Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
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Instructor Manual
Chapter 9: Human Resources Management
Work Application Sample Answers
Most of the answers are actual student answers or based on student answers. You may give
these answers as part of your lecture before, after, or in place of getting student answers.
9-1. Describe the kinds of interactions you have had with the human resources
department of an organization you work for or have worked for.
When I applied for a summer job, I was a walk-in at the human resources department. I had a
9-2. Have you or has anyone you know been asked discriminatory questions during the
preemployment process? If yes, please explain the situation in language acceptable to
all.
9-3. Have you or has anyone you know been harassed at work? If yes, please explain the
situation in language acceptable to all.
9-4. Complete a job analysis for a job you hold or held; write a simple job description
and job specifications.
Job description: Cashier, customer service; reports to Gail Cyr, manager; responsible for
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9-5. For the job considered in Work Application 9-3, were you given a realistic job
preview? Explain.
Yes. When I was interviewed to work for McDonald’s, the manager told me that I would be
9-6. Identify the recruiting source used to hire you for your current job or one of your
previous jobs.
I was hired for my job at the bank through educational institution recruiting. The bank called
9-7. Identify which selection methods were used in the process of selecting you for a job
you have now or one you held in the past. If a test was used, specify the type of test.
For my co-op job at the bank, I had to fill out an application form. I went through a screening
9-8. What types of job interviews have you experienced?
When I went to the bank for a screening interview with a personnel specialist, I went through
9-9. Identify the types of questions you were asked during a job interview.
Closed-ended questions: Do you live in Springfield? Do you have a nursing license?
Do you have a valid driver’s license?
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Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
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9-10. Identify the steps that were used when you were interviewed for a job.
During my job interview, four of the five steps were followed:
Step 1. Open the interview. He opened the interview and developed rapport by talking
about the weather.
9-11. Recall an orientation you experienced. Which elements did it include and exclude?
Briefly describe the orientation.
One of my job orientations included all five elements. They told me about the firm and how it
9-12. Identify which steps of JIT your trainer used to train you for a present or past job.
Was the training conducted on or off the job?
My boss used steps 2 and 4 only. He showed me how to do the task and asked if I had any
9-13. Explain the training methods used to teach you how to perform your present job
or a past job.
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At my current job, the following methods were used:
9-14. Describe the compensation package offered by your present or past employer.
Review Question Answers
9-1. List the two major rules of thumb to follow during preemployment inquiries.
9-2. What is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)?
BFOQ is one that is reasonably necessary to normal operation of a particular organization.
9-3. What is a job analysis?
9-4. What are the types of internal recruiting?
9-5. What are the stages in developing employees?
The stages in developing employees include orientation, training and development, and
evaluation.
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Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
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9-6. What is the difference between training and development?
Training is the process of teaching employees the skills necessary to perform a job. Training
9-7. What is vestibule training?
9-8. How often should performance appraisals be conducted?
Performance appraisals should be an ongoing process, including both informal and formal
sessions.
9-9. How is compensation used to both attract and retain employees?
9-10. What types of organizations have labor relations?
Any organization that has a labor union has labor relations.
9-11. What is the difference between a mediator and an arbitrator?
A mediator is a neutral party who helps management and labor settle their disagreements. An
Communication Skills Answers
9-1. Why do you think that most organizations do not employ state-of-the-art HRM
practices?
9-2. What is your opinion of the use of BFOQs?
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Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
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9-3. What is your opinion of using promotions from within as a recruiting source?
9-4. Do you agree that the job interview should be the primary criterion for selection?
9-5. What is the most common problem to avoid during interviewing?
9-6. If you work as a manager for a company with a human resources department, does
this mean that you don’t have to orient and train employees? Explain.
9-7. What is your view of performance appraisals? How can they be improved?
9-8. What pay system do you prefer? Why is this your preference?
9-9. Why don’t most employees realize how expensive benefits are and how much they
contribute to compensation cost?
Both organizations and employees tend to take benefits for granted, and companies don’t tend
9-10. Are unions greedy because they expect workers to receive more than they are
worth, or is management greedy because it takes excessive salaries and gives too large a
share of the profits to the owners?
