Question 1

Which of the following is a formal,semi-permanent work group that identifies and researches work processes and develops solutions to work-related problems?

Accepted Answer

C)Problem-solving teams identify and research work processes and develop solutions to work-related problems .They usually consist of the supervisor and five to eight employees from a common work area.

Question 2

How can an employer use communication tools to improve employee relations?

Accepted Answer

Employers use various communications tools to bolster their employee relations efforts.An open-door policy that encourages communication between employees and managers and an employee handbook covering basic employment information are both useful tools.Hosting employee focus groups,making available ombudsman and suggestion boxes,and implementing telephone and Web-based hotlines are additional communications tools.Other employers use surveys,newsletters,and staff meetings to facilitate communications.

Question 3

Which of the following actions would most likely reduce an employee's chances of becoming a bullying victim?

Accepted Answer

B)Research shows that it isn't just whether a person is very smart that determines if he or she is victimized.Instead,people with high cognitive ability who also behave more independently are more likely to be bullying victims.Smart people who are team players are less likely to be victimized.

Question 4

Kareem belongs to a temporary work group that analyzes manufacturing productivity.The group meets informally to brainstorm and develop ideas to raise productivity.Kareem most likely belongs to a ________.

Accepted Answer

B)Suggestion teams are temporary teams whose members work on specific analytical assignments,such as how to cut costs or raise productivity.A quality circle is a special type of formal problem-solving team,usually composed of 6 to 12 specially trained employees who meet once a week to solve problems affecting their work area.

Question 5

What would be the best tool for evaluating employee attitudes about workplace safety?

Accepted Answer

D)Employee attitude,morale,or climate surveys play an important part in many employers' employee relations efforts.They use the surveys to "take the pulse"of their employees' attitudes toward a variety of organizational issues including leadership,safety,role clarity,fairness,and pay,and to thereby get a sense of whether their employee relations need improvement.Exit interviews are given to departing employees.

Question 6

Which term refers to fair processes?

Accepted Answer

B)Procedural justice refers to fair processes.Distributive justice refers to fair outcomes.

Question 7

According to employee surveys,fair treatment in the workplace is exemplified by managers who ________.

Accepted Answer

A)Surveys show that fair treatment reflects concrete actions such as "employees are treated with respect,"and "employees are treated fairly."Challenging tasks and career planning are beneficial to workers but not indicative of fairness.

Question 8

Health-Tech Materials is a firm that manufactures medical equipment purchased by hospitals and clinics.The firm employs over 2,500 workers in its two manufacturing facilities located in Texas and Arizona.Recently,Health-Tech dismissed a number of employees for ethics violations ranging from improper Internet usage to stealing company funds.In addition,the firm has been sued by two former employees for wrongful discharge.As a result,Health-Tech's top executives are evaluating the firm's hiring process,ethics training system,reward system,and disciplinary system to determine how to promote ethics and fair treatment. Which of the following best supports the argument that Health-Tech should distribute an opinion survey to employees?

Accepted Answer

A)Employee opinion surveys are used by firms to provide employees with an anonymous method of bringing questions or problems to management's attention.Employees who feel uncomfortable raising concerns with managers or fear retribution for doing so would benefit from an opinion survey,which facilitates two-way communication in a nonthreatening manner.

Question 9

The periodic administration of employee opinion surveys helps managers to ________.

Accepted Answer

D)Some firms administer periodic opinion surveys to facilitate two-way communication.Opinion surveys allow employees to express feelings about the company and their managers and to some extent about service,pay,and benefits.Each manager then has an opportunity to discuss the anonymous department results with his or her subordinates,and create an action plan for improving work group commitment.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT considered a component of bullying?

Accepted Answer

C)Bullying usually involves an imbalance of power,an intent to cause harm,and repeated incidents.Bullying does not necessarily involve verbal threats or name-calling and may include physical harm instead.

Question 11

Which term refers to singling out an individual for the purpose of harassment and mistreatment?

Accepted Answer

D)Bullying refers to singling out someone to harass and mistreat them.Bullying usually involves an imbalance of power,an intent to cause harm,and repeated incidents.

Question 12

An employee who perceives an employer as providing high distributive and procedural justice will most likely experience ________.

Accepted Answer

C)Perceptions of fairness relate to enhanced employee commitment;enhanced satisfaction with the organization,jobs,and leaders;and enhanced organizational citizenship behaviors.People who view themselves as victims of unfairness also suffer a range of ill effects including poor health,strain,and psychological conditions.

Question 13

Which term refers to the shared perceptions that organizational members have about their organization and work environment?

Accepted Answer

B)Experts define organizational climate as the shared perceptions organizational members have about their organization and work environment.Employee relations is the activity that involves establishing and maintaining the positive employee-employer relationships that contribute to satisfactory productivity,motivation,morale,and discipline,and to maintaining a positive,productive,and cohesive work environment.

Question 14

All of the following have been linked to employees' perceiving their employers as fair EXCEPT ________.

Accepted Answer

A)Employees' fairness perceptions have important organizational outcomes.Perceptions of fairness relate to enhanced employee commitment;enhanced satisfaction with the organization,jobs,and leaders;and enhanced organizational citizenship behaviors.

Question 15

What is the most likely result of unfair treatment and abusive supervision in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

B)Unfair treatment reduces morale,increases stress,and has negative effects on performance.Employees of abusive supervisors are more likely to quit,and to report lower job and life satisfaction and higher stress.

Question 16

Which activity involves establishing and maintaining positive employee-employer relationships?

Accepted Answer

A)Employee relations is the activity that involves establishing and maintaining the positive employee-employer relationships that contribute to satisfactory productivity,motivation,morale,and discipline,and to maintaining a positive,productive,and cohesive work environment.

Question 17

Marco belongs to a specially trained team of eight employees that performs assignments with little or no oversight from managers.Marco most likely belongs to a ________.

Accepted Answer

A)A self-managing/self-directed work team is a highly trained group of around eight employees,fully responsible for turning out a well-defined segment of finished work.Suggestion teams are temporary teams whose members work on specific analytical assignments,such as how to cut costs or raise productivity.

Question 18

A ________ is a special type of formal problem-solving team consisting of 6 to 12 specially trained employees who meet weekly to solve problems affecting their work area.

Accepted Answer

D)A quality circle is a special type of formal problem-solving team,usually composed of 6 to 12 specially trained employees who meet once a week to solve problems affecting their work area.Suggestion teams are temporary teams whose members work on specific analytical assignments,such as how to cut costs or raise productivity.

Question 19

Which of the following terms refers to fair outcomes?

Accepted Answer

A)Procedural justice refers to fair processes.Distributive justice refers to fair outcomes.

Question 20

All of the following are areas in which employees currently have legal rights EXCEPT ________.

Accepted Answer

C)Currently 11 states have debated legislation that would give victims of verbally abusive bosses the right to sue for damages,but such laws do not exist yet.Employees have the legal rights to participate in political and union activities.Laws also exist to protect workers from injury,illness,and defamation.

Quiz 12: Maintaining Positive Employee Relations