Deck 9: Human Resource Management: Getting the Right People

Question 1

Every year, 10 percent of GE's managers are assigned the bottom grade during the annual review cycle, and if they don't improve, they are asked to leave the company. GE uses a forced ranking performance review system.

Answer 1

True
Explanation: Every year, 10 percent of GE's managers are assigned the bottom grade, and if they don't improve, they are asked to leave the company. This is an example of a forced ranking performance review system.

Question 2

Sylvia had been working as an executive assistant to the president for nearly 25 years, so when she retired, no one had a good idea of all that her job entailed. Before Sylvia retired, Meaghan sat with her for two weeks to observe her duties and ask her to explain all the functions she performs as executive assistant to the president. Meaghan was performing a(n)

A) behavioral-description interview.
B) performance appraisal.
C) informal appraisal.
D) job rotation.
E) job analysis.

Answer 2

E
Explanation: The purpose of a job analysis is to determine, by observation and analysis, the basic elements of a job. Specialists interview job occupants about what they do, observe the flow of work, and learn how results are accomplished.

Question 3

Mediation is the process in which a neutral third party, an arbitrator, listens to both parties in a dispute and makes a decision that the parties have agreed will be binding on them.

Answer 3

False
Explanation: Arbitration is the process in which a neutral third party, an arbitrator, listens to both parties in a dispute and makes a decision that the parties have agreed will be binding on them.

Question 4

Explaining the organization's mission and operations, the job routine and the organization's work rules and benefits should be an integral part of employee orientation.

Question 5

The most effective sources of new employee sources are job postings on websites.

Question 6

In considering the staffing an organization might need in the future, human resource managers should

A) focus efforts on replacing those who retire or resign.
B) assume that the organization will not change much.
C) assume that there will be radical changes in the supply of labor and the nature of the organization's jobs, and therefore defer planning.
D) hire 10% more people than were needed last year to cover possible growth.
E) understand the organization's vision and strategy in order to hire personnel to support them.

Question 7

Therese is an architect for the building of a large office complex downtown. Frequently a group of steel workers whistle at her as she climbs a ladder or interacts with staff. The men's actions create a hostile work environment.

Question 8

________ includes the activities managers perform to plan for, attract, develop, and retain an effective workforce.

A) Personnel development
B) Contingency planning
C) Job analysis
D) Human resource management
E) Performance appraisal

Question 9

A ________ summarizes what the holder of the job does and how and why he or she does it. For example, this document might state, "In this job, the worker delivers pizzas within a 10-mile radius of the pizzeria, quickly and promptly, while obeying all traffic laws and driving responsibly."

A) job analysis
B) realistic job preview
C) job specification
D) job description
E) performance appraisal

Question 10

A specialist at FedEx who rides with couriers to learn about delivery time measurements and potential service problems is conducting a job

A) analysis.
B) specification.
C) posting.
D) description.
E) rotation.

Question 11

A job specification describes the minimum qualifications a person must have to perform the job successfully. For example, a job specification for an editor may require all editors to have flawless grammar skills.

Question 12

Human resource (HR) management consists of the activities managers perform to plan for, attract, develop, and retain an effective workforce.

Question 13

________ is the purpose of the strategic human resource process.

A) Maintaining a stable workforce for minimum expense
B) Informing the grand strategy
C) Formulating human resource-sensitive strategic plans
D) Getting optimal work performance to help realize the company's mission and vision
E) Finding the human resources needed in a timely fashion

Question 14

The type of appraisal in which employees are evaluated by their managers, peers, and subordinates is called the 360-degree assessment.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT part of the strategic human resource management process?

A) Plan for human resources needs.
B) Establish a grand strategy.
C) Recruit and select people.
D) Orient, train, and develop personnel.
E) Negotiate employment contracts.

Question 16

The Family and Medical Leave Act requires employers to provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave for medical and family reasons, including for childbirth, adoption, or family emergency.

Question 17

What is the final step in the strategic human resource management process?

A) Plan future human resources needs.
B) Recruit and select people.
C) Assess success of the recruitment process.
D) Perform appraisals of people.
E) Orient, train, and develop people.

Question 18

Benefits are additional nonmonetary forms of compensation designed to enrich the lives of all employees in the organization. Common benefits include medical insurance, vacation days, and credit unions, all paid for in whole or in part by the company.

Question 19

________ capital is the economic or productive potential of strong, trusting, and cooperative relationships. This type of capital can help you land a job; a national survey of recruiters revealed that 74 percent had found the highest-quality applicants through employee referrals.

A) Relational
B) Social
C) Personal
D) Productivity
E) Human

Question 20

________ capital is the economic or productive potential of employee knowledge and actions.

A) Human
B) Labor
C) Social
D) Potential
E) Productivity

Question 21

Which of the following helps guarantee nonhazardous working conditions for employees?

