try to help with the current dilemma, I would encourage her to seek medical help at the emergency department if the prescription required is for a life-threatening condition. Additionally, I would encourage her to speak with her pharmacist, as they may accommodate a payment plan for prescriptions, or they may have a generic form of the medication that costs significantly less. For the future, I would encourage her to contact her family physician and make an appointment, given that they might be able to access social support programs for prescriptions if she is having financial difficulties and has no health insurance to cover the prescriptions. As well, in mentioning her financial difficulties to her family physician, she may find that the doctor can prescribe similar medications that are less pricey than the current prescription for her daughter. The doctor may even have some samples of the medication in question, which can be given out at no cost.
2. It would depend on the store policy, since upholding such policy is my duty as an employee. If there was a discretionary rule whereby an employee can provide the refund, given that they have justification for doing so, then I would not report her. I would instead encourage her to document the event so that she can submit a report to management. If it was clearly against the rules, and my advice was in line with store policy and procedures, then I would give her the opportunity to do the right thing and report her actions to the manager. I would gently remind her of her ethical responsibility and her responsibility as an employee, as a way of encouraging her to uphold such standards. I would follow up with her and, if she has not reported the incident, then I would report to the manager without hesitation.
3. With regard to setting a refund policy, my goal would be to provide the best shopping experience to customers without compromising the store from a business perspective. Prior to establishing a new policy, I would love to hear from our customers to learn what they would like to see in a return policy; I would solicit such information in the form of a survey, to determine what seems fair and appropriate from their perspective. I would also send the survey to employees and upper management to get their input. Additionally, I would look into refund policies at other stores, to see how a proper balance between customer and business needs is met. My priority would be making the return policy transparent, uncomplicated, and in the best interest of the shopper. With regard to transparency, I would clearly outline the return policy on the store’s website and place a copy by the store’s cashier. I would have training sessions so that employees can learn and disclose our policies at the point of purchase. With regard to ensuring the policy is uncomplicated, I would construct a policy that is simple, universal, and that does not include a lot of rules. Ideally, I would limit the policy to 4-5 rules that protect both the customer and our store. Additionally, I would provide an electronic as well as a printed receipt to customers, so they can access their receipt from anywhere; that way, that the issue presented in the scenario would be much less likely to arise again in the future. With the customer’s consent, I would also establish an in-house database, where items purchased by a customer can be looked up on our system; this would be a service provided to the customer and they would have to enroll, given laws around privacy and maintaining their personal information in our database. Finally, with regard to having the policy lean more in favor of the consumer, I would have a “no questions asked” policy if they are returning one of our products.

Question 43

You are a member of a study group and you observe members of your group having a heated conversation. Mike and John are confronting Sarah about her inconsistent contribution to the study group. Mike and John are upset that Sarah did not contribute to the study session today and accuse her of not being prepared. Sarah defends herself by saying that she has been busy writing an important paper. Mike and John inform her that they also had the same paper due and, despite that, were able to show up prepared for the session. They then accuse her of regularly coming to tutorials unprepared, suggesting that she’s only learning from the information that they have provided during the study sessions. Sarah informs them that she has been under a lot of stress and that they are not being fair to her. She prepares to leave due to their “negativity”.

1. You are a member of the study group and have not participated in the interaction so far, but now the group is looking to you. How would you diffuse this situation?
2. Do you agree with the two students who are upset with Sarah? Why or why not?
3. What suggestions can you make to help the group function better going forward?

