Deck 10: Employee Retention, Engagement, and Careers

Question 1

Employers benefit from offering career development programs to employees in all of the following ways EXCEPT ________.

A)supporting recruitment efforts
B)boosting employee commitment
C)enhancing employee strengths
D)facilitating performance analysis

Answer 1

D
Explanation: D)Performance analysis refers to verifying and correcting an employee's performance deficiency, but it is not a benefit of career development programs. Firms that offer career development programs boost employee commitment, support recruitment and retention efforts, and equip employees with useful skills.

Question 2

Which of the following is the organization's role in an employee's career development?

A)providing mentoring opportunities to support growth
B)participating in career development discussions
C)providing timely performance feedback
D)establishing goals and career plans

Answer 2

A
Explanation: A)It is the responsibility of an organization to provide mentoring opportunities to support an employee's growth. The employee is responsible for establishing career plans. Managers should discuss career development with employees and provide performance feedback in a timely manner.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT supported by research as to what supervisors can do to be better mentors?

A)set high standards
B)invest the time and effort the mentoring relationship requires
C)steer protégés into important projects
D)focus on controlling the mentor

Answer 3

D
Explanation: D)Research suggests that mentors need to actually share control with the mentees.

Question 4

Dick's Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick's has grown to become a leader in the sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick's in areas as diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at Dick's realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees' career needs. All of the following questions are relevant to Dick's Sporting Goods' decision to implement a career development program EXCEPT:

A)What is the average length of time that an employee works for Dick's Sporting Goods?
B)How would the profits of Dick's Sporting Goods be affected by a change in hiring practices?
C)What are the career needs and opportunities available to minorities and women employed by Dick's Sporting Goods?
D)What will be the effect on recruiting and placement if employees' interests and attitudes are taken into consideration by the HR department at Dick's Sporting Goods?

Question 5

________ is a process for enabling employees to better understand and develop their career skills and interests and to use these skills and interests most effectively within the company and afterwards.

A)Career management
B)Career development
C)Career planning
D)Performance management

Question 6

All of the following are the role of the employer in an employee's career development EXCEPT ________.

A)communicating policies and procedures
B)analyzing interests, values, and skills
C)providing performance feedback
D)offering a variety of career paths

Question 7

Which of the following best describes career planning?

A)a deliberate process through which someone becomes aware of personal skills, interests, knowledge, and motivations and establishes action plans to attain specific career goals
B)the lifelong series of activities that contribute to a person's career exploration, establishment, success, and fulfillment
C)a process of helping employees to better understand and develop their career skills and interests and to use these skills and interests most effectively
D)the process of educating, instructing, and training subordinates as they develop their career interests and job skills

Question 8

In regards to an employee's career development, it is the primary responsibility of the ________ to make career plans, set goals, and utilize development opportunities.

A)employer
B)employee
C)recruiter
D)HR manager

Question 9

Dick's Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick's has grown to become a leader in the sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick's in areas as diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at Dick's realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees' career needs. Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that Dick's should add a career development aspect to its human resource activities?

A)Dick's Sporting Goods' current policies and practices categorize the firm as a high-performance work system.
B)Dick's Sporting Goods' performance appraisals will include development plans and individual goal setting.
C)Dick's Sporting Goods' sales volume and hourly employee needs typically fluctuate throughout the year.
D)Dick's Sporting Goods' will screen potential candidates using structured situational interviews.

Question 10

________ focuses on helping an employee make long-term career plans, while ________ addresses an employee's short-term job skills.

A)Mentoring; coaching
B)Coaching; mentoring
C)Recruiting; coaching
D)Appraising; training

Question 11

Which of the following terms refers to educating, instructing, and training subordinates, usually related to daily tasks?

A)mentoring
B)coaching
C)appraising
D)grading

Question 12

Which of the following is primarily the role of the manager in an employee's career development?

A)providing career information
B)seeking development opportunities
C)providing academic assistance programs
D)providing accurate performance feedback

Question 13

What is defined as the occupational positions a person holds over the years?

A)a psychological contract
B)a promotion
C)reality shock
D)a career

Question 14

Which of the following terms refers to the lifelong series of activities that contribute to a person's career exploration, establishment, success, and fulfillment?

