Employment Discrimination Laws: Master the Legal Landscape

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT recognized as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Accepted Answer

Refusing to hire an applicant with a criminal record

Answer

Providing a wheelchair ramp for an employee with a mobility impairment

Answer

Allowing an employee with diabetes to take breaks to check their blood sugar

Answer

Granting a leave of absence for an employee with a serious illness

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of disparate impact discrimination?

Accepted Answer

An employer's hiring criteria disproportionately excludes candidates from a particular racial group.

Answer

An employer has a written policy that only hires male applicants.

Answer

An employer segregates employees based on their religious beliefs.

Answer

An employer harasses an employee because of their sexual orientation.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a prohibited form of harassment under the Equal Employment Opportunity Laws?

Accepted Answer

Constructive discharge

Answer

Quid pro quo harassment

Answer

Hostile work environment harassment

Answer

Retaliation for reporting harassment

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the primary goal of affirmative action programs?

Accepted Answer

To promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Answer

To compensate victims of past discrimination

Answer

To create quotas for hiring and promotions

Answer

To give preferential treatment to underrepresented groups

Question 5

Which characteristic is NOT protected from discrimination in employment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Race

Answer

Sex

Answer

Religion

Question 6

Under federal employment discrimination laws, which of the following is a protected characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Race

Answer

Height

Answer

Marital status

Answer

Political affiliation

Question 7

Which legislation serves as the legal foundation for prohibiting employment discrimination based on disability?

Accepted Answer

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Answer

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Answer

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Answer

National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)

Question 8

Among the options listed, which is NOT considered a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities under the ADA?

Accepted Answer

Demoting an employee with a disability

Answer

Modified work schedule

Answer

Assistive technology

Answer

Paid leave for medical appointments

Question 9

Describe the affirmative action exception within employment discrimination laws.

Accepted Answer

Allows employers to prioritize hiring and promoting minorities or women.

Answer

Mandates that employers maintain a specific percentage of employees from protected groups.

Answer

Prohibits employers from considering race or sex in employment decisions.

Answer

Permits employers to discriminate against individuals with disabilities.

Question 10

Identify the primary function of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in enforcing federal employment discrimination laws.

Accepted Answer

Investigating complaints, enforcing the laws, and providing guidance to employers.

Answer

Adjudicating employment discrimination cases.

Answer

Certifying employers as compliant with EEO laws.

Answer

Providing legal representation to employees in discrimination cases.

Question 11

Explain the fundamental distinction between disparate treatment and disparate impact discrimination.

Accepted Answer

Disparate treatment involves intentional discrimination, while disparate impact does not.

Answer

Disparate impact involves intentional discrimination, while disparate treatment does not.

Answer

Both involve intentional discrimination.

Answer

Neither involves intentional discrimination.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a protected characteristic under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?

Accepted Answer

Sexual orientation

Answer

Race

Answer

Sex

Answer

Religion

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

To investigate and resolve complaints of employment discrimination

Answer

To set employment quotas for employers

Answer

To provide legal advice to employers on compliance issues

Answer

To enforce the Fair Labor Standards Act

Question 14

What is the 'disparate impact' theory of employment discrimination?

Accepted Answer

A policy or practice that has an adverse effect on a protected group, even if it is not intended to discriminate

Answer

An intentional act of discrimination that results in unequal treatment

Answer

A defense to a claim of discrimination based on 'business necessity'

Answer

A legal doctrine that allows employers to discriminate against employees based on their religion

Question 15

What is the affirmative action exception to the prohibition against employment discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Allows employers to take race and gender into account when making employment decisions to correct for past discrimination

Answer

Applies only to public employers

Answer

Is an absolute defense to any claim of employment discrimination

Answer

Requires employers to hire a certain percentage of minorities and women

Question 16

Which agency is responsible for enforcing the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)?

