Deck 16: Managing Employee Discipline

Question 1

Employee Assistance Programs are limited by law to addressing substance abuse issues.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

When it comes to disciplinary situations,too much documentation can be as damaging to the company as too little.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

If a deficiency does not have to do with skills,then it may need to be addressed in terms of _______________.

A) removing obstacles
B) creating a more positive,motivational climate
C) making some type of job change
D) All of the choices are correct.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The third element of the disciplinary process is a mechanism for assessment.

Question 5

Labor and employment attorneys recommend that arbitrators provide written opinions.

Question 6

Susan is a good worker.However,there are a few days when all the forms she prepares have serious errors on them.These apparently are the days when Susan is drinking.Susan's conduct would fall within which of the following classifications of behavior?

A) Those whose quality or quantity of work is unsatisfactory,owing to lack of abilities,training,or motivation
B) Those whose personal problems off the job begin to affect their productivity on the job
C) Those who violate laws while on the job
D) Those who question management direction

Question 7

Alternative dispute resolution is more time consuming and less confidential than traditional litigation.

Question 8

Tom is a pretty good employee.But John,his supervisor,is driven up the wall by him.Tom just can't seem to follow the company rules.And when John tries to talk to him about it,Tom gives him a hard time.Sometimes Tom even seems to threaten John if he tries to do anything about the problem.Tom's conduct would fall within which of the following classifications of behavior?

A) Those whose quality or quantity of work is unsatisfactory,owing to lack of abilities,training,or motivation
B) Those whose personal problems off the job begin to affect their productivity on the job
C) Those who consistently break company rules and do not respond to supervisory reactions
D) Those who question management direction

Question 9

One of the basic problems with progressive discipline is that it focuses on future behavior.

Question 10

Problem drinkers receive twice as much sick leave and accident benefits as employees who are not alcohol abusers.

Question 11

Some states allow employers to terminate employees for almost any reason that does not violate federal or state statutes,while others require just cause

Question 12

Large businesses are often the hardest hit by employee fraud.

Question 13

Discipline can have an affect on an employee's attitude toward work.

Question 14

Influences of deficient behavior can result from the _______________________.

A) behavior of the employee alone
B) behavior of the employer alone
C) interaction of the employee and employer
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 15

Workplace violence statistics do not include off-duty employees or non-employees (customers)who are victimized in a work setting.

Question 16

The discipline process is designed to prevent difficulties and to help employees succeed.

Question 17

The positive discipline approach avoids punitive action,including discharge.

Question 18

Which of the following is not one of the four classifications used to describe difficult employees?

A) Those whose quality or quantity of work is unsatisfactory,owing to lack of abilities,training,or motivation
B) Those whose personal problems off the job begin to affect their productivity on the job
C) Those who violate laws while on the job
D) Those who question management direction

Question 19

The Americans with Disabilities Act officially recognizes alcoholism as a disability.

Question 20

Drug testing is conducted in over 65 percent of the largest U.S.workplaces.

Question 21

Most Employee Assistance Programs share all of the following characteristics except:

A) Employees needing assistance are identified and referred to the program.
B) The employee is introduced to the program and then has his/her problem evaluated.
C) Employees are terminated if they refuse to enter the program.
D) Employees receive professional diagnosis and treatment,usually by an outside agency.

Question 22

Giving alcohol tests as part of the selection process,prior to making a conditional job offer,is ____________.

A) generally permissible
B) permissible only when part of a larger drug screen
C) precluded
D) precluded unless specific consent is given by the candidate

Question 23

According to the text,ineffective performance is the result of any of the following except:

A) Seniority
B) Motivational climate
C) Job skills
D) The job itself

Question 24

EAPs _______________.

A) are confined to substance abuse
B) can include coverage for emotional problems,but by SEC regulations are prohibited discussing financial difficulties
C) may not discuss ADA covered illness or disabilities
D) are not confined to substance abuse and can include coverage for emotional problems,financial difficulties,and other problems

Question 25

Studies indicate that _______________ is one of the leading causes of recent increases in workplace violence.

A) stress
B) substance abuse
C) financial difficulty
D) mental illness

Question 26

Impairment testing measures whether or not an employee is _______________ enough for work.

A) alert
B) smart
C) flexible
D) sober

Question 27

EAP is an acronym for

A) Employer Assistance Policy
B) Employer's Assistance Program
C) Employee Assistance Policy
D) Employee Advancement Procedures

Question 28

The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 __________________.

A) mandates alcohol and drug testing for all transportation workers employed by organizations doing business with the government
B) mandates alcohol and drug testing for safety-sensitive employees in the aviation,motor carrier,railroad,and mass transit industries
C) mandates alcohol and but not drug testing for employs in select industries
D) mandates drug but not alcohol testing for employs in select industries

Question 29

Human resource managers generally address employee dishonesty problems by utilizing all of the following except:

A) Discipline
B) Termination
C) Transfer
D) Rehabilitation

Question 30

The current philosophy regarding EAPs is that __________.