Answer 43

1. This is a difficult situation to be placed in, and one that requires some conflict resolution as well as a non-judgmental approach toward all my colleagues. As a member of the group, my primary concern is diffusing the tension while maintaining collegiality within the group and moving toward successful completion of our coursework. There is a clear difference in perspectives and its important to mediate the conversation. The most important first step is to actively listen to both sides to promote understanding, so I would ask probing questions to understand why the different parties feel the way they do, and to more fully understand everyone’s perspectives and priorities. For everyone to be able to voice their concerns, they must feel that they are in a safe, fair, and accepting space. I would validate Mike and John’s feelings with regards to their frustrations about feeling that Sarah doesn’t come prepared; but I would also validate Sarah’s feelings around being occupied with other material. Sarah has also indicated that she has been under a lot of stress, so I would speak privately with her, in order to determine whether she was dealing with a personal matter or emergency. I would help her identify any barriers which may be impeding her ability to prepare for these sessions. Based on the information provided, I would refer her to campus resources for support, if appropriate (e.g., academic counsellor, mental wellness office, accessibility services, etc.). After speaking with all parties, I would help reset group expectations by reaffirming our goals, expectations, and roles within the group, while also fostering a collegial environment by demonstrating respect and understanding. After everyone’s expectations are established, I would follow up with my colleagues at our next study session to ensure we are all on track. As well, I would again speak with Sarah privately to check in on her overall wellbeing.
2. As mentioned above, I can understand where the two male students’ frustrations are stemming from. Their feelings need to be validated, but, as stated above, both the perspectives of Sarah and the male students needs to be explored and shared with each other. Once that is done, common ground needs to be established regarding expectations. If Sarah has indeed not been preparing for the sessions, and this was not due to extenuating circumstances, then I would agree with the two male students’ feelings, because, as a member of the group, everyone needs to contribute equally. However, it is important to obtain Sarah’s perspective and to help her overcome barriers which are hindering her contribution. While I understand the other students’ frustrations, they may be upset over something completely out of Sarah’s control.
3. As mentioned above, airing of grievances is important followed by establishing clear expectations. Allowing all parties to air grievances, and making space for other members to defend themselves, gives everyone an equal opportunity to share their perspective. Setting expectations allows everyone to be aware of minimum requirements to be part of the group. Such expectations can be determined collectively, with everyone offering input on their perceived “best practices” for group membership. Finally, for the betterment of the group’s experience, exploring barriers which are hindering group members from participating is in everyone’s favor and should be pursued as a group. Once barriers are identified, then strategies to overcome these barriers can be implemented, allowing all group members to be contributing members. If at any time I felt as though professional support or advice would be beneficial to this process, I would reach out to our professor, TA, or other authority, to see what advice they might have for ensuring group cohesion.

Question 44

You are sitting in on a conversation between Tom and Jessie, two of your co-workers at an energy firm. Tom informs Jessie that he is having a tough time with a personal decision: he and his wife are expecting a child, and his wife would like him to take paternity leave with her. He tells Jessie that the company is taking on a new project that he would lead and doing well on this project could significantly advance his career. Despite his excitement for parenthood, he is struggling between spending time with his family in the short-term vs. focusing on his career, which would ultimately benefit his family in the long-term. He feels that if he misses this work opportunity, he will not get a similar chance for a few years. Additionally, claiming that the industry is largely “male-dominated,” he feels that his boss would not be understanding if he requested paternity leave; he even recalls a time in the past when a male colleague who took paternity leave was penalized by being kept in the same position for years upon his return to work. Jessie turns to you and asks, “What do you think he should do?”

1. Would you recommend he take paternity leave? Why or why not?
2. What strategies could you offer to help him make a decision that he feels comfortable with?
3. Maintaining work-life balance can be challenging. Why do you think people struggle to find balance?

