Deck 9: Attracting and Retaining the Best Employees

Question 1

A skills inventory is a computerized list of all the skills a prospective employee needs to fill a position.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Forecasting the human resources supply for a company is based on workforce statistics and industry growth projections provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Workplace diversity is forcing managers to learn to supervise and motivate people with a broader range of value systems.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Job analysis is the systematic procedure for studying jobs to determine expected levels of productivity.

Question 5

Managers should view cultural diversity as an opportunity rather than as a limitation.

Question 6

Human resources planning is determining the firm's future human resources needs.

Question 7

Human resources management consists of or includes all activities involved in acquiring,maintaining,and developing an organization's human resources.

Question 8

The phase of human resources management in which an employee's skills are improved and his or her capabilities are expanded is known as maintaining.

Question 9

Job analysis is the list of qualifications required to perform a particular job.

Question 10

Performance appraisal is the evaluation of an employee's current and potential levels of performance within a firm.

Question 11

When demand is forecast to be greater than supply,plans must be made to reduce the size of the workforce.

Question 12

Human resources planning and recruiting are two of the activities carried out during the development phase of human resources management.

Question 13

A list of skills,abilities,education,and experience required for a position is called a job analysis.

Question 14

A firm that properly manages cultural diversity can develop cost advantages over firms that do not manage diversity well.

Question 15

A diversity program can be successful even without strong,sustained commitment from top management.

Question 16

Job analysis provides a job description and a job specification for a particular position.

Question 17

Because today's employees are better educated,they want greater flexibility and independence,competitive compensation,and a better quality of life.

Question 18

Attrition is a method of reducing the size of the workforce by permitting people who are within a few years of retirement to retire early with full benefits.

Question 19

Job specification is a systematic procedure for studying jobs to determine their various elements and requirements.

Question 20

Human resources management is the sole responsibility of line managers.

Question 21

Legislation regarding personnel practices has been primarily in the areas of employee rights,job safety,and elimination of discrimination.

Question 22

The process of preparing managers and other professionals to assume increased responsibility in present and future positions is called employee training.

Question 23

No federal law forbids age discrimination against people younger than 40.

Question 24

The two main purposes of employment applications are to identify candidates for further consideration and to provide background information for interviewers.

Question 25

A flexible benefit plan allows an employee to allocate a predetermined amount of benefit dollars to various categories of benefits to design a benefit mix that best fits that employee's needs.

Question 26

The assessment center technique for selecting employees is ideal for small firms because such centers involve limited expense.

Question 27

The results of training evaluations should not be made known to all those involved in training programs.

Question 28

Compensation and benefits are related to employee motivation.

Question 29

The primary disadvantage of internal recruiting is that promoting a current employee leaves another position to be filled,possibly meaning that two employees must be trained instead of one.

Question 30

The process of acquainting new employees with an organization is called orientation.

Question 31

Usually,management sets employees' pay levels higher than at comparable firms.

Question 32

Today,most companies do not require employment applications.

Question 33

The wage structure is almost always developed on the basis of job evaluation.

Question 34

Subjective appraisal methods use some measurable quantity,such as dollar volume of sales,as the basis for assessing performance.

Question 35

The collection of data on prevailing wage rates within an industry or geographic area is referred to as a wage survey.

Question 36

The results of an evaluation should be discussed with an employee soon after the evaluation is completed.

Question 37

In human resources management,job evaluation means that managers evaluate each employee on how well he or she is performing assigned tasks.

Question 38

In the selection process,the goal should always be to hire the person with the most qualifications.

Question 39

OSHA is charged with enforcing Title VII.

Question 40

The need to enforce the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 led to the creation of OSHA.

Question 41

Generally,human resources management is a responsibility shared by line managers and

A) top management.
B) unions.
C) foremen.
D) HRM specialists.
E) vestibule centers.

Question 42

HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)is a human resources management company that specializes in helping small companies learn the right ways of handling human resources issues and activities.The company teaches the different activities that are involved in HR management,as well as teaching companies how to plan for the future.HRSI even helps companies downsize without having their reputations suffer.However,according to HRSI,an ideal situation would be one where all companies downsize simply by attrition.Another main objective of HRSI is to increase cultural diversity within every organization that it helps.HRSI management believes that this diversity is the key to the introduction of successful new ideas into any organization.HRSI is in the process of hiring new employees.This is a critical decision for the company because it is supposed to be the expert on this issue.Once the selection is done,HRSI will need to train its employees effectively so that they will be able to maintain the good image of the company.
Refer to HR Solutions,Inc.When HRSI helps small companies with the development phase of human resource management,it is involved with which of the following activities?

