Module 11-Questions

1.       1-

On what basis does the government allow some people to be paid sub-minimum wages and other not?  Why not allow anyone who has difficulty getting work or is unemployable to work all sub-minimum wages?  What about people who are only slightly more mentally able than the mentally challenged?  How about felons on parole?  To prepare your answer, research the government website at http://www.dol.gov. Under Topics, click “wages” and on the next screen under subtopics, click “sub-minimum wages”.  Please discuss at least two categories of people who are eligible to work at sub-minimum wages and justify or criticize the rule allowing this.  Compare and contrast with other categories of people who are out of work.

2.       2-Read the following case and answer the questions in proper essay form.

a.       CASE: Fireworks on the Fourth Mufid and Janet are both machine operators at Fireation Engineering, Inc.  Their supervisor Reginald has assigned them to work on a 4^th of July holiday decoration project for the company.  Mufid has protested that though he is a patrirotic American, he doesn’t feel comfortable as a Muslim ccelebrating a seculr holiday.  Reginald explains that all emembers of his department are required to assist in holiday prepartations, and he can’t make an exception for Mufid.  He orders Mufid to help Janet in this project.  Without Reginald’s approval or Mufid’s knowledge, Janet has used company credit to purchase an electric toy that is supposed to safely simulate a firewrks display.  The instructions on the package say that the toy will ight up spraklers inside a glass enclosure.  While Mufid is helong Janet set up and do a test of the display, it catches on fire and burns his right hand and arm badly.  As a result, Mufid becomes diables and will not be able to do his machine operator dutites for at least 18 months, maybe longer.  Janet and Mufid are both so upset about the incident thay they have written to Reginald about ordering Mufid to do the 4^th of July decoration against his religious conviction.  REginals responds by having them both fired for incompetence, insubordination, and mususe of company funds.  (He produces company file documetning their incompetence on the machines.  Janer and Mufid know that the repoirts have been fabricated, or at the least, dostorted.)  Fireation Engineering, Inc’s employment contract states that employees can only be fired for good cause.  But in addition, it states that there is zero tolerance for dangerous conduct, endangering other workers.  And it states that the employer will object to any employee benefits or welfare programs if the employee is at fault.

                                                               i.      QUESTION: Anaylze the case in the light of the following:  What employee welfare beenftis are Mufid and Janet likely to be entitled to and why  State and answer objections likley to be made by the employer.  What if they apply to get their jobs back>  Why might they be denied?  What arguments might they use to establish entitilemnt to reinstatement?

3.       3-When are employees protected from discrimination because of their service in the U.S. military forces?  What must the employees do to received such protection?  What remedies are avaialbe under the USERR?  Research the issue and reply is proper essay form.

4.       4-What problems led to the passage of ERISA?  How does the act attempt to correct those problems?  Research the issue and answer in proper essay form.

5.       5-Do public employees have a constitutional right to strike?  Cite a case authority from the text that answers this question.  Why did the court think the Congress was justitifed in disallowing the right to strike n this case?  Write your assessment in proper essay form.