Question 1

The most common area for HR specialization is

Accepted Answer

According to research, the most common area for HR specialization is benefits, with about 21% of HR professionals specializing in this area. EEO compliance, labor/management relations, and HR information systems are all important areas of HR, but are less common areas of specialization compared to benefits.

Question 2

Pauline is an employee of a large city.She is the lead negotiator for contracts between the city government and the police and firefighters' unions.Pauline is an HR

Accepted Answer

Pauline's role as the lead negotiator for contracts between the city government and the police and firefighters' unions indicates that she is an HR specialist with expertise in labor relations and negotiations.

Question 3

Considering the trends in HR,current HR departments compared to departments of twenty years ago would

Accepted Answer

HR departments today are more likely to outsource certain functions and collaborate closely with vendors of HR specialty services, reflecting a trend towards leveraging external expertise and technology for efficiency and strategic advantage.

Question 4

Benjamin is an American engineer who is a consultant with a German engineering consulting firm.Currently,Benjamin is assigned to a project in South Korea where he will live for the next year.Benjamin is a/an

Accepted Answer

Benjamin is a third-country national because he is an American working in South Korea for a German firm, making him neither a host-country national nor an expatriate in the traditional sense.

Question 5

Gloria recently earned her bachelor's in HR.She has just started her first exempt-level HR job.What is the earliest time that Gloria can be certified as a PHR (assuming she has passed the PHR exam)?

Accepted Answer

According to the eligibility criteria of the PHR certification, candidates with a bachelor's degree need at least two years of exempt-level HR experience to be eligible for the certification exam. Therefore, the earliest time Gloria can be certified as a PHR is after two years of exempt-level HR experience.

Question 6

The ____ sponsors the most well-known certification program for HR generalists.

Accepted Answer

The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) sponsors the most well-known certification program for HR generalists, which includes the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications.

Question 7

The HR management role that is most influential in reducing the number of employee lawsuits against the company is the ____ role.

Accepted Answer

The advocate role in HR management is crucial for reducing the number of employee lawsuits against the company. This role involves representing the needs and concerns of employees, ensuring fair treatment, and addressing issues that could lead to legal action. By effectively advocating for employees, HR can help prevent situations that might otherwise escalate into lawsuits.

Question 8

Recruiting and selecting employees for current openings are typical ____ HR activities.

Accepted Answer

Recruiting and selecting employees for current openings are considered operational HR activities because they involve the day-to-day operations necessary to fill immediate job vacancies within an organization.

Question 9

Which of the following would NOT be identified as a typical HR operational activity?

Accepted Answer

Partnering with top executives would be considered a strategic or managerial activity, rather than an operational activity, in the HR function. The other options (government compliance, safety programs, compensation) are all operational activities commonly carried out by HR departments.

Question 10

Emil is the assistant HR manager at a commercial construction company.Emil handles almost every aspect of human resources at the company,from employee questions about benefits to holding exit interviews.Emil is an HR

Accepted Answer

Emil is a human resources generalist because he handles a variety of HR functions and is not specialized in one area.

Question 11

The largest professional organization for HR generalists is

Accepted Answer

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the largest professional organization for HR generalists, with over 300,000 members in over 165 countries. Its mission is to advance the HR profession and promote workplace excellence through education, certification, and advocacy. The other options (IPMA, ASTD, and HRCI) are also professional organizations in the field of HR, but they focus on specific areas such as public sector HR, training and development, and certification.

Question 12

Tyrone Toys is intensely focused on reducing labor costs.During a meeting of the executive committee,a member suggests closing its unionized plant in Ohio and opening a non-union plant in Mississippi.The executive vice president (EVP)of HR,who is a member of this committee,suggests that the committee get legal advice in case Tyrone Toys would be subject to lawsuits by the union.This interaction suggests that

Accepted Answer

The answer of Tyrone Toys is intensely focused on reducing...

Question 13

The ____ role of HR management has been increasingly outsourced,while the _________ role of HR management is sometimes being give to senior executives without HR experience.

Accepted Answer

The administrative role of HR management, which includes tasks such as payroll and benefits administration, has been increasingly outsourced. Meanwhile, the strategic role, which involves planning and decision-making regarding the organization's workforce, is sometimes being assigned to senior executives who may not have specific HR experience.

Question 14

Ensuring fair and equitable treatment for employees regardless of their personal background or circumstances is associated with the ____ role of HR.

Accepted Answer

The employee advocate role of HR focuses on ensuring that employees are treated fairly and equitably, regardless of their personal background or circumstances. This includes promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace and addressing issues of discrimination or bias.

Question 15

HR professionals value their professional certification because

Accepted Answer

HR professionals value their professional certification because it gives them credibility with peers and senior managers. While some organizations may require certification for certain positions, it is not mandatory for all HR roles. Certification is not the equivalent of a master's degree, but it does demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise in the field of HR.

Question 16

Which of the following HR activities is MOST likely to be outsourced successfully?

Accepted Answer

401k administration is a highly specialized and routine task that can be easily outsourced to a third-party provider. It does not require deep knowledge of the organization or its people, so it can be handled externally with minimal disruption to the company's operations. Risk management, union contract negotiations, and performance management are strategic functions that require greater internal oversight and expertise, making them less suitable for outsourcing.

Question 17

As the vice-president of HR for Woodmere Production,Inc.,you are presenting a proposal to Woodmere's top management for outsourcing many of your department's administrative HR functions to vendors.You argue that HR vendors have greater expertise than your in-house staff and that outsourcing will allow you to spend more time on the strategic aspects of HR.But,another key selling-point to top management will be

Accepted Answer

The key selling-point to top management for outsourcing HR functions to vendors should be the reduction in labor costs in the HR department. While expertise and strategic aspects are important, ultimately the decision to outsource functions should be driven by cost savings. A reduction in labor costs can be achieved through outsourcing, as vendors can often provide services at a lower cost than in-house staff due to economies of scale and specialization.

Question 18

The position of vice-president of HR is open in a large paper-products manufacturing company.Two individuals are being considered,both from the internal HR function at the firm.The selection committee wants the new vice-president to be a strategic contributor to the firm.All of the following competencies are highly desirable EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

While attention to detail is important in HR, it is not one of the key competencies for a strategic contributor to the firm. Understanding the paper-products business, demonstrating ethical behavior, and being results-oriented are all important competencies for a vice-president of HR to possess.

Question 19

Top executives of an organization truly view the top HR executive as contributing to the strategic success of the firm when they request the HR manager to

Accepted Answer

Evaluating potential merger candidates for organizational compatibility is a strategic task that is closely tied to the overall success of the firm. This task requires a thorough understanding of the company's mission, goals, culture, and capabilities, and involves assessing the potential impact of a merger on these factors. By entrusting this responsibility to the HR manager, top executives are acknowledging their expertise in talent management, organizational design, and cultural alignment, which are critical elements of a successful merger. The other options, while important, are more operational in nature and do not necessarily require a strategic perspective.

Question 20

You are the director of HR for a medium-sized firm.You are looking to hire a benefits specialist.You would prefer the individual to be certified in this field.Consequently,you will check applicant resumés for these initials

Accepted Answer

CEBS stands for Certified Employee Benefits Specialist and is a recognized certification in the benefits field. It demonstrates that the applicant has a deep understanding of employee benefits, including plan design, administration, and regulatory compliance.

Quiz 1: Human Resource Management in Organizations