Book Opener

CHAPTERASSESSMENTInterpreting and CommunicatingInformationIn this chapter, you learned about various lawscovering employment protection and equalopportunity, and government agenciesresponsible for enforcing these laws.10. Research the findings on a governmentagency audit, for example, compliancewith regulations of wage and hours, safetyand health, and equal employment. Writea two-page report on your findings.11. Select three laws that regulate the workplaceand research which governmentagencies are charged with enforcing thelaws. Then interview workers and employeesin your community that are affectedby this legislation and ask them if andhow the laws have affected their lives.You hear a coworker telling your employer—forthe third time in two months—that the handrailin the stairway to the shop’s basement needs tobe replaced. A week later, the rail is still broken.Debate12. If you know that the handrail is broken, doyou have an obligation to be careful on thestairway? Who is responsible for safety inthe workplace?13. Is there anything you can do to preventan injury?For the following cases, give your decision andstate a legal principle that applies.14. Wilma McAtee is CEO of NortexInternational. Douglas Sweeney, a Nortexengineer, believes that several operations inthe main plant are endangering workers. Hefiles several internal complaints. When hegets nowhere, he files a complaint withOSHA. McAtee learns that Sweeney filedthe complaint and fires him for it. Is McAteewithin her rights? Explain your answer.15. In January, Oxotech Petroleum hires LydiaTruell as a research scientist, at a salary of$65,000 per year. In March, Oxotech hiresGary Carr to do essentially the same job at asalary of $72,000. The two scientists havesimilar education and experience backgrounds,and they work side by side. Doesthe law have any provision covering this sortof inequity? Explain your answer.16. Jerry Figliano applies for a job as anarmored-car driver. Because armored-carpersonnel carry firearms, Figliano isrequired to take a drug test. He refuses,arguing that the test violates his privacyrights. Is he correct? Explain your answer.17. Franklin Vasquez wants to become a flightattendant. He is discouraged from applyingby a supervisor, who tells him that thecompany only hires people who took homeeconomics in high school or were membersof Future Stewardesses of America. IfVasquez files a complaint with the EqualEmployment Opportunities Commission,which of the two theories of discriminationwould form the basis for his complaint?Explain your answer.18. Robert Patton works as an accountant. Hehas never received an unfavorableperformance review. At age 55, Pattondevelops problems with his eyes that requirehim to use a special lamp and to takefrequent breaks to prevent eye strain. Uponlearning of the required changes, Patton’ssupervisor fires him and hires a youngerperson. What law or laws might protectPatton? Explain your answer.474 Unit 4: Being an Agent and Getting a Job