Chapter 3: Discrimination, Equality, and Fairness in Employment
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. Why is the International Bill of Human Rights considered a ‘negative’ law?
a. Because it prohibits discrimination
b. Because if not adhered there are penalties to pay
c. Because it emphasizes what not to do instead of what to do
d. Because companies believe it is too restrictive
2. In an effort to store warehouse products quickly The Fielding Warehouse company instituted a new
policy that anyone who worked in the warehouse must be able to lift 60 lbs so that they could carry more.
Which category of discriminatory act would the new policy fall into?
a. Overt
b. Unfair
c. Covert
d. Justifiable
3. Global Disaster Recovery Services (GDRS) is an international company providing disaster recovery
services domestically and internationally. Recently GDRS changed its hiring practices to hire both men
and women to provide recovery services. The current seniority policy of only using the most senior
employees for assignment on international jobs still exists. The seniority policy is an example of which
type of discriminatory practice?
a. Individual
b. Institutional
c. Intentional
d. Overt
4. Retrospectively looking back, what was the problem with “The Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency
Out of Women published in 1943?
a. The intent was to treat women differently based on the perception of inferiority
b. The intent was good but the instructions were too restrictive
c. The tips only address the transportation industry and others needed the information as well
d. The tips did not apply to all women
5. What remedies can the EEOC require from organizations when they are found guilty of harassment of
religion?
a. Monetary payment to the aggrieved
b. Jail time for the offending supervisors
c. The EEOC does not have the authority to levy remedies
d. Requirement to publicize the offense in the local news outlets
6. What type of discrimination is the result of an implicit side effect or another policy or decision
a. Covert
b. Overt
c. Subtle
d. Unintentional
7. Based on the findings about the Xerox work environment, how would you characterize the
discrimination practices?
a. Overt; institutionalized and unintentional
b. Covert; individualized and intentional
c. Covert; institutionalized; and intentional
d. Overt; individualized and unintentional
8. What is the intent of the International Bill of Human Rights?
a. To increase social awareness of the treatment of human beings
b. To ban discrimination and assure equal employment opportunities to people regardless of their gender,
race, ethnicity, age, disability
c. To raise the status of minority groups and help them transition into the majority
d. To correct a history of past wrongs so that everyone can coexist peacefully in a fairer society
9. One 1943 tip on getting more efficiency out of women employees stated “Get enough size variety in
operator’s uniforms so that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can’t be stress too much in keeping
women happy.” What type of discrimination is used in this example?
a. Well intentioned
b. Overt
c. Covert
d. Individual
10. When a single manager performs a discriminatory act based on his own biases and beliefs, he is
engaging in what type of discriminatory act?
a. Culture based
b. Intentional
c. Individual
d. Overt
11. Frank’s’ views on discrimination in employment aligns with those of the neo classical economists.
What arguments would Frank make to his employer as reasons not to engage in discriminatory practices?
a. It would be too costly to the company.
b. Equal opportunities would not be created
c. All discrimination is illegal
d. It would be a chance to right past wrongs
12. Groups that have been traditionally disadvantaged may require additional assistance to catch up
because they may have had limited access to:
a. Economic stability
b. Networks of influence
c. Financial information
d. Credit
13. What practice do equal opportunity theorist advocate but their critics consider discriminatory?
a. Building social networks
b. Preferential hiring
c. Mentorship and role modeling
d. New skills training
14. Affirmative action proponents believe affirmative action programs are necessary until what conditions
are met?
a. Until a more balanced representation between advantage and disadvantage groups exist.
b. Until the desired diversity goals are achieved
c. Until perpetuity
d. Until people are not judged by their differences
15. Stewart is a big advocate of human rights and treating everyone fairly. He supports most affirmative
action programs but avidly disagrees with the idea that distributive justice will solve the problems of
discrimination in the workplace. Which school of thought does Stewart belong to?
a. Neoclassical economist
b. Equal opportunities theorists
c. Social politicians
d. Social unitarians
16. Which types of barriers perpetuate discrimination against traditionally disadvantaged groups?
a. Exclusion
b. Racial profiling
c. Limiting job opportunities
d. Disrespectful communication
17. Which school of thought advocates for employers to be able to use pure economic principles in their
employment decisions?
