About Your Signature Assignment

Signature/Benchmark Assignments are designed to align with specific program student learning outcome(s) in your program. Program Student Learning Outcomes are broad statements that describe what students should know and be able to do upon completion of their degree. Signature/Benchmark Assignments are graded with a grading guide or an automated rubric that allows the University to collect data that can be aggregated across a location or college/school and used for course/program improvements.

Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to discuss the elements of the different types of employment relationships and to analyze the ethics behind potentially discriminatory employment policies.

Assignment Steps

Scenario: An employee is hired by Dream Massage to be a massage therapist. She is hired as an independent contractor and, therefore, receives no tax withholding or employment benefits. Dream Massage requires the employee to work a set schedule, provides her clients and all her massage products, and exercises complete control over how she does her work. In addition, when the employee shows up to work the first day, she is informed by her employer she cannot wear her hijab as it violates the company's dress policy.

Create a 700- to 1,050-word report in which you examine the employment issues presented in the scenario, including the following:

Analyze whether the employee qualifies as an employee or independent contractor.

Discuss whether Dream Massage has potentially violated any employment discrimination laws.

Analyze the ethical considerations behind maintaining a rigid company dress policy.

Cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed references.