Human Resource Management, 14e, Global Edition (Dessler)
Chapter 10 Employee Retention, Engagement, and Careers
1) Which of the following terms refers to educating, instructing, and training subordinates?
A) mentoring
B) coaching
C) appraising
D) grading
2) The rate at which employees leave a firm is best known as ________.
A) downsizing
B) retirement
C) turnover
D) retention
3) Which of the following industries has one of the highest turnover rates?
A) food services
B) financial services
C) healthcare services
D) educational services
4) As an employer, what is the primary benefit of cutting a high turnover rate?
A) selling stock
B) saving money
C) attracting applicants
D) meeting legal obligations
5) Which term refers to actions intended to place physical or psychological distance between
employees and their work environments?
A) employee disengagement
B) workplace separation
C) job withdrawal
D) attrition
6) Which of the following best describes the purpose of the 9-box matrix method?
A) selecting new employees
B) identifying effective coaches
C) assessing promotion potential
D) analyzing employee engagement
7) Robin, the HR manager at Rightway Enterprises, believes that job withdrawal has become a
significant problem at the firm. Robin most likely came to this conclusion after observing all of
the following employee behaviors EXCEPT ________.
A) frequent vacation time requests
B) idle employee conversations
C) undeserved work breaks
D) excessive absences
8) Which of the following would most likely reduce voluntary turnover?
A) performance appraisal systems
B) high unemployment rates
C) numerous job opportunities
D) downsizing requirements
9) What is the first step in retaining employees?
A) providing employees with proper training
B) discussing career plans with workers
C) selecting the right workers
D) identifying worker goals
10) According to surveys, high levels of employee engagement are LEAST frequently associated
with ________.
A) fewer repeat customers
B) higher performance levels
C) lower turnover rates
D) better corporate earnings
11) According to research cited in the text, what is the primary reason that top-performing/high
commitment employees gave for voluntarily leaving an organization?
A) career development
B) work-life balance
C) promotions
D) salary
12) What is one of the results of IBM’s on-demand staffing strategy?
A) increased resignations
B) expanded market share
C) increased telecommuting
D) improved employee retention
13) Apex Carpet has a very high voluntary turnover rate, which executives at the firm want
reduced. What is the most effective way to retain top-performing employees at Apex?
A) conducting more performance reviews
B) developing new recruitment strategies
C) establishing a talent management program
D) revising the organization’s mission statement
14) Apex Carpet has a very high voluntary turnover rate, which executives at the firm want
reduced. Which of the following should Apex most likely do first in its attempt to retain top-
performing employees?
A) administer attitude surveys to all employees
B) provide an across-the-board wage increase
C) evaluate the firm’s promotion methods
D) develop online training courses
15) According to a TowersPerrin study, which of the following managerial actions would most
likely foster employee engagement?
A) offering improved benefits packages
B) conducting regular performance appraisals
C) linking employee efforts to company goals
D) providing online training sessions to new hires
16) Which of the following statements most likely suggests that an employee is engaged?
A) “I work with intensity.”
B) “I take frequent breaks.”
C) “I daydream at my desk.”
D) “I enjoy talking to co-workers.”
17) The process of advising, counseling, and guiding employees is known as ________.
A) coaching
B) appraising
C) assessing
D) mentoring
18) ________ focuses on helping an employee make long-term career plans, while ________
addresses an employee’s short-term job skills.
A) Mentoring; coaching
B) Coaching; mentoring
C) Recruiting; coaching
D) Appraising; training
19) You have been assigned to coach an employee who is struggling with work assignments.
Which of the following steps should you most likely complete first?
A) reach agreement with the employee on a plan
B) ask the employee open-ended questions
C) offer ideas and advice to the employee
D) observe the employee on the job
20) Dick’s Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After
beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick’s has grown to become a leader in the
sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick’s in areas as
diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at
Dick’s realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has
decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees’ career needs.
Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that Dick’s should assign a
coach to each new employee?
A) The turnover rate of newly hired hourly employees at Dick’s Sporting Goods is higher than
the industry average.
B) Many new employees at Dick’s Sporting Goods have expressed interest in the firm’s tuition
reimbursement program.
C) Dick’s Sporting Goods has integrated preretirement counseling and succession planning into
its career management practices.
D) Dick’s Sporting Goods uses talent management software to place new employees in the most
appropriate positions.
21) Tom, who has recently been assigned to coach a new employee, completed a self-evaluation
of his coaching skills. Which of the following actions does NOT indicate that Tom is an effective
coach?
A) paraphrasing information during a discussion
B) focusing only on short-term skills
C) asking closed-ended questions
D) providing general feedback
22) ________ is a process for enabling employees to better understand and develop their career
skills and interests and to use these skills and interests most effectively within the company and
afterwards.
A) Career management
B) Career development
C) Career planning
D) Performance management
23) Which of the following terms refers to the lifelong series of activities that contribute to a
person’s career exploration, establishment, success, and fulfillment?
A) performance management
B) career development
C) career management
D) career planning
24) Which of the following is a specific example of a career development activity?
A) job evaluation
B) training workshop
C) college recruitment
D) performance appraisal
25) Which of the following best describes career planning?
A) a deliberate process through which someone becomes aware of personal skills, interests,
knowledge, and motivations and establishes action plans to attain specific career goals
B) the lifelong series of activities that contribute to a person’s career exploration, establishment,
success, and fulfillment
C) a process of helping employees to better understand and develop their career skills and
interests and to use these skills and interests most effectively
D) the process of educating, instructing, and training subordinates as they develop their career
interests and job skills
26) Jackie is working with a coach to identify her personal skills and interests. Afterwards, she
will investigate opportunities that fit her skills and interests and set specific career goals. In
which of the following activities is Jackie most likely participating?