A) Civil Rights Act
B) Fair Labor Standards Act
C) Occupational Safety and Health Act
D) National Labor Relations Board
E) Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Question 22

Lacey has a degenerative eye disease that is causing her to gradually lose her eyesight. When Lacey asked her employer, Ideal Accessories, to purchase a low-vision computer for her use at work, she was fired. Ideal Accessories has violated the

A) Family and Medical Leave Act.
B) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
C) Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
D) Privacy Act.
E) Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Question 23

Which of the following is the most effective source of new employees?

A) private employment agencies
B) newspaper and LinkedIn ads
C) employee referrals
D) college recruiters
E) unions

Question 24

________ occurs when people are hired or promoted, or denied hiring or promotion, for reasons not relevant to the job.

A) Affirmative action
B) A hostile working environment
C) Quid pro quo
D) Bullying
E) Discrimination

Question 25

Which piece of legislation first established the U.S. federal minimum wage?

A) Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
B) Social Security Act
C) Civil Rights Act
D) Occupational Safety and Health Act
E) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

Question 26

________ is the process of locating and attracting qualified applicants for jobs open in the organization.

A) Recruiting
B) Selection
C) Hiring
D) Job posting
E) Interviewing

Question 27

Marlene works in a manufacturing facility, Carz Parts. Throughout the building there were posters and calendars of a sexually explicit nature, making Marlene very uncomfortable. Carz Parts

A) has a hostile work environment.
B) has no legal worries because none of the offensive materials are directed at Marlene.
C) practices sexual discrimination.
D) has no legal worries because Marlene is not suffering any economic injury.
E) is engaging in quid pro quo harassment.

Question 28

Which of the following statements about sexual harassment is true?

A) A hostile work environment is characterized by a tangible economic harm.
B) A person who feels he or she must acquiesce to a sexual proposition to keep his or her job is facing quid pro quo harassment.
C) The organization cannot be sued for sexual harassment as long as its managers did not know about the situation.
D) Uninvited hugging or patting someone is not considered sexual harassment.
E) Sexual harassment is defined as occurring between members of the opposite sex.

Question 29

The ________ enforce(s) procedures allowing employees to vote to have a union and for collective bargaining.

A) Fair Labor Standards Act
B) National Labor Relations Board
C) Civil Rights Acts
D) Occupational Safety and Health Department
E) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Question 30

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was established by the

A) Equal Pay Act.
B) Wagner Act.
C) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
D) Occupational Safety and Health Act.
E) Social Security Act.

Question 31

For years, a mathematics professor experienced abusive behavior at a community college where he taught. It began with a few deans spreading rumors and false accusations that threatened his job. The abuse was emotionally draining and took time and focus away from his job. The professor was the victim of

A) reverse discrimination.
B) bullying.
C) disparate treatment.
D) quid pro quo.
E) adverse impact.

Question 32

________ entails job posting, which means placing information about job vacancies and qualifications in places where employees can see them such as on bulletin boards or the company's intranet.

A) Job analysis
B) Realistic job previewing
C) Position advertising
D) Internal recruiting
E) External recruiting

Question 33

To ________, Lance, an HR manager, used reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau for information about his industry's labor pool in his geographic area.

A) perform a job analysis
B) recruit from inside the organization
C) recruit from outside the organization
D) develop an affirmative action program
E) analyze human capital

Question 34

After being referred by a friend, Hedyeh attended a job interview. She didn't feel it went well, but she was surprised when her friend told her the boss didn't like that Hedyeh had worn her hijab, a traditional headscarf worn by Muslim women. The boss told a coworker after the interview, "Our customers prefer working with Christians." Hedyeh is a victim of

A) affirmative action.
B) discrimination.
C) quid pro quo.
D) favoritism.
E) a hostile work environment.

Question 35

The ________ requires employers with more than 50 employees to provide health insurance.

A) Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
B) Social Security Act
C) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
D) Occupational Safety and Health Act
E) Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Question 36

A(n) ________ is a report listing an organization's employees by name, education, training, languages, and other important information.

A) performance appraisal
B) skills record
C) human resource inventory
D) job analysis
E) employee database

Question 37

If a firm gives all international assignments to people without disabilities, assuming they will therefore not require special accommodations, which type of workplace discrimination has occurred?

A) adverse impact
B) reverse discrimination
C) harassment
D) wage gap
E) disparate treatment

Question 38

Which type of workplace discrimination occurs when an organization uses an employment practice that results in unfavorable outcomes to a protected class?

A) disparate treatment
B) reverse discrimination
C) unequal application
D) harassment
E) adverse impact

Question 39

A Seattle-based software firm, Sysco, was growing rapidly and hiring frequently, but it primarily focused on campus recruiting at two Washington universities, UW and Seattle University. When one 45-year-old candidate did not get an interview after a phone screening, he went to the company's website and noted all of the young people in charge. Which law allows him to file a lawsuit against Sysco alleging discrimination?

