Deck 10: Managing Human Resources

Question 1

The cost of hiring from external sources is less expensive than promoting from within.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Conferences, case studies, and web-based training are all part of on-the-job-training.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

When managers speak of diverse workforces, they typically mean differences in skill and knowledge.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Some companies refer to human resources management as

A) human relations.
B) affirmative action.
C) employee regulation.
D) personnel management.
E) resource allocation.

Question 5

All of the following are reasons human resources management has increased in importance over the past few decades EXCEPT

A) today's employees are only concerned with what a job pays and show little concern for other aspects of the job.
B) managers have developed a better understanding of human relations through the work of Maslow, Herzberg, and others.
C) how employees are treated is important to consumers.
D) the human resources themselves are changing.
E) today's workforce includes significantly more women, African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities.

Question 6

Nadene is a human resources manager at a large legal services company. She must decide how many new employees her company will need to fill vacant positions in the near future. In this scenario, Nadene is engaging in

A) recruiting.
B) planning.
C) training.
D) selling.
E) compensating.

Question 7

LiMing was recently laid off from her job, and she is using job search websites to find a new job. When she finds a job title that looks interesting, she can click on it to read an overview of the job's tasks, relationships with other jobs, the physical and mental skills required, duties, responsibilities, and working conditions. If this job ________ looks like something she wants to do, she can submit an application.

A) appraisal
B) portfolio
C) description
D) analysis
E) specification

Question 8

Smith, Jones, and Johnson, a law firm, is looking to hire a lawyer, so it posts the job in several legal publications. In its ad, the company requests applicants who have completed law school and passed the bar examination, have courtroom experience, and are confident and hardworking. This describes

A) job evaluation details.
B) a job specification.
C) a job analysis.
D) a job description.
E) job assessment details.

Question 9

Laser Corp. needs to hire three new employees. It wants to select people from a pool of qualified applicants. What is the process of forming this pool of applicants?

A) planning
B) formation
C) assessment
D) appraisal
E) recruitment

Question 10

Heidi manages a hair salon, and she is looking for a new head stylist to lead her team of hairdressers. She posts an ad on several job websites and uses those websites, along with LinkedIn, to look for qualified candidates. She also watches her employees work to see if any of them exhibit the skills she is looking for in a head stylist. Once she receives a few applications, finds a few qualified candidates, and determines that one of her employees might be a good fit, she sets up interviews with these potential candidates to decide who to hire. Which human resources activity does this scenario describe?

A) selecting
B) testing
C) recruiting
D) interviewing
E) job analysis

Question 11

Why do many firms have a policy of giving first consideration to their own employees?

A) Current employees do not require any training at all.
B) Current employees do not require pay hikes.
C) The process of hiring current employees reduces instances of jealousy among the rest of the workforce.
D) The practice of hiring current employees promotes diversity in the workforce.
E) The cost of hiring current employees to fill job openings is inexpensive.

Question 12

Marlene has been an editorial assistant at a small trade publisher for two years. When an associate editor position opens up on her team, she applies for the position and gets it. What is one issue the company will have as a result of promoting Marlene into this new position?

A) The company will have to deal with the higher costs of hiring a current employee to fill this new position.
B) The company will have to deal with lowered employee morale among the other editorial assistants.
C) The company will have to train Marlene on the company processes more than they would have to train a more qualified external candidate.
D) The company will be forced to create more associate editor openings to motivate the remaining editorial assistants.
E) The company will have to fill Marlene's vacant editorial assistant position.

Question 13

Executive Search, an HR consultancy firm, specializes in luring qualified people away from other companies. Many companies hire Executive Search to fill their managerial or professional positions above the entry level. On the basis of this information, Executive Search is included in the category of

A) headhunters.
B) arbitrators.
C) limited liability companies.
D) partnerships.
E) collective bargaining firms.

Question 14

Lately, Ron's Right Renovations has been receiving numerous requests to tile customers' kitchens and bathrooms. However, none of the contractors who work for this company specialize in tiling. The owner, Ron, starts recruiting for a tiling expert. Why does Ron decide to hire an external candidate instead of hiring from within?

