Question 1

________ is the easiest kind of training to implement, when the job requires simple tasks and/or is repetitive.

Accepted Answer

On-the-job training is the easiest kind of training to implement for simple and repetitive job tasks. It involves learning by doing while the employee is already on the job.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about contingent workers is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Contingent workers are workers who do not have an expectation of regular full-time work. These workers help firms whose need for workers varies significantly over time, or when hiring needs are uncertain due to an uncertain economy.

Question 3

Once the job description and job specifications were written for a new marketing assistant position in his department, Eric called his HR specialist to proceed with the next step in the process of making a successful hire. After providing a timeframe for qualified persons to apply for the job, the next step in the selection process is best described as

Accepted Answer

The second step in the selection process is conducting initial and follow-up interviews. Often the HR specialists will screen applicants in a first interview. Companies are now using software to assist with the screening process.

Question 4

Jefferson's Department Store typically sells over a third of all its merchandise in November and December. Management has found that it must hire ________ workers during this period of increased business to supplement its permanent employees.

Accepted Answer

Workers who do not expect regular full-time employment are known as contingent workers. Firms whose employment needs vary from season to season (like department stores and farms) can adjust to these variations by hiring contingent workers.

Question 5

Karen relies on her summer income to pay for her next year of college. When she tried to get her old high school summer job back at local Contemporary Clothiers, she learned that the manager no longer hires college students during the summer months. Which of the following strategies do you recommend that Karen pursue?

Accepted Answer

Many companies include college students in their contingent workforce plan. A good strategy for accessing these job opportunities is to meet with a temporary staffing agency and ask to be placed in their computer system.

Question 6

What is an advantage of hiring contingent workers?

Accepted Answer

Using contingent workers is sensible strategy during uncertain economic times. College students also make good contingent workers. Often a firm will employ contingent workers to weed out the poor performing employees and permanently hire the good employees.

Question 7

Which of the following workers would be the best example of a contingent worker?

Accepted Answer

Contingent workers do not expect regular, full-time employment. A worker hired to work for a few weeks to help a firm that temporarily needs extra workers is an example of a contingent worker. In fact, the most common reason firms give for hiring contingent workers is a varying need for employees.

Question 8

Online training courses are sometimes also called

Accepted Answer

Online training courses are also known as distance training because the training is conducted remotely, without the need for physical presence in a classroom or training facility. Contingency training refers to training for unexpected situations or emergencies, synchronized training refers to training conducted in real-time with a facilitator, and vestibule training refers to simulated training in a controlled environment.

Question 9

Christy is a human resource manager currently involved in selecting employees. Which of the following activities is Christy most likely to be working on in her present assignment?

Accepted Answer

The text lists six steps in the selection process, the fourth of which is conducting background investigations. Many firms investigate the backgrounds of potential employees much more carefully now than they did in the past.

Question 10

________ introduces new employees to the organization, their fellow workers, their supervisors, and to the policies, practices, and objectives of the firm.

Accepted Answer

Employee orientation is the process of introducing new employees to the company, its culture, policies, and objectives. It helps them understand their roles and responsibilities, as well as meet their co-workers and supervisors, which helps them feel welcome and integrated into the organization. Choice A (Vestibule training) is a type of training that takes place off-site, in a simulated work environment. Choice B (Employee initiation) does not accurately describe an existing process. Choice D (Job specification) is a document that describes the requirements, duties, and responsibilities of a job.

Question 11

Pre-employment physical examinations are

Accepted Answer

Physical exams are a good way to ensure that the firm is hiring individuals who are healthy enough to handle the requirements of the job, but they can't be used just to screen out unwanted individuals. In some states, a physical exam cannot be given until an offer of employment has been accepted. In states where pre-employment physical exams are legal, firms that use them must give the exam to all people applying for the position.

Question 12

In a(n) ________ an inexperienced worker learns by working alongside an experienced employee to master the skills and procedures of a craft.

Accepted Answer

An apprenticeship program is a training program in which an inexperienced worker (an apprentice) learns a trade or craft under the supervision of a skilled worker (a journeyman) by working alongside them. The apprentice learns the practical skills and theoretical knowledge of the trade, and gains certification upon completion.

Question 13

The purpose of ________ is to increase an employee's ability to perform productively.

Accepted Answer

Training and development programs are designed to enhance employees' skills and knowledge, improving their job performance and productivity. Employment tests help to assess job readiness and suitability, contingency planning is a risk management strategy, and job enrichment refers to expanding employees' job roles and responsibilities.

Question 14

Employment testing

Accepted Answer

Using employment tests that are directly related to the job will make the selection process more efficient and will usually satisfy legal requirements designed to protect applicants against discrimination.

Question 15

The first step in establishing training and development programs is to

Accepted Answer

Before designing any training and development program, it is important to first assess the needs of the organization and the skills of the employees. This ensures that the program is tailored to the specific needs of the organization and its employees, making it more effective in achieving its objectives. Establishing appropriate simulation parameters and conducting pre-employment tests are steps that come after the needs assessment and are more specific to individual programs or initiatives. Designing programs would be premature without proper needs assessment.

Question 16

Early Bird Enterprises conducts thorough background investigations of its prospective employees. The purpose of such investigations is to

Accepted Answer

Background investigations look at candidates' work and academic records, their credit histories, and their recommendations. A detailed background check can help the firm weed out the candidates that are least likely to succeed and identify those candidates that are most likely to succeed.

Question 17

Sarah is a human resource manager with Innovative Industries. Her current assignment is to revise and update Innovative's employment testing procedures. Sarah should

Accepted Answer

Designing tests that are directly related to the job will make the selection process more efficient and will often satisfy legal requirements designed to ensure that the tests are not used to discriminate against women, minorities, or other groups.

Question 18

In just a few short weeks, Jon would arrive back in the states after a semester abroad. He was already in a temp agency's database from the previous summer, when he spent 8 weeks working for an accounting firm. Jon will again try to hire on as a ________ during the summer months. The company that hired him last summer typically hires several college students each year, mainly because they have good computer skills, and the company does not need to offer college students benefits.

Accepted Answer

Many companies consider college students as part of their contingent workforce. College students are technologically savvy. Once they are appropriately screened by the temp agencies, they are included in a database of available temporary workers.

Question 19

Which of the following is a valid statement about contingent workers?

Accepted Answer

An increasing number of contingent workers are skilled professionals such as accountants, attorneys, and engineers.

Question 20

A worker who successfully completes an apprenticeship program earns the title

Accepted Answer

A worker who successfully completes an apprenticeship program earns the title of journeyman. This means they are qualified to work in their chosen trade or craft and can work independently but are not yet a master craftsman. Senior artisan and probationary craftsman are not commonly recognized titles for those who complete an apprenticeship program.

Quiz 11: Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees