Appropriate Workplace Behavior Quiz Answers

1.      B.  Inappropriate workplace behavior.  More than one person has gotten into trouble thinking he or she could tell a racial or gender-based joke as long as it was targeted toward his or her own race or gender.  The fact that homesick Elsa is also sick of Yuri's jokes should be a strong incentive for Yuri to reconsider his humor strategy; if he doesn't, his behavior could cross the line from inappropriate to illegal.

2.      D.  Dr. Analyst might think he has a magic touch but a jury might think otherwise.  If someone complains, Drs. Perlman and Analyst could be held legally liable as could the wellness facility.

3.      D.  All of the above.  Studies show that a manager dating an employee he or she also supervises is bound to create a perception of favoritism in the eyes of other employees, even if the manager makes every effort not to favor his love interest.  In addition, the confusion between personal and professional feelings can lead to actions that might be considered harassment or discrimination, especially if hurt feelings result in a negative impact on someone's job.   

4.      B.  Discontinue the reporting relationship.  The main reason a company has any right to interfere with an employee's love interest is the potential impact this might have on work.  Most companies handle the dating relationship by making sure no one directly reports, or supervises, someone he or she is dating.

5.      C.  Can be held liable.  The jury looks at the impact of a person's behavior, not the intentions behind it.

6.       B.  Inappropriate workplace behavior.  The road to you-know-where is paved with good intentions.  Sharon and Don might be genuinely concerned with a woman's safety; however, making assumptions based on gender is risky business.  The best course of action is to make sure the job description is as accurate and detailed as possible and let each candidate decide for him or herself.

7.      C.  Legally risky.  Everyone has a personal comfort zone, and when a person gets outside of his or hers, s/he has the right to say so.  Just because you date person A doesn't mean you have to date person B; similarly, just because a person doesn't mind backrubs doesn't mean she likes, or has to tolerate, sexual innuendoes. 

8.      A.  Has unintentionally put himself and the company at legal risk.  E-mails may be the magic answer to international communication challenges, but they can be a human resource nightmare; as Randy found out, one push of the wrong key can have far-reaching consequences.  Randy is much better off getting his cartoons from Ross on his home computer.

9.      C.  Sexual harassment.  When one person breaks up with another person, any continued dating behavior is unwelcome.  If the behavior begins to interfere with the person's ability to do his or her job, this could be sexual harassment.

10.  E.  Third party sexual harassment and a stressful work situation for Andrea.  The courts have clearly found that, if the sexual behavior directed towards other employees begins to adversely impact someone else's work, then this could be an example of third party sexual harassment.  At the very least, this situation is inappropriate, stressful for Andrea, and likely to lower all of the employees' job motivation.

11.  B.  Appropriate workplace behavior.  Steven is engaging in a great example of team building and the use of appropriate humor at work, both of which are greatly needed in today's hectic business climate.

12.  A.  Inappropriate workplace behavior.  Managers often don't realize the pressure employees feel to do what is asked of them, even if the request is meant to be purely option.  In addition, cultures vary greatly in their value and respect for authority; some employees would have a very difficult time discussing their discomfort with their managers.  Because of these factors, and the highly personal nature of religion, it is best to keep religion and management separate.

13.  C.  Good intention but legally risky.  Social situations with coworkers are a legal gray area; if informal business is being conducted (for example, promotions are being discussed or the team is talking about a project they are working on), some juries have said this was a formal work-related event and judged the behavior that occurred accordingly.  Saying "I hope I don't offend someone" is never a valid defense for inappropriate behavior.

14.  B.  From the day a person enters the U.S., s/he is bound by U.S. law.

15.  D.  The number one reason individuals file sexual harassment complaints is to get the behavior to stop.  Well over 99% of all complaints are resolved either between the individuals involved or through company policy and procedure (with no money changing hands!).

How Did You Do?
Add up the number you answered correctly and then see how you rate!

13 - 15 correct.  If you answered 13 or more correctly, you are a role model!  You are right on top of the social and legal changes that have happened over the past five years, and have adjusted your behavior accordingly.  Be a leader -- we're looking for a few good men and women like you!

9 - 12 correct.  If your score falls between 9 and 12, you are in good company.  Most employees and managers score in this range.  

1 - 8 correct.  If your score falls below 9, you are a learning opportunity waiting to happen!  If the recent legal and social changes have left you scratching your head in puzzlement, you've come to the right website for answers.  

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