a. Neoclassical economists
b. Classical economists
c. Social economists
d. Traditional economists
18. Of the three types of barriers that may perpetuate discrimination against traditionally disadvantaged
groups, which barrier does anti-discrimination legislation more directly address?
a. Stereotyping
b. Exclusion from positions of authority
c. Lack of role models
d. Limited education opportunities
19. Affirmative or positive action means that employers must:
a. Help both employers and employees see the positive in people
b. Emphasize what an employer should do versus what they should not do
c. Act directly and aggressively to remove all barriers
d. Implement quotas until equal representation has been achieved
20. Affirmative action legislation may vary widely, country to country. Which disadvantaged group seems
to be addressed mostly across the countries identified in Table 3.1?
a. Women
b. Disabled
c. All groups are equally represented
d. Not specified
21. What was the principal distinction between the European community’s anti-discrimination legislation in
the 1970s versus the updated legislation in the 2000s?
a. The protection of race and ethnicity was added to the later legislation
b. Equal pay for gingers was added to the later legislation
c. Both legislations were fairly similar with only minor amendments
d. The later legislation expanded to cover more communities in the European Union
22. While many countries have anti-discrimination legislation to protect women, Costa Rica’s protections
are uniquely different in that:
a. The law focuses on the well-being of women including such programs as maternity leave
b. Employers are required to create affirmative action programs specifically for women
c. The law guarantees the participation of women in politics mandating a 40% participation rate for
publicly elected positions
d. Requires the boards of public companies to have at least 40% of the representatives on the board be
female
23. Which of the following principles are common to all affirmative action and positive action programs?
a. Are intervention measures
b. Are intended as temporary actions
c. Aim to reverse past discrimination against everyone
d. Both A and B
24. In the United States the goal of positive action programs is to compensate for past discrimination,
what is the goal of positive action programs in Europe?
a. The European goal is similar to that of the United States
b. To ensure equitable representation by designated groups
c. To avoid sanctions from the international community
d. To assure immigrants that they will be treated fairly across the various European borders
25. What is the driving factor which can be attributed to why affirmative or positive action policies vary so
greatly country by country
a. Developed countries tend to be more democratic and sensitive to human rights issues
b. The population size of a country influences the level of anti-discrimination legislation necessary
c. Each countries specific historical and cultural background shapes the nature of its policies.
d. Countries with homogenous populations tend to have a lower amount of anti-discrimination legislation
26. Which of the following represents a main strategy used by a country to implement its affirmative action
policies?
a. Asking organizations to voluntarily comply
b. Recruiting the aid of the country’s labor union representatives as watchdogs within an organization
c. Applying strict penalties and enforcement to those who don’t comply
d. Placing requirements on the composition of the public workforce
27. MSU, a national electronics company based in Europe signed an agreement with their home country
to actively recruit more women. In return MSU received preferential access to government contracts.
Which affirmative action strategy was employed here?
a. Placing requirements on the composition of the public workforce
b. Compensation of population groups who have previously been discriminated against
c. Encouraging private businesses to actively recruit and promote employees
d. There was no strategy, this is just an institutionalized practice
28. John was anxious to hire three new recruits for his marketing department in Northern Ireland. As a
good Roman Catholic, John was intent on hiring employees who shared his same religious values and
beliefs. John’s workforce already consisted of 70% Roman Catholics, if John hires three new Roman
Catholics will John be out of compliance with the law in Northern Ireland?
a. Yes he will be breaking the law because John is required to hire both Roman Catholics and
Protestants.
b. No he will not be breaking the law, as a business owner he can hire who ever he believes is right for
his company
c. He could potentially be breaking the law since his composition of Protestants and Roman Catholics
must be equal to the proportions in the population at large.
d. No he will not be breaking the law as long as he makes sure he hires both male and female genders.
