1. What do you think are some of the factors in the modern workplace that contribute to a theft of time? How can those factors be managed? (You may leave the questions in your document). Make sure you cite in the body of your answers to each question.
One of the biggest factors in the modern work place that contributes to time theft is ignorance. Many employees take a little extra time on breaks or talking about non work related topics while on the clock, and they don’t even realize that they are stealing from their employer. Other factors include cell phones which put texting, web surfing and video games at the fingertips of bored employees, and the need for internet and computers in the workplace. Educating employees on the company policy for breaks, lunches, personal calls, and office chit chat. Employers can also encourage the use of breaks for web browsing, since it is an effective refresh button for employees and reduces errors (Silverman, 2011). Having supervisors and higher management working in the same offices or nearby also reduces accidental time theft and down time.
2. What does the word Whistleblower mean (legally speaking)? Give an example of whistleblowing. A whistleblower is an employee who notifies management “about a co-worker’s unlawful activities or to the appropriate federal and state agencies about the employer’s illegal activities”(Moran, 2014, p.101). For example, an employee witnesses a coworker copying the plans for future company projects. A rival company has been outbidding them on numerous occasions and there has been talk of a leak within the company. The employee who observed their coworker’s suspicious and illegal actions has reported what she saw to her manager, thus becoming a whistleblower.
3. "Retaliation" has become one of the most often cited reasons for employees filing charges with the EEOC against their employers.