A) Age Discrimination in Employment
B) Civil Rights Act
C) Sarbanes-Oxley Act
D) Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
E) Americans with Disabilities Act

Question 40

The ________ is a law that requires an extension of health insurance benefits after termination.

A) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
B) Social Security Act
C) Civil Rights Act
D) Occupational Safety and Health Act
E) Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Question 41

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a(n) ________ test.

A) personality
B) reliability
C) performance
D) ability
E) character

Question 42

________ is the degree to which a test measures the same thing consistently.

A) Reliability
B) Accountability
C) Validity
D) Significance
E) Dependability

Question 43

The type of performance appraisal that judges specific, observable aspects of performance like being on time for work is a(n) ________ appraisal.

A) MBO
B) behavioral
C) self-
D) objective
E) results

Question 44

Which of the following is a typical off-the-job learning and development method?

A) coaching
B) job rotation
C) e-learning
D) role-playing
E) planned work activities

Question 45

According to the law, which of the following is considered an employment test?

A) only personality tests
B) only interviews and personality tests
C) small talk before and after the interview
D) only application forms
E) any procedure used in the employment selection decision process

Question 46

When Jorge became one of three final candidates for a managerial position with a large pharmaceutical company, the hiring manager scheduled a special meeting with him. The two talked about the stressful deadlines and heavy travel required of the position, as well as the compensation and benefits. Jorge appreciated that the hiring manager took the time to provide a(n)

A) behavioral-description interview.
B) performance appraisal.
C) unstructured interview.
D) situational interview.
E) realistic job preview.

Question 47

During a(n) ________, Marcia asked Joaquim to tell her about the actions he took to overcome some sort of adversity.

A) realistic job preview
B) performance interview
C) situational interview
D) unstructured interview
E) behavioral description interview

Question 48

Which of the following is a good suggestion for managers when conducting interviews?

A) Ask about the candidate's family to show personal interest.
B) After the interview, write a short report with a quantitative score of the candidate's qualifications.
C) Do more than half of the talking to make sure you are sharing enough about the company and its culture.
D) Ask questions spontaneously to get the most straightforward answers from the candidate.
E) The résumé should be used for selection of interview candidates only; ignore it thereafter.

Question 49

Samir, an HR manager, is designing a training class for those working on the new cross-functional teams within her company. This class is aimed at improving group decision making and interpersonal relations. What method of delivery should Samir choose?

A) lectures
B) computer-aided training
C) workbooks
D) videotapes
E) role-playing, practice, and discussion

Question 50

Which of the following learning and development methods is most appropriate when people just need to learn facts such as work rules or legal matters?

A) coaching
B) role-plays
C) discussion
D) case studies
E) videotapes, workbooks, and lectures

Question 51

Compared to internal recruiting, which of the following is true of external recruiting?

A) It encourages greater employee loyalty.
B) The process is more expensive and takes longer.
C) It creates the need for multiple recruitments.
D) The pool of talent is more limited.
E) The process is cheaper.

Question 52

As a sales manager, Tanya is conducting performance appraisals for her team members. To do so, she tracks each person's sales calls, amount of sales, and revenues on a quarterly basis. Tanya is using a(n) ________ system of appraisal.

A) subjective
B) behavioral
C) trait
D) objective
E) 360-degree

Question 53

Zora is conducting a performance appraisal for Sam, one of her employees. The company's performance appraisal form asks her to rate Sam's performance on various items like "Submits reports on time with minimal errors" on a scale from 1 to 5. Zora is using a(n) ________ appraisal system.

A) BARS
B) 360-degree
C) MBO
D) results
E) trait

Question 54

________ are subject to validity problems due to evaluator bias.

A) Behavioral appraisals
B) 360-degree feedback forms
C) Objective appraisals
D) Trait appraisals
E) Personality appraisals

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT one of the five steps in the learning and development process?

A) attendance
B) assessment
C) objectives
D) selection
E) implementation

Question 56

A(n) ________ appraisal assesses employees on subjective attributes like attitude or leadership.

A) objective
B) self-
C) behavioral
D) trait
E) 360-degree

Question 57

When Jasmine interviewed for a position as a computer programmer, she was asked to take a test on a particular programming language. Jasmine took a(n) ________ test.

A) ability
B) personality
C) aptitude
D) performance
E) capability

Question 58

A performance appraisal consists of

A) rotating job positions.
B) setting standards and monitoring performance.
C) motivating and counseling.
D) assessing performance and providing feedback.
E) motivating and monitoring performance.

Question 59

Hannah, an HR manager for Accurate Steel Cutters, had a meeting with the Vice President of Safety to determine if the new safety training program appears to be effective in preventing and reducing the number of accidents on the shop floor. In which step of the learning and development process is Hannah engaged?

