Chapter 8 – Managing Human Resources in Organizations

These flashcards cover the strategic importance of HRM, major U.S. employment laws, planning, recruiting, and selection processes presented in Chapter 8 of Fundamentals of Management.

What is Human Resource Management (HRM)?

The set of organizational activities directed at attracting, developing, and maintaining an effective workforce.

Why is human capital strategically important to organizations?

It represents the organization’s investment in attracting, retaining, and motivating an effective workforce that provides competitive advantage.

Which law forbids discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, or national origin in all employment areas?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What is 'adverse impact' in employee selection?

When minority applicants meet or pass a selection standard at less than 80 % of the rate for majority applicants.

What federal agency enforces Title VII?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Which act outlaws discrimination against individuals over 40?

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.

What does the Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibit?

Discrimination against women who are pregnant.

Define affirmative action.

The intentional recruitment and hiring of qualified individuals from under-represented racial, sexual, or ethnic groups.

Which executive order requires federal contractors to create affirmative action plans?

Executive Order 11246.

Purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

To forbid discrimination against people with disabilities.

How did the Civil Rights Act of 1991 modify earlier law?

It made discrimination lawsuits easier to file while capping punitive damages.

What does the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establish?

A federal minimum wage and overtime pay for hours beyond 40 per week.

Key provision of the Equal Pay Act of 1963?

Requires men and women to receive equal pay for equal work, with exceptions for seniority or performance.

What is ERISA’s main focus?

Setting standards for pension plans and providing federal insurance if plans fail.

What benefit does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provide?

Up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or medical emergencies.

What is the Wagner Act better known as, and what did it establish?

National Labor Relations Act; set procedures for union elections and created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Which law, also called the Taft-Hartley Act, limits union power?

Labor Management Relations Act of 1947.

Primary requirement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)?

Employers must provide workplaces free from recognized hazards causing death or serious harm.

List three emerging legal issues in HRM.

Sexual harassment, substance (alcohol/drug) dependency, AIDS in the workplace.

What is job analysis?

A systematic process for collecting and recording information about jobs within an organization.

Differentiate a job description and a job specification.

Job description lists duties, conditions, tools, etc.; job specification lists the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

What is a replacement chart?

A tool showing each key managerial position, its current occupant, expected tenure, and potential successors.

Purpose of an employee information system (skills inventory)?

Stores data on employees’ education, skills, experience, and career goals to aid internal staffing.

Define internal recruiting and give one advantage.

Filling higher-level vacancies with current employees; it builds morale and lowers turnover.

What is the 'ripple effect' in internal recruiting?

Need to keep filling subsequent vacancies created when employees are promoted.

What is a Realistic Job Preview (RJP)?

A tool that gives applicants an accurate picture of what performing the job is really like.

What does validation measure in selection tools?

How well a selection device predicts future job performance.

Why must application blanks avoid non-job-related questions?

To prevent illegal discrimination and collect only relevant candidate data.

Which type of tests are typically the best predictors of job success?

Ability, skill, aptitude, or knowledge tests that are validated and consistently administered.

How can interview validity be improved?

Train interviewers and use structured, standardized interview formats.

What is an assessment center used for?

Evaluating current employees to select managers for promotion.

Name two other common selection screening techniques.

Polygraph tests, physical exams, drug tests, or credit checks.