A)performance management
B)career development
C)career management
D)career planning

Question 15

Which of the following is a specific example of a career development activity?

A)job evaluation
B)training workshop
C)college recruitment
D)performance appraisal

Question 16

John feels that he owes his organization hard work and loyalty while the company owes him fair treatment and satisfactory work conditions. This is an example of:

A)career planning
B)exit interview
C)psychological contract
D)transfer

Question 17

Jackie is working with a coach to identify her personal skills and interests. Afterwards, she will investigate opportunities that fit her skills and interests and set specific career goals. In which of the following activities is Jackie most likely participating?

A)career management
B)career development
C)career planning
D)job training

Question 18

Dick's Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick's has grown to become a leader in the sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick's in areas as diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at Dick's realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees' career needs. Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that Dick's should assign a coach to each new employee?

A)The turnover rate of newly hired hourly employees at Dick's Sporting Goods is higher than the industry average.
B)Many new employees at Dick's Sporting Goods have expressed interest in the firm's tuition reimbursement program.
C)Dick's Sporting Goods has integrated preretirement counseling and succession planning into its career management practices.
D)Dick's Sporting Goods uses talent management software to place new employees in the most appropriate positions.

Question 19

The process of advising, counseling, and guiding employees is known as ________.

A)coaching
B)appraising
C)assessing
D)mentoring

Question 20

Which of the following is the main difference between coaching and mentoring?

A)Coaching focuses on work-related behaviors.
B)Mentoring focuses on teamwork related skills.
C)Coaching focuses on teaching daily tasks.
D)Mentoring is more effective for women.

Question 21

Which of the following would most likely increase employee commitment?

A)document the psychological contract
B)create Web-based efficiency programs
C)establish a career development program
D)promise lifetime employment to managers

Question 22

Based on research studies, which of the following is most likely a true statement about mentoring programs?

A)Traditional mentoring programs are more effective for male than for female employees.
B)When the mentor and protégé work in different departments, mentoring is more effective.
C)Protégés have more respect for mentors who work two levels above their own rank in a firm.
D)Required mentoring relationships are more effective than informal mentoring relationships.

Question 23

All of the following are characteristics of effective mentors EXCEPT ________.

A)developing a trustworthy relationship
B)guiding protégés into important projects
C)focusing on the protégé's daily tasks
D)setting high standards for protégés

Question 24

Studies suggest that firms that support their employees' career development are rewarded with employee commitment and longer retention rates.

Question 25

Effective mentoring does not require trust.

Question 26

What do firms use to coordinate career planning efforts, succession plans, and employees' career interests?

A)outplacement counseling
B)coaching
C)reality shock
D)integrated talent management software

Question 27

Career development is the lifelong series of activities that contributes to a person's career exploration, establishment, success, and fulfillment.

Question 28

A career is the occupational positions one holds at a single organization.

Question 29

All of the following are types of career development initiatives implemented by employers EXCEPT ________.

A)401(k)plans
B)career coaches
C)appraisal committees
D)mentoring

Question 30

While career development ultimately should result in an employee who is more employable, such programs often result in increased employee commitment.

Question 31

All of the following are typical activities of career coaches EXCEPT helping employees to ________.

A)make 1-5 year career plans
B)identify development needs
C)obtain networking opportunities
D)negotiate with firms for higher salaries

Question 32

Coaching focuses on helping employees reach long term career goals.

Question 33

A quality of being an effective mentor is actively steering protégés into important projects, teams, and jobs.

Question 34

Reality shock can most likely be prevented by providing new employees with ________.

A)flexible schedules
B)performance appraisals
C)reassignments
D)accurate job previews

Question 35

Which of the following refers to an organized learning event in which participants conduct self-assessments, set goals, and develop action plans?

A)competency-based job analysis
B)career planning workshop
C)job instruction training
D)management retreat

Question 36

Michele's firm does not have a formal mentoring program. However, entry-level employees, such as Michele, are encouraged to form relationships with experienced workers. Michele wants to make sure that she has an effective mentor relationship. Which of the following mentor relationship guidelines would NOT be recommended to Michele?