Answer 44

1. This is a challenging and sensitive situation, wherein Tom feels like he must choose between his career and spending time with his partner and newborn child. Prior to making a decision, I would need to gather more information. First, I would like to know the company’s policy with regard to paternity leave, so I would consult Human Resources (HR) and I would encourage Tom to speak with both HR and his boss to understand their perspective on paternity leave. I would also have a private and non-judgmental conversation with Tom, to discuss his priorities. Does he prioritize spending time with his family or does he prioritize his career in terms of a speedy trajectory to promotion? This information would inform my advice. If he feels strongly about spending time with his partner and newborn, given that this is a special time that only happens once, I would encourage him to spend time with his family. If he feels that prioritizing his career for the best interest of providing for his family and that sacrificing spending time with his wife and newborn is acceptable, then I would support his decision. Ultimately, the one with the most insight would be Tom and I would help guide his decision. Information collected about the company would help inform Tom of the potential consequences of taking paternity leave based on whether the company is supportive or unsupportive of paternity leave. This will also help inform his decision. That said, I would encourage Tom not to rely on hearsay regarding his other colleague’s supposed punishment for taking paternity leave, as there are any number of reasons why he may have been kept in his position – we simply don’t have (and may not be able to access) all the facts around that event.
2. This is a challenging and sensitive situation, wherein Tom feels like he must choose between his career and spending time with his partner and newborn child. Prior to making a decision, I would need to gather more information. First, I would like to know the company’s policy with regard to paternity leave, so I would consult Human Resources (HR) and I would encourage Tom to speak with both HR and his boss to understand their perspective on paternity leave. I would also have a private and non-judgmental conversation with Tom, to discuss his priorities. Does he prioritize spending time with his family or does he prioritize his career in terms of a speedy trajectory to promotion? This information would inform my advice. If he feels strongly about spending time with his partner and newborn, given that this is a special time that only happens once, I would encourage him to spend time with his family. If he feels that prioritizing his career for the best interest of providing for his family and that sacrificing spending time with his wife and newborn is acceptable, then I would support his decision. Ultimately, the one with the most insight would be Tom and I would help guide his decision. Information collected about the company would help inform Tom of the potential consequences of taking paternity leave based on whether the company is supportive or unsupportive of paternity leave. This will also help inform his decision. That said, I would encourage Tom not to rely on hearsay regarding his other colleague’s supposed punishment for taking paternity leave, as there are any number of reasons why he may have been kept in his position – we simply don’t have (and may not be able to access) all the facts around that event.
3. There are many demands on our time and we often struggle to maintain an acceptable work-life balance. Work-life balance is often defined as time allocated to one’s career vs. time allocated to other personal aspects of one’s life, such as family, recreation, and self-care. The assumption is that work requires energy expenditure and life activities recharge one’s energy. There are many reasons why individuals struggle with maintaining an acceptable work-life balance, including having a demanding job, poor time management or scheduling skills, unrealistic expectations by employers, and financial pressures. One unique challenge of the present era is also the expectation that employees are effectively “on call” at all hours; with email, text, and social media communication, employees rarely “clock out” at 5pm and leave work until the following day. It is important for individuals to identify the specific reasons behind their personal situation and try to have a more balanced approach to life. As well, employers bear some responsibility here, and should be mindful of the time demands they place on employees. Overall, it is important to recognize that a poor work-life balance can often have negative effects on individuals and can impact their work performance and their overall health, so a good work-life balance is in the best interest of everyone involved.

Question 45

You are sitting in a meeting with Frank and Julia, two of your co-workers at a financial firm. Frank wants to talk about a member of his team, Jason, with regards to some concerning behavior of late. Frank is concerned that Jason has been showing up late to work and has been seen dozing off during meetings. Despite this behavior, the team’s overall performance has been very positive. Julia weighs in on the conversation, saying that our company encourages flexible working conditions, where employees can maintain their own schedules as long as they maintain good performance with positive reviews. Frank further elaborates that Jason has been acting a little distant of late and avoiding any personal questions about his family; he’s worried that this behavior could be a sign of something more serious. While Julia seems concerned by this disclosure, she informs Frank that, as long as Jason has not shared any specific struggles with Frank, it would be a transgression of boundaries to approach Jason about personal matters.

1. What advice would you give to Frank about his team member, Jason?
2. Do you agree that taking any additional action in this situation would be considered “overstepping boundaries”? Why or why not?
3. Imagine you heard rumors that Jason was being bullied at work, would this change your reaction to the situation? Explain your response.

