Exam 11: Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees

Transferring an experienced worker to a new position at the same level within an organization can be an effective way to motivate the worker to remain with the company.

Part-time workers, seasonal workers and independent contractors are all examples of contingent workers.

In their efforts to accommodate disabled workers, most firms experience difficulties with cultural changes, more so than with structural changes.

Vestibule training attempts to precisely duplicate both the methods and conditions of a real world job.

Ben is a project manager for a large construction company. Each day his job requires him to prepare detailed reports of the progress of current projects assigned to him. Since this responsibility is something that Ben does on a regular basis, the HR professional for his company would list it as part of the for Ben's project management position.

Most management training programs include methods such as on-the-job coaching, understudy positions, and off-the-job courses and training.

The Administrative Assistant II position at Idle Time Gaming, Inc. performs word processing and spreadsheet development for two vice-presidents, and other secretarial duties as needed. Other job responsibilities include maintaining the office operations budget, receiving guests, and supervising two clerical positions. These tasks are part of the job description for this position.

Before American Road Builders, Inc., permits its new employees to operate the heavy equipment it uses to build roads, it sends them to a nearby classroom where they learn the safe and proper way to work with all of the tools and equipment they will use when they perform their jobs. American Road Builders is using a training technique known as:

The Creative Director at Image First Promotion Company got word yesterday that the firm lost the Hottie Potatee account. As its second best customer, the Director must quickly perform damage control and unfortunately dismiss two creative writers and one web development content provider. As he prepares to call each of them to his office and perform the dismissals, he decides to make one final call to the company HR manager to make certain that he is doing and saying the right things. The HR manager will disagree with which of the following statements?

Trial periods are an effective method of reducing the firm's turnover costs.

Janey worked in the student bookstore of a community college. The store was quite large and offered a variety of food items and paraphernalia besides books and school supplies. Although she liked the retail atmosphere, there was little opportunity for advancement because the three persons in management positions were doing well in their jobs and not planning to retire very soon. When the College opened a new branch, Janey seized the opportunity to be reassigned to the new location and manage the smaller operation. Her change was not a promotion, it was considered a(n) , however, it served to improve her morale because she was performing more tasks and had greater responsibility than at the previous bookstore.

Job simulation is used to train astronauts, airline pilots, and ship captains.

Steely Percussion Inc. briefly tried to implement a flextime system only to abandon it after a few months. Which of the following is the most likely reason Steely would drop its flextime plan?

Which of the following is a challenge that is facing the human resource managers of today?

The system is a pay system that is based on job tiers, with each tier having a strict pay range.

Today, human resource management is viewed as a clerical function of keeping personnel records and processing payroll.

Last year Adam lost his job as a skilled welder at an automobile assembly plant. After looking for work for several months, he finally accepted a job as an unskilled laborer at a local nursery. Although he is pleased to have work, Adam feels that his new job doesn't use his skills to their full potential. Adam is an example of an underemployed worker.

San Diego State University continues to serve its employees fatty meats and dairy products in its cafeteria and vending machines because it's cheaper; it does not want to promote one choice over another; and, it can convert any waste from these products to compost.

It is challenging for HR managers to deal with a declining economy that results in a short-term preference for part-time and/or temporary employees; and, a trend to outsource jobs, even though there are skilled employees who are willing to work.

Marketing manager Sam Woodall has worked for Family Care Pharmaceuticals for 36 years. He fondly remembers the "good old days" when he could fire a worker for just about any reason. He feels that today's laws and regulations limiting his ability to fire workers undermines his authority and forces him to keep employees that don't measure up to his standards. Sam's views suggest he would favor working in a state that implements the policy of "employment at will."