Exam 2: Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations

Which of these resources is likely to be available to employees of a company with a strong ethical culture?

what is the potential downside to whistle-blowing?

Fair-use guidelines apply to graphics just as they do to words.

The standard of utility is concerned with which of the following?

A writer preparing an electrician's manual is considering inserting company-designed danger symbols to denote the potential for electrocution. In deciding whether to do so, what should the writer's primary concern be?

You are writing the second edition of a user manual to be included with software sold to the general public. You want to reuse a portion of the introductory materials from the first edition but cannot determine who wrote that section or what the contractual conditions were. You know that your company has customarily required that freelance writers sign work-made-for-hire agreements. What should you do?

Your company, Acme Co., is sponsoring a three-hour field day for children at a local park, featuring games, sports, and snacks. Parents must sign up their children online. Your company wants to take pictures of children at the event, but it needs parents' permission. Which option below best describes an ethical way to get parents' permission?

using social media ethically entails avoiding false endorsements. What are three other guidelines for the ethical use of social media?

saying that a recently fired employee was "offered an alternative career opportunity" would be an example of which of the following?

What does liability law have to do with technical communication?

What advantage does using a trademark symbol confer upon an organization?

Chapter 2 lists four factors governing the fair-use exemption, which allows you to use copyrighted material without permission under certain conditions. One factor is the nature and purpose of the copyrighted work. What are the other three factors?

What does the symbol ® stand for, and what rights does it grant a company?

Steven is selling a used car that is 10 years old. He found a way to set the odometer back 50,000 miles, making his car appear more valuable than it actually is. A potential buyer looks at the car and is amazed at the low mileage. He asks Steven if anyone has tampered with the odometer. Steven replies, "Hey, that would be illegal. No one wants to get caught doing something illegal." What type of misleading statement did Steven make in his reply?

ethicists such as Manuel Velasquez (2011) argue that whistle-blowing is justified if three conditions are satisfied. One condition is that there is strong evidence that the organization is doing something that is hurting or will hurt other parties. What are the other two conditions?

Susan was assigned to analyze the process her company uses to write proposals. She worked on her report for more than a month. Stacy in the marketing department and John in the finance department gave Susan a lot of information and had several meetings with her. Susan placed an acknowledgments section in her report, where she thanked Stacy and John. What standard best explains Susan's decision to provide acknowledgments?

To be effective, a code of conduct must stipulate penalties.

Chapter 2 lists four ways you can help protect your client's or your employer's trademark. One is to use the trademark symbol. Which one of the following methods is also listed in the chapter?

Chapter 2 lists four areas of law relevant to ethical issues in technical communication. One is copyright law. What are two others?

When your state's revenues for the year are 40 percent below estimates, the state legislature cuts education funds by 40 percent but reduces farmers' subsidies by only 20 percent. Which moral standard does this action violate?