A) Profit-sharing
B) Training
C) Downsizing
D) Determining health benefits
E) Attrition

Question 43

HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)is a human resources management company that specializes in helping small companies learn the right ways of handling human resources issues and activities.The company teaches the different activities that are involved in HR management,as well as teaching companies how to plan for the future.HRSI even helps companies downsize without having their reputations suffer.However,according to HRSI,an ideal situation would be one where all companies downsize simply by attrition.Another main objective of HRSI is to increase cultural diversity within every organization that it helps.HRSI management believes that this diversity is the key to the introduction of successful new ideas into any organization.HRSI is in the process of hiring new employees.This is a critical decision for the company because it is supposed to be the expert on this issue.Once the selection is done,HRSI will need to train its employees effectively so that they will be able to maintain the good image of the company.
Refer to HR Solutions,Inc.When HRSI is going through the selection process,which of the following activities would it include?

A) Job analysis
B) Recruiting
C) Compensation
D) Checking references
E) Orientation

Question 44

HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)is a human resources management company that specializes in helping small companies learn the right ways of handling human resources issues and activities.The company teaches the different activities that are involved in HR management,as well as teaching companies how to plan for the future.HRSI even helps companies downsize without having their reputations suffer.However,according to HRSI,an ideal situation would be one where all companies downsize simply by attrition.Another main objective of HRSI is to increase cultural diversity within every organization that it helps.HRSI management believes that this diversity is the key to the introduction of successful new ideas into any organization.HRSI is in the process of hiring new employees.This is a critical decision for the company because it is supposed to be the expert on this issue.Once the selection is done,HRSI will need to train its employees effectively so that they will be able to maintain the good image of the company.
Refer to HR Solutions,Inc.Since HRSI puts a great deal of emphasis on cultural diversity,it needs to inform its clients about its advantages.These include all of the following except

A) profit-sharing.
B) cost.
C) flexibility.
D) creativity.
E) problem solving.

Question 45

The development phase of human resources management consists of two important activities: (1)training and development (2)and

A) job analysis.
B) recruiting.
C) motivating.
D) appraising performance.
E) orientation.

Question 46

Chevron Corporation is one of the largest integrated oil companies in the world.Its management is assessing the world marketplace and taking steps to sustain the company's competitive position.Chevron is studying external and internal factors that could influence its success.Faced with business competition on a global scale,Chevron is modifying its strategic business model to manage its resources more efficiently.At Chevron,as at competing companies,one of the most important resources is

A) financial resources.
B) human resources.
C) natural resources.
D) lobbyists.
E) computers.

Question 47

Chevron's 60,000 employees work for thirteen major operating companies in fifty eight countries.Each national unit does business according to the needs of its market.Effective management of human resources in such a complex environment is an awesome task,and the key to success is reliable,accurate management information.Thus,Chevron developed an online human resources information system,which is a critical tool in managing its human resources.As expected,one of the broad goals of the human resources information system is to help management

A) prepare specific job or position descriptions.
B) write a job specification for the computer programmer.
C) develop a replacement chart.
D) send greetings to employees on their birthdays.
E) utilize human resources efficiently to meet organizational goals.

Question 48

HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)is a human resources management company that specializes in helping small companies learn the right ways of handling human resources issues and activities.The company teaches the different activities that are involved in HR management,as well as teaching companies how to plan for the future.HRSI even helps companies downsize without having their reputations suffer.However,according to HRSI,an ideal situation would be one where all companies downsize simply by attrition.Another main objective of HRSI is to increase cultural diversity within every organization that it helps.HRSI management believes that this diversity is the key to the introduction of successful new ideas into any organization.HRSI is in the process of hiring new employees.This is a critical decision for the company because it is supposed to be the expert on this issue.Once the selection is done,HRSI will need to train its employees effectively so that they will be able to maintain the good image of the company.
Refer to HR Solutions,Inc.Maintaining human resources involves which of the following?

