Payroll, benefits administration, and applicant tracking are common uses for a firm’s
HRIS.
The primary purpose of the ADA was to implement a national workers’ compensation
law.
Coaching and mentoring are different terms for the same type of career development
activity.
Malaysia, Mexico, and the Philippines are examples of countries that highly value
egalitarianism and participation in decision making.
A disabled individual has either experienced environmental disadvantages or has a
physical impairment that limits one or more major life activities.
Orientation involves informing new employees about job expectations and is intended
to reduce employee stress.
A protected class is any group of people who suffered discrimination in the past, such as
Asian-Americans, African-Americans, and women.
It is not uncommon for a supervisor to miss an employee’s alcoholism because it is
masked by other performance issues, such as poor attendance or poor job performance.
Under OSHA, firms are encouraged but not required to comply with employee requests
for information on safety and health hazards.
The first step in the use of an EAP is to problem solve with employees and help them
see their need to use the EAP.
Job aids and performance support systems help employees recall information learned
through training.
A common management practice that employees appeal is the allocation of overtime.
Organizations that offer tuition assistance programs hope to reduce turnover and
encourage employee loyalty.
Generally speaking, unions prefer employers who offer defined contribution benefit
plans.
Additional Case 5.1
About a year ago, Powley Publishing began looking for a new managing editor for its
home and garden magazine. The previous editor retired after 25 years on the job. The
editors and the HR department debated about the key requirements for a new managing
editor. Some felt it was knowledge of the business, others thought it was interpersonal
skills. A few others believed it was the ability to attract writing talent and subscribers.
Finally, it was decided that HR would screen candidates, and the editors would
interview finalists in conjunction with HR. The HR director would make the final
choice to avoid competition among the editors.
Advertisements were placed nationally. A number of candidates were tested and
interviewed by the HR manager, and references were checked. After a long search, a
new managing editor, Jeff, was hired, but it quickly became apparent that a poor
selection had been made. Although Jeff was competent, his overbearing management
style drove two talented editors to leave for jobs with competitors. Jeff fulfilled all tasks
of the position except soliciting writers and subscribers. In addition, Jeff offered no
ideas or direction about increasing circulation. After 10 months, the publisher let Jeff go
and began looking for a new managing editor.
This time, the firm wants to find someone who is willing to tackle all tasks of the
position and who has the right skills and personality mix. The firm wants someone who
can start quickly and doesn’t require significant training. The ability to innovate is less
critical than the motivation to work hard. Recruiting funds are very limited.
Refer to Additional Case 5.1. Based on Jeff’s performance, it is most likely that the
employer failed to properly assess Jeff’s:
A) abilities.
B) cognitive skills.
C) general knowledge of the publishing business.
D) motivation for doing the job for which he was hired.
Firms are increasingly introducing family-friendly programs to:
A) comply with federal EEO legislation.
B) hire and retain the best workers.
C) provide essential training.
D) gain tax benefits.
Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with virtual teams?
A) Communication difficulties
B) Cultural misunderstandings
C) High costs of technology and travel
D) Lack of trust between team members
Many profitable American companies eliminate jobs every year. This trend can most
likely be attributed to which of the following factors?
A) Decreasing benefits costs
B) Decreasing retirement age
C) Increasing corporate competition
D) Increasing union membership
Due to the increasing work pace and burnout in the United States, more workers are
dealing with stress. According to your text, an increasing number of firms are choosing
to:
A) provide employees with stress-control programs.
B) require employees to take longer breaks during the work day.
C) encourage telecommuting, job sharing, and employment sabbaticals.
D) inform potential employees of this challenge during the interviewing process.
Once it has been reported that a firm has violated OSHA standards, the firm’s stock
prices typically:
A) remain the same.
B) suffer long-term effects.
C) drop for several days.
D) increase in the short-term.
In order for a company to hold a union certification election, the National Labor
Relations Board requires a union to show that at least ________ of a company’s
employees want to be represented by a given union.
A) 25%
B) 30%
C) 35%
D) 40%
The MAA gives the highest possible points to which compensable factor?
A) Problem solving
B) Accountability
C) Experience
D) Skill
In regards to pay-for-performance programs, which of the following is most likely
characteristic of small firms than large firms?
A) Conflicts about pay differences are minimal because of close co-worker
relationships.
B) Linking pay incentives to team performance is easier at small firms than large ones.
C) Small firms lack personnel able to design and administer complex incentive plans.
D) Clearly established grievance procedures allow employees to address unfair pay.
Which of the following countries is NOT included in NAFTA?
A) China
B) Canada
C) Mexico
D) United States
Teleconferencing is best described as:
A) an inexpensive option for most start-up companies.
B) an audio-only communication channel.
C) readily available electronic communication.
D) an audio-visual communication channel.
Karen, president of a small restaurant chain, would like to centralize compensation
decisions. She asks you about the pitfalls of such a move, and you should most likely
respond that:
A) internal equity would not be maintained.
B) it is likely that the company will not be able to defend itself legally.
C) external equity is difficult to maintain.
D) it is only beneficial during great economic prosperity.
Nearly ________ of Fortune 500 companies use EAPs.
A) 35%
B) 50%
C) 75%
D) 90%
Marcus is trying to encourage his employees to think and plan for their future careers.
He’s concerned, however, that he might create or feed unrealistic expectations. Marcus
is most likely trying to answer which of the following questions?
A) How much career emphasis is enough?
B) Who’s responsible for career development?
C) How does one meet the needs of a diverse workforce?
D) Whose goals should be met, those of the organization or the individual?
A career development technique that especially helps small business owners, women,
and minorities is:
A) retraining.
B) job rotation.
C) self assessment.
D) group mentoring.
Reverse discrimination involves discrimination against:
A) nonprotected class members.
B) disabled individuals
C) protected class members
D) women.
How can a firm maintain the morale of employees who survive a layoff? How can
outplacement services improve the morale and self-esteem of displaced workers?
A(n) ________ is the systematic process of collecting information used to make
decisions about jobs.
________ is a government program that provides income for retirees, the disabled, and
survivors of deceased workers, and health care for the aged through the Medicare
program.
Job duties that each person in a certain position must do or must be able to do to be an
effective employee are referred to as ________.
________ is equal and fair application of a policy or law.