Exam 16: Duties in the Accounting Workplace Online Only
An employer is not allowed,by federal law,to inquire about a prospective employee's genetic makeup.Who would an employer potentially want to make such an inquiry?
An employer might potentially want to inquire about a prospective employee's genetic makeup for several reasons, although it is important to note that such inquiries are prohibited by federal law under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008. Here are some reasons an employer might have an interest in a prospective employee's genetic information:
1. Health Risk Assessment: An employer might be interested in understanding the potential future health risks of an employee. Certain genetic markers can indicate a predisposition to various diseases or conditions, which could potentially lead to higher healthcare costs or increased absenteeism in the future.
2. Job Suitability: Some employers might believe that genetic information could indicate whether an individual is well-suited for a particular type of work, especially in physically demanding or high-stress jobs. They might think that genetic traits could be linked to physical abilities, endurance, or even mental acuity.
3. Insurance Purposes: Employers who provide health insurance might be tempted to use genetic information to estimate insurance costs or to identify employees who might require more expensive care in the future.
4. Workplace Safety: In certain industries, such as those involving hazardous materials or extreme conditions, employers might want to ensure that employees do not have genetic susceptibilities that could increase their risk of illness or injury in the workplace.
5. Customized Wellness Programs: Employers with wellness programs might be interested in tailoring these programs to the specific health needs of their employees, which could theoretically be informed by genetic information.
Despite these potential interests, it is crucial to emphasize that GINA prohibits employers from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information about applicants or employees, with very limited exceptions. The law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information in hiring, firing, job assignments, promotions, and other aspects of employment. The intention behind GINA is to protect individuals from genetic discrimination and to encourage participation in genetic testing for medical purposes without fear of employment repercussions.
What is the "employment at will" doctrine? Do you believe that it poses ethical dilemmas for employers? How? Do you believe that it poses ethical dilemmas for employees? How?
The "employment at will" doctrine is a legal principle that allows employers to terminate an employee for any reason, as long as it is not illegal, and without providing a reason. Similarly, employees are also free to leave their job for any reason without facing legal consequences. This doctrine is the default employment relationship in the United States, unless there is a specific employment contract in place that states otherwise.
The "employment at will" doctrine can pose ethical dilemmas for employers in certain situations. For example, if an employer terminates an employee for discriminatory reasons, such as race, gender, or age, it would be considered unethical and potentially illegal. Additionally, if an employer uses the "employment at will" doctrine as a way to avoid addressing performance issues or to retaliate against an employee for whistleblowing or exercising their legal rights, it would also be unethical.
On the other hand, the "employment at will" doctrine can also pose ethical dilemmas for employees. For example, if an employee is aware of unethical or illegal behavior within the company and fears retaliation for reporting it, they may feel trapped in their job due to the ease with which they can be terminated. This can create a moral conflict for the employee, as they may feel torn between their ethical obligations and their job security.
In conclusion, while the "employment at will" doctrine provides flexibility for both employers and employees, it can also create ethical dilemmas for both parties. Employers must ensure that they are not using this doctrine to engage in unethical behavior, while employees may feel pressured to remain silent about unethical practices for fear of losing their job. It is important for both employers and employees to consider the ethical implications of the "employment at will" doctrine and strive to create a fair and ethical work environment.
An employee is about to change jobs.Before leaving her current job,she solicited clients to shift their business to her upcoming employer.She:
D
An employer spends substantial sums training its employees.This employer has determined that it is not economical to make these training expenditures if a new employee is likely to quit within the first three years of employment.Is it ethical for this employer,prior to hiring a new employee,to insist that a prospective employee agree in an employment contract to reimburse the firm for its out-of-pocket costs if the employee fails to remain with the firm for at least three years?
Prior to hiring a new professional staff member,an auditing firm checks public records to see if a prospective employee has ever been convicted of insider trading? Is this ethical?
Prior to hiring a new professional staff member,an auditing firm checks public records to see if a prospective employee has ever been convicted of a felony involving illegal drug use? Is this ethical?
For an item to be considered a "trade secret," which of the following characteristics must be present?
An accounting firm insists that all of its professional staff members and partners provide copies of their most recent federal and state income tax returns to the partner in charge of regulatory compliance.These submissions must occur no later than the April 15 due date for filing these tax returns.This policy:
Under most circumstances,giving advance notice to an employer prior to quitting a job is:
In most states,a covenant not to compete that has been agreed to by an employer and an employee is:
What are the core traits that an employer usually may not inquire about prior to hiring an employee?
In accordance with the IFAC Code of Conduct,if an accountant working as an industry accountant wishes to change jobs by joining a direct competitor to her current employer,she:
An employer recently terminated an employee from her job as a company tax accountant.Which of the following likely would be be classified as a "wrongful termination against public policy"?
Prior to hiring a new professional staff member,an auditing firm checks public records to see if a prospective employee has ever been convicted of petty theft? Is this ethical?
An employer spends substantial sums training its employees.This employer has determined that it is not economical to make these training expenditures if a new employee is likely to quit within the first three years of employment.Is it ethical for an employer,prior to hiring a new employee,to inquire of prospective female employees if they plan to give birth to a child during the upcoming three years? (Do not discuss the law.)
Do you consider a large differential in pay between executives and lower-paid personnel to be an ethical issue? If so,what do you believe should be done to moderate this differential?
Filters
- Essay(0)
- Multiple Choice(0)
- Short Answer(0)
- True False(0)
- Matching(0)