Legal and Ethical Considerations in HR: Master HR Compliance and Ethics

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic protected under federal employment discrimination laws in the US?

Accepted Answer

Political affiliation

Answer

Race

Answer

Religion

Answer

Disability

Question 2

Which entity is primarily tasked with enforcing anti-discrimination laws in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Answer

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Answer

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Answer

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Question 3

What primary objective does the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) address?

Accepted Answer

Setting minimum wage and overtime compensation standards

Answer

Prohibiting child labor

Answer

Administering unemployment insurance

Answer

Enforcing non-discrimination regulations

Question 4

Which federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin in employment?

Accepted Answer

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Answer

Equal Pay Act

Answer

Fair Labor Standards Act

Answer

Americans with Disabilities Act

Question 5

True or False: Employers are required by law to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 6

Which ethical principle emphasizes treating employees fairly and consistently?

Accepted Answer

Impartiality

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Accountability

Answer

Respect for Human Dignity

Question 7

What is the main purpose of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

Accepted Answer

To provide unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons

Answer

To regulate the wages and hours of employees

Answer

To prevent discrimination based on age

Answer

To ensure equal pay for equal work

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a potential legal liability for employers who do not comply with HR laws and regulations?

Accepted Answer

Increased employee morale

Answer

Fines and penalties

Answer

Back pay awards

Answer

Loss of reputation

Question 9

What is the most effective way to ensure that HR practices adhere to all applicable laws and regulations?

Accepted Answer

Regularly review and update HR policies and procedures

Answer

Hire a legal consultant to oversee all HR decisions

Answer

Rely solely on common sense and best practices

Answer

Do nothing, as laws and regulations never change

Question 10

True or False: HR professionals are ethically permitted to use confidential employee information to benefit themselves or their acquaintances.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 11

Which type of discrimination is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, and national origin

Answer

Discrimination based on age, disability, sexual orientation, and marital status

Answer

Discrimination based on political affiliation, union membership, and social class

Answer

Discrimination based on height, weight, and physical appearance

Question 12

Which of the following is not a potential consequence of violating employment laws?

Accepted Answer

Improved employee engagement and loyalty

Answer

Legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment

Answer

Reputational damage and loss of public trust

Answer

Reduced employee morale and productivity

Question 13

What is the primary responsibility of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?

Accepted Answer

Investigating complaints of employment discrimination and enforcing anti-discrimination laws

Answer

Providing guidance and training on equal employment opportunity laws and practices

Answer

Mediating disputes between employers and employees

Answer

Prosecuting criminal cases involving employment discrimination

Question 14

Discuss three fundamental principles of ethical conduct in HR and provide a concrete example of how each principle can be applied in HR decision-making.

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality: Maintaining the privacy and security of sensitive employee information.

Accepted Answer

Fairness and Equity: Treating all employees impartially and ensuring equal opportunities.

Accepted Answer

Integrity: Adhering to ethical values and acting with honesty and accountability.

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

Accepted Answer

To provide unpaid leave for family and medical reasons

Answer

To protect employees from workplace discrimination

Answer

To ensure equal pay for equal work

Answer

To regulate the hours of work for minors

Question 16

Which of the following is not a key ethical principle guiding HR practices?

Accepted Answer

Personal biases

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Accountability

Question 17

Which of the following is not a characteristic protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Accepted Answer

Contagious disease

Answer

Physical disability

Answer

Mental disability

Answer

Genetic predisposition to a disability

Question 18

What is the fundamental distinction between Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act (EPA)?

Accepted Answer

Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin, while the EPA prohibits discrimination based on sex and equal pay

Answer

Title VII prohibits discrimination based on sex, while the EPA prohibits discrimination based on gender

Answer

Title VII applies to all employers, while the EPA applies only to employers with more than 15 employees

Answer

Title VII is a federal law, while the EPA is a state law

Question 19

Which federal law prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin?

Accepted Answer

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended)

Answer

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Answer

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Answer

Equal Pay Act (EPA)

Question 20

An employer's duty to accommodate an employee with a disability is limited by what concept?

Accepted Answer

Undue hardship

Answer

Cost

Answer

Company policy

Answer

Employee's request

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a protected characteristic under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Political affiliation

Answer

Age (40 or older)

Answer

Pregnancy

Answer

Military status

Question 22

What legal concept refers to employment practices that have a discriminatory effect on a protected group, even if there is no intentional discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Disparate impact

Answer

Intentional discrimination

Answer

Affirmative action

Answer

Unconscious bias

Question 23

In classifying a worker as an independent contractor, which of the following is NOT a requirement?

Accepted Answer

Payment by the hour

Answer

Independence from the employer's control

Answer

Own tools and equipment

Answer

Multiple clients

Question 24

Which law protects the privacy of health information?

Accepted Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Financial Information Privacy Act (FIPA)

Answer

Personnel Records Privacy Act

Answer

Disciplinary Actions Privacy Act

Question 25

In a unionized workplace, who is typically responsible for negotiating the collective bargaining agreement?

Accepted Answer

Employer and union representatives

Answer

Employer and employees

Answer

Union representatives and employees

Answer

Government mediators

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of diversity in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Greater homogeneity in perspectives

Answer

Increased creativity and innovation

Answer

Improved problem-solving

Answer

Reduced employee turnover

Question 27

Which federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin?