Answer 45

1. Based on the information provided, I would be concerned about the well-being of my co-worker’s team member. I would inform him that it sounds that his team member might be experiencing personal problems, which may be impacting his behavior and potentially his mental health. It may also be that Jason’s job satisfaction has declined recently, leading him to distance himself somewhat from his work and co-workers. However, I would caution against making assumptions and encourage Frank to speak with Jason in a private and non-judgmental manner, creating a safe space for confidential disclosures of potentially personal matters. I would suggest that he share his concerns with Jason and give him an opportunity to share any personal struggles with him, if he is comfortable doing so. There could be alternative explanations to his recent behavior, such as a new and/or untreated medical condition, in conjunction with trying to maintain a semblance of privacy. However, given that mental health deterioration related to personal stressors (including physical health, personal struggles, poor work-life balance, etc.) could lead to catastrophic results, it’s important to reach out to Jason as a concerned member of the same team. If his team member is experiencing personal problems at home, Frank can offer him support and refer him to counseling. Additionally, Jason may benefit from some time off work, regardless of the reason for his recent behavior. In any case, it is important to address the issue for Jason’s sake, in the interest of his own well-being, and to help him see that he is supported by his team.
2. In this scenario, it would depend on intent and approach. If the intent of probing for more information is mere curiosity, it would be considered “overstepping boundaries”. However, if the intent of probing for more information is to ensure the safety and well-being of the team member, then no, I would not consider this “overstepping boundaries”. Additionally, the setting and method of approach needs to be sensitive to the privacy and comfort of the team member. This conversation should take place in a private setting and be confidentiality maintained – and this should be clearly communicated to Jason, so that he feels safe making any disclosures. While the lines of such boundaries can be complex, when a team member’s mental or physical health or well-being may be at stake, a careful and sensitive approach is better than disinterest or apathy.
3. It would not change my approach to the situation. I would start by gathering more information, since I cannot act on rumors. In order to do that, I would meet directly with Jason in a private setting and speak with him in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational manner. I would also inform him that all information discussed would be confidential and demonstrate my investment in his well-being through active listening and a compassionate approach. While it is important to address any behavior that creates a negative work environment, my ultimate concern would be Jason’s well-being. As such, in our initial meeting, I would focus on this, and – if necessary – follow up with a full investigation into the bullying allegations.

Question 46

You are a member of a study group and you observe two members of your group, John and Steve, having a heated conversation. John looks stressed and is upset that the group project is not yet close to being complete, despite being due at the end of the week. When Steve asks John what is stressing him out, he says he is overwhelmed by the amount of work which was redistributed to group members when Marshal, another group member, had to leave the group due to a medical condition. While Marshal’s medical condition is severe and required hospitalization, John is upset that Marshal knew how important this project is to everyone’s grades and thinks it’s unfair for the other members of the group to have to take on the work Marshal was supposed to complete. To make matters worse, Steve discovers a recently posted picture on Marshal’s Facebook page showing him at a pool party, which further angers John. With the current arrangement, the work submitted by the group would award Marshal the same grade as the others, despite not completing the same amount of work. John suggests Marshal has been dishonest about his medical condition to get out of work, while Steve reminds John that this picture could have been taken a while back. Steve turns to you and asks you to decide how to proceed from here.

1. What do you recommend to your group members?
2. Do you think it is okay to report a concern to a supervisor based on a suspicion? Why or why not?
3. Do you believe that one false or inappropriate post on social media can have a lasting effect on someone’s career? Explain your response.

Answer 46

1. This is a moral and ethical dilemma. While it may appear that Marshal has been using his medical condition to try and get out of work, it is important to take a step back and not jump to any conclusions. At this stage, I would like to know whether the photo posted on Facebook is a new or old photo; in order to do that, I would try to contact Marshal. Ideally, I would like to speak with him in a private, non-confrontational, and non-judgmental manner. If this is an old photo from when he was feeling better, then all is resolved. However, if it comes to light that this is a new photo, then I would ask him if he feels that his health has improved to the point where he can come back to the group to contribute. Just because he was able to attend one party, that does not necessarily mean that he is well enough to come back to school. Perhaps he has been discharged from hospital but is still recovering and went to the party to try to remain social to help with his mental health and general well-being. If Marshal has been dishonest about his medical state, I would first encourage him to try to make up for this by returning to the group and completing the work that had been assigned to him. If he refuses to do so, then I would not hesitate to report the situation to the course professor. Additionally, regardless of Marshal’s situation, I would suggest that the group seek an extension from the professor, given the abrupt loss of a group member and the necessary re-distribution of workload.
2. I think that, prior to reporting a concern, it would be my responsibility to investigate the legitimacy of the claim to the best of my abilities. If I find evidence to support that concern, then I would report that concern to a supervisor. Ultimately, the supervisor would use the provided evidence to further investigate the concern and approach the claim in an unbiased manner. Often, supervisors have more resources available to them to fully investigate such matters and to come to a rational and unbiased conclusion.
3. I do believe that one false or inappropriate post can have a detrimental effect on someone’s career. A recent example involves Kevin Hart, a well-known comedian. He was scheduled to host the 2018 Oscars, when a series of old homophobic tweets re-surfaced from 2010. As a result, he decided to step down from hosting the Oscars, which would have been a great addition to an otherwise distinguished career. Posts on social media usually reflect our beliefs and, as such, are used to determine the moral caliber of a person. In this case, the posts were from 8 years ago, but expressing discriminatory views at any time can negatively impact someone. While I understand that individuals do change and grow with time, in this case, the burden of proof would be placed on Kevin Hart to show that he has changed – through his actions and specific views – before he is allowed to host any prestigious and public events again.