Accepted Answer

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Answer

Department of Labor (DOL)

Answer

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Answer

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Question 17

What is the 'bona fide occupational qualification' (BFOQ) defense to a claim of employment discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Allows employers to discriminate on the basis of a protected characteristic if it is essential to the job

Answer

Applies only to religion and sex

Answer

Is a complete defense to any claim of discrimination

Answer

Requires employers to prove that there is no other qualified applicant who is not a member of the protected group

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Tax breaks

Answer

Back pay

Answer

Injunctions

Answer

Damages for emotional distress

Question 19

A job requirement that appears neutral but disproportionately affects a protected group is known as:

Accepted Answer

Disparate impact

Answer

Disparate treatment

Answer

Affirmative action

Answer

Reasonable accommodation

Question 20

What was the primary reason for the enactment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972?

Accepted Answer

To combat racial discrimination in employment

Answer

To promote gender equality in the workplace

Answer

To protect workers with disabilities from discrimination

Answer

To foster a more inclusive and diverse workforce

Question 21

What is the primary goal of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Accepted Answer

To prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and other areas

Answer

To provide financial assistance to individuals with disabilities

Answer

To ensure accessibility to public accommodations for individuals with disabilities

Answer

To promote awareness of disability issues

Question 22

What is the affirmative action doctrine designed to accomplish?

Accepted Answer

Promote equal opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups

Answer

Require employers to hire a certain percentage of employees from minority groups

Answer

Favor minority groups over non-minority groups

Answer

Voluntarily encourage employers to increase diversity in their workforce

Question 23

When evaluating a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ), which factor is NOT considered?

Accepted Answer

The personal preferences of the employer

Answer

The nature of the job

Answer

The employer's business necessity

Answer

The availability of qualified applicants from all protected groups

Question 24

What is the main purpose of the Equal Pay Act of 1963?

Accepted Answer

Prohibit employers from paying women less than men for equal work

Answer

Ensure equal pay for all men and women in all jobs

Answer

Eliminate all wage disparities between men and women

Answer

Promote equitable compensation for work of comparable value

Question 25

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

Accepted Answer

Alcoholism

Answer

Physical disabilities

Answer

Mental disabilities

Answer

HIV/AIDS

Question 26

In a disparate treatment employment discrimination claim, what is the employer's primary defense?

Accepted Answer

Legitimate non-discriminatory reason

Answer

Business necessity

Answer

Bona fide occupational qualification

Answer

Seniority system

Question 27

Under the ADA, which of the following is NOT considered a reasonable accommodation?

Accepted Answer

Firing the employee

Answer

Providing a wheelchair ramp

Answer

Modifying work schedules

Answer

Reassigning job duties

Question 28

In a mixed-motive employment discrimination case, who has the burden of proof?

Accepted Answer

Plaintiff must prove the protected characteristic was a motivating factor

Answer

Defendant must prove the adverse employment action was based on a legitimate business reason

Answer

Both parties share the burden of proof

Answer

No burden of proof is required

Question 29

What is the primary goal of an affirmative action plan?

Accepted Answer

To ensure equal employment opportunities for historically underrepresented groups

Answer

To grant preferential treatment to minorities and women

Answer

To create a more diverse workforce

Answer

To promote social justice

Question 30

Under the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, employers must:

Accepted Answer

Provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices unless it would cause undue hardship.

Answer

Limit employees from practicing their religion during work hours.

Answer

Fire employees who refuse to work on religious holidays.

Answer

Accommodate all religious practices, regardless of the cost to the employer.

Question 31

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

Accepted Answer

Temporary physical impairment of short duration, such as a cold or flu

Answer

Disability that substantially limits major life activities

Answer

History of disability

Answer

Perceived disability

Question 32

The Equal Pay Act (EPA) prohibits discrimination in compensation solely based on:

Accepted Answer

Gender

Answer

Race

Answer

Age

Answer

Disability

Question 33

Which federal agency is primarily responsible for enforcing the equal employment opportunity laws?