A)Build trust.
B)Share control between mentor and mentee.
C)Clarify what you expect in terms of advice.
D)Bring personal problems to mentor.

Question 37

Studies indicate that traditional mentoring is less effective for men than it is for women.

Question 38

Which of the following is most likely to occur when a new employee's high expectations and enthusiasm confront the reality of a boring job?

A)halo effect
B)reality shock
C)disparate rejection
D)cognitive dissonance

Question 39

For many employees, professional growth opportunities act as an incentive to remain with a firm because such programs indicate that a company cares about its workers.

Question 40

Most young workers entering the job market today are heavily focused on their job and their employer, unlike baby boomers who preferred to balance work and family.

Question 41

With career-oriented appraisals, the supervisor and employee jointly merge the latter's past performance, career preferences, and developmental needs into a formal career plan.

Question 42

A career planning workshop helps employees identify their interests, set career goals, and practice career skills.

Question 43

As an employer, what is the primary benefit of cutting a high turnover rate?

A)selling stock
B)saving money
C)attracting applicants
D)meeting legal obligations

Question 44

What is reality shock? What efforts can be taken by an employer to prevent reality shock?

Question 45

The tool managers use to meet employees' career development where the manager and employee jointly merge the latter's past performance, career preferences, and developmental needs into a formal career plan is called:

A)orientation sessions
B)career-oriented appraisals
C)interest inventories
D)graphic-rating scales

Question 46

Which of the following statements most likely suggests that an employee is engaged?

A)"I work with intensity."
B)"I take frequent breaks."
C)"I daydream at my desk."
D)"I enjoy talking to co-workers."

Question 47

Reality shock occurs when a new employee's high expectations confront the reality of a boring job.

Question 48

Which of the following industries has one of the highest turnover rates, at around 100% per year?

A)food services
B)financial services
C)healthcare services
D)educational services

Question 49

The rate at which employees leave a firm is best known as ________.

A)downsizing
B)retirement
C)turnover
D)retention

Question 50

Organizations should schedule regular performance appraisals, and at these reviews cover whether the employee's current skills and performance are consistent with his or her career aspirations.

Question 51

The employee, the manager, and the employer equally share the responsibility for an employee's career development and career success.

Question 52

Robin, the HR manager at Rightway Enterprises, believes that job withdrawal has become a significant problem at the firm. Robin most likely came to this conclusion after observing all of the following employee behaviors EXCEPT ________.

A)frequent vacation time requests
B)idle employee conversations
C)undeserved work breaks
D)excessive absences

Question 53

Which term refers to actions intended to place physical or psychological distance between employees and their work environments?

A)employee disengagement
B)workplace separation
C)job withdrawal
D)attrition

Question 54

In a career-oriented appraisal, a manager matches an employee's strengths and weaknesses with a feasible career path and developmental needs.

Question 55

Succession planning, job posting, and management counseling are popular career management practices offered by organizations around the world.

Question 56

A(n)________ describes the criteria by which the firm awards promotions.

A)job posting policy
B)employee qualification databank
C)formal promotion policy
D)9-box plot

Question 57

With a(n)________, a supervisor and employee jointly merge the employee's past performance, career preferences, and developmental needs into a formal career plan.

A)career-oriented appraisal
B)exit interview
C)promotion
D)employee qualification databank

Question 58

What are the characteristics of an effective mentor?

Question 59

In a brief essay, discuss the roles and responsibilities of managers, mentors, and coaches in an employee's career development.

Question 60

Matching individual strengths and weaknesses with occupational opportunities and threats is a key to the career planning process.

Question 61

Which of the following would most likely reduce voluntary turnover?

A)performance appraisal systems
B)high unemployment rates
C)numerous job opportunities
D)downsizing requirements

Question 62

Apex Carpet has a very high voluntary turnover rate, which executives at the firm want reduced. What is the most effective way to retain top-performing employees at Apex?

A)conducting more performance reviews
B)developing new recruitment strategies
C)establishing a talent management program
D)revising the organization's mission statement

Question 63

Apex Carpet has a very high voluntary turnover rate, which executives at the firm want reduced. Which of the following should Apex most likely do first in its attempt to retain top-performing employees?

