Week 6: Chapters 16 & 17

Question 1

Labor Unions

Answer 1

All workers have the right to organize labor unions. They are organizations that represent workers on the job. They negotiate wages, working conditions, and terms of employment. Employers aren’t required to comply to demands, but must bargain in good faith.

Question 2

Ergonomics

Answer 2

Adapting the job to the worker.

Question 3

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Answer 3

Has the power to set and enforce safety and health standards.

Question 4

Employment-at-will

Answer 4

Legal doctrine that means that employees are hired and retain their jobs “at the will of” the employer. Has been curtailed in recent years. (See p. 362).

Question 5

Social Contract

Answer 5

Implied understanding (not a legal contract, but rather a set of shared expectations) between an organization and its stakeholders.

Question 6

Privacy Right

Answer 6

Refers to protecting an individual’s personal life from unwarranted intrusion by the employer.

Question 7

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Answer 7

Alcoholism programs that offer counseling and follow up for employees

Question 8

Whistle-blowers

Answer 8

Have some protection by law. See p. 371

Question 9

Diversity

Answer 9

Refers to variation in the important human characteristics that distinguish people from one another.

Question 10

Undocumented Immigrant Workers

Answer 10

Noncitizens working without the legally required documents. Make up 5% of the US workforce.

Question 11

Pay Gap

Answer 11

Disparity between wages of women/minorities and white men.

Question 12

Occupational Segregation

Answer 12

The inequitable concentration of a group, such as minorities or women, in particular job categories.

Question 13

Glass Ceiling

Answer 13

An invisible barrier that seems to block the ascent of women and minorities.

Question 14

Glass Walls

Answer 14

Fewer opportunities to move sideways into jobs that lead to the top.

Question 15

Equal Employment Opportunity

Answer 15

Equal treatment of employees. See p. 388

Question 16

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Answer 16

Agency that enforces equal opportunity laws and executive orders.

Question 17

Affirmative Action

Answer 17

Purpose is to reduce job discrimination by encouraging companies to take positive (affirmative) steps to overcome past employment practices that may have been discriminatory.

Question 18

Sexual Harassment

Answer 18

Occurs when any employee experiences repeated, unwanted sexual attention or when on-the-job conditions are hostile or threatening in a sexual way.

Question 19

Racial Harassment

Answer 19

Ethnic slurs, derogatory comments, or other verbal or physical harassment base on race

Question 20

Diversity Council

Answer 20

A group of managers and employees responsible for developing and implementing specific action plans to meet an organization’s diversity goals.

Question 21

Parental leave

Answer 21

When parents is granted time off when children are born or adopted and during the important early month’s of a child’s development.

Question 22

Family leave

Answer 22

Involves caring for elderly relatives.

Question 23

Family-friendly corporation

Answer 23

Firm that would fully support both men and women in their efforts to balance work and family responsibilities.