Workplace Readiness Skills - IC Practice #1

Employers expect certain things from employees. One important trait that employers look for in employees is “initiative.” Initiative means

• a. doing things on your own; being a self-starter.

• b. showing respect for other works.

• c. calling your boss when you cannot come to work.

• d. making sure your work is marketable.

The amount of income tax that is withheld from a person's payroll check is based on the information provided on the:

• a. W-2 form.

• b. W-4 form.

• c. 401K form.

• d. W-9 form.

On Tuesday, Emma’s supervisor asks her to work on three projects that need to be completed by Friday. On Wednesday, Emma realizes that she will not be able to finish them on time. What should she do?

• a. Discuss the problem with her supervisor.

• b. Come in early to work to finish the jobs.

• c. Ask coworkers to complete one of the projects.

• d. Finish what she can; deadlines can usually be changed.

5. Ivan's business always gives its customers a coffee cup at the end of the year. Now the supervisor says they will no longer give away coffee cups because it isn't cost-effective. Which is the most correct explanation of the supervisor's decision?

• a. The cups are not worth what they cost.

• b. Cups are not a product Ivan's company normally sells.

• c. Giving away cups did not generate enough new or continuing business to pay for the cups.

• d. Ivan and the other employees gave away too many cups.

You are working at a graphic firm. Your team is working on an important project and your team leader asks you to stay late to meet a deadline. Since you normally get home at 5 p.m. from work, you previously agreed to take a neighbor to an important appointment at 6:30 p.m. What should you do?

• a. Contact a friend that knows your neighbor and see if your friend can take your neighbor to the appointment and stay to finish the project deadline.

• b. Agree to stay and finish your project without question because the work is more important.

• c. Since you first committed to help your neighbor, tell your co-worker you cannot stay and why.

• d. Reach a compromise and work until 6:00 p.m. and then leave and try to still take your neighbor to the 6:30 p.m. appointment.

You have been working on a game design project with your manager who has been repeatedly using inappropriate language which makes you uncomfortable. What should you do?

• a. Remain calm and report the problem to the manager’s boss.

• b. Directly confront the manager about the situation.

• c. Ask the manager to stop speaking in such an inappropriate way.

• d. Join in with the use of the inappropriate language to fit in.

Why is having diversity in a company culture’s staff a good idea?

• a. There is a broader range of talents, skills, and creativity.

• b. It creates a homogenous work ethic.

• c. The work environment will be more ethical.

• d. It meets the quota for minority cultures.

Shauna works at an advertising agency and recently had a verbal argument with a co-worker, Ashley. Since then, Ashley has openly treated Shauna with insulting behavior. What is the BEST way for Shauna to resolve this conflict?

• a. Report Ashley to the human resources manager.

• b. Let these inappropriate actions go because it will get better with time.

• c. Ignore Ashley but make sure her peers know.

• d. Write an email to her parents explaining the situation and asking for help.

You work as a server at a local restaurant. A customer orders a particular fish dish as a dinner entrée and sometime after ordering the dish, you learn from the kitchen manager that the fish has sold out. What is the BEST way to creatively handle the situation?

• a. Make sure the customer knows this will never happen again and later report it to the restaurant manager.

• b. After talking with another server, ask the head chef to come out and apologize to the customer profusely.

• c. After talking with the restaurant manager, offer a comparable entrée dish, a discount, and a formal apology.

• d. Have the restaurant manager offer a substitute and a significant discount on the overall meal.

Two employees working at a manufacturing company enter a shop floor to do work. One employee is wearing approved safety glasses but the other employee is not. Why should the employee be wearing safety glasses?

• a. It is the ethical thing to do and is therefore morally correct.

• b. Most employees wear safety glasses as a safety precaution.

• c. Safety glasses should always be worn on the shop floor.

• d. All global companies suggest that employees wear safety glasses.