A) It is less expensive to hire external candidates than internal candidates.
B) He would have to pay for one of his contractors to go back to school to learn this new skill.
C) If he hires an external candidate, it will boost employee morale.
D) There are better-qualified people outside of the organization.
E) His employees will be relieved that they don't have to learn a new skill, which will increase their productivity.

Question 15

George is the fire chief in a small town. He is looking for a new assistant chief, and he already has three candidates to consider. He is in the process of carefully considering their applications, conducting interviews, administering performance tests, and checking their references. What is this process called?

A) recruiting
B) development
C) promotion
D) headhunting
E) selection

Question 16

A publishing house is in the process of selecting a new editor from a pool of potential candidates. All of the following would be part of this selection process EXCEPT

A) posting an ad for the position on publishing career websites.
B) reading the applications to get acquainted with the applicants and to weed out unqualified candidates.
C) interviewing the applicants to obtain information about their publishing experience and skills, reasons for changing jobs, attitudes toward the job, and an idea of whether they would fit in with the company.
D) asking applicants to complete a sample project to demonstrate their content development and project management abilities.
E) checking the applicants' references to verify educational background and previous work experience.

Question 17

Jerome has been working as a marketing manager for the last seven years. He decides to move to be closer to his family, so he is looking for a new job. When filling out an online application for a new marketing job, what information might he be asked to provide?

A) private information about himself
B) his IQ
C) a screenshot of his Facebook account
D) his current salary
E) the sales numbers from his previous company

Question 18

Tabitha applies for a sales position at a china and stemware company and gets invited to an in-person interview. All of the following are questions she can expect to be asked during the interview EXCEPT

A) Why should I hire you?
B) Describe your dream job.
C) What is your biggest weakness?
D) Tell me about yourself.
E) Are you married or in a relationship?

Question 19

Jayla recently interviewed for a receptionist position at a physician's office. The interview went well, and now, the human resources manager asks her to complete the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test. Why does the human resources manager ask Jayla to complete this test?

A) to determine how important compensation is to her
B) to ensure that she was honest in her application
C) to determine how she uses social media
D) to determine her attitude about her previous company
E) to assess her ability to fit into the organization's culture

Question 20

Camila just completed graduate school, earning a master's degree in publishing and writing. She interviews for an editorial assistant position at a small publishing house, and the human resources manager gives Camila a copyediting test to complete. A reason the human resources manager gives Camila this ability test is to

A) determine whether she has the skills necessary for the job.
B) assess her potential for a certain kind of work.
C) assess her ability to fit into the organization's culture.
D) determine her level of honesty.
E) determine her ability to meet deadlines.

Question 21

Derek is a human resources manager. He is considering applicants for an open position and has narrowed it down to the two strongest applicants. To help him decide which applicant to choose, he calls their references to verify their educational backgrounds and previous work experiences. Derek knows it is important to check the applicants' references because research has shown that those who are willing to exaggerate or lie on their resumes are more likely to

A) be disruptive in the workplace.
B) engage in unethical behavior.
C) undermine the efforts of other employees.
D) perform at a substandard level.
E) be disengaged with the job and with co-workers.

Question 22

Oscar owns an auto repair shop, which he has run for 40 years. Although he has hired some younger mechanics, he prefers hiring older mechanics because he finds that they

A) see Oscar as a role model.
B) are easier to train on new skills.
C) don't need to communicate with him as often.
D) take pride in their work.
E) bring skills that are well worth their higher labor cost.

Question 23

Martina arrives for her first day at a new job. The hiring manager, Francisco, takes her on a tour of the building, introducing her to her new co-workers and showing her where the kitchen, meeting rooms, and her cubicle are located. After the tour, Francisco leaves Martina in her cubicle with the company's employee handbook, so she can read about the organization's policies and benefits. All these activities are part of

A) development.
B) reference checking.
C) orientation.
D) training.
E) testing.

