Question 1

An employee has come forward with an allegation of quid pro quo harassment by her supervisor. As the HR manager, you are responsible for investigating the complaint. The supervisor in question is someone with whom you have become quite friendly. In this case, who is the best person to conduct the investigation?

Accepted Answer

A third-party investigator is the best choice as they can provide an unbiased and impartial investigation, especially given the HR manager's personal relationship with the accused supervisor.

Question 2

Your organization is looking for methods to improve communication between the management and the employees within the company. Which one of the following methods is best described as a small but representative sampling of employees - led in a conversation by a neutral moderator about an identified topic?

Accepted Answer

A focus group involves a small, representative sample of employees led by a neutral moderator to discuss a specific topic, making it suitable for improving communication.

Question 3

As a Senior HR Professional you should be familiar with employment laws and their effect on your company. What did the lawsuit Payne v. The Western & Atlantic Railroad Company establish?

Accepted Answer

The lawsuit Payne v. The Western & Atlantic Railroad Company established the doctrine of "employment at will," which means that an employer can terminate an employee for any reason that is not illegal, and an employee can leave a job for any reason.

Question 4

As an HR Professional you must recognize, and be aware of several pieces of legislation that affects your performance as an HR Professional. Which one of the following acts exempted labor unions and agricultural organizations from The Sherman Antitrust Act?

Accepted Answer

The Clayton Act, passed in 1914, exempted labor unions and agricultural organizations from The Sherman Antitrust Act, allowing them to organize and engage in collective bargaining without being considered illegal combinations or conspiracies in restraint of trade.

Question 5

Robert is the HR Professional for his organization and he's speaking with the federation chairman about the labor and the direction of unions. What is a federation?

Accepted Answer

A federation is a group of national unions that come together to collaborate and support each other on a larger scale.

Question 6

What term is assigned to the barriers that women and minorities may face when trying to advance to senior levels of an organization?

Accepted Answer

The term "glass ceiling" refers to the invisible barriers that prevent women and minorities from advancing to higher levels of leadership and management within an organization.

Question 7

John earns $45,200 per year as a mechanic in your organization. The $42,500 per year does not include earnings John may have through shift differentials, benefits, overtime, incentives, and bonuses. Which one of the following terms best describes the $45,200 per year that John earns?

Accepted Answer

The $45,200 per year is John's base pay, which is his regular salary excluding any additional earnings like overtime or bonuses.

Question 8

Mark is a contractor for the CleanSweep Chimney Company. When the CleanSweep Chimney Company has work that they can't manage they'll send Mark to the customer site to quote on the work based on their standardized fees and complete the work on their behalf. The company will pay Mark for his time. Mark, however, often tells the home owners what the CleanSweep Chimney Company will charge, but he can personally do the job for less than the CleanSweep Chimney Company. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Mark is breaching his duty of loyalty to the CleanSweep Chimney Company by diverting business to himself for personal gain, rather than acting in the best interest of the company he represents.

Question 9

What is the compa-ratio for an employee that earns $75,000 per year, but the midpoint for the role is $85,000 per year?

Accepted Answer

The compa-ratio is calculated by dividing the employee's salary by the midpoint salary and then multiplying by 100. So, ($75,000 / $85,000) * 100 = 88 percent.

Question 10

When an individual files a charge of discrimination with the EEOC against an employer, what will the EEOC do?

Accepted Answer

The EEOC typically sends a letter to the employer informing them of the charge and requesting a response.

Question 11

Your organization likes to use mediation rather than lawsuits to find amicable resolutions to issues and disputes. When mediation is required, there are several steps to the process. What step of the mediation process identifies alternative solutions to the problem?

Accepted Answer

The "Options" step in the mediation process is where alternative solutions to the problem are identified. This step involves brainstorming and discussing various possibilities to resolve the dispute.

Question 12

What is the most effective method to use when an employer wants to obtain insight into employee goals and job satisfaction and provide career counseling to those in the work group?

Accepted Answer

A skip-level interview allows managers to directly engage with employees, gaining insights into their goals and job satisfaction, and providing an opportunity for personalized career counseling.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a nonqualified deferred-compensation plan?

Accepted Answer

An excess-deferral plan is a type of nonqualified deferred-compensation plan, which allows employees to defer income beyond the limits set by qualified plans. The other options are types of qualified retirement plans.

Question 14

As a Senior HR Professional, you must be aware of contracts, laws, and commitments made to employees. Which of the following statements is an example of an express contract that could affect a person's employment?

Accepted Answer

An express contract is one that is explicitly stated in words, either written or spoken. Choice A is an example of an express contract because it is a clear and specific promise of employment as long as the business is in operation.

Question 15

All of the following reasons for termination of an employee are examples of wrongful termination except for which one?

Accepted Answer

Violation of company policy is not an example of wrongful termination because it is a legitimate reason for terminating an employee.

Question 16

Your organization has employed a temporary worker for a position in your company. During employment the individual has been called to military duty. Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 are you obligated to reinstate the individual upon his return from duty?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your organization has employed a temporary worker...

Question 17

If a dress-code policy prohibits the use of ethnic clothing, but an employee requests an accommodation based on their religious preference, how should the employer respond?

Accepted Answer

The employer should modify the dress code to accommodate the employee's religious preference unless doing so would cause undue hardship, as required by laws protecting religious freedom in the workplace.

Question 18

What is the difference between organizational culture and organizational climate?

Accepted Answer

Organizational culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and norms within an organization, while organizational climate refers to the atmosphere or environment created by these cultural elements and how they are experienced by employees.

Question 19

As a HR Professional you must understand the laws and regulations, which affect employee compensation. Which of the following was the first to address a minimum wage for employees?

Accepted Answer

The Davis-Bacon Act, enacted in 1931, was the first federal law to address minimum wage by requiring that workers on public works projects be paid at least the locally prevailing wages.

Question 20

Herb is the HR Professional for his organization. He is preparing to hire a new employee, Hans, to the firm. Herb has asked Hans to agree, in writing, to mandatory arbitration as part of the employment offer. What does this agreement mean?

Accepted Answer

Mandatory arbitration means that any disputes between Hans and the organization will be resolved through arbitration, involving a neutral third party, instead of going to court.

Exam 3: Senior Professional in Human Resources