29. Northern Ireland’s Fair Employment Act of 1989 mandates that:
a. Religious activity could not take place in the work place in order to create a religious neutral zone
b. The workforce religious communities representation must equal to their proportions in the population at
large
c. Workplace religious programs must be open to all employees despite whatever religion they practice
d. Any active religious discrimination would result in severe penalties and both the organization and the
offending individuals would be held liable
30. In addition to levying penalties payable through fines, the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act of
1989 has the power to reduce an organization’s profits. Specifically the Act gives the Fair Employment
Commission the power to:
a. Exclude an organization from competing for government contracts and denial of any government
grants
b. Bar an organization from operations until it is in full compliance
c. Require an organization to pay employees of certain disadvantaged groups premium pay as
compensation for past wrongs.
d. None of the above
31. Australia’s anti-discrimination legislation enacted in 1986 and subsequent years has not yet had its
intended effect for the country. Which factor has led to this?
a. The laws and regulations are not well publicized or understood
b. Female workers were not provided protection under the legislation
c. Sanctions and penalties for noncompliance are limited and rarely enforced
d. Organizations could opt out of the requirements
32. In the United States some believe that current discrimination can be corrected by what action?
a. Providing preferential treatment to previously disadvantaged groups
b. Institutionalizing incentives which promote anti-discrimination behavior
c. Ensuring equal employment to minority groups and women
d. Implementing stricter fines for those found to be legally noncompliant
33. What system does India employ in an effort to make its society more equitable?
a. Quota system
b. Caste system
c. Reservation system
d. Affirmative Action system
34. What distinguishes the affirmative action programs in both India and South Africa from most other
national programs?
a. The emphasis they place on protecting women
b. They were among the first countries to provide protection for sexual orientation
c. They have special protection for the treatment of men
d. The target populations are not minorities.
35. Northern Ireland implemented the Fair Employment Act in 1989 with amendments in 1988. What
evidence do they have that the legislation has made a positive impact?
a. They have seen a significant reduction in animosity between religious groups
b. They have seen considerable increases in the numbers of people who work in integrated workplaces
c. They have seen a decrease in their crime rates
d. They have seen an increase in interracial marriages
36. Which of the following arguments are espoused by proponents of positive action policies?
a. Compensatory justice
b. Retailitory justice
c. Law of equanimity
d. Social unification
37. Which of the following arguments are espoused by critics of positive action policies?
a. Positive action policies promote a sense of entitlement
b. Positive action policies are costly
c. Positive action principles use preferential practices which results in poor services and products
d. Positive action policies require a strong government to enforce them
38. People who support the social utility argument believe that:
a. All are entitled to the same human rights
b. Past injustices need to be undone and compensation should be given
c. Social goods and wealth of a country should be distributed equally
d. Everyone in a society has something important to contribute
39. People who believe that positive action policies lead to preferential treatment are:
a. Proponents of positive action policies
b. Opponents of positive action policies
c. Realist viewing positive action policies in a true light
d. None of the above
40. Based on what grounds have affirmative or positive action programs been challenged in the courts?
a. That affirmative action programs contradict a countries equal rights assurances under its constitution or
legislation
b. That affirmative action programs are not effective means for eliminating discrimination in employment
c. That affirmative action programs intended as temporary measures have outlived their usefulness
d. That affirmative action programs create a new category of ‘haves and have not’
41. In the United States critics of affirmative action policies believe that affirmative action is in
contradiction to what US legislation?
a. The Bill of Rights
b. The equity principle in the Fifth and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution
c. The EEOC Law of Equities
d. The Civil Rights Act
42. Recent Supreme Court decisions in the United States have been less supportive of organizational
decisions made primarily based on racial composition. In effect, the Supreme Court is now questioning:
a. The constitutionality of race-based set aside policies
b. The constitutionality of all affirmative action policies
c. Whether the court has the jurisdiction to decide on such matters
d. The morality of race-based set aside policies
43. How did the California voters approval of Proposition 209 in November 1996 amend the states
constitution?
a. It expanded anti-discrimination protection to include sexual orientation
b. it made it unlawful for the state to use race sex color ethnicity or national origin as a reason to either
discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to anyone
c. It gave the governor additional powers to enforce anti– discrimination legislation
d. It included a provision formally sanctioning
44. The US Supreme Court rules that the use of affirmative action is unconstitutional in situations where:
a. The process to make decisions either uses quotas or has the appearance of using quotas
b. The process to make decisions uses an individualized and holistic view of applicants
c. The affirmative action programs are used to benefit the majority group vs the disadvantaged group
d. There is pending congressional legislation that addresses the same matter
45. Which of the following countries is an example of a country who decided to roll back and eliminate
affirmative action policy?
a. China
b. Slovak Republic
c. South Africa
d. Mexico
46. What has been the focus of the public debates over positive/affirmative action policies?
a. Equity and fairness
b. Reverse discrimination
c. Social justice and economic principles
d. Perpetuating stereotypes
47. In the face of all the controversy that surrounds affirmative action in many countries; what has
generally been the courts opinion?