Applying the Concept Answers
Applying the Concept 9-1: Legal or Illegal Questions
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As stated in the text: Remember if the question is not relevant to the candidates’ ability to do
the job, it may be illegal and should not be asked.
1. How do you feel about unions?
1.
2. What is your age?
3. Did you ever get arrested for stealing on the job?
B. Illegal (cannot ask during preemployment). Students may say this question is tricky, and it
4. Do you own your own car?
B. Illegal (cannot ask during preemployment). In this context, it is not job relevant. However,
5. Tell me if you have any form of disability.
B. Illegal (cannot ask during preemployment). You can only ask this if there is anything that
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6. Do you belong to the Jewish Community Center, the Knights of Columbus (KofC), or
other similar organizations?
B. Illegal (cannot ask during preemployment). You cannot ask about membership in any non-
7. Do you have proof that you are legally eligible to work in the United States?
8. Can you speak any foreign languages?
A. Legal (can ask). It’s OK to ask what languages an applicant can speak, but not what
9. What is your marital status: single, married, or divorced?
10. I like children; do you have any?
B. Illegal (cannot ask during preemployment). This is a leading question that could be
11. I see that you are applying for a truck driver position with us at U.S. Freight
Delivery. Are you a member of the Teamsters?
12. What is your sexual orientation—straight or homosexual?
B. Illegal (cannot ask during preemployment). You cannot ask questions about the
13. How did you like your prior jobs? Did you file a lawsuit against an employer?
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14. Where do you live now, and how long have you resided there?
15. Have you ever tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease, HIV, or AIDS?
Applying the Concept 9-2: Sexual Harassment
Indicate which kind of behavior is described in each statement.
A. Sexual harassment: (1) quid pro quo or (2) hostile work environment
B. Not sexual harassment
16. Cindy tells her assistant Josel that if he goes to a motel with her, she will
recommended him for a promotion.
17. Marisol drops some cookie crumbs in Henry’s lap and immediately brushes them off
with her hand and gives his privates a gentle squeeze that causes him to jump up in
surprise.
A(2) Sexual harassment. Any touching of private areas is clearly sexual harassment the first
18. Sue and Karl both hung up pictures of nude men and women on the walls near their
desks, in view of other employees who walk by.
19. Billy Bob tells his coworker Jane an explicitly sexual joke, even though twice before
Jane said she doesn’t want to hear dirty jokes.
20. Kelly typically puts her hand on Tim’s shoulder as she talks to him, and Tim is
comfortable with it.
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B. Not sexual harassment. As long as both parties are comfortable with touching, it is not sexual
21. Adam, the supervisor of the production department, tells subordinate Carleen that
he thinks she is sexy and that he’d like to take her out.
B. Not sexual harassment. There is nothing illegal with asking for a date, unless the person has
Applying the Concept 9-3: Recruiting Sources
Select the major recruiting source(s) that should be used for each of the job openings
described.
A. Internal recruiting/mobility
B. Employee referrals
C. Walk-ins
D. Outside organizations
E. Agencies
F. Advertising/internet
22. “Shane, Robert is taking a three-week paternity leave, so please recruit a
replacement for him.”
23. “Wauneta, our first-line supervisor Henry is retiring in two months. What
recruiting method should we use to replace him?”
24. “Oh, by the way, Sonata, do you know anyone who could fill the administrative
assistant position in your department?”
25. “We need a new sales rep. Sales Manager Carlos likes to hire young people without
experience in order to train them to sell using our unique approach, so please recruit for
the position ASAP.”
26. “We need a person to perform routine cleaning services in a couple of weeks, but we
have no budget, Lee Ann. Can you please pick someone coming in looking for a job?”
C. Walk-ins. People coming in are walk-ins are a good source for unskilled labor.
27. “Hi, Lena. Please go online and see if you can get us some applications for the
software engineer job opening.”
Applying the Concept 9-4: Training Methods
To select the most appropriate training method for each situation, use the letters ranging from
A to J in Exhibit 9-7.
28. I’m delegating to you the task of calculating the company’s turnover rate last year
compared to the last five years, and I need your report tomorrow.
