RSM LEC 3

What basic needs does Google cover for its employees?

• Free, prepared meals

• Reduces stress and mental load

• Lets employees focus on work and creativity

How does Google encourage employees to stay at work longer?

• Offers breakfast and lunch at the office

• Incentivizes arriving early and staying through lunch

How do games and recreation benefit Google employees?

• Encourages regular breaks

• Builds a sense of community and workplace fun (Work Hard, Play Hard)

What are some financial drawbacks of Google’s workplace perks?

• High costs for meals and amenities

• Budget cuts can feel noticeable (e.g. food quality drops)

How can Google's relaxed environment affect focus?

• Employees may get distracted

• Discipline and self-regulation become harder

Why is it hard to measure Google’s success causes?

• Hard to tell if success is from environment or great hires

• Perks may attract talent, but don't guarantee performance

Why can autonomy at Google be a challenge?

• Mistakes may go unnoticed

• Harder to monitor productivity closely (free-reign)

What are the Core Responsibilites of HR?

Recruitment, Planning, Separation, Compensation, Training, Evaluation (REaCT PS)

How does Disney apply SHRM in its employee experience?

Disney hires for attitude and trains for performance, creating a consistent, emotionally engaging guest experience.

How does Disney train its employees after hiring?

Disney focuses on enhancing traits you “can’t teach”.

Why is delegation important in SHRM?

Because success depends on hiring the right people and keeping the best ones, allowing leaders to trust and delegate effectively.

What must employers consider when hiring and selecting employees?

Legal requirements, employment tests, bad hires can affect employee morale/company reputation, hiring is costly

What is true about performance appraisals?

Take place several times a year, are linked to organizational goals, take place in the form of a two-way conversation

What is a 360-degree performance appraisal?

Process that gathers feedback from coworkers, supervisors, team members, subordinates.

How does a balanced scorecard look just beyond financial achievement?

Customer satisfaction, learning and growth (attendance of meetings), Internal business process (efficiency improvements, cycle time)

Why do we look at all aspects instead of only financial?

Financial is short-term, other aspects will affect you in the long-term future.(ex. R&D and future effects)

How do companies base competition for pay?

What other companies are paying, government regulation, cost of living, company profits, employee productivity

Why should there be a cap of executive compensation?

Pay equity, Misuse of company funds, public trust, long-term thinking > short-term profits

Why shouldn’t there be a cap of executive compensation?

Adheres to capitalist values (pay based on performance), attracts top talent, could limit talent pool, prevents brain drain (talent leaving)

What are examples of flexible benefit plans?

Medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance

Benefits and Downsides to Flexible Time Off.

Employees have freedom to use PTO whenever they would like, can be expensive for employer

What are the implications of voluntary turnover?

May begin a pattern and make others inquire about other opportunities.

What are the implications of involuntary turnover?

May damage employee morale, team dynamics and legal implications.

What is flextime?

Allows employees to set their own hours of work within the constraints of the firm

What is a compressed workweek?

Allows employees to work the typical amount of hours, but in less than five days.

What is a job sharing program?

Allows two or more employees to divide the tasks of one job

What is the difference between outsourcing and downsizing?

• Outsourcing: Hiring an external company to perform tasks or services previously done in-house.

• Downsizing: Reducing the number of employees to cut costs or restructure the organization.

How do outsourcing and downsizing affect accountability in a business?

• Outsourcing can reduce accountability since external providers may not share the company’s values or standards.

• Downsizing may overload remaining staff, making it harder to assign clear responsibility and maintain performance.

What does Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs suggest?

Maslow’s Hierarchy suggests that humans must satisfy basic needs (like food and safety) before they can focus on higher-level needs like belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

What does Herzberg’s Two-Factor Model of Motivation suggest?

Herzberg’s model suggests that job satisfaction and dissatisfaction come from two different sets of factors:

• Motivators (e.g. achievement, recognition) increase satisfaction.

• Hygiene factors (e.g. salary, work conditions) prevent dissatisfaction but don’t motivate on their own

What does the Expectancy Theory suggest?

Expectancy Theory suggests that people are motivated to act if they believe their effort will lead to good performance, which will then lead to desired rewards. (If you produce quality work, you will recieve quality pay)

What does the Equity Theory suggest?

Equity Theory suggests that people feel motivated when they believe they are being treated fairly—their effort and contributions are rewarded fairly compared to others.

What is theory X?

Theory X assumes that workers are lazy, need constant supervision, and will avoid responsibility unless pushed by strict rules and control. (Autocracy)

What is theory Y?

Theory Y assumes that workers enjoy work, enjoy taking responsibility, and can be trusted to work independently when given the right conditions. (Democracy)

What is Theory Z?

Theory Z suggests that worker involvement is the key to company productivity, with an improved quality of life for employees.

What does Self-Determination theory suggest?

Self-Determination Theory suggests that people are most motivated when they feel:

• Autonomy (control over their actions)

• Competence (capable and effective)

• Relatedness (connected to others)

RAC

What are the advantages of a hybrid work model?

Cost efficiency, Employee satisfaction, Supports family responsibilities, reduces commuting/pollution, employees can choose to work when they’re most productive

What are the disadvantages of a hybrid work model?

• “Out of sight, out of mind”: remote employees may miss promotions

• Can hurt communication and company culture

• Productivity may vary across environments

How might remote work affect employees’ mental health and relationships?

• Can cause loneliness, isolation, and low motivation

• Limits peer interaction and relationship building

• Younger workers may miss mentorship and growth opportunities

What strategies help reduce isolation in remote teams?

• Host virtual social events and team-building activities

• Encourage icebreakers and regular check-ins

• Require some in-person collaboration to build connection

Why are remote workers less likely to get promoted?

• Limited visibility to leadership

• Fewer networking opportunities

• In-person workers are seen as more engaged and ambitious

• Casual in-person chats can lead to opportunities not discussed over email

Why do younger workers prefer in-person work more than older ones?

• Younger workers want mentorship, career growth, and social interaction

• They often have fewer family responsibilities

• Older workers prefer flexibility, have more experience, and value convenience at home

What is the long-term outlook for employees working from home?

• Companies may adopt more flexible, hybrid models

• Technology will keep evolving to support remote work

• Employees will expect greater work-life balance

• Risks include weaker team bonds and visibility gaps if not managed well

What are examples of employee benefits?

Vacation time, retirement savings plans, gym membership, tuition reimbursement

What are the four forms of Incentive Compensation?

Profit sharing (bonus based on profits), Gain sharing (bonus based on productivity), Lump-sum bonus (one-time cash payment or option to buy shares of company stock), Pay for knowledge (increase based on new skills).

What is the goal-setting theory?

Idea that people will be motivated to the extent to which they accept specific, challenging goals and receive feedback that shows their progress towards goal achievement.

What does MBO suggest?

MBO suggests that employees and managers should work together to set clear, measurable goals, and success is tracked based on how well those objectives are achieved.

What is a labour union?

Group of workers that organize themselves to work towards common goals in areas of wages, hours and working conditions.

Who is involved in the collective bargaining process?

Management and Union Representatives

What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?

• Mediation: A neutral third party helps both sides reach a mutual agreement — non-binding.

• Arbitration: A neutral third party makes a decision for both sides — usually legally binding.

What are the types of Union Tactics?

Strike (work stoppage), Picketing (protest), Boycott (keeping public from engaging in a company)

What is a lockout?

Management “strike” to put pressure on union members by closing the firm.