A) Selection
B) Recruiting
C) Compensation
D) Job analysis
E) Checking references

Question 49

Jamerson,Inc.(JI) Jamerson Inc.(JI)is a relatively new company that wants to improve its employee rewards,compensation,and benefits.The company understands that there are effective reward systems that will motivate employees.However,JI management is not sure which would be the best for the company.Compensation,another important area,must also be improved so that it will satisfy all employees effectively.In addition,the company wants to create benefits to keep the employees not just satisfied,but also motivated.Yet another pressing issue is deciding on the training methods that are to be used to successfully teach the new employees.
JI believes that it will be on the right path if all of these changes can be successfully accomplished.The company plans to incorporate performance appraisals so it can be sure that the rewards,compensation,and benefits are effectively distributed.
Refer to Jamerson,Inc.The training of new employees at JI can be carried out through

A) appraisal errors.
B) judgmental methods.
C) turnovers.
D) seminars.
E) rating scales.

Question 50

Firms with federal government contracts that exceed $50,000 must have an affirmative action program.

Question 51

Jeff works for Texas Instruments.His tasks involve traveling to nearby colleges,interviewing students for hire after graduation,selecting certain ones to be invited for an office visit,and acquainting them with the facilities.He is in which phase of the HRM process?

A) Maintaining a certain level of human resources
B) Developing and training human resources
C) Human resources planning
D) Orientation and employee relations
E) Acquiring human resources

Question 52

Activities that increase employee satisfaction such as satisfaction surveys,employee communication programs,exit interviews,and fair treatment are all part of which phase of the human resources management process?

A) Benefits and compensation
B) Job analysis
C) Developing human resources
D) Maintaining human resources
E) Acquiring human resources

Question 53

HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)HR Solutions,Inc.(HRSI)is a human resources management company that specializes in helping small companies learn the right ways of handling human resources issues and activities.The company teaches the different activities that are involved in HR management,as well as teaching companies how to plan for the future.HRSI even helps companies downsize without having their reputations suffer.However,according to HRSI,an ideal situation would be one where all companies downsize simply by attrition.Another main objective of HRSI is to increase cultural diversity within every organization that it helps.HRSI management believes that this diversity is the key to the introduction of successful new ideas into any organization.HRSI is in the process of hiring new employees.This is a critical decision for the company because it is supposed to be the expert on this issue.Once the selection is done,HRSI will need to train its employees effectively so that they will be able to maintain the good image of the company.
Refer to HR Solutions,Inc.HRSI hopes that all companies can downsize simply by attrition,a word that,in this context,refers to

A) increasing quality.
B) being dismissed from the workforce.
C) people leaving the company.
D) retiring early because employees are within a few years of retirement anyway.
E) an increasing amount of work per employee.

Question 54

Jamerson,Inc.(JI) Jamerson Inc.(JI)is a relatively new company that wants to improve its employee rewards,compensation,and benefits.The company understands that there are effective reward systems that will motivate employees.However,JI management is not sure which would be the best for the company.Compensation,another important area,must also be improved so that it will satisfy all employees effectively.In addition,the company wants to create benefits to keep the employees not just satisfied,but also motivated.Yet another pressing issue is deciding on the training methods that are to be used to successfully teach the new employees.
JI believes that it will be on the right path if all of these changes can be successfully accomplished.The company plans to incorporate performance appraisals so it can be sure that the rewards,compensation,and benefits are effectively distributed.
Refer to Jamerson,Inc.JI management must consider implementing the many different types of benefits.These include all of the following except

A) insurance packages.
B) pension and retirement programs.
C) workers' compensation insurance.
D) Social Security.
E) profit-sharing.

Question 55

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act passed in 1974 requires firms to provide a retirement plan for their employees.

Question 56

Periodically,employees at Southwest Airlines complete satisfaction surveys that management uses to improve employee job satisfaction.This is an example of

A) job analysis.
B) employee relations.
C) human resources planning.
D) performance appraisal.
E) employee communication programs.

Question 57

Another name for human resources management is ____ management.

