Question 1

Without tools like Web-based recruiting and computerized testing, small businesses are at a competitive disadvantage against large firms.

Accepted Answer

Small business owners run the risk that their relatively rudimentary human resource practices will put them at a competitive disadvantage. Big firms use practices such as Web-based recruiting, computerized testing, and intranet-based employee benefits enrollments to reduce the resources they must spend on them. A small business owner not using tools like these is probably deriving inferior results than (larger)competitors.

Question 2

What is the primary reason that small firms use the Internet for employee training programs?

Accepted Answer

A)Although small companies can't compete with the training resources of giants like GE, Internet training can provide, at a relatively low cost, the sorts of professional employee training that was formerly beyond most small employers' reach. Training is offered by the SBA as well as private vendors that often specialize in OSHA-related courses.

Question 3

Online employee testing and training programs are frequently used by small businesses because such tools save both time and money.

Accepted Answer

Online testing saves small business owners the time it takes to administer tests and are not very expensive. Similarly, online training programs allow small firms to offer employee training much like large firms do but at very low costs.

Question 4

Which of the following is an aspect of the OSHA Sharp program?

Accepted Answer

C)The OSHA Sharp program is a certification process through which OSHA certifies that small employers have achieved commendable levels of safety awareness.

Question 5

While most small firms are affected by the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, only large firms need to be familiar with the Consumer Credit Protection Act.

Accepted Answer

For a typical small firm, laws that affect them include the Consumer Credit Protection Act, Employee Polygraph Protection Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Immigration and Nationality Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and Whistleblower Acts.

Question 6

When Hank applied for a job with Morton Consulting, he was given the Predictive Index. What was Morton Consulting least likely attempting to measure with the Predictive Index?

Accepted Answer

C)The Predictive Index measures work-related personality traits, drives, and behaviors-in particular dominance, extroversion, patience, and blame avoidance-on a two-sided sheet. The test is focused on personality rather than specific skills like reading ability.

Question 7

Small business owners can contract with private vendors for training workers, testing applicants, and appraising employees.

Accepted Answer

Online training and testing is available through private vendors. Small business owners can also use online services to aid with performance appraisals and compensation.

Question 8

The Wonderlic Personnel Test measures personality traits and behaviors, while the Predictive Index measures general mental ability.

Accepted Answer

The Wonderlic Personnel Test measures general mental ability, and the Predictive Index measures personality traits, drives, and behaviors.

Question 9

All of the following are options for small businesses looking for online training programs to improve their employees' skills EXCEPT ________.

Accepted Answer

D)NAM, SBA, and AMA all provide online training programs. The EEOC is a good source for employers to learn about EEOC laws but not for online employee training programs.

Question 10

A small business employer who is unsure what to do when faced with a discrimination charge would most likely find useful information on the EEOC Web site.

Accepted Answer

The EEOC Web site contains important and practical information regarding EEOC matters.

Question 11

In addition to offering employers courses in writing job descriptions and interviewing job candidates, the Small Business Administration also offers free job postings for small business owners looking for qualified applicants.

Accepted Answer

The federal government's Small Business Administration provides a virtual campus that offers online courses, workshops, publications, and learning tools aimed toward supporting entrepreneurs. However, the site does not post jobs for small businesses.

Question 12

For a fee, a small business can receive an on-site safety consultation with an OSHA safety expert to help improve the health and safety systems at the worksite.

Accepted Answer

OSHA provides free on-site safety and health services for small businesses. This service uses safety experts from state governments who provide consultations at the employer's workplace.

Question 13

Appropriately compensating employees is difficult for small businesses because of the lack of access to salary surveys.

Accepted Answer

Lack of easy access to salary surveys once made it difficult and time-consuming for smaller businesses to fine-tune their pay scales. Today, sites like www.salary.com make it easy to determine local pay rates.

Question 14

Which of the following is the primary benefit for a small firm that uses the online services provided by testing vendors such as Wonderlic?

Accepted Answer

B)Online options with testing vendors have many benefits, beyond just saving the time the owners' employees might have to spend testing employees. For example, because it's available 24/7, prospective candidates can log in and apply anytime, wherever they are. That means a larger potential pool of applicants, and hopefully more likelihood of getting an outstanding employee.

Question 15

The owner of A-1 Construction paid more in workers' compensation costs than salaries last year. Which of the following would most likely help the owner of A-1 Construction?

Accepted Answer

C)OSHA provides free on-site safety and health services for small businesses. This service uses safety experts from state governments who provide consultations, usually at the employer's workplace. Employers with a high number of workers' compensation claims obviously have safety issues, so an OSHA consult would be beneficial.

Question 16

Small business owners can use O*NET when they need help with ________.

Accepted Answer

A)The Department of Labor's O*NET has an online wizard that enables business owners to quickly create accurate and professional job descriptions and job specifications.

Question 17

Research indicates that the majority of workplace accidents, especially serious accidents, occur in firms that employ less than 50 workers.

Accepted Answer

Safety is an important issue among small employers. One European study found that the majority of workplace accidents and serious workplace accidents occur in firms with fewer than 50 employees.

Question 18

The Wonderlic Personnel Test is especially appropriate for small businesses because it is ________.

Accepted Answer

D)Some tests are so easy to use they are particularly good for smaller firms. One is the Wonderlic Personnel Test, which measures general mental ability. With questions somewhat similar to the SAT, it takes less than 15 minutes to administer the 4-page booklet.

Question 19

Kate is applying for a job at Logan Electronics, a small firm. Kate has been asked to take the Wonderlic Personnel Test. What is Logan Electronics most likely trying to measure?

Accepted Answer

C)The Wonderlic Personnel Test measures general mental ability. With questions somewhat similar to the SAT, it takes less than 15 minutes to administer the 4-page booklet.

Question 20

Since Internet job boards are limited to large firms, small business owners are forced to recruit through local newspapers.

Accepted Answer

Small business owners can post positions on Internet job boards such as Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com, on the sites of professional associations, or on the sites of local newspapers.

Quiz 18: Managing Human Resources in Small and Entrepreneurial Firms