Questions for Dialogue/Reflection
MGT 370, Business and Society
Dr. Wilhelm, Spring 2009
EDITIONS # 14: Gender Issues, p. 46.
The author points out that “One comment isn’t an actionable offense, and federal law does not prohibit
simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that aren’t extremely serious.” Where is the line
drawn for simple teasing? What constitutes an offhand comment? What defines an incident that isn’t
extremely serious?
For a small business owner who cannot afford to hire a full-time human resources director, what
resources are available to make their employees aware of sexual harassment laws and policies?
Isn’t keeping “a record of your employees’ shortcomings” an invasion of privacy?
EDITIONS # 15: Gender Issues, p. 48.
The article states, “Toyota and Kobayashi, in a joint statement, said Friday, ‘We are very pleased to have
resolved this matter in a way that all parties agreed is fair, appropriate and mutually satisfactory.’” What
do you think that meant as far as how the situation was ‘resolved’?
In the article, John Malott, the president of the Japan-American Society of Washington, said it is unusual
for a Japanese-born woman to go public with the allegations Kobayashi had. Why do you think that
might be unusual?
TEXT, p. 255, Management Women and the New Facts of Life
The author’s main premise for the article is stated in the first sentence: “The cost of employing women in
management is greater than the cost of employing men.” Explain why?
What did the author mean by stating that “maternity is not simply childbirth”?
Why did the author believe that the male corporate culture saw women managers as “abrasive and
unfeminine” who were as committed to the organization as men?
Describe three means by which a company can provide more flexibility in the work place for women who
wish to bare and raise children but maintain their jobs in the long run?
The author organized her discussion of how best to support women the workplace by categorizing them
into two distinct groups of female employees based upon their aspirations. Describe those two
categorizations and briefly describe how the author believed corporations could support those two groups
of female employees in their career choices.
TEXT, p. 242, Women in the Workplace
Describe the general demographic changes (not the statistics, but the trends) that have occurred in our
society that have resulted in the large influx of women the workplace. With regard to gender issues, what
do you see as the trends of change in the future?
The author claims that, while women, families, the economy, and the workplace have changed, most men
have not (p. 253). Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?
In the section of the article called “Justice at Home,” the author (Gini) – based on studies and writings by
Hochschild – paints a rather hectic and unattractive picture of the modern-day home life of many workers
– both male and female. Based on your experiences, do you see this in our society? Explain.
