HRM Final Exam - Chapters 3, 7-11, 14 & 15
Which of the following administers the Canada Labour Code? a. the Supreme Court b. the Federal Human Rights Commission c. Canada Industrial Relations Board d. the federal government
Canada Industrial Relations Board
In determining training needs, which statement best describes person analysis?
It helps organizations decide which employees need training
What is the main issue with organizations putting too much weight on the "reactions" aspect of training evaluation?
Positive reaction data may not mean the training was effective
Which of the following is an advantage of piece rate pay systems? a. They allow for teamwork b. They allow employees to break down their work piece by piece c. They help to groom high performance managers d. They have a direct link to performance
They have a direct link to performance
The full-time professors at McMaster University are usually represented by a group of nonunionized faculty in wage negotiations with management. What is this group of faculty called? a. a certified union b. a craft union c. an employee association d. a negotiations association
an employee association
IAM Inc. has operations in many countries. Recently, it used staff from four of these countries to work on a project. What type of team would this be? a. a transnational team b. a global team c. an integrated team d. a borderless team
a transnational team
Many farm workers come to Canada to work during the summer period. What is the name of the document issued by the government granting authority to these farm workers to seek employment in Canada? a. a short stay permit b. an H2 visa c. a work permit d. a passport
a work permit
Avinash, a Canadian who was sent on an international assignment to Brazil, experienced severe disorientation that caused perpetual stress during his posting. What was Avinash most likely experiencing? a. dietary problems b. lack of work life balance c. organizational disorientation d. culture shock
culture shock
Who contributes financially to the Employment Insurance Fund that is used to support unemployment insurance claims? a. employers and employees b. the government and employees c. unions and employees d. the government and employers
employers and employees
Yorkville Tire Manufacturing Company has been experiencing really bad management-employee relations for almost two years. Jack Pratt, one of the leaders among the employees, wants to help in unionizing the employees. He has met with most of the employees. What should he do next? a. ask the workers to go on strike to put pressure on the company b. form an in-house organizing committee c. appeal to a broader community—including academics and international agencies—to put pressure on the employer d. ask the labour relations board to intervene
form an in-house organizing committee
Which type of expatriate pay system is localization associated with? a. the balance-sheet approach b. host-based pay c. the global pay system d. performance-based pay
host-based pay
Which of the following is the source of overseas employees that provides the advantages of less cost and greater facility in the language? a. home-country nationals b. expatriates c. third-country nationals d. host-country nationals
host-country nationals
ABC Corporation uses the services of professional benefits vendors to administer their benefits. What is this practice a form of? a. outsourcing b. shared services c. freelancing d. delegation
outsourcing
Of the following interview methods, which is the most proactive on the part of the interviewer? a. tell-and-listen b. tell-and-sell c. problem solving d. essay
problem solving
What do we call the actions of a third party who has the power to impose a settlement when the issue relates to the administration of the collective agreement? a. mediation b. rights arbitration c. interest arbitration d. conciliation
rights arbitration
What do we call the country in which an international business operates? a. the host country b. the adaptive country c. the resource country d. the receptive country
the host country
What are the two critical factors considered when determining the amount of employment insurance to be paid to unemployed applicants? a. their education and experience b. the number of hours worked and their education c. the number of hours worked in the past year and regional unemployment rates d. the size of the firm and the salary of the employee
the number of hours worked in the past year and regional unemployment rates
What is the main purpose of free trade agreements, such as NAFTA? a. to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people across borders b. to help fight terrorism c. to help the United Nations with its work d. to increase tourism
to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people across borders
A large accounting firm has 30 percent female UFE-certified accountants on staff. Women make up approximately 51 percent of the population and UFE-certified women make up approximately 15 percent of the labour force. Based on this information, what is the best description of the situation for women at this large accounting firm?
They are concentrated
It was revealed in the press that the former CEO of a Fortune 100 firm enjoyed special use of the company plane and a country club membership as a part of his reward package. Which of the following best describes these benefits? a. They are illegal, but executives usually get away without being caught b. They are known as perquisites c. They are known as golden parachutes d. They are unusual for top executives
They are known as perquisites
What is a key disadvantage of behaviourally anchored rating scales? a. They do not involve employee participation b. They have low content validity c. They can only be used in the public sector d. They require considerable time and effort to develop
They require considerable time and effort to develop
Which of the following are the two primary purposes of performance evaluations?
