Question Details

Assignment 1: Discussion Questions

The discussion assignment provides a forum for discussing relevant topics for this week based on the course competencies covered.  To support your work, use the textbook, lectures and scholarly outside sources.  As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.  Post the answers to both parts in one discussion post and do not attach documents.   

The discussion assignment consists of two parts.  Select one of the three questions for Part 1 and answer Part 2.  By Week 5, Day 3, submit your answers to Part 1 and Part 2 to this Discussion Area.  Start reviewing and responding to your classmates as early in the week as possible.  You should review and critique the work of at least two other students by Week 5, Day 7.

Discussion Question Part I

Select ONE of the scenarios below and explain the best solution.

Scenario 1 - Employment Discrimination 

Patricia Lewiston had been employed for three years at Midwest Inns and gradually worked her way into a management position.  Lewiston, who described herself as a tomboy, received several awards for customer service.  When Lewiston interviewed for a promotion to Front Office Manager at another location of Midwest Inns, the director of Operations, John Juliano, told one of the owners that Lewiston was not a “good fit” for the position because she was not feminine enough.  Juliano was known for hiring “pretty” girls for the front desk and office.  Lewiston did not get the promotion and the reason given was that she was hostile during the interview.  Lewiston sued Midwest Inns for gender discrimination based on gender stereotyping.

Discuss Lewiston- claims and potential outcome of the case under Title VII.
Select a state and discuss Lewiston- claims under the state- employment laws.
Scenario 2 - Equal Employment Opportunity

Erik King, a white man, was employed by the Fulton County School System in Georgia as a social worker.  Because of a drop in enrollment and reduced budget, King and other social workers were laid off in order of seniority.  The school system decided to retain Wilma Harrison, a social worker with less seniority than King because she was the only black person assigned to the western part of the district.  However, there was no racial imbalance in the total employment of social workers.  King was rehired 18 months later but claimed he was the victim of reverse discrimination.  His lawsuit requested $92,450 in back wages plus $46,000 in attorneys’ fees and other expenses.

Identify the arguments for each party, state the outcome based on the arguments and support the answer with appropriate laws, cases and examples.
Scenario 3 - Agent Liability

Bright Electronics manufactures and distributes electronic parts in its plant in Memphis, Tennessee. Jane Riddell, the plant superintendent, hired Southern Security Systems (SSS) to guard the property and deter thieves and vandals.  Security guards on the night shift were required to carry firearms; however, they had to be certified. Don Johnson, a security guard was not certified, but he brought his gun when working the night shift. On November 20, 2012, Johnson fired his gun at Ronald Gaines, in the belief that Gaines was an intruder.  Gaines died and his mother filed a lawsuit against SSS and Bright Electronics claiming her son- death was a result of SSS- negligence for which Bright Electronics was responsible. 

Explain the arguments for each party.
Is Bright Electronics responsible for SSS- actions?
What is Bright- best defense?
Discussion Question Part II

Select two of the six topics from the list below. Using the company created in Week 1, explain how your company will handle the issues related to the topics you select.

Employment discrimination
Independent contractors
Negligent hiring
Guns on company property
Union organization
Employee privacy-email and Internet monitoring