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Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Answers to In-Text Questions
Chapter 15: Employee Safety, Well-Being, and Wellness
Putting the Brakes on Train Derailments: Promoting Safety on Public Railways
Case Discussion Questions:
1. Given the examples of these three organizations, why do you think that these types of
accidents continue to occur? Consider multiple issues and stakeholders that may be
affecting railroads’ decisions about preventing accidents, such as short-term versus long-
term goals.
As the case states, there are many reasons these accidents occur, including health and
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
2. Based on these cases, do you think that these three organizations have a safety culture
where workers perceive that management views safety as a priority? Which factors in the
case make you say that? Could it be that the culture is positive in some ways but not
others? How might these cultures be improved?
There are likely to be several opinions about this. Safety should be a high priority for this
industry. The case referenced using train control systems, and this could prove to be an
3. Consider the multiple variables, including employee characteristics and behaviors, and
factors in the physical environment that would help to prevent transportation accidents
such as these. Then develop a plan for a passenger railroad system that would help to
prevent accidents.
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Responses will vary by students and this might be a good team exercise. This might
4. What would be your argument to organizational leaders about the relative value of each
of your suggestions? What data and metrics would you want to have available to you to
make your arguments?
Students will want to consider the cost of these accidents in terms of lost production,
5. In two of the cases described here, the health of the engineers may have played a role in
the accident. What is the employer’s responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the
health of their employees when it can have a direct impact on public safety?
There are many industries where the health of the employee is closely monitored because
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Spotlight on Ethics: Privacy, Technology, and Human Error
Questions:
1. Individuals working in HR have access to a great deal of private information about
employees. If you had access to such data and someone approached you with an offer of
money or other rewards in exchange for disclosing confidential employee information,
what specific steps would you take to respond to the situation? What kind of training
content should an employer provide for its employees so that they would know how to
respond to such a scenario?
This is not only an ethical issue, but a legal issue. This action should immediately be
reported to senior management and the IT department who can take steps to stop a
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
2. Describe some everyday situations in which an employee in HR or another area could
accidentally compromise employees’ private data. How can workers prevent or contain
the damage of such a lapse?
Students will develop a variety of ideas that might include taking notes during a
Mini-Case Analysis Exercise: Safety for All
1. What concerns do you have with the safety climate of this company? In what ways might
these issues have a negative impact on worker safety?
While there seems to be a desire for climate that supports safety, it does not seem to be
supported by top management. Employees will notice that supervisors are not following
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
2. What steps could you take in your role as safety officer to better illustrate to management
the safety issues that you are observing in this company?
Students may have a variety of suggestions here. These might include finding data on the
3. What arguments could you make to these top managers about the importance of safety
climate and the role they play in it? What suggestions would you make to them as to how
they might foster a positive safety climate?
These leaders need to be made aware they are the first level of example for the safe and
HR Decision Analysis Exercise: The Wellness Competition
Please provide the rationale for your answer to each of the questions below.
Does this wellness program seem legal, ethical, and fair?
Many companies have worked to incorporate wearable technology and fitness, using
competitions and rewards for those employees who pursue a wellness goal. These programs are
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Is it evidence based/evidence informed?
The decision is evidence informed. The case does not offer evidence that using these devices or
Does it foster healthy employee-employer relationships?
This program seem to foster healthy employee–employer relationships and indicates a concern
by the employer for the well-being of the employees. Where this may no longer foster a healthy
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Is it timely and cost-effective?
This is certainly timely and could be very cost-effective. Healthier employers would have lower
absenteeism due to illness or lower insurance claims, for example. The camaraderie and
_________________________________________________________________________
Does it take a systematic stakeholder perspective?
This decision supports a systematic stakeholder perspective. Employees, the employer, vending
Considering your analysis above, overall, do you think that undertaking this aspect of the
wellness program would be an effective decision? Why or why not?
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
If undertaking a wellness program is based on voluntary participation, this could be a very
What, if anything, do you think should be done differently or considered to help make this
decision more effective?
Students should supply several ideas but should include the idea that participation is voluntary
and there is no “punishment” for nonparticipation or failing to meet goals. Employees must be
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
HR Decision-Making Exercise: Assessing the Value of a Wellness Program
1. How would you investigate the potential value of each of these components prior to
implementation? Aside from company data, what specific sources would you use to the
possible value of each component?
Government publications might supply some of the needed information. Other sources
2. What types of company data would you use to determine if each of these components is
needed? Be specific in describing both (a) the type of data you would want to review as
well as (b) what data patterns would suggest a need for the specific component.
It might be difficult to determine which of the programs would be most used without
3. Should you roll out the entire program at once, or should each component be rolled out
separately? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of each approach? In
crafting your response, consider whether the three company locations might be used
differently for the rollout.
Again student responses will vary. Some might want to roll out the programs one at a
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
4. In the event that the program was implemented by the company, describe what types of
data—from objective data to employee attitudes—the company should collect to evaluate
whether each component is effective.
Students will develop a variety of measurements and data to collect. How the data are
5. Are there any “intangible” outcomes that might be considered in assessing the value of
the wellness program?
Bauer, Human Resource Management
SAGE Publishing, 2020
Responses will vary by students but they might consider the opinions of coworkers when