A) personnel
B) corporate
C) administrative
D) operations
E) marketing

Question 58

Jamerson,Inc.(JI) Jamerson Inc.(JI)is a relatively new company that wants to improve its employee rewards,compensation,and benefits.The company understands that there are effective reward systems that will motivate employees.However,JI management is not sure which would be the best for the company.Compensation,another important area,must also be improved so that it will satisfy all employees effectively.In addition,the company wants to create benefits to keep the employees not just satisfied,but also motivated.Yet another pressing issue is deciding on the training methods that are to be used to successfully teach the new employees.
JI believes that it will be on the right path if all of these changes can be successfully accomplished.The company plans to incorporate performance appraisals so it can be sure that the rewards,compensation,and benefits are effectively distributed.
Refer to Jamerson,Inc.When JI management considers performance appraisal,various techniques and methods are either objective or ____ in nature.

A) measurable
B) marginal
C) judgmental
D) goal-oriented
E) personal

Question 59

Jamerson,Inc.(JI) Jamerson Inc.(JI)is a relatively new company that wants to improve its employee rewards,compensation,and benefits.The company understands that there are effective reward systems that will motivate employees.However,JI management is not sure which would be the best for the company.Compensation,another important area,must also be improved so that it will satisfy all employees effectively.In addition,the company wants to create benefits to keep the employees not just satisfied,but also motivated.Yet another pressing issue is deciding on the training methods that are to be used to successfully teach the new employees.
JI believes that it will be on the right path if all of these changes can be successfully accomplished.The company plans to incorporate performance appraisals so it can be sure that the rewards,compensation,and benefits are effectively distributed.
Refer to Jamerson,Inc.JI management needs to know that effective reward systems must do which of the following?

A) Distinguish the best from the rest
B) Enable employees to satisfy basic needs
C) Provide noncomparable rewards to those offered by other firms so JI can be differentiated
D) Distribute to the top performers only in the organization
E) Recognize that all people have the same needs,which can be satisfied with more money

Question 60

Jamerson,Inc.(JI) Jamerson Inc.(JI)is a relatively new company that wants to improve its employee rewards,compensation,and benefits.The company understands that there are effective reward systems that will motivate employees.However,JI management is not sure which would be the best for the company.Compensation,another important area,must also be improved so that it will satisfy all employees effectively.In addition,the company wants to create benefits to keep the employees not just satisfied,but also motivated.Yet another pressing issue is deciding on the training methods that are to be used to successfully teach the new employees.
JI believes that it will be on the right path if all of these changes can be successfully accomplished.The company plans to incorporate performance appraisals so it can be sure that the rewards,compensation,and benefits are effectively distributed.
Refer to Jamerson,Inc.If JI management discovers that its female employees generally make less than its male employees,it may want to study the ____ of positions occupied by men and women.

A) job analysis
B) monthly salary
C) comparable worth
D) incentive payments
E) hourly wages

Question 61

Workplace diversity refers to the differences among people in a workforce due to

A) social background,ethnicity,and race.
B) race,ethnicity,and gender.
C) gender,race,and education.
D) race,religion,and sexual orientation.
E) education,ethnicity,and gender.

Question 62

For a cultural diversity program to be successful,it is essential that

A) the employees themselves initiate the program.
B) it be given a set time frame in which to show positive results.
C) those who participate get a pay bonus for taking time out of their normal work schedule to participate.
D) it has a strong,sustained commitment from top leadership.
E) it be unstructured and free-flowing so that employees feel free to say whatever is on their minds.

Question 63

When people from a variety of different countries and educational and work experience backgrounds come together to work on a project,they often have varying perspectives on given issues.This benefits the company in the form of

A) lower costs.
B) resource acquisition.
C) matching supply with demand.
D) strong competitive advantages.
E) better problem solving.

Question 64

The most humane form of workforce reduction is

A) attrition.
B) layoff.
C) early retirement.
D) termination.
E) employee strikes.

Question 65

The HRM specialists at A&C Company took the opportunity to increase productivity and decrease manual data analysis by using their microcomputer along with a commercial database management system (DBMS)to develop a ____.Now the company can readily identify specific organizational skills,eliminating the need to comb personnel files manually.

