Question 1

Which of the following is an on-the-job paid leave benefit that an employer might want to consider because of its on-the-job benefit?

Accepted Answer

The use of on-site physical facilities, such as a gym or workout room, can provide an on-the-job benefit by promoting employee health and wellness. Offering paid leave time for employees to use these facilities can be a valuable benefit that not only supports employee well-being but can also potentially lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. The other options listed do not offer as clear of an on-the-job benefit.

Question 2

Tax regulations for benefits and services can substantially influence both their real cost to employers and their real value to employees.

Accepted Answer

Tax regulations can impact the cost and value of benefits and services for both employers and employees. For example, certain benefits may be tax-deductible for employers or tax-free for employees, which can lower the cost for both parties. On the other hand, if benefits are subject to certain taxes or regulations, their real value may be diminished. Thus, tax regulations can have a significant impact on the overall cost and value of benefits and services.

Question 3

To capitalize on the money spent on employee benefits and services, employers must consider their business strategies.

Accepted Answer

To maximize the return on investment for employee benefits and services, employers must align their business strategies with these offerings. This involves examining the organization's goals, values, and culture and determining how benefits can support and enhance these factors while also meeting employees' needs and expectations. By taking a strategic approach to benefits, employers can boost employee engagement, retention, and productivity, ultimately contributing to overall business success.

Question 4

In order to get the most employee satisfaction from benefits, HR professionals should:

Accepted Answer

In order to get the most employee satisfaction from benefits, HR professionals should communicate the qualities of existing benefits to employees, conduct employee surveys to understand their preferences and needs, allow employees to select their own benefits to better suit their individual circumstances, and allow employees input into benefit design to ensure that the benefits package meets their expectations and needs. Therefore, all of the above choices are the best options.

Question 5

Clarence's father and mother are in their eighties and are beginning to show their age. In fact, Clarence is concerned that his mother may be showing signs of Alzheimer's. His father has macular degeneration and is going blind. His parents are living on their Social Security payments because all of their savings were invested in Enron. Clarence is a bachelor and an only child, and has a job requiring 15 days of travel per month. What kind of employee benefit would Clarence most be interested in?

Accepted Answer

Long-term care insurance would be the most relevant benefit for Clarence since his aging parents might need assistance with day-to-day living activities due to illnesses such as Alzheimer's and macular degeneration. As an only child, Clarence would be responsible for their care, and having long-term care insurance would be helpful in covering the costs of such care. The other benefits listed would not directly address his parents' needs.

Question 6

Reasons for employers to provide domestic partner benefits include all of following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

While providing domestic partner benefits may be seen as a way to comply with nondiscrimination policies, state laws, and local ordinances, it is not required by federal EEO guidelines. Therefore, option C is the incorrect choice. The correct answer is that providing domestic partner benefits is a way for employers to attract and retain talented employees, comply with the firm's nondiscrimination policy, and comply with state laws and local ordinances (options A, B, and D).

Question 7

Legally required private protection programs include Social Security, unemployment compensation, life insurance, and disability insurance.

Accepted Answer

Legally required private protection programs include Social Security and unemployment compensation, but life insurance and disability insurance are not legally required for all employers to provide.

Question 8

Why are employers willing to invest money in an educational expense assistance for their employees?

Accepted Answer

Employers are willing to invest money in educational expense assistance for their employees to minimize skill obsolescence, train employees for new jobs after downsizing, help employees deal with jobs modified by new technology, and upgrade employee skills for higher positions. By investing in their employees' education, employers can strengthen their company's workforce and increase productivity.

Question 9

An organization's fundamental values determine how it manages employee benefits and services.

Accepted Answer

An organization's fundamental values and culture play a significant role in shaping its approach to managing employee benefits and services. The organization's values help it prioritize and select the most appropriate employee benefits and services to offer, as well as determine how these benefits and services are delivered to employees. For example, an organization that values work-life balance may provide flexible working arrangements and paid parental leave as part of its employee benefits package. Therefore, the organization's values are crucial in shaping its employee benefits and services strategy.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT an example of child care services an employer might want to consider in order to remain competitive in the job market?