Question 24

Cakes and More, a popular bakery, allows its new employees to learn the processes for making its bakery goods by actually working on customer orders. The training process at Cakes and More best exemplifies

A) classroom training.
B) on-the-job training.
C) simulation training.
D) game learning.
E) virtual learning.

Question 25

Health Beat, a chain of healthcare providers, sends its employees who are interested in learning about hospital management to some of the leading institutes in the nation where they attend lectures and conferences. The training process at Health Beat best exemplifies

A) classroom training.
B) on-the-job training.
C) simulation training.
D) skills training.
E) virtual learning.

Question 26

Even though Dr. Smith has hired a qualified, educated dental assistant, he still must make sure she knows how to do the specific job tasks he requires and how to operate the dental equipment correctly. This process would take place during

A) selection.
B) training.
C) recruitment.
D) job assessment.
E) job analysis.

Question 27

Seaside Sporting Goods Store has recently hired several new employees who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities the company needs. Why is it still important that these new employees undergo training?

A) to teach them the company's trade secrets
B) to see how they work with others
C) to meet state-mandated training requirements
D) to ensure that they didn't lie about their knowledge, skills, and abilities
E) to teach them how to do their specific job tasks

Question 28

Luis has worked at Mel's auto shop for five years. He has been asked by Mel to train, support, and guide Tim-a new employee. In this way, Luis will be taking on the role of a(n)

A) developer.
B) orienteer.
C) mentor.
D) boss.
E) mediator.

Question 29

Raphael has recently started working at an investment banking firm. To get him up and running quickly, the firm pairs him with an experienced investment banker to offer him support, training, and guidance as he learns the tasks of his new job. This is an example of

A) development.
B) orientation.
C) mentoring.
D) web-based training.
E) case study training.

Question 30

A mentor can be described as

A) an experienced employee who supports, trains, and guides a new employee.
B) someone who teaches employees with lectures, conferences, videos, case studies, and web-based training.
C) a human resource professional whose job it is to develop training manuals.
D) a supervisor in charge of disseminating tasks to employees.
E) an applicant for a job who has yet to be tested, trained, or certified.

Question 31

What increasingly popular method of providing training and development may include the use of role-plays and simulations?

A) experiential and involvement-oriented training exercises
B) classroom training activities
C) on-the-job training activities
D) mentoring
E) distributing organizational manuals

Question 32

Jamie is an employee at a research lab. In an effort to improve his managerial skills and prepare him for a promotion, his company sends him on a series of experiential management training exercises at the company's expense. By helping him increase his knowledge, Jamie's company is focusing on

A) development.
B) orientation.
C) testing.
D) grade assignment.
E) performance appraisal.

Question 33

A performance appraisal that is not tied to any quantifiable measure is considered to be

A) a subjective assessment.
B) an objective assessment.
C) an unreliable assessment.
D) a more accurate assessment.
E) an employee-friendly assessment.

Question 34

The use of which type of assessment criteria has triggered lawsuits by employees?

A) objective measures
B) quantifiable measures
C) personality testing measures
D) ranking and grading measures
E) performance output measures

Question 35

Which scenario is an example of an objective assessment of employee performance?

A) Lorelle, a media producer, is judged by the quality of the videos and simulations she produces.
B) Blake, a car salesman, is judged by the number of cars he has sold.
C) Maria, a teacher, is judged by her ability to identify and correct problems in her classroom.
D) Alfonso, an architect, is judged by the creativity of his designs.
E) Trisha, a software engineer, is judged by her ability to collaborate with her co-workers.

Question 36

Logan is a barista at a coffee shop. His manager notices that he has been showing up late for work, getting coffee orders wrong, and being rude to customers. What should his manager do to help Logan improve his work?

