Flip Cards
Part 5: Harassment and Discrimination
12. What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that includes, but is not limited to, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It may also take the form of a hostile work environment.
13. What should a clerk do if he or she observes or experiences sexual harassment?
A clerk should immediately notify his or her supervisor or judge if he or she is experiencing harassment by an employee, court or city official, attorney appearing in court, or member of the public.
14. Explain the concept of diversity in court management.
Because people differ from permanent characteristics such as race and gender, to other factors, such as skills, education level, parental status, and income, a positive attitude toward each person’s unique attributes or characteristics will enrich the blend of the court staff, and enhance its capacity to better serve a diverse population.
15. What does ADA stand for?
Americans with Disabilities Act
Flip Cards
Part 2: Workplace Communications
1. The Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits conduct that manifests bias or prejudice in the behavior of both judges and clerks.
True (the judge shall perform duties without bias and require the same of the staff).
2. Bias is acceptable as long as it does not surface in the form of words in the court.
False.
3. Judges and clerks may treat persons with preference based on their religion and sexual orientation.
False.
4. Three options for handling difficult people are to be authoritative, positive, and/or task oriented.
True.
5. Court clerks may give legal advice to citizens if so directed by the judge
False (clerks may only give legal information).
6. A deaf defendant appears at the window. He has the right to have court procedures explained to him in sign language even though you have offered him the court brochure that explains the procedures.
True.
7. Write a memo to the judge explaining why it is not in the best interest of the court to forward telephone calls to the police station while you and the judge are in trial.
Sample response: The city requested that I forward court calls to the police department while court is in session. I am concerned about doing this. As part of my research into the issue, I reviewed the Code of Judicial Conduct specifically looking at Canon 1 and Canon 2. Canon 1 requires the court to be independent. Canon 2 requires judges to avoid impropriety in all judicial activities. Having the police department answer the phone will make it more difficult to appear independent and impartial. This may give an appearance of impropriety. I suggest that the court have an answering machine take messages or have the calls forwarded to the city hall receptionist to take messages. Please respond so that I may resolve this issue. Thank you
8. List the steps to a problem-solving approach.
The steps to the problem-solving approach are: Gather information; Identify the issue or problem; Generate several options; Evaluate each option; Choose a course of action and plan it out; Implement the plan; Evaluate the result; and Modify and try again
Flip Cards
Part 4: Workplace Stress
10. It is possible through planning to eliminate all stress in the workplace.
False.
11. Stress is unique and personal to each of us.
True.