Inquiry Unit
Law 12
Student Handout 1.8 - The Rights Awareness Test
You can access the Rights Awareness test at the web site or clic on document above.. The oneabove takes a bit of time so please be patient.
1. A security and protection company needs new recruits and advertises in the newspaper for help. The job involves patrolling a shopping centre. The advertisement reads, in part: "Recruits wanted. Applicants must be eighteen years or older. Minimum height 5'8". Weight 175 lbs.". Is there a law that prohibits the above advertisement? / / /
2. The Public School Board asks prospective teachers to list on their job applications all of the organizations to which they belong. This is done to ensure they are not members of an organization that would have an undesirable influence on the young. Is there a law that prohibits the asking of such questions on application forms? / / /
3. Two women applied for a job at a department store. The first woman had no experience. The other woman had two years experience, but because of her East Indian accent the manager hired the first woman. He though his customers might be put off by her accent, even though they understood her. Is there a law that prohibits the selection of candidates on this basis? / / /
4. A group of teenagers aged fourteen, fifteen and sixteen, wanted to learn to play golf. They went to a public golf course and were told by the manager that teenagers could play on Wednesdays, but at no other time during the week because they would slow up the other golfers. Is there a law that prohibits the manager from limiting the teenagers’ play time to Wednesdays only? / / /
5. Mr. Singh is a member of the Sikh Faith. He is refused a job as a security guard because he wears the turban and beard required by his faith. The employer's policy requires security guards to be clean shaven and to wear caps. Is there a law that prohibits the employer from refusing to hire on this basis? / / /
6 . Tom Lightfoot has worked for the Benefit Construction Company for twenty-seven years as a crane operator. He has just turned sixty-five and has been told that he must retire, even though his doctor says he is in excellent condition. Is there a law that prohibits the actions of management? / / /
7. A middle-aged couple has a spare bedroom in their house that they would like to rent. The renter would be sharing the bathroom and kitchen facilities. They refuse to rent to a male student, and tell him that they will only rent to females. Is there a law that prohibits the action of the landlord? / / /
8. A woman is hired as a research assistant. Shortly after she begins work her supervisor informs here that he expects sexual favours. Initially she ignores him, but eventually is fired for insubordination. Is there a law that protects the employee? / / /
9. A local company advertises for an administrative support professional. A woman applies for the position and is granted an interview; however, she cannot go to the interview because the office is up a flight of stairs and she uses a wheelchair. The company refuses to consider her application further. Is there a law that prohibits the action of the company? / / /
10. Frank Flynn, a Caucasian man, is in the process of registering at a hotel when his wife, who is an Aboriginal person, arrives at the desk. The desk clerk informs the couple that no rooms are available and tells the couple to leave. In fact, however, rooms are available. Is there a law that prohibits the action of the desk clerk? / / /
11. A business firm periodically sends its employees on courses to improve their knowledge and competence. The company pays an expense allowance for its employees while on the course. The scale is $300 for married men and $225 for single men and all women. Is there a law that prohibits such an expense scale? / / /
12. A heavy equipment operator is a member of the World Wide Church of God. In August, he tells his supervisor that he will need two weeks off (without pay) for religious holidays in October. This will not hamper the work of the company, but the supervisor refuses to give him time off. Is there a law to prohibit the action of the supervisor? / / /
13. A company has recently hired two women to work in his maintenance department. The supervisor of that department does not like women working for him. It is the supervisor's responsibility to show all new employees aspects of the job. All are shown what to do except the two women. The supervisor then claims they were incompetent and fires them. Is there a law to prohibit the action of the supervisor? / / /
14. A liquor lounge has a policy denying admittance to unescorted female customers. Male customers without escorts are welcome. Is there a law that prohibits his policy? / / /
15. A woman applies for a position of fire fighter and is accepted into a pre-employment training program. Part of the training program includes (a) the candidate must be able to do 30 pushups in 90 seconds; and (b) the candidate must be able to lift a 55 kg. weight over the head. The woman candidate cannot pass either of these two tests and is dropped from the training program. Is there a law that prohibits this kind of training program? / / /
16. A school board has a comprehensive illness plan for its employees. The plan is part of the teachers' contract. Several women teachers, however, notice that pregnancy-related illnesses are not covered by the plan. When one of the teachers has a miscarriage and misses five teaching days, she is docked for the time she missed. Is there a law that prohibits the school board from docking the teacher's pay? / / /
17. Hardnose, the owner of a hotel, subscribes to extreme political views. Behind the hotel lobby desk he has a sign that shows a Swastika kicking a Star of David down a flight of stairs. Is there a law that prohibits the placing of such a sign in the hotel? / / /
18. A woman applies for a clerical position that has been advertised. When she presents herself for the interview the employer says, "I'm sorry, you're not good-looking enough for this job." Is there a law that prohibits the employer from hiring in this manner? / / /
19. A school board has a policy that husbands and wives may not be employed in the same school unit. Two teachers on the same school staff decide to marry. Shortly after they are married, the school board fires the woman. Is there a law that prohibits the school board from firing the woman? / / /
20. A nurse makes an application to rent an apartment. The manager of the apartment block says to her, "Sorry, I don't want any nurses in this block." Is there a law to prohibit the action of the manager? / / /
21. A manufacturing company that has previously only employed men interviews a qualified woman. The personnel manager, however, explains that they cannot hire her as there is only one washroom in the plant. He explains that it would be too expensive to provide another washroom for women. Is there a law that prohibits the action of the personnel manager?. / / /
(Adapted from The Rights Awareness Test,Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.)