The Value of Fair Treatment in the Workplace

You have been hired as a management consultant by a large company to examine the company’s business decisions regarding employee protections. The applicable laws are federal anti-discrimination laws, federal health and safety laws, and employer firing practices related to the employment-at-will (EAW) doctrine.

In response to the three questions below, write a 4–6 page paper in which you do the following:

1. Analyze, identify, and explain recent legislation, within the last 10 years, that helps to protect employees from discrimination in the workplace. Provide at least two federal legislative protections. Provide some insight when the federal legislation conflicts with the state.
2. Explain the EAW doctrine and all exceptions to the doctrine. Look at the scenarios below and determine whether the decision to fire the employee is a smart one. Identify why or why not, and determine all the possible exceptions per the EAW doctrine that are, might be, or could be applicable if the employee sues for wrongful termination.
   

   the company website for employee grievances

   • Brenda, a manager, started a blog on the company website for employee grievances. She noticed that a worker was protesting that no Asian American employees had gotten a raise in two years at the company. The worker also criticized how much the CEO made and how the CEO was “out of touch.” Brenda reprimanded the worker. The next day, the worker talked to fellow co-workers about forming a union. Brenda subsequently fired the worker.
   • Jason, a department supervisor, requests approval to fire his secretary, Alice. Alice, a devout Christian, has been putting Right-to-Life flyers in the employee breakroom. Alice is also taking time out to pray each day during the busiest time of the morning.
   • Brian, the head of the accounting department, refused to sign Lori’s leave request for jury duty. Lori is a tax attorney in his department. Brian wants to fire Lori for being absent without permission during their busiest time—tax season.
   • Peter has worked for the company for one year. He has a rare form of liver disease and works with chemicals that make his condition worse. Peter does not want to stop working, but his boss is not happy with his performance and wants to let him go.
3. Determine the federal law regarding undocumented workers and whether they are eligible for state workers’ compensation in the United States. Advocate for or against this practice and substantiate your response with research to support your position.

READINGS

In your Business: Its Legal, Ethical, and Global Environment text, read the following:

• Chapter 20.

MULTIMEDIA

This week, you will review a series of videos that can help you better understand discrimination and harassment, and how you can defuse a potentially hostile work environment.

• Major Employment Discrimination Laws.
  • This video identifies and explains six major employment laws designed to discourage discrimination in the workplace.
  • Time: 3:18.
• Types of Discrimination.
  • This video explains and shows examples of six different types of discrimination including harassment, direct discrimination, and indirect discrimination.
  • Time: 3:42.
• Workplace Discrimination.
  • In this video from SAI Global, Karen Corman speaks about preventing discrimination through effective employee training.
  • Time: 3:31.
• Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace (for Employees).
  • This video was created by McAfee and Taft for employees. In the video, Paul Ross explains the rights and responsibilities of employees in regards to discrimination and harassment.
  • Time: 3:02.
• Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace (for Supervisors/Managers).
  • This video was created by McAfee and Taft for supervisors and managers. In the video, Paul Ross explains the ramifications a company faces as a result of discrimination and harassment.
  • Time: 2:22.