Discussion 1

Beth is an administrative assistant to Broderick, the manager of the human resources department at Big Arrow Manufacturing Co. Broderick tells Beth to write a negative job evaluation for Timothy, who works in the sales department of Big Arrow, and who is Muslim. Beth asks Broderick for an explanation, and Broderick simply says that Timothy does not have the proper attitude. Beth considers what she has been told to do and eventually refuses to write the negative job evaluation about Timothy, explaining that she has not been given information that would justify the negative job evaluation. A few months later, Beth is fired by Broderick. What can Beth do about her firing? Has Big Arrow or Broderick violated any laws in firing Beth? If so, which laws were violated?

Discussion 2

Data Protection Company has for a long time hired computer technicians of Asian descent, but, concerned about the diversity of its workforce, Data Protection has adopted a policy that it will only hire people who have graduated in the top 10% of a local vocational university. Elizabeth, who is a white female of English descent, was in the top 10% of her graduating class from the local vocational university. Benjamin, who is of Asian descent, graduated from the same vocational university and was in the top 12% of his graduating class. Both Elizabeth and Benjamin apply to Data Protection, but only Elizabeth is accepted. Is this an example of an unlawful quota? Why, or why not?