Question 47

You have a co-worker who is clinically diagnosed with depression. She calls in sick and unable to get out of bed very often. 6 months into the year, she has been away from work a total of 10 weeks. This is a small company with few employees, resulting in less productivity in the workplace. Moreover, she has become difficult to work with, as she is very sensitive and unable to accept any criticism.

1. What is going through your mind?
2. If you were the boss, what would you do?
3. Tell us about a time you had to support a friend or colleague during difficult times?

Answer 47

1. This is a sensitive situation to handle, as clinical depression is an illness that requires attention, support and the proper means to get to a better place. However, on the contrary, with a co-worker that is constantly missing in an already small company, there will be greater pressure on other employees to ensure productivity remains the same with her in absentia. In this instance, I acknowledge the co-worker needs help and support, but the company will need to take necessary steps to ensure there is no burnout or frustration that carries over in the rest of the team.
2. Although what she is going through is an extremely private matter, as her boss, it is important for me to reach out to her and find out how she is coping, as well find out how best the company can support her and ensure she feels like a valued member of the team as she navigates her recovery. In my information gathering process, I would request a doctor’s note confirming the diagnosis of depression (similar to what is required for other ailments). The purpose of requesting the note would be to verify her claim in order to ensure I would be able to use the rights I may have through company policy to offer sick leave. I would ask if she has access to the resources she needs for recovery, for instance, has she been able to get medical help through the company’s health insurance? If so, that is great, if not, it will be my responsibility to ensure she has the support she needs. During this discussion, should I learn that she has all the support she needs but is going through the journey of recovery, I would offer her the opportunity to take some paid sick leave, to allow her to pursue recovery without the additional stress of work. That would enable her to focus on recovery, but also enable me to find a temporary employee to cover her position in her absence to ensure that company goals and objectives are still achieved. When she is feels strong enough to return to work, I would ensure her job is available for her. It is important to realize that mental illness should be treated in the same way as we would a physical illness. For instance, if someone had been in a car accident and requires a few months to recover, they would be granted that opportunity, so this employee struggling with depression or similar illnesses should be granted the same opportunity.
3. My friend’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery followed by months of chemotherapy. This was a difficult time for my friend and her family. Though I could not do anything to change the diagnosis, I did everything I could to support my friend and her family. I would make meals once a week that I delivered to their home, go to hospital visits with them whenever I could, and I invited my friend out to fun events occasionally to help her find the opportunity to relax. Eventually, her mother recovered and is now doing well and my bond with my friend is stronger than ever. This situation taught me the value of supporting others during difficult times, and the big impact of small acts of kindness. These are lessons I will use to continue to serve my community.

Question 48

You are an employee at a company and over a period, you have observed harsh treatment towards a black co-worker. When asked, your boss says he is hard on her because he wants to see her improve her weaknesses and reach her full potential, however it is perceived as discriminatory by not only you, but others in the office as well.

1. What is going through your mind?
2. What should you do?
3. What would you do if you were the employee being discriminated against?

