Legal Issues in IO Psychology Flashcards
A company is restructuring due to financial difficulties and must reduce its workforce. Which of the following actions would make the redundancy process fair and legally sound?
a) Firing employees at random without a clear reason.
b) Using an objective selection process based on job performance and business needs.
c) Choosing employees based on personal preferences.
d) Immediately terminating employees without notice or compensation.
Answer: (b) Using an objective selection process based on job performance and business needs.
💡 Explanation: Involuntary redundancy must follow a fair and transparent selection process based on criteria such as performance, tenure, or skills. Random or biased dismissals could lead to unfair dismissal claims.
A company implements electronic surveillance, monitoring employees’ emails and internet usage without informing them. Which legal or ethical issue is most relevant here?
a) Occupational health and safety.
b) Invasion of privacy.
c) Workplace discrimination.
d) Workplace motivation.
Answer: (b) Invasion of privacy.
💡 Explanation: Employees have a right to privacy at work. While companies may monitor usage for security reasons, failure to inform employees about monitoring could be an invasion of privacy and lead to legal consequences.
A business refuses to hire a candidate because their genetic screening shows a risk of future health problems. What legal issue does this raise?
a) Unfair dismissal.
b) Discrimination and privacy violation.
c) Drug testing policies.
d) Workplace safety violations.
(b) Discrimination and privacy violation.
💡 Explanation: Using genetic screening to deny employment is considered genetic discrimination and a violation of privacy because it unfairly judges a person based on future health risks rather than their current abilities.
An employer searches an employee’s personal locker without prior notice. Under what condition would this NOT be considered an invasion of privacy?
a) The employer has a clear policy that allows searches.
b) The employer believes the employee is acting suspiciously.
c) The employer does not like the employee.
d) The employer tells the employee after the search is completed.
Answer: (a) The employer has a clear policy that allows searches.
💡 Explanation: Locker searches can be legal if there is a company policy that informs employees beforehand. Random or unjustified searches without a clear policy could be seen as a privacy violation.
A company wants to implement a psychological test for hiring. Which of the following ensures it is legally and ethically sound?
a) The test is scientifically validated and related to the job.
b) The test includes personal and unrelated psychological questions.
c) The test results are used to make personal judgments about employees.
d) The test is given only to certain applicants without explanation.
Answer: (a) The test is scientifically validated and related to the job.
💡 Explanation: Psychological tests must be relevant to job performance, scientifically valid, and administered fairly to all candidates to avoid bias or discrimination.
TRUE OR FALSE: It is legal for an employer to fire an employee for personal reasons unrelated to job performance.
❌ False
💡 Explanation: Employees cannot be dismissed for personal reasons unrelated to work, as this may be considered unfair dismissal or discrimination.
TRUE OR FALSE: Drug and alcohol testing is always considered an invasion of privacy, regardless of the job type.
❌ False
💡 Explanation: Drug and alcohol testing may be necessary for certain safety-sensitive jobs (e.g., pilots, heavy machinery operators). However, if applied unfairly or randomly, it could violate privacy rights.
A company can legally monitor employee internet usage if it has a policy stating so.
✅ True
💡 Explanation: Employers can monitor workplace internet usage only if employees have been informed through a clear policy. Secret monitoring without consent could be a privacy violation.
TRUE OR FALSE: Voluntary redundancy allows employees to choose to leave with a financial package.
✅ True
💡 Explanation: In voluntary redundancy, employees agree to leave, usually with severance pay or other benefits, making it a mutual decision between employer and employee.
TRUE OR FALSE: Psychological tests used in hiring must be directly related to job performance.
✅ True
💡 Explanation: Psychological tests should only measure traits relevant to the job. If the test intrudes on personal matters unrelated to work, it could lead to legal and ethical issues.
What can be a possible invasion of privacy?
Performing genetic screening, drug and alcohol testing, listening to phone calls/web hits, office/locker searches, psychological tests, electronic suirveillance
What privacy issue arises when an employer conducts genetic screening to decide employment eligibility?
Answer: Performing Genetic Screening to Deny Employment
💡 Genetic screening involves analyzing personal health data, which may not be relevant to job performance. Using this information to reject applicants is an invasion of privacy and could lead to genetic discrimination.
What privacy concern arises when a company requires drug and alcohol testing without a clear job-related reason?
✅ Answer: Demands for Drug and Alcohol Testing
💡 While testing may be necessary for safety-critical roles, random or frequent drug tests without justification can be intrusive, questioning an employee’s personal choices and assuming guilt without cause.
What privacy violation occurs when an employer monitors phone calls and web activity without consent?
✅ Answer: Listening to Phone Calls and Checking Web Hits
💡 Employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their communications. While monitoring may be necessary for business reasons, excessive surveillance without consent can lead to privacy invasion and a hostile work environment.
What privacy concern is raised when employers conduct unannounced searches of employees’ personal storage spaces?
✅ Answer: Office and Locker Searches
💡 Employees consider their lockers, desks, and personal items private. Searching these spaces without valid reasons, such as theft suspicion, may violate privacy rights and create distrust.
What privacy issue arises when employers use psychological tests that ask for personal or sensitive information unrelated to the job?
✅ Answer: Psychological Tests
💡 Psychological tests may explore personal thoughts, behaviors, or mental health, which are private matters. If misused, they can lead to discrimination or unjustified intrusions into an individual’s personal life.
What privacy violation occurs when employers excessively monitor employees through emails, computer usage, or security cameras?
✅ Answer: Electronic Surveillance
💡 Excessive or covert surveillance makes employees feel constantly watched, which can violate personal boundaries. While some monitoring is justifiable, abuse of surveillance can invade privacy and create distrust.
What can be the 4 main causes of workplace injuries and illnesses?
Inadequate training
Lack of Health and Safety
Lack of Appreciation for health
Safety Issues
An attitude of ‘she’ll be right’
