We are looking for your understanding of the law and legal concepts we have learned in the class so explain first, demonstrate a thorough understanding and then, answer the questions of the assignment. Be informative and show what you know!
You have been hired as a management consultant by a large company to examine the company’s business decisions regarding employee protections and situations of wrongful termination. The applicable laws are federal and state anti-discrimination laws, federal and state health and safety laws, and employer firing practices related to the employment-at-will (EAW) doctrine.
In response to the three questions below, write a 4 to 6-page paper in which you do the following:
1. Provide two (2) pieces of legislation that helps to protect employees from discrimination in the workplace today. Be precise as to the law and how it helps to protect employees and substantiate your answers.
2. Explain the Employment-at-Will Doctrine – what it is and what it says and all the possible exceptions that help to keep employees from being fired wrongfully/illegally. Then, look at the scenarios below and determine first – should (ethically) the employee be fired and second – legally, is there an EAW exception that the employee could argue would save their job and what is it and justify your answer and argument: (answer for all four scenarios)
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o Brenda, a manager, started a blog on the company website for employee grievances. She noticed that a worker was protesting that no Asian American employees had gotten a raise in two years at the company. The worker also criticized how much the CEO made and how the CEO was “out of touch.” Brenda reprimanded the worker. The next day, the worker talked to fellow co-workers about forming a union. Brenda subsequently fired the worker.
o Jason, a department supervisor, requests approval to fire his secretary, Alice. Alice, a devout Christian, has been putting Right-to-Life flyers in the employee breakroom. Alice is also taking time out to pray each day during the busiest time of the morning.
o Brian, the head of the accounting department, refused to sign Lori’s leave request for jury duty. Lori is a tax attorney in his department. Brian wants to fire Lori for being absent without permission during their busiest time—tax season.
o Peter has worked for the company for one year. He has a rare form of liver disease and works with chemicals that make his condition worse. Peter does not want to stop working, but his boss is not happy with his performance and wants to let him go.
