Unit 1 discussion
How do courts decide who is an employee and who is an
independent contractor? What are the positive and negative issues that are
associated with being either an employee or and independent contractor? What
are the risks associated with being an independent contractor? Use the Library
or other Web resources to support your answer.
Unit 2 discussion
Mr. Thomas, a 10 year executive with XYZ Corporation,
continued to engage his secretary in a conversation regarding the female body
part that was a subject of a recent television program, even after she
indicated she did not wish to discuss it further. Mr. Thomas subsequently
copied a page from a dictionary containing the name of a body part and gave it
to the secretary, which in addition to prior behavior she interpreted as sexual
harassment. His employer terminated him because of this incident and other
alleged incidents of poor judgment. In a suit for wrongful termination, Mr.
Thomas won compensatory damages plus punitive damages against the company and
his secretary.
In the Discussion Board, discuss the following questions
about the case:
Do you think Mr. Thomas’ actions constituted sexual
harassment? Why or why not?
Do you think termination of Mr. Thomas was justified? Why or
why not?
What factors might have influenced the jury’s decision?
Can you share with the class if you, your friend or
colleague have had an encounter with a sexual harassment case at work? Do not
use names of individuals or businesses.
Unit 3 discussion
What is the significance of the Pregnancy Discrimination
Act?
Can you share with the class if you, your friend or
colleague was pregnant at work and has ever been a target of discrimination?
What is the best possible course of action to take when one
is the target of pregnancy discrimination?
Can a company ever consider pregnancy in its employment
decisions? Explain.
Unit 4 discussion
Does the Immigration Reform and Control Act apply to your
current (or most recent) employer? Explain.
What are the consequences to an employer if it hires an
unauthorized alien?
In your opinion, why is this law important?
Do you think the economy has a shortage of skilled workers?
Please explain your thoughts fully.
Unit 5 discussion
Have you known anyone with a disability at work?
What are some challenges that employees have who are
disabled on a day to day basis?
What are some special accommodations if any do employees
with disabilities have within the workplace setting?
