CH 16 - Managing a Diverse Workforce

Policies and practices that leverage a variety of perspectives, life experiences, and approaches that every individual brings to the workplace, are referred to as diversity.

False

Sexual and racial harassment will happen, and there is little a business can do to eliminate the problem.

False

Sexual harassment is limited to overt acts of individual coworkers or supervisors.

False

Companies that implement effective diversity programs often see an improvement in their reputation.

True

According to Figure 16-4, the country with the highest percentage of women holding board member positions is the United States.

False

An argument against affirmative action is:

It is inconsistent with the principles of fairness and equality.

In 2015, the largest generation in the workforce was:

Millennials.

What is one reason why woman and minorities fail to move into executive or board positions?

The old boys' network.

Sexual harassment is accurately described by which statement(s)?

All of these answers are correct. Most sexual harassment incidents target women. Sexual harassment is illegal in the United States. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is empowered to sue on behalf of victims.

Which of these statements is (are) true regarding sexual harassment?

An imbalance of power.

In 2015, more than 50 percent of minority-owned businesses were owned by:

Asian Americans.

According to the latest government data, in about 30 percent of all married couples with children, both parents worked at least part-time.

False

The major agency charged with enforcing equal opportunity laws and executive orders in the United States is the Americans with Disabilities Council (ADC).

False

The term pay gap refers to the inequitable concentration of a group, such as minorities or women, in a particular job category.

False

Companies can combat sexual and racial harassment—and protect themselves from expensive lawsuits—by:

Both of these answers are correct: Communicating a zero-tolerance policy on harassment to all employees; and establishing a complaint procedure and acting quickly to resolve any problems.

Which law eliminated certain time restrictions for filing pay discrimination lawsuits?

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.

Bias within the hiring process refers to:

Selecting only candidates that match a preconceived ideal of the role.

One action a company can take to effectively manage diversity and inclusion is:

Set up a diversity council to monitor the company's goals.

Why does the inclusion of women on corporate boards improve company performance?

All of these answers are correct. Alternative courses of action are more realistically considered. Women bring different life experiences to discussions. Women are more likely to raise multiple stakeholder concerns.

Child care assistance in the workplace is accurately described by:

All of these answers are correct. It helps reduce employee absenteeism and tardiness. It aids in recruiting workers by making the company more attractive to parents. It helps retain talented employees.

In what way did Dreamers bring diversity to the U.S. workplace?

Dreamers came to the United States from many global regions.

Government rules on equal treatment of employees include:

Government contractors must have written positive affirmative action plans to overcome the past and present effects of discrimination in their work force.

The current trend in the United States of firms' eliminating domestic partner benefits is largely due to:

The legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015.

Workforce diversity represents both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses.

True

When women and minorities are highly competent but are unable to attain executive positions, this is typically called:

Glass ceiling.

One argument in favor of affirmative action is:

It levels the playing field to correct past discriminatory hiring practices.

According to the textbook, Asian American men now have higher median weekly earnings than white American men primarily because:

Most Asians had earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

Variation in the important human characteristics that distinguish people from one another is called:

Diversity.

Sexual harassment applies to:

Either men or women who are being harassed.

Which type of U.S. company is required to follow the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid employee leave to address family needs?

Firms with at least 50 employees.

Benefits of managing diversity and inclusion effectively includes all except:

The federal government provides tax breaks.

When a mother or father is granted time off when children are born or adopted and during the early months of a child's development, this is called:

Parental leave.

Why does a diverse and inclusive workforce benefit a firm supporting a global market?

A variety of language skills serves the global customer base well.

The growing diversity in the U.S. workforce is due to:

All of these answers are correct. Millennials entering the workforce. Immigration from other countries. Shifting patterns of work and retirement.

Women in the U.S. workforce are accurately characterized by which of these statements?

Both of these answers are correct: The participation rate has been between 46 and 47 percent since the late 2000s; and the participation rate has been between 46 and 47 percent since the late 2000s.

Many executives believe that a diverse workforce boosts innovation because:

Many unique perspectives contribute to a better solution.

Age, ethnicity, gender, mental or physical abilities, race, and sexual orientation fall under which dimension of diversity?

Primary.

Which of the following is not true about occupational segregation?

The technology sector is dominated by women.

Racial harassment is illegal under:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

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

True

In the United States, immigrants are more likely than non-immigrants to start their own business, having been responsible for 30 percent of small business growth.

True

Some women and persons of color have spoken out against affirmative action, preferring to achieve personal success without receiving preferential treatment.

True

The proportion of working women that have told researchers they have been sexually harassed on the job is between 40 and 70 percent.

True

The term diversity refers to variation in the important human characteristics that distinguish people from one another.

True

Under the Family Medical Leave Act, companies that employ 50 or more people must grant unpaid, job-protected leaves for up to 12 weeks to employees with serious family needs, including the birth or adoption of a baby.

True