Accepted Answer

Profit-sharing accounts for dependents are not a typical child care service and would not be considered a competitive offering in the job market. The other options listed (scholarship for dependents, flexible scheduling, adoption benefits, sick-child care) are all common benefits that employers may offer to support employees with childcare responsibilities.

Question 11

To attract and retain talent that is in short supply, a few employers compete successfully by providing new and innovative benefits and services.

Accepted Answer

Providing new and innovative benefits and services can make an employer more competitive and attractive to job seekers, especially those with specialized skills that are in high demand. This can help them attract and retain talent that may be difficult to find or retain in a crowded job market.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of paid-time-off plans (PTOs):

Accepted Answer

All of the listed options are benefits of PTOs. Therefore, there is no option that is NOT a benefit of PTOs.

Question 13

Voluntary protection programs, such as health insurance, are legally required.

Accepted Answer

Voluntary protection programs, by definition, are optional and not legally required.

Question 14

Jack and Mark have been living together in a romantic relationship for over two years. They own a home together and pool their income into joint bank accounts. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Depending on where Jack and Mark live, their company may be required to provide domestic partner benefits. Domestic partner benefits vary depending on location and company policy. Common law marriage is not recognized in all states and spousal equivalent policies are not limited to only same-sex relationships.

Question 15

Charlotte has been suffering from severe migraine headaches that are causing her to visit her HMO almost weekly. This has been going on for two months, and Charlotte is still losing many workdays due to illness. The HMO has given Charlotte's medical file to a reviewer to examine her symptoms, treatment plan, medication, medical history, etc. This is called _____.

Accepted Answer

The process described in the scenario is known as case management, which involves assessing and coordinating a patient's care to ensure optimal health outcomes while also controlling costs. The HMO is taking a proactive approach to managing Charlotte's migraine headaches by having a reviewer examine her medical file to ensure she is receiving appropriate treatment and medication. This approach can help reduce unnecessary medical expenses and improve patient outcomes. The other options, such as cost containment action, standard practice, price control, and medical malpractice review, are not applicable to this scenario.

Question 16

Employers use have sought to reduce their costs by shifting some health care costs to employees. Which of the following represent increase costs now paid by employees?

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed represent costs that are now paid by employees due to employers shifting some health care costs. Increased copays for drugs, increased deductibles, increased premium contributions, and increased out-of-pocket expenses all require employees to contribute more money towards their own health care.

Question 17

Jean-Claude is an international financial specialist who is considering job offers from several different organizations. He is an avid outdoorsman, keenly interested in wildlife photography in all climates. He prefers to have as much personal time as possible to pursue his hobby. He has been offered positions with companies in each of the following countries. Which should Jean-Claude select?

Accepted Answer

Finland is known for its work-life balance, with shorter working hours and a strong emphasis on personal time, which would suit Jean-Claude's interest in wildlife photography and his desire for personal time.

Question 18

During the economic boom of the 1990s, employers were relatively generous in offering benefits-a growing economy meant that simply finding enough people to staff organizations required less focus on controlling costs.

Accepted Answer

During the economic boom of the 1990s, employers were relatively generous in offering benefits.

Question 19

Driving the desire to offer fewer employee benefits and services are the pressures to attract and retain valued employees and thereby to compete effectively against other employers in the labor market.

Accepted Answer

Driving the desire to offer more employee benefits and services are the pressures to attract and retain valued employees and thereby to compete effectively against other employers in the labor market.

Question 20

To further control the cost of providing health care for their employees, a company might employ the strategy of:

Accepted Answer

All the options listed (A: a hospital utilization program, B: case management, C: cost sharing with employees, D: health promotion initiatives) are strategies that a company might employ to control the cost of providing health care for their employees. Each approach aims to manage or reduce health care expenses in different ways, such as by encouraging healthier lifestyles, managing the care of individuals with chronic conditions more effectively, or sharing the financial burden of health care costs with employees.

Quiz 12: Providing Benefits and Services