Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees

Practice questions covering Human Resource Management, including legal regulations, recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, and compensation.

What is Human Resource Management (HRM)?

The process of determining human resource needs and then recruiting, selecting, developing, motivating, evaluating, compensating, and scheduling employees to achieve organizational goals.

What does Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit?

Discrimination in hiring, firing, compensation, apprenticeships, training, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment based on race, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

What is the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as strengthened by the 1972 EEOA?

It has the power to issue workplace guidelines, mandate recordkeeping procedures, and enforce mandates and affirmative action.

How does the text define affirmative action?

Employment activities designed to “right past wrongs” by increasing opportunities for minorities and women.

What does the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) require of employers?

It requires employers to give applicants with physical or mental disabilities the same consideration for employment as people without disabilities.

Which age group is protected from workplace discrimination by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)?

Workers $40$ and over.

What are the five steps in the human resource planning process?

1. Preparing a human resource inventory of employees; 2. Preparing a job analysis; 3. Assessing future human resource demand; 4. Assessing future labor supply; 5. Establishing a strategic plan.

In a job analysis, what is the difference between a job description and job specifications?

A job description summarizes the objectives, duties, and responsibilities of a job, while job specifications summarize the minimum qualifications required of a person to do the job.

How is recruitment defined in the notes?

The set of activities used to obtain a sufficient number of the right people at the right time.

What are the six steps in the employee selection process?

1. Obtaining application forms; 2. Conducting interviews; 3. Giving employment tests; 4. Conducting background investigations; 5. Obtaining results from physical exams; 6. Establishing trial (probationary) periods.

What is a contingent worker?

A worker who does not have the expectation of regular, full-time employment, such as part-time, temporary, seasonal workers, independent contractors, interns, and co-op students.

What is the focus of training versus development?

Training focuses on short-term skills, while development focuses on long-term abilities.

What are the three steps of training and development?

1. Assessing organizational needs and employee skills; 2. Designing training activities; 3. Evaluating the training’s effectiveness.

What are mentors in the context of management development?

Experienced employees who supervise, coach, and guide lower-level employees by introducing them to the right people and acting as organizational sponsors.

What are the six steps of a performance appraisal?

1. Establishing performance standards; 2. Communicating those standards; 3. Evaluating performance; 4. Discussing results; 5. Taking corrective action; 6. Using results to make decisions.

According to the Hay method, how is pay determined?

It is based on job grades, each of which has a strict pay range.

What is the piecework system of compensation?

A wage system based on the number of items produced rather than by the hour or day.

What is the difference between skill-based pay and gain-sharing in team-based programs?

Skill-based pay increases as team members learn and apply new skills, while gain-sharing increases as performance improves compared to previous performance.

What are cafeteria-style fringe benefits?

A fringe benefit plan that allows employees to choose the benefits they want up to a certain dollar amount.

In a flextime plan, what is core time?

The period when all employees are expected to be at their job stations.

What is a compressed workweek?

An arrangement where an employee works the full number of hours but in fewer than the standard number of days.

What is “hot-desking”?

Sharing a desk with other employees who work at different times.

What are two benefits of job-sharing plans?

It provides employment opportunities for people who cannot work full-time and helps retain experienced employees who might otherwise have retired.

What is a 'golden handshake' in the context of employee retirement?

A one-time cash payment used in downsizing to encourage early retirement.

What is offboarding?

The process surrounding employee exits.