A) give Logan negative feedback, so he knows what he is doing wrong and can correct it
B) refrain from discussing Logan's issues with him to avoid harming his confidence
C) give Logan positive feedback to motivate him to improve his work
D) ask Logan's peers to talk to him about his issues because peer appraisal causes less tension than managerial appraisal
E) give Logan constructive criticism, so he knows what to expect and how he is viewed

Question 37

What is a side effect of employee turnover due to employees quitting or being fired?

A) an increase in recruitment costs
B) an increase in worker satisfaction
C) an increase in productivity
D) an increase in employee morale
E) an increase in constructive criticism

Question 38

When an employee moves to a new job that involves more responsibility and an increase in compensation, this transition would typically be considered a(n)

A) transfer.
B) conciliation.
C) separation.
D) arbitration.
E) promotion.

Question 39

Angelo was recently moved to a new position in his company that involved learning new skills and undertaking work assignments. However, he received no salary raise. Angelo's change in position can best be described as a(n)

A) promotion.
B) rotation.
C) separation.
D) arbitration.
E) transfer.

Question 40

Samantha was terminated from her job because she was repeatedly late to work. She impacts her company's turnover rates through

A) conciliation.
B) demotion.
C) transfer.
D) separation.
E) arbitration.

Question 41

What should managers do to avoid lawsuits from individuals who feel they have been fired unfairly?

A) avoid giving reasons for any firing
B) document all problems and warnings in the employee's work records
C) refrain from telling employees when their performance is unacceptable and may lead to dismissal
D) avoid putting the reason for firing in writing
E) avoid any and all communication with the employee

Question 42

Recently, Bella's company has downsized, laying off several employees. After the layoffs, Bella's workload increased, but her compensation stayed the same. As a result, she decides to leave the company. On her last day, the human resources manager schedules a meeting with Bella to determine why she is leaving the organization. This meeting is called a(n)

A) work evaluation.
B) performance appraisal.
C) exit appraisal.
D) concluding appraisal.
E) exit interview.

Question 43

Trevor and Matt both work as farmhands and perform the exact same job tasks. Although they work on different farms, when comparing their wages, they determine that Matt makes $15 per hour, while Trevor only makes $12 per hour. What is most likely the reason for this difference in wages?

A) The compensation for Trevor's job category is lower than that of Matt.
B) Trevor is older and more experienced than Matt.
C) Trevor's employer has less money than Matt's employer.
D) Matt is more productive than Trevor.
E) Matt has been more proactive about asking for a raise than Trevor.

Question 44

What is a major advantage of piece wages?

A) They motivate employees to increase output.
B) They stress improving quality of products at the expense of quantity.
C) They are directly associated with an employee's self-actualization needs.
D) They are easy to compute as they remain fixed for every employee.
E) They require a manager to supervise the work of subordinates.

Question 45

Which person is most likely compensated through a salary?

A) Lois, who works the night shift at a customer service call center.
B) Travis, who is a salesman for an auto dealership.
C) Lester, who works as a hospital administrator.
D) Mary, who works as a clerk in a retail store.
E) Tony, who works on a factory assembly line.

Question 46

Alan works as a news anchor for a television network. In addition to his regular pay, at the end of each year, his company pays him and his co-workers additional compensation as a "thank you" for good work. This monetary reward would most likely be categorized as a

A) wage.
B) commission.
C) salary.
D) benefit.
E) bonus.

Question 47

Isaac works for a paper products company that provides sick leave, vacation pay, pension plans, health plans, and other forms of extra compensation. These particular items are

A) soft benefits.
B) bonuses.
C) commissions.
D) fringe benefits.
E) diversity plans.

Question 48

Abigail works for a large architectural firm that employs many different types of employees. As a result, her company provides a financial amount to employees so they can select the specific benefits that fit their needs. This company uses

A) soft benefits.
B) fringe benefits.
C) an employee assistance program.
D) a cafeteria benefit plan.
E) a standard benefit plan.

Question 49

Ritesh works in a factory that produces machine parts. He feels that he deserves better pay, hours, and working conditions. Although he has talked to management several times about these items, they still have not made any improvements. He decides to join his co-workers in a(n) ________, so they can hire specialists to represent them in their dealings with management.