a. Supportive
b. Mixed
c. Unsupportive
d. No general trend, case by case judgements
48. What recent events in the United States history gave rise to renewed demands for the dismantling of
affirmative action policies?
a. The election of the first African-American president and appointment of the first Latina Supreme Court
judge
b. Greater representation of women in senior leadership positions and on corporate boards
c. Increased ratio of minorities graduating from college
d. The pay gap between genders dramatically reduced
49. As a result of recent trends to eliminate affirmative-action programs, proponents of affirmative action
are concerned that:
a. The programs will become entitlements rather than measures to remedy past inequalities
b. Proactive recruitment and retention of women and minority workers will cease
c. A more egalitarian work place will naturally evolve showing that there was no need for the legislation in
the first place
d. The courts will overturn past rulings and therefore further diminish the effect of anti-discrimination
legislation
50. Global affirmative/positive action programs aim to:
a. Provide equal rights for every human being
b. Provide social benefit to the global society
c. Prohibit negative treatment and employment
d. Provide advantages to groups that have traditionally been discriminated against
51. In some instances affirmative action practices have generated unintended consequences. Which of
the following is an unintended consequence experienced by South Africa?
a. Black people became the dominant race
b. As a result of affirmative action practices many Afrikaners chose to leave the country.
c. South Africa was flooded with immigrants who wanted to live in such a proactive anti-discrimination
environment
d. The South African courts were burdened with multiple challenges to the affirmative action policies
True/False
1. The US affirmative action legislations are an example of positive anti discrimination protections.
2. Discriminatory acts fall into three classifications- overt, covert and justifiable.
3. Positive action policies have two goals: (a) righting past wrongs and (b) achieving social goals of
increasing the representation of traditionally disadvantage groups in better paying jobs.
4. John is the CEO of a global technology company doing business largely in the space and science
sectors. John wants to diversify his workforce and hire more women so he has decided to give female
applicants extra rating points when competing for new hire or promotion positions. John believes this will
help him right past wrongs in the companies hiring practices which previously showed a preference
toward males. John’s policy would be considered an affirmative action policy.
5. Equal opportunity theorist argue that there is no need for any policy that encourages employers to give
equal opportunities to their employees because it is actually in the employers own economic best interest
to keep employees happy and free from discrimination
6. In the eyes of neoclassical economists discrimination in the workforce will get resolved on its own due
to the forces of the market economy.
7. By law, affirmative action plans may not include quotas.
8. The United States has been using the term ‘affirmative action’ since shortly after World War II when
minority veterans begin returning home.
9. One strategy employed with affirmative action policies is the place requirements on the composition of
the public workforce. In the case of India, describe who was covered by this requirement and discuss
what they must do to stay in compliance.
10. Providing businesses with incentives to recruit employees from designated groups is one of the
strategies countries use to promote affirmative action.
11. Trade unions have no part of promoting positive action policies that is strictly a management
responsibility.
12. The South African constitution sanctions affirmative-action
Essay
1. Anti discrimination protections can be categorized as either ‘negative’ or ‘positive’ Give an example of
each and provide an example circumstance when each would be more effective.
2. What was the notion that positive action policies originated from, and why were they necessary?
3. Neo classical economists believe that market forces will ultimately lead organizations to stop
discriminatory practices while equal opportunity theorists believe that organizations need to take definitive
actions such as preferential hiring in order to rid the workplace of discrimination. List the main arguments
and critiques of each theoretical viewpoint.
4. Northern Ireland’s Section 5 of the Government of Ireland Act of 1920 stated that “the Northern Ireland
Parliament was prohibited from making any law that would give preference privilege or advantage or
impose any disability or disadvantage on account of religious belief or ecclesiastical status. Why was it
necessary in subsequent years for Northern Ireland to levy additional anti-discrimination legislation?
5. Some opponents of affirmative action policies claim that affirmative action policies ultimately hurt the
minorities they were designed to assist in the first place. What argument could you make to either defend
or refute this position?
06. What are the two goals of affirmative or positive action policies and what is the rationale behind the
policies?
07. Groups that have traditionally been discriminated against suffer from three types of interconnected
barriers that may perpetuate the discrimination against them. What are the interconnected barriers and
why do these groups face these barriers?