29. You need to train employees to cover for each other when they are not on the job
being absent or on vacation.
30. You want to conduct a diversity training program to improve the relationship
between diverse group members to better understand each other.
E. Role playing. To develop relationship there are only two options. Role playing or
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31. You will like the course because you get information on a company and do an
analysis to improve its performance by answering questions.
32. Now I’m going to show you how to run the machine.
33. The HR department needs to develop a method to developing interpersonal and
decision-making skills for managers all over the United States and three other
countries that allows them to get the training on their own whenever they can get it
done.
34. You will be running a company by filling out these forms and getting quarterly
results on your performance; the most important measure of success is stock price.
35. There has been a large increase in the number of employee complaints. You need to
develop a training program that will improve supervisors’ ability to resolve complaints.
F. Behavior modeling. With behavior modeling, trainees watch how to handle employee
36. Your company is growing fast and hiring lots of new employees who must learn
several rules and regulations before they can start their jobs.
B. Programmed learning. Programmed learning is appropriate when there is a large
37. You have new employees whom you must train to handle the typical daily tasks and
problems that may come up that they will have to handle on the job.
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Applying the Concept 9-5: Performance Appraisal Methods
Select the performance appraisal method (see Exhibit 9-9) that is most appropriate for the
given situation.
A. Critical incidents file
B. Management by objectives (MBO)
C. Narrative method
D. Behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS)
E. Rating scale
F. Ranking
38. Bonnie Sue is not performing up to standard level of production.
A. Critical incidents file. A critical incidents file is a record of positive and negative
39. Kasandra wants to use an assessment system for developing each employee.
B. MBO. MBO is the most individualized development method.
40. Managers and employees have complained that the one existing appraisal form does
not work well for different types of employee jobs. Usain has decided to hire an HRM
professional to develop a performance appraisal system that is more objective and job
specific, with forms for various employee groups.
41. Indra asked you for a letter of recommendation for a job she applied for at another
company.
42. Samantha started a small company and now has a dozen employees. She wants to
develop one performance appraisal form that you can use with all employees.
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43. John has been promoted from a supervisory position to a middle-management
position and needs to select his replacement.
F. Ranking. Ranking compares an employee to other employees. It is needed to determine who
Join the Discussion
Join the Discussion 9-1: Homeless Workers
Andre Jehan, Pizza Schmizza founder of the Northwest chain, has an unusual way of
recruiting and selecting workers. Homeless people are given pizza slices and soda and
sometimes a couple of dollars to carry a sign that reads “Pizza Schmizza paid me to hold this
1. Is Jehan exploiting the homeless?
2. Is it ethical and socially responsible to give homeless people food for carrying signs?
Join the Discussion 9-2: College Sports Agents
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) continues to penalize college sports
teams because their athletes receive cars, cash, clothing, and other gifts from sports agents.
NCAA rules allow agents to meet with college athletes. However, they forbid these students
from entering into contracts—including oral deals—with agents or accepting gift incentives to
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
1. Is it ethical and socially responsible for college athletes to accept gift incentives from
sports agents?
2. Do you think the NCAA should change its rules and allow college athletes to get paid?
Join the Discussion 9-3: Sweatshops
Nike and many other companies have been criticized for using contract manufacturing with
sweatshops that employ workers for very low wages and in poor working conditions. In many
countries where much of today’s manufacturing takes place, there are few or no health and
safety regulations. Some employees get hurt and die on the job. People complain that the U.S.
is losing jobs overseas to companies that are exploiting people.
However, others argue that most Americans don’t want these jobs and that U.S.
companies are helping people in other countries by giving them jobs. Thus, these companies
are raising the standard of living in other countries and keeping prices down at home.
1. In your opinion, are companies that hire sweatshop workers helping these workers or
exploiting them?
2. Should a global company compensate all employees at the same rates, or should
compensation be based on the cost of doing business and the cost of living in a given
country?
3. Is it possible for a company to apply the same health and safety standards that it
follows in the United States to its operations in other countries and still compete
globally with companies that don’t apply such standards?
4. Is it ethical and socially responsible to contract work with sweatshops?
5. What, if anything, should be done about sweatshops?