Question: 1. Imagine that you are starting your own home improvement business and will need 10 workers of varying skills. Would you prefer to hire employees or independent contractors? If you would prefer employees, what type of employee would best fit your needs? Explain your rationale and the expected effect on your business.
2. Imagine you own a home improvement business that is trying to keep up with increased demand and is rapidly growing. You need to hire several new employees in key roles, including finance and human resources. You want to make sure you get the hire right the first time. Explain whether you will use an unstructured or a structured interview approach in hiring your workers. Explain your rationale and the expected effect on your business. What concerns do you have about the process?
3. Many states have attempted to introduce laws directed at anti-bullying in the workplace. Reflect on and share an experience where you or someone you know have been the subject of bullying in the workplace. Do you feel bullying in the workplace is a problem that warrants a legislative response? How does this experience (or lack of experience) influence your position on the requirement of legislation?
4. Some employers must provide unpaid leave for family- and medical-related reasons under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Paid leave is not required by federal law; however, it is required by some state and local laws.
Have you or someone you know ever experienced a situation where there was a need for unpaid family leave? (If not, imagine you are now in that situation in your current workplace.) Did you agree with the policy that was in place at the time? Why, or why not? As you describe and reflect on the situation, your reaction, and rationale, consider the impact of unpaid family leave laws on the employer. Does it alter your perspective.
5. Reflect on your employment history. Were there times you felt you did not receive the pay you felt you were entitled? Perhaps you did work outside your job description, performed work off the clock, or felt you were not paid commensurate with your skill level or your coworkers' pay.
- Did or could you have taken any steps to address the issue? Share your thoughts on the experience. Was there anything different you feel the employer could or should have done?
- journal entries must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.