1. Have Unions Served Their Purpose
The percentage of the workplace that is a part of a union has been decreasing for decades (especially in the private sector). Many laws have been passed that give employees rights that unions cared deeply about, e.g., FMLA, OSH Act, FSLA etc. Does that mean that unions are no longer needed? However, there is also evidence that an ever-increasing part of the pie is going to an ever smaller group of individuals. And unionized employees tend to make more and have stronger protections than non-union employees. Are unions necessary?
2. An Ounce of Prevention
The class began with a discussion of at-will employment being the foundation principle of the employment relationship. The rest of the course complicated this principle by providing numerous exceptions. Based on your reading throughout the course, provide some best practices information about the ways that employers can protect themselves from lawsuits. Please go beyond stating that the employer should follow the law.
3. What is Your Type of Organizational Structure?
Please answer ALL of the following questions:
How do you think your career path might differ in a hierarchical versus a flat organization?
If you started your own company selling iPhone applications, what organizational structure would you create? Why?
What would you do during a corporate restructuring to ensure that your best employees did not leave? Please provide 1-2 examples to support your viewpoints that other learners will be able to assess and debate within our weekly discussion forum.