A)administer attitude surveys to all employees
B)provide an across-the-board wage increase
C)evaluate the firm's promotion methods
D)develop online training courses

Question 64

Boring jobs, low pay, inadequate supervision, and poor working conditions are likely to lead to job withdrawal.

Question 65

Competence rather than seniority is most likely the basis for promotion when ________.

A)corporate competitiveness is necessary
B)union agreements are involved
C)civil service regulations apply
D)compensation packages are limited

Question 66

Smith Industries has established a career development program for its employees that offers career coaching and workshops. However, a recent employee survey indicates that many women still feel dissatisfied about their career opportunities at the firm. Which of the following would most likely improve the attitudes of female employees at Smith Industries?

A)Smith installs an electronic performance support system for telecommuters.
B)Smith provides hardship allowances to all minority employees.
C)Smith increases the number of performance appraisals.
D)Smith implements a flexible career track system.

Question 67

Chelsea Bank employs a diverse group of employees, and the firm wants all of its workers to have equal career advancement opportunities. Which of the following most likely undermines Chelsea Bank's attempt to meet the career development needs of its diverse workforce?

A)scheduling meetings in the early morning or late evening
B)offering career advancement seminars for women and minorities
C)identifying mentors for women and minorities
D)adopting flexible year-round work schedules

Question 68

According to research, the turnover rate is relatively the same across all industries in the U.S.

Question 69

Which of the following best explains the meaning of the term "glass ceiling"?

A)formal corporate policies that prevent women from receiving the training needed to advance their careers
B)spoken opinions by corporate leaders that women lack the knowledge and skills required for career advancement
C)structural yet subtle barriers in corporate environments that inhibit the rise of talented women to leadership positions
D)inadequate educational opportunities which ultimately limit the network opportunities available to women in the workforce

Question 70

What is a crucial first step in retaining employees over time?

A)providing employees with proper training
B)discussing career plans with workers
C)selecting the right workers
D)identifying worker goals

Question 71

According to research cited in the text, what is the primary reason that top-performing/high commitment employees gave for voluntarily leaving an organization?

A)career development
B)work-life balance
C)promotions
D)salary

Question 72

Miranda wants to make partner at her law firm. However, she is worried because 70-hour work weeks are the norm for someone striving to make partner. Miranda wants to be fair to her family as well as excel at work. The best way for the law firm to address this problem is by ________.

A)providing Miranda with a female career coach
B)persuading Miranda to temporarily work in a less competitive law firm
C)offering a flexible career track that allows Miranda to periodically reduce her work load
D)providing a career planning workshop to help Miranda determine a more appropriate occupation

Question 73

Which of the following terms refers to advancements to positions of increased responsibility?

A)transfers
B)appraisals
C)promotions
D)recruitments

Question 74

ABC Consulting has a formal mentoring program in which senior-level managers are paired with less-experienced employees. Which of the following employees most likely needs a mentor?

A)Raj, who is uncertain how to navigate office politics
B)Jason, who does not perform tasks as quickly as required
C)Michele, who is experiencing personal problems at home
D)Haley, who is working and attending graduate school simultaneously

Question 75

Describe at least 4 ways organization can work to boost the retention of employees.

Question 76

Which of the following terms refers to reassignments to similar positions in other parts of a firm?

A)transfers
B)layoffs
C)dismissals
D)promotions

Question 77

What can diminish positive feelings toward the promotion process?

A)rewards
B)responsibilities
C)secrecy
D)job descriptions

Question 78

Retaining employees is a ________ issue and the best retention strategies are therefore multifunctional.

A)talent management
B)career management
C)strategic management
D)human resources management

Question 79

Dick's Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick's has grown to become a leader in the sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick's in areas as diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at Dick's realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees' career needs. Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that the firm should institute a flexible career track program?

A)Executive positions at Dick's Sporting Goods are rewarded for a combination of seniority and competency.
B)Situational interviews are used at Dick's Sporting Goods to screen potential store managers.
C)Executive positions at Dick's Sporting Goods are predominantly held by men.
D)Over half of all Dick's Sporting Goods stores are run by female managers.

Question 80

While women constitute more than 40% of the workforce, they hold only about ________ of top management positions.

A)2%
B)13%
C)25%
D)30%