A) the firm has no right to interfere with the private lives of its workers
B) the firm has a right to impose standards of behavior and performance at work
C) constructive confrontation is the best approach
D) Both A and B are correct.

Question 31

Employees whose performance is due to factors _________ are theoretically the easiest to work with and to adjust.

A) directly related to work
B) related to issues outside of the job
C) related to personality issues
D) related to hygiene factors

Question 32

Studies have indicated that drug-abusers have ______ times more workplace accidents and make _____ times as many workers' compensation claims as nondrug-abusers.

A) two and one half;three
B) three and a half;five
C) five;two and one half
D) five;three and one half

Question 33

Substance abuse is believed to affect ___ percent of the workforce.

A) 9
B) 10
C) 11
D) 15

Question 34

Which of the following is the most common mental health problem in the workplace,and has the greatest impact on job performance?

A) Depression
B) Anger
C) Paranoia
D) Mental illness has no measurable impact on job performance.

Question 35

A survey of security directors at Fortune 1000 companies identified ______________ as the greatest threat to organizations today.

A) employee theft
B) alcoholism
C) drug abuse
D) financial instability

Question 36

A less invasive alternative to drug testing is __________________.

A) alcohol testing
B) impairment testing
C) psychiatric examination
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 37

Which of the following conditions cannot be identified by a standard drug test?

A) Fatigue
B) Stress
C) Sleep deprivation
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 38

Compared to employees who are not alcohol abusers,problem drinkers take ________ times more absences of eight days or more,and receive _____ times as much sick leave and accident benefits.

A) two and one half,three
B) three,two and one half
C) five,two and one half
D) ten,three

Question 39

About 90 percent of the drug tests used today test _______________.

A) saliva
B) blood
C) urine
D) Both B and C

Question 40

Training in the administration of an EAP will typically direct a manager that when they become aware that an employee's performance is declining,they should

A) not diagnose problems or provide rehabilitative counseling.
B) diagnose problems or provide rehabilitative counseling.
C) use the cold stove rather than the traditional hot stove approach
D) bar the employee from work until they are released by the EAP.

Question 41

The disciplinary process concludes with _____________________.

A) the reevaluation of the standards of performance
B) a system of administering punishment or motivating change
C) communication of the finding
D) improved employee performance

Question 42

Studies suggest that integrity test _________________ impact on groups protected by EEO laws.

A) have minimal adverse (and legally permissible)
B) do not have an adverse
C) have significant adverse
D) have significant adverse but legally permissible

Question 43

Improved counseling programs or selection methods _________________.

A) can virtually eliminate workplace violence
B) can reduce workplace homicides but have minimal impact on the overall level of violence
C) will not significantly improve workplace safety
D) may improve workplace safety,but these steps will not eliminate violence

Question 44

Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 prohibits the use of polygraph tests to gauge the honesty of _____________ employees in most situations.

A) prospective
B) current and prospective
C) current,prospective and former
D) None of the above,the EPPA only requires employees be offered legal counsel,it does not prohibit administering the tests.

Question 45

Smoking on the job is an example of a(n)_______________ rule violation.

A) time
B) insubordination
C) illegal behavior
D) safety

Question 46

Which of the following problems have been associated with hot stove rules and progressive discipline?

A) they focus on past behavior
B) there is a possibility that employees who are disciplined in a punitive way will not build commitment into their jobs
C) there is a possibility that employees who are disciplined in a punitive way will not feel better about the job or the company
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 47

ADA prohibits discrimination against __________.

A) alcoholism
B) current illegal drug use
C) those that served in the military
D) None of the above are prohibited by the ADA.

Question 48

The hot stove rule has been criticized because _____________.

A) if followed to the letter,it fails to recognize individual and situational differences
B) not all situations can facilitate the "immediate burn"
C) communication of warnings may be a violation of labor agreements
D) Both a and B are correct.

Question 49

A person who administers discipline in an equitable and firm manner is likely to be:

A) Popular
B) Feared
C) Respected
D) Avoided

Question 50

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners found that only 15 percent of fraud-committing employees _______________.

A) had a compelling reason to do so
B) were over the age of 40
C) had been long-time employees
D) had a previous conviction

Question 51

It is important in any disciplinary system to formally record:

A) What action was taken
B) What the policy is
C) When action was taken
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 52

The text recommends that a manager root out the causes of poor performance by doing all of the following except:

A) Listening to the employee
B) Listening to the employee's coworkers
C) Polling other managers
D) Observing the employee on the job

Question 53

Drinking on the job is an example of a(n)___________________ rule violation.

A) prohibited behavior
B) productivity
C) time
D) insubordination

Question 54

It has been estimated that employee theft costs organizations over __________ annually.