Accepted Answer

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Answer

Department of Justice

Answer

National Labor Relations Board

Answer

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

Question 34

Disparate treatment discrimination occurs when:

Accepted Answer

An employer treats an individual differently based solely on a protected characteristic, such as race or gender

Answer

An employer has a neutral policy that disproportionately affects a protected group

Answer

An employer fails to make reasonable accommodations for an employee with a disability

Question 35

Which of the following is the primary purpose of an affirmative action program?

Accepted Answer

To remedy the effects of past discrimination and promote equal employment opportunities

Answer

To provide preferential treatment to minorities and women

Answer

To ensure equal representation of all protected groups in an organization

Question 36

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, employers are required to:

Accepted Answer

Make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship

Answer

Hire a specific quota of individuals with disabilities

Answer

Eliminate all workplace barriers for individuals with disabilities

Question 37

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits discrimination based on:

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions

Answer

Disability

Answer

Gender

Question 38

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is unlawful for employers to discriminate in employment on the basis of:

Accepted Answer

Race, color, religion, sex, and national origin

Answer

Age, disability, and sexual orientation

Answer

Height, weight, and marital status

Question 39

According to the disparate impact theory, an employer practice that disproportionately affects a protected group is unlawful even if it:

Accepted Answer

Has no discriminatory intent

Answer

Can be justified by business necessity

Answer

Promotes diversity

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT considered a "disability" under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Accepted Answer

Temporary conditions, such as the flu

Answer

Sensory impairments

Answer

Mental health conditions

Answer

Physical impairments

Question 41

The primary goal of affirmative action programs is to:

Accepted Answer

Address systemic discrimination and promote equal opportunities

Answer

Guarantee job placements for all minorities

Answer

Eliminate all forms of bias and prejudice

Question 42

Which of the following can be a valid defense to a claim of intentional discrimination based on disparate treatment?

Accepted Answer

Bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)

Answer

Lack of discriminatory intent

Answer

Good faith belief in the employee's abilities

Answer

Financial hardship

Question 43

Under the Equal Pay Act, employers are required to pay equal wages to employees of different genders for equal work performed in the same:

Accepted Answer

Establishment

Answer

Industry

Answer

Job title

Answer

Department

Question 44

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which of the following is a form of sexual harassment?

Accepted Answer

Unwelcome conduct with a sexual nature that creates a hostile work environment

Answer

Isolated compliments or flirting

Answer

Workplace discussions about non-sexual topics

Question 45

Which of the following is an exception to the general rule that employers cannot discriminate against employees based on their religion?

Accepted Answer

Bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)

Answer

Employee's personal beliefs

Answer

Customer preference

Answer

Prejudice of co-workers

Question 46

Under federal employment law, which of the following characteristics is protected from discrimination?

Accepted Answer

Disability

Answer

Height

Answer

Marital status

Answer

Weight

Question 47

What is the primary purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Accepted Answer

To prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, housing, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.

Answer

To promote employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities

Answer

To provide financial assistance to disabled individuals

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a reasonable accommodation that an employer may be required to provide under the ADA?

Accepted Answer

A blanket leave of absence of indefinite duration

Answer

Accessible office equipment

Answer

Assistive technology

Answer

Modified work schedules

Question 49

What is the doctrine of disparate impact?

Accepted Answer

A practice that has a discriminatory effect, even if it is not intended to discriminate.

Answer

A practice that is adopted with the intent to discriminate

Answer

A practice that is based on a bona fide occupational qualification

Question 50

What is the primary goal of affirmative action programs?

Accepted Answer

To remedy the effects of past discrimination and promote equal opportunity

Answer

To promote diversity in the workplace

Answer

To ensure that all employees are treated equally

Question 51

Which of the following is a potential defense to a claim of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?

Accepted Answer

Bona fide seniority system

Answer

Subjective decision-making

Answer

Ignorance of the law

Answer

Good faith belief

Question 52

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

Accepted Answer

To investigate and enforce federal employment discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Answer

To provide legal representation to employees who have been discriminated against

Answer

To set guidelines for affirmative action programs