Answer 48

1. At this point, I am wondering if this is discrimination or if the boss is hard on her because she has potential that he is trying to help her realize. If he is trying to help her realize her potential, he should treat other employees with the same level of intensity, as his goal should be to help everyone flourish. The major problematic factor is that she is being treated differently from others. However, it is possible that the boss genuinely wants to help her and is pushing her to genuinely help her. It is difficult for me to discern what is occurring; I will have to investigate to find out what is occurring.
2. I need to gather information to learn what is going on. First, I would talk to the employee of color and ask her about her experiences, as it is possible that I am misinterpreting what is going on. First, I would ask her how she feels about how the boss treats her-if she feels like he treats her fairly and equal to others? If she feels he treats her well, then there is nothing further to investigate. However, if she feels like she is being discriminated against, I would ask her how long this has been occurring, as well as ask for specific examples of this ill treatment. I would encourage her to approach the Human Resources department with her concerns so they can help her mediate this situation with the boss. Additionally, I would approach the boss to investigate further, why he treats her like this. If he genuinely believes he is helping her grow, I would be understanding but also point out how his treatment of her may be perceived by others. If he confesses to discriminating against her, I will notify him that discriminatory behavior is not acceptable in the workplace. If he agrees to change that is great, but if not, I will report him to higher authorities in the company.
3. I would first investigate and find out if I am truly the only person being treated this way, it is possible that he may be treating other employees in a similar fashion but I may just be unaware of this. If it turns out that he is treating others equally harshly, then there is no problem, as I am not facing discrimination. However, if it turns out that I am the only person receiving this treatment, I will approach my boss to share my concerns. If he is understanding and commits to changing how he treats me, I will be forgiving and give him a second chance, but if he is harsh and refuses to hear my concerns, I will approach the human resources department with my concerns so they may help me mediate this situation.

Question 49

There is a local bully, Thomas, who has been taunting children as they walk home from school and has been known to create a fearful environment for other children in the neighborhood. One day as he is troubling a group of innocent girls, Willy, a fellow classmate was fed up and punched the bully repeatedly. The bully was badly harmed and taken to hospital to get stitches, his parents are now asking who did this to him.

1. What should you do?
2. Is it acceptable for someone to do bad things for a good reason?
3. What are your thoughts on the philosophy, “one needs to have a taste of your own medicine”?

Answer 49

1. In this situation, I am in a difficult position because I do not want Willy to get into trouble for standing up for himself, but at the same time his actions were wrong. I would have to encourage Willy to go forward to report what he did. If he refuses, I would tell him that it is my ethical responsibility to report him. However, to seek justice for all the bullied students, and hopefully reduce the penalties Willy may face, I would get every student who has been bullied by Thomas to sign a petition or come forward, so that Thomas may face some consequences for his negative behaviors, and hopefully change his behavior.
2. No. Sometimes people are put in a difficult situation that may tempt them to respond in an unethical way, for example, a mother stealing to feed her hungry child, but the reality remains that their actions are still unethical. In such situations, I believe the penalty one should receive must reflect their extenuating circumstances, because though their behavior was wrong, their intent was not malicious. Additionally, social services need to be made available, so that good people in bad situations have somewhere to turn so that they never feel like unethical behavior is the only option.
3. There are many situations in life in which a wrong-doer learns from experiencing the pain they inflict on others, however, there are many angles to consider. One advantage of this philosophy is that if an individual suffers what they make others endure, they are more likely to realize the extent of their wrongdoing and are less likely to be a repeat offender. However, one disadvantage is that doing wrong to someone who does you wrong does not make it right, and there are some situations in which it is not even possible to do so. For example, some wrong-doers, like dictators, are highly protected and in many cases, there is no way to give them “a taste of their own medicine”. Overall, I think it is wrong to give people a taste of their own medicine, I believe legal avenues should be taken to hold accountable people who do wrong.

Question 50

You are the captain of your high school basketball team. Your team has been preparing all season for regional championships, which are now one week away. You get a call from your mother, in distress, saying that her sister has died unexpectedly. This sister - your aunt - has not been close to the rest of the family and you barely know her. The funeral is on the same day as your regional championships, and the events are four hours apart by car and you do not have a driver’s license.

1. Do you attend the funeral or the basketball game? Why?
2. Describe a time when you had to make a similarly challenging decision.
3. What is your strategy for managing conflicting demands in your life? How did you develop this strategy?

Question 51

Your best friend has recently approached you to join his new test preparation company. He tells you, “This is going to be super easy, because there are a lot of other companies out there that we could model. We should simply find the most successful company and do what they do best.” You agree to join him as a co-founder.