A) evaluation
B) objectives
C) selection
D) implementation
E) assessment

Question 60

A(n) ________ is susceptible to legal attack because some questions may infringe on non-job-related matters such as privacy, diversity, or disability.

A) realistic job preview
B) situational interview
C) performance interview
D) behavioral-description interview
E) unstructured interview

Question 61

Eddie was surprised to learn that not everyone would receive a bonus this year. Instead, management planned to rank all of the employees in Eddie's division and award bonuses only to the top 20 percent in terms of sales. Eddie's company is using a(n) ________ performance review system.

A) unit grading
B) forced ranking
C) functional positioning
D) normal distribution
E) standard curve

Question 62

Which of the following is the best statement of performance feedback?

A) "You're always doing personal stuff at work."
B) "That's the wrong way to sort those packages."
C) "Your last report contained seven errors which I think you could improve."
D) "You are really unmotivated at work lately."
E) "You've got to figure out how to improve your relationship with Susie."

Question 63

Typically the ________ clause in a union contract is tied to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index (CPI).

A) union security
B) right-to-work
C) agency
D) givebacks
E) cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)

Question 64

The three types of dismissals are ________, downsizings, and layoffs.

A) outsourcings
B) resourcings
C) firings
D) closings
E) transfers

Question 65

________ is a performance review system in which all employees within a business unit are ranked against one another.

A) Standard curve
B) Forced ranking
C) Unit grading
D) Normal distribution
E) 360-degree assessment

Question 66

Using 360-degree feedback appraisals makes it more difficult for managers to

A) collect performance information from multiple sources.
B) unfairly favor or punish particular employees.
C) understand how an employee interacts with clients or customers.
D) collect anonymous feedback about an employee.
E) use a forced-ranking system.

Question 67

A binding decision may be sought from ________ if a grievance procedure is not sufficient to solve a labor-management dispute.

A) a shop steward
B) the AFL-CIO
C) an arbitrator
D) the EEOC
E) a mediator

Question 68

The best type of performance appraisal involves

A) using other employees as examples.
B) describing a subordinate's current performance in general terms.
C) concentrating on "stretch goals."
D) relying on impressions.
E) giving employees continuous, real-time coaching, feedback, and solutions.

Question 69

Kelsey had a starring role in a film that was shot in her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Though the Screen Actors Guild, an actors' union, exists in Louisiana, Kelsey was not required to join it because of the state's ________ law.

A) union security
B) agency
C) givebacks
D) cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)
E) right-to-work

Question 70

________ are organizations of employees formed to protect and advance their members' interests by bargaining with management over job-related issues.

A) Arbitration boards
B) Labor unions
C) Safety boards
D) Mediation firms
E) Right-to-work groups

Question 71

________ are generous severance packages, negotiated by executives, which they receive if the company is taken over by another company.

A) Silver linings
B) Fringe benefits
C) Maquiladoras
D) Life insurance policies
E) Golden parachutes

Question 72

Beginning with ________, a body of law has grown that requires organizations to provide employees with nonhazardous working conditions.

A) the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970
B) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
C) the Taft-Hartley Act
D) the establishment of the National Labor Relations Board
E) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

Question 73

Which of the following is NOT a type of compensation?

A) wages
B) salaries
C) incentives
D) benefits
E) promotions

Question 74

The ________ clause is the part of the labor-management agreement that states that employees who receive union benefits must join the union, or at least pay dues to it.

A) givebacks
B) agency
C) closed shop
D) union security
E) union shop

Question 75

Which of the following is NOT an example of an incentive?

A) stock options
B) commissions
C) profit-sharing plans
D) bonuses
E) education reimbursements

Question 76

A manager must consider fairness, ________, and others' resentments in considering a promotion of an employee.

A) openness
B) permanence
C) profitability
D) safety
E) nondiscrimination

Question 77

Being dismissed "for cause" means that

A) an employee has an opportunity to get the position back in the future.
B) an employee quit the job.
C) the company is downsizing, and the jobs are permanently eliminated.
D) an employee is being fired for poor job performance or unacceptable behaviors.
E) an employee is being laid off.

Question 78

A feedback technique in which an employee is appraised by her boss, peers, subordinates, and possibly clients is called a(n) ________ appraisal.

A) MBO
B) 360-degree
C) results
D) reciprocal
E) BARS

Question 79

The risk of "wrongful termination" lawsuits is reduced with careful

A) coaching.
B) training and development.
C) discussion at the time of dismissal.
D) documentation.
E) goal setting.

Question 80

________ means that anyone can be dismissed at any time for any reason at all, or for no reason.

A) Fair termination
B) Capricious dismissal
C) Quid pro quo
D) Nonrational dismissal
E) Employment at will