Accepted Answer

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Answer

Equal Pay Act of 1963

Answer

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Answer

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

Question 28

Which ethical principle requires HR professionals to prioritize fairness and impartiality in their treatment of employees?

Accepted Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Integrity

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Accountability

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a protected class under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

Accepted Answer

Employees nearing retirement

Answer

Employees with a newborn child

Answer

Employees caring for a spouse with a serious health condition

Answer

Employees with a disability

Question 30

What is the primary purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

Accepted Answer

To safeguard the privacy of patient health information

Answer

To ensure health insurance coverage for all Americans

Answer

To regulate the pharmaceutical industry

Answer

To prevent discrimination against employees with health conditions

Question 31

Which action is considered an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)?

Accepted Answer

Terminating an employee for engaging in union activity

Answer

Offering employees a pay raise

Answer

Requesting that employees sign a non-compete agreement

Answer

Refusing to negotiate with a union representing employees

Question 32

Which agency is primarily responsible for investigating and enforcing federal employment discrimination laws?

Accepted Answer

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Answer

Department of Labor (DOL)

Answer

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Answer

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Question 33

In a globalized workforce, which factor presents a unique challenge for HR professionals in maintaining compliance with employment laws and regulations?

Accepted Answer

Cultural diversity

Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Economic disparities

Answer

Political instability

Question 34

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which of the following is NOT considered a protected characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Criminal record

Answer

Physical disability

Answer

Mental disability

Answer

Learning disability

Question 35

What is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) primarily responsible for?

Accepted Answer

Investigating and resolving allegations of discrimination

Answer

Setting minimum wage rates

Answer

Providing health insurance to employees

Answer

Regulating working conditions

Question 36

In which situation is an employee typically entitled to severance pay?

Accepted Answer

Layoff due to downsizing

Answer

Voluntary resignation

Answer

Termination for misconduct

Answer

Retirement

Question 37

Why is it crucial to obtain informed consent from employees before collecting personal information?

Accepted Answer

To safeguard privacy and comply with regulations

Answer

To expedite data collection

Answer

To establish a legal basis for sharing information

Answer

To prevent potential lawsuits

Question 38

Which principle is considered a cornerstone of ethics in the field of Human Resources?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Profit maximization

Answer

Personal biases

Answer

Avoiding legal liability

Question 39

What is the primary purpose of an employee handbook?

Accepted Answer

To clearly communicate company policies and expectations

Answer

To serve as a legal defense for the organization

Answer

To track employee performance

Answer

To promote company culture

Question 40

Which practice is considered a best method for conducting effective performance appraisals?

Accepted Answer

Providing timely and regular feedback throughout the year

Answer

Relying solely on subjective evaluations

Answer

Focusing primarily on negative aspects of performance

Answer

Disregarding employee input and perspectives

Question 41

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), what is the legal obligation of employers regarding reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

To provide accommodations unless it causes undue hardship

Answer

To provide accommodations only upon request

Answer

To provide accommodations only for severe disabilities

Answer

To provide accommodations regardless of cost

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT considered a form of workplace harassment?

Accepted Answer

Constructive criticism

Answer

Sexual harassment

Answer

Racial harassment

Answer

Age discrimination

Question 43

What is the essence of the "at-will" employment doctrine?

Accepted Answer

Employees can be terminated with or without cause

Answer

Employees have protection against unjust termination

Answer

Employers must have written contracts for all employees

Answer

Employees cannot be terminated for discriminatory reasons

Question 44

Which of the following is a protected class under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of specific characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Race

Answer

Political affiliation

Answer

Age (over 40)

Question 45

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 prohibits discrimination in pay based on:

Accepted Answer

Gender

Answer

Disability

Answer

National origin

Answer

Race

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a core principle of ethical HR decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Arbitrariness

Answer

Fairness

Answer

Consistency

Answer

Transparency

Question 47

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees are entitled to:

Accepted Answer

Up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons

Answer

Up to 6 weeks of paid leave

Answer

No leave for family or medical reasons

Answer

Unlimited leave for serious medical conditions

Question 48

Which of the following is considered Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that should be protected by HR departments as per privacy regulations?

Accepted Answer

Social Security number

Answer

Job title

Answer

Years of experience

Answer

Work email address

Question 49

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to:

Accepted Answer

Make reasonable accommodations for qualified employees with disabilities

Answer

Provide special treatment to employees with disabilities

Answer

Fire employees with disabilities

Question 50

Which of the following is a potential ethical concern regarding the use of social media in HR?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination in hiring or promotion decisions based on information found on social media

Answer

Improved communication and employee engagement

Answer

Increased productivity and efficiency

Answer

Reduced recruitment costs and expanded candidate pool

Question 51

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 protects the privacy of:

Accepted Answer

Patient medical records and other health information

Answer

Trade secrets and confidential business information

Answer

Company financial data and accounting records

Answer

Employee personnel files

Question 52

Which HR practice is crucial for preventing and addressing sexual harassment in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Creating and implementing a clear and comprehensive anti-harassment policy and complaint procedure

Answer

Ignoring reports of harassment

Answer

Punishing victims of harassment

Answer

Tolerating inappropriate jokes and behavior

Question 53

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes:

Accepted Answer

Minimum wage, overtime pay requirements, and recordkeeping obligations for employers

Answer

Anti-discrimination laws and equal employment opportunity principles

Answer

Privacy regulations and data protection standards

Answer

Hiring and firing procedures and employee discipline policies