A) $900 million
B) $100 billion
C) $600 billion
D) $900 billion

Question 55

The U.S.Postal Service requires that all incidents involving ______________ be reported so action can be taken before the situation escalates into something bigger.

A) threats
B) EAP interventions
C) loss time injuries
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 56

The Department of Justice found that _______ of employees who were victimized did not report the incident.

A) less than 15 percent
B) less than 50 percent
C) more than 50 percent
D) more than 70 percent

Question 57

When conducting a disciplinary interview,the manager should do all of the following except:

A) Keep it private
B) Criticize selectively
C) Take one point at a time
D) Prohibit the employee from speaking

Question 58

According to research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,homicide is __________.

A) one of the leading causes of death of U.S.employees
B) not a significant issue in the workplace
C) the fifth leading cause of death of U.S.employees
D) lower in impact than the deaths attributed to the top 20% of EPA reportable illnesses

Question 59

If a manager refers an employee to an EAP indicating that the referral is based upon suspicions of alcoholism it _________.

A) may reduce the employer's liability for any future accidents as the burden of action is now on the employee
B) may allow ADA protections to be eliminated as the problem is documented
C) may risk "perceived disability" claims under the ADA
D) Both A and B are correct.

Question 60

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners found that almost 40 percent of fraud is discovered through:

A) Audits
B) Tips
C) Paper trails
D) Email messages

Question 61

The approach to EAPs has changes since they were first introduced around 1950.What is the new philosophy regarding EAPs?

Question 62

If preventable violence takes place in the workplace,is the employer legally liable?

Question 63

If an employee is not performing well and the manager thinks there is a problem with training,what are three general questions they might use to analyze the problem?

Question 64

Employees whose behavior can be described as "difficult" can be classified into one of four board categories.Identify the categories.

Question 65

Does the ADA prohibit drug testing current and potential employees,why or why not?

Question 66

Do ADA regulations take priority over those of the FHWA and DOT?

Question 67

Firing an employee that testifies against their company in a criminal manner is an exception to termination under the employment at will concept due to _________________.

A) terminating employees for discriminatory reasons
B) the existence of an implied contract
C) the covenant of good faith and fair dealing
D) a violation of public policy

Question 68

When an employee with a psychiatric disorder poses a risk of violence;under the ADA _______________.

A) an employer cannot discriminate against that employee unless they pose a "direct threat" to someone's health or safety and
B) an employer cannot discriminate against that employee if the situation may be solved with a reasonable accommodation.
C) the employer is allowed to invoke the "potential for illegal act" exemption and terminate the employee
D) Both A and B are correct.

Question 69

States adopting a broad public policy exception recognize violations when an individual is discharged for _______________.

A) asserting a statutory right
B) refusing to commit an illegal act
C) refusing to violate professional codes of ethics
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 70

When the ADR method of __________ is used,lawyers for the parties present a brief synopsis of their case to a jury that,after deliberations,makes a nonbinding advisory decision.

A) summary jury trial
B) minitrial
C) joint executive review
D) arbitration

Question 71

The Postal Service developed a six-strategy program to prevent violence.List these strategy areas.

Question 72

The doctrine of _______ is based on the view that an employment contract is a private matter between free agents,an employee and an employer.

A) employment agency
B) free choices
C) employment at will
D) agency

Question 73

Firing a female employee with no formal contract in a manner that is contra to the procedures in the employee handbook is an exception to termination under the employment at will concept due to _________________.

A) terminating employees for discriminatory reasons
B) the existence of an implied contract
C) the covenant of good faith and fair dealing
D) a violation of public policy

Question 74

What do Supreme Court rulings say about employee drug testing?

Question 75

Which of the following is not a court sanctioned exception to the doctrine of employment at will?

A) The existence of an implied contract
B) First infraction
C) A covenant of good faith and fair dealing
D) Violation of public policy

Question 76

Why do companies face a legal dilemma when an employee with a psychiatric disorder poses a risk of violence?

Question 77

Are EAPs effective?

Question 78

In Fortune v.National Cash Register,a 61-year-old salesperson with 40 years of service was able to prove that the employer fired him to avoid paying sales commissions on a multimillion dollar order.The firing was found to an exception to the employment at will concept due to _________________.

A) terminating employees for discriminatory reasons
B) the existence of an implied contract
C) the covenant of good faith and fair dealing
D) a violation of public policy

Question 79

Common ADR methods used today include all of the following except ___________.

A) summary jury trial
B) minitrial
C) joint executive review
D) arbitration

Question 80

To address a dispute,an organization has had both parties briefly present their case to a panel of senior executives from the firm,who are not involved,to negotiate a resolution.The organization is using the _____________ ADR.

A) summary jury trial
B) minitrial
C) joint executive review
D) arbitration