A) collective
B) labor union
C) bargaining unit
D) co-op
E) affirmative action group

Question 50

The purpose of a labor union is to

A) reduce the number of complaints filed by employees.
B) help its members to deal with management on an individual basis.
C) replace an organization's human resource department.
D) help its members achieve better pay, hours, and working conditions.
E) help white-collar workers achieve better working conditions.

Question 51

A labor union would most likely be expected or required to accept givebacks

A) when an organization is filing for bankruptcy.
B) during tough economic times.
C) when a company is fighting to eliminate the labor union.
D) when cost-of-living adjustments do not meet workers' demands.
E) at the beginning of labor negotiations.

Question 52

The objective of collective bargaining negotiations is for labor and management to come to an agreement on

A) a labor contract.
B) the use of a mediator.
C) the use of an arbitrator.
D) the amount of givebacks required.
E) issues to be brought to the legislature.

Question 53

Jason works at a bottling plant for a soft drink company. He is part of a labor union, along with his co-workers. After the plant's management and the labor union fail to agree on contract terms, the union uses picketing and advertising to ask its members and the public not to buy the company's products. This scenario best describes

A) a boycott.
B) a strike.
C) collective bargaining.
D) a giveback.
E) a lockout.

Question 54

Management's version of a strike is called a

A) giveback.
B) boycott.
C) lockout.
D) picket.
E) separation.

Question 55

Andre manages a toy packaging factory. After failed negotiations between Andre and the labor union, the union members strike, partially shutting down the factory. In response, Andre shuts down the factory completely, restricting all his employees from coming to work. This situation best represents a(n)

A) injunction.
B) embargo.
C) boycott.
D) lockout.
E) picket.

Question 56

The management and labor union at a snack foods manufacturing plant are struggling to reach an agreement regarding benefits. They bring in a neutral third party to settle their dispute. The third party's solution is legally binding and enforceable. Thus, the third party is a(n)

A) conciliator.
B) picketer.
C) mediator.
D) arbitrator.
E) strikebreaker.

Question 57

A similarity between conciliators and mediators is that

A) they both provide a binding and enforceable solution to the problems affecting the management and labor unions.
B) neither of them has formal power over labor or management.
C) neither of them is a neutral third party.
D) they both hire new employees to replace striking employees.
E) they both propose solutions to problems between labor and management.

Question 58

The management at Tool Works, a tool manufacturer, is involved in a dispute with the union members representing its employees. The union members want a pay raise, but the management is not ready to approve the pay increase. Failing to arrive at a compromise, the disputing parties involve a third party to resolve the issue and offer a solution that is legally binding. The third party in the given scenario best represents a(n)

A) mediator.
B) arbitrator.
C) conciliator.
D) strikebreaker.
E) scab.

Question 59

Marcia is a human resources manager at a large firm that does business internationally. A significant part of her job is dealing with the diversity of the company's customers and employees. Understanding this diversity means

A) knowing how to bring different people together to achieve common goals.
B) convincing people that the team's goal is more important than the individual's goal.
C) ignoring differences in favor of commonalities among all people.
D) recognizing and accepting differences and valuing the unique perspectives such differences can bring to the workplace.
E) replacing the different cultures with an overarching company culture.

Question 60

Historically, CompuTech, a large technology company, has employed mostly white men. More recently, it has adopted affirmative action to make up for past hiring and promotion prejudices, overcome workplace discrimination, and provide equal employment opportunities for all employees. What should CompuTech avoid doing in its quest for a more diverse workplace?

A) concentrate on hiring the best qualified employees
B) identify areas where women and minorities are underrepresented
C) establish specific hiring and promotion goals
D) set hiring quotas
E) analyze the current pool of workers

Question 61

Discuss separation in terms of change for an employee. Why should managers be cautious of separations?

Question 62

Discuss arbitration as a method of settling labor disputes.

Question 63

What are the primary and secondary characteristics of diversity?