A) compensation survey
B) management development program
C) skills inventory
D) human resources inventory
E) replacement chart

Question 66

If the Colgate-Palmolive Company were to develop a replacement chart,the chart would show

A) key personnel along with possible replacements within the firm.
B) those key personnel who are scheduled to be replaced because of poor performance reviews.
C) the skills and experience of key personnel.
D) the time between purchase and replacement of each Colgate product,such as toothpaste.
E) the key items of capital equipment due for replacement within the fiscal year.

Question 67

Employee compensation systems are generally developed and administered by ____,and pay increases and promotions are usually recommended by ____.

A) top management;HRM specialists
B) unions;line managers
C) HRM specialists;line managers
D) top management;unions
E) professional HR consultants;HRM staff personnel

Question 68

A computerized data bank containing information on the skills and experience of all employees is called

A) a replacement chart.
B) a skills inventory.
C) a compensation survey.
D) management development.
E) a human resources inventory.

Question 69

South Carolina is facing budget cuts.The number of employees needs to be reduced over the next three years at all state agencies.The state decides to stop hiring new employees to fill vacated positions to comply with budgetary constraints.This approach is called

A) attrition.
B) natural turnover.
C) layoffs.
D) passive firing.
E) downsizing.

Question 70

A list of key personnel as well as possible successors within a firm is called

A) a replacement chart.
B) a skills inventory.
C) management inventory.
D) a wage survey.
E) performance appraisal.

Question 71

Leading Lady,a manufacturer of maternity wear,maintains a database of information that records the various skills and abilities of its employees.This database can be referred to as a

A) replacement record.
B) skill appraisal system.
C) skills inventory.
D) skills database.
E) replacement chart.

Question 72

At a large book publishing company like Cengage,we would expect human resources management to be handled by ____.At a small local print shop,human resources management would probably be ____.

A) a vice president;completely ignored
B) the owner;handled at the vice-presidential level
C) a specialist;assigned to the vice president for personnel management
D) a departmental secretary;completely ignored
E) the personnel manager;the responsibility of the owner

Question 73

A firm attempting to reduce the size of its workforce may use several approaches.The approach most likely to be saved as a last resort is

A) attrition.
B) early retirement.
C) firing.
D) hiring freeze.
E) layoff.

Question 74

The reduction in the workforce that normally occurs when employees leave a company is called

A) attrition.
B) retirement.
C) layoff.
D) termination.
E) reduction.

Question 75

Information on evolving technologies,industry staffing practices,projected economic trends,the particular company's future business ventures,new products,and projected expansions or contractions of certain product lines can be helpful in predicting

A) human resources supply.
B) the level of industry unemployment.
C) human resources demand.
D) the quality of new applicants in the job market.
E) trends in the global market with regard to new skills.

Question 76

When an organization has a diverse set of employees that can provide insight and cultural sensitivity,this should improve the company's ability to understand different cultures and languages.The company may gain:

A) cost advantages.
B) a marketing edge.
C) minority recruitment advantage.
D) cultural diversity.
E) a human resource advantage.

Question 77

Two useful tools for estimating the supply of needed human resources are the

A) recruiting chart and skills inventory.
B) employee survey and skills chart.
C) performance appraisal and replacement chart.
D) replacement chart and skills inventory.
E) skills inventory and attrition graph.

Question 78

When sales drop each summer at Vail Mountain Resorts,a high-quality destination ski area,the resort owners temporarily have too many employees to service the reduced number of tourists that enjoy the area during the warmer months.In this situation,the resorts most likely would

A) hire more workers.
B) lay off workers.
C) fire as many workers as possible.
D) allow production workers to relax more on the production line.
E) force all of the extra workers to seek early retirement.

Question 79

IBM's corporate workforce diversity staff helps to ensure that the company's workforce does not become homogeneous.If properly integrated,which of the following outcomes is IBM likely to experience if it maintains a diverse workforce?

A) Increased costs
B) Decreased efficiency
C) Increased employee turnover
D) Increased creativity
E) Increased communication difficulties

Question 80

Suppose HP's minorities work at a multicultural plant,which provides a comfortable learning environment before they are assigned to their permanent positions within the company.Such a diversity training program will help HP develop a strong reputation for managing diversity,which is likely to lead to which of the following competitive advantages?

A) Cost
B) Resource acquisition
C) Marketing edge
D) Creativity
E) Problem solving