1. As you get involved, you notice that your friend is practically copying material from competitors and claiming the material as his own to speed up the growth of his business. How would you approach your friend about this?
2. Would you report a close friend or family member to superiors if you became aware of them acting unethically and/or illegally? Why or why not?
3. What are the implications of a practicing professional, such as a medical doctor, a nurse, or a pharmacist, acting unprofessionally, within or outside of his/her professional role?

Question 52

Consider the following quote: “To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” - Aristotle

1. Describe what this quote means to you.
2. How is this quote important and relevant to your role as a future practicing professional?
3. Describe a time when you openly criticized a superior or an authority figure. What were the results of your actions?

Question 53

You are writing a final exam and all your classmates are hard at work answering questions. You briefly raise your head while thinking through an answer, and see one of your classmates on their phone. Each exam grade will not be weighted against the class performance, so if your classmate receives a particularly high grade, it will not affect the grade you ultimately receive.

1. What is going through your mind?
2. What should you do in this situation?
3. Describe a time when you witnessed unethical behavior. What did you do?

Question 54

Anna is a Human Resources agent in a growing organization, she is also a very close friend to you. She has done an incredible job for the company and is well loved by all who work with her. You work in the accounting department and as you are reviewing an expense report, you begin to notice that there has been dubious spending on the company account. Including groceries, clothing and luxury items that were not approved by the company. Anna is the only person who has access to company funds, and reporting such a large offence will definitely result in her losing her job.

1. What is going through your mind?
2. What should you do?
3. Describe a time when you made an ethical decision that was not popular with others.

Question 55

In a hypothetical situation, you have been granted the opportunity to be the president of a nation for a day.

1. Which country would you pick and why?
2. What policies would you change and why?
3. If you had to choose between power and money, which would you choose and why?

Question 56

History shows that in the wake of an injustice in any community, supporters for a cause come together to rally, march or protest so relevant policies or systemic behaviors can be rectified. However, peaceful protests have sometimes turned into destructive riots, which result in property damage and death.

1. What are your thoughts on protests and riots?
2. In your opinion, what is the most effective way for civilian groups to influence unfair laws or policies?
3. Describe a time you stood up for something you thought was right.

Question 57

Tom has been raised in a privileged home, attending an incredible school, which allowed him to apply to the best Universities countrywide and gain admission to most. However, he decided he wants to make his own decisions, be independent, and become a social media influencer. Tom’s parents want the best for his future and urge him to accept a college offer.

1. What are your thoughts on this situation?
2. If you were Tom, what would you do?
3. “Education is the key to success”, what are your thoughts on this quote?

Question 58

You are an employee at a well-known retail company and your manager has instructed you to follow any Hispanic customers, as they have been known to shoplift in the store.

1. What are your thoughts on this?
2. If her observed patterns are true, is the act of following Hispanic customers justified?
3. What would be the best way to approach this situation with your manager?

Question 59

Your close friend Savanna has been in your life for over ten years and is someone you trust deeply and consider family. Often times when she asks for a favor of you, you tell her she does not need to ask and she is entitled to what is yours as she is so close to you. You notice after a period of 8 months that you have had unusually high credit card bills. You finally take a look into your traction history and find that Savanna has been using your card to make personal purchases. Upon confronting her, she reminds you that you encouraged her to take what she needs without asking.

1. What is going through your mind?
2. What will you do?
3. “Clear communication is key to the success of any relationship” what are your thoughts on this statement.

Question 60

A church pastor hugs and kisses every congregation member. He is attentive to each of his churchgoers and does his best to have meaningful interactions with everyone he meets. One day it is announced that a group of women have accused him of sexual assault by inappropriate touching and unwanted advances. The reports describe his typically affectionate nature and usual greeting style.

1. What is going through your mind?
2. What would you do?
3. Describe a time you had to resolve conflict.

Question 61

A doctor in your ward is on duty and you notice that he is probably under the influence of alcohol as he is unable to walk upright, his eyes are bloodshot red, and he is stuttering his words. You have worked with him for a few years and know that he is a really good man who would not do this if not because of the recent loss of his wife of 15 years. It is not a busy night and you probably will not need him to stay much longer.
1. What is going through your mind?
2. What would you do?
3. If nothing bad has happened yet, should he be punished for his actions?
you can discuss how this behavior can negatively affect patients and colleagues. You can also discuss how the individual can become a danger to themselves.