A) career management
B) career development
C) career planning
D) job training
27) Employers benefit from offering career development programs to employees in all of the
following ways EXCEPT ________.
A) supporting recruitment efforts
B) boosting employee commitment
C) enhancing employee strengths
D) facilitating performance analysis
28) Retaining employees is a ________ issue and the best retention strategies are therefore
multifunctional.
A) talent management
B) career management
C) strategic management
D) human resources management
29) Dick’s Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After
beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick’s has grown to become a leader in the
sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick’s in areas as
diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at
Dick’s realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has
decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees’ career needs.
Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that Dick’s should add a career
development aspect to its human resource activities?
A) Dick’s Sporting Goods’ current policies and practices categorize the firm as a high-
performance work system.
B) Dick’s Sporting Goods’ performance appraisals will include development plans and individual
goal setting.
C) Dick’s Sporting Goods’ sales volume and hourly employee needs typically fluctuate
throughout the year.
D) Dick’s Sporting Goods’ will screen potential candidates using structured situational
interviews.
30) Dick’s Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After
beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick’s has grown to become a leader in the
sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick’s in areas as
diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at
Dick’s realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has
decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees’ career needs.
All of the following questions are relevant to Dick’s Sporting Goods’ decision to implement a
career development program EXCEPT ________.
A) What is the average length of time that an employee works for Dick’s Sporting Goods?
B) How would the profits of Dick’s Sporting Goods be affected by a change in hiring practices?
C) What are the career needs and opportunities available to minorities and women employed by
Dick’s Sporting Goods?
D) What will be the effect on recruiting and placement if employees’ interests and attitudes are
taken into consideration by the HR department at Dick’s Sporting Goods?
31) In regards to an employee’s career development, it is the primary responsibility of the
________ to make career plans, set goals, and utilize development opportunities.
A) employer
B) employee
C) recruiter
D) HR manager
32) All of the following are the role of the employer in an employee’s career development
EXCEPT ________.
A) communicating policies and procedures
B) analyzing interests, values, and skills
C) providing performance feedback
D) offering a variety of career paths
33) Which of the following is primarily the role of the manager in an employee’s career
development?
A) providing career information
B) seeking development opportunities
C) providing academic assistance programs
D) providing accurate performance feedback
34) Orion Enterprises wants to provide employees with a Web-based library of career
development materials, as well as individual career coaches and career workshops. Which term
best describes the program that Orion plans to offer?
A) career organization
B) vocational training
C) work sampling
D) career center
35) Which of the following is the organization’s role in an employee’s career development?
A) providing mentoring opportunities to support growth
B) participating in career development discussions
C) providing timely performance feedback
D) establishing goals and career plans
36) Which of the following refers to an organized learning event in which participants conduct
self-assessments, set goals, and develop action plans?
A) competency-based job analysis
B) career planning workshop
C) job instruction training
D) management retreat
37) All of the following are types of career development initiatives implemented by employers
EXCEPT ________.
A) 401(k) plans
B) career coaches
C) appraisal committees
D) orientation programs
38) All of the following are typical activities of career coaches EXCEPT helping employees to
________.
A) make 1-5 year career plans
B) identify development needs
C) obtain networking opportunities
D) negotiate with firms for higher salaries
39) Which of the following would most likely increase employee commitment?
A) document the psychological contract
B) create Web-based efficiency programs
C) establish a career development program
D) promise lifetime employment to managers
40) What is most likely the best tool managers can use to support employees’ career development
needs?
A) orientation sessions
B) career-oriented appraisals
C) interest inventories
D) graphic-rating scales
41) Miranda wants to make partner at her law firm. However, she is worried because 70-hour
work weeks are the norm for someone striving to make partner. Miranda wants to be fair to her
family as well as excel at work. The best way for the law firm to address this problem is by
________.
A) providing Miranda with a female career coach
B) persuading Miranda to temporarily work in a less competitive law firm
C) offering a flexible career track that allows Miranda to periodically reduce her work load
D) providing a career planning workshop to help Miranda determine a more appropriate
occupation
42) Chelsea Bank employs a diverse group of employees, and the firm wants all of its workers to
have equal career advancement opportunities. Which of the following most likely undermines
Chelsea Bank’s attempt to meet the career development needs of its diverse workforce?
A) scheduling meetings at flexible times such as in the early morning or late evening
B) offering career advancement seminars for women and minorities
C) identifying mentors for women and minorities
D) adopting flexible year-round work schedules
43) Smith Industries has established a career development program for its employees that offers
career coaching and workshops. However, a recent employee survey indicates that many women
still feel dissatisfied about their career opportunities at the firm. Which of the following would
most likely improve the attitudes of female employees at Smith Industries?
A) Smith installs an electronic performance support system for telecommuters.
B) Smith provides hardship allowances to all minority employees.
C) Smith increases the number of performance appraisals.
D) Smith implements a flexible career track system.
44) Which of the following best explains the meaning of the term “glass ceiling”?
A) formal corporate policies that prevent women from receiving the training needed to advance
their careers
B) spoken opinions by corporate leaders that women lack the knowledge and skills required for
career advancement
C) structural yet subtle barriers in corporate environments that inhibit the rise of talented women
to leadership positions
D) inadequate educational opportunities which ultimately limit the network opportunities
available to women in the workforce
45) Frank is a manager at a firm that does not have a career development program, but he wants
to support the career development needs of his subordinates. All of the following are ways that
Frank can support the career needs of his employees EXCEPT ________.
A) offering employees training opportunities
B) providing employee orientation to new hires
C) using high-performance work system methods
D) discussing career goals during regular performance appraisals