administrative and developmental purposes
What type of bargaining is characterized by a "give-and-take" philosophy, where one side receives the "short end of the stick"? a. interest-based bargaining b. adversarial bargaining c. results-oriented bargaining d. cooperative bargaining
adversarial bargaining
Some organizations can choose a strategy to pay higher than market wages and salaries. Which of the following will this likely help them do? a. be more selective in their employee hiring b. reduce their direct labour costs c. reduce their indirect labour costs d. achieve pay equity between men and women
be more selective in their employee hiring
Which of the following is NOT a method of comparison used in job evaluation? a. point system b. job ranking system c. job classification system d. comparable worth system
comparable worth system
Which term refers to assessing the sets of skills and knowledge employees need to be successful, particularly for decision-oriented and knowledge-intensive jobs? a. organizational assessment b. job assessment c. individual assessment d. competency assessment
competency assessment
Which of the following organizations is pursuing a transnational strategy? a. a car company developing a "world" car to gain scale economies b. a brewery trying to achieve scale economies while simultaneously customizing its taste and marketing efforts for local markets c. a company producing customized fashions for multiple regions of the world d. a steel company trying to simultaneously gain scale economies and increase the quality of its products
a brewery trying to achieve scale economies while simultaneously customizing its taste and marketing efforts for local markets
What position is most likely to benefit from implementing an ethics training program? a. an air traffic controller b. a weather forecaster c. a buyer of leather goods for a leading national retailer d. an HR manager
a buyer of leather goods for a leading national retailer
Dimitri works as a compensation manager for IDL Inc., a multidomestic firm located in Nova Scotia. He has been posted to Brazil on an assignment. What type of employee is Dimitri? a. a host-country national b. a third-country national c. an international anager d. a home-country national
a home-country national
Which of the following is NOT a strategy a union can use to increase its bargaining power? a. picketing exercises b. a strike c. a boycott of products produced by the firm d. a lockout
a lockout
Which of the following is a major reason for failure among expatriates? a. inability to cope with larger responsibilities b. a manager's personality c. a spouse's inability to adapt d. distaste for travel
a spouse's inability to adapt
To produce the Tata-Nano, one of the cheapest cars in the world, Tata Motors used teams from different countries to put together cheap and reliable parts. What is this type of team called? a. an international team b. a transnational team c. a product team d. a third-country national team
a transnational team
According to the textbook, what is the predominant approach to employee compensation in Canada? a. competency-based pay b. pay-for-performance c. individual contract d. job-based pay
job-based pay
What type of jobs do companies normally use to collect wage survey data? a. key jobs b. low-rated jobs c. high-rated jobs d. strategic jobs
key jobs
What are the steps in behaviour modelling? a. design, learning points, reinforcement, and feedback b. learning points, implementation, role-play, and feedback c. design, implementation, role-play, and feedback d. learning points, modelling, role-play, and feedback
learning points, modelling, role-play, and feedback
What are the phases of the systemic/strategic model of training?
needs assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation
Magee was rated higher than she deserved by her supervisor; her supervisor wanted to look good in the eyes of her own superiors. Which of the following is illustrated in this example? a. criterion deficiency b. criterion exaggeration c. criterion contamination d. organizational politics
organizational politics
What are four basic elements that must be considered when establishing performance standards? a. criterion deficiency, criterion contamination, strategic relevance, and reliability b. feedback, accuracy, reliability, and validity c. supervisory ratings, reliability, validity, and peer evaluations d. performance ratings, peer evaluations, reliability and validity
criterion deficiency, criterion contamination, strategic relevance, and reliability
Which type of pension plan with fixed payouts is experiencing a decline in its use in Canada? a. defined-benefit plan b. defined-contribution plan c. contributory plan d. registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)
defined-benefit plan
When employees receive a higher rate of pay for all of their work if production exceeds a standard level of output, what type of incentive plan is the employer using? a. higher piece rate b. standard piece rate c. exception bonus rate d. differential piece rate
differential piece rate
What is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of benefits programs in organizations? a. level of competition b. employee motivation c. state of the broader economy d. effective administration
effective administration
A company plans to gain a strategic advantage by harnessing the differences that exist within the organization. What are they planning to do?
employ diversity management
Which of the following is an example of nonfinancial compensation? a. bonuses b. employee recognition programs c. health insurance d. incentives
employee recognition programs
Which of the following benefits must be provided by employers in Canada because it is legally required?
employment insurance
Which organizational situation best represents the principle of the duty to accommodate?
equipping washrooms with lower mirrors and faucets, and wider doors
Both Sam and Samantha work as cashiers at Modelo Hot Dogs. They do work of equal value to the firm, yet Sam receives less pay than Samantha. Sam is not happy because he perceives the system as being unfair to him. Which theory can you use to explain Sam's perceptions? a. reverse discrimination theory b. pay equity theory c. expectancy theory d. equity theory
equity theory
Which of the following clauses are found in some labour agreements that periodically adjust compensation rates to reflect increases in cost of living? a. maintenance clauses b. escalator clauses c. roll-up clauses d. guarantee clauses
escalator clauses
Once an employment equity program has been implemented, what is the most important thing to do?
evaluate and monitor it closely
ABC Corporation is a furniture firm based in Ontario that supplies its products to the federal government. What laws would apply to ABC Corporation? a. federal and provincial laws b. federal laws only c. provincial laws only d. international laws only
federal and provincial laws
The concepts of harassment in the workplace are being broadened to include which one of the following?
psychological harassment such as bullying
Which of the following is the best example of how an organization's leadership can demonstrate its commitment to an employment equity plan?
publicly describing the organization's commitment to employment equity
If a performance standard is found to be stable or consistent over time, it is said to be which of the following? a. reliable b. relevant c. steady d. valid
reliable
As part of his training, Alexandria had to assume the attitudes and behaviours of others. Which training method is evident in this example?
role-playing
Lana works as a salesperson at Fashion Galore. She is paid on a percentage of her sales only. What type of pay plan is this? a. straight ratio plan b. straight salary plan c. straight bonus plan d. straight commission plan
straight commission plan
BC Computers is a Canadian firm located in British Columbia. In this instance, what does Canada represent? a. the adaptive country b. the resource country c. the host country d. the receptive country
the host country
In Ontario, what is the minimum percentage of signed authorization cards before the union can apply for a certification election? a. 30 percent b. 40 percent c. 50 percent d. 50 percent plus one
40 percent
Bob Jones was recently permanently laid off. His company, ACME Manufacturing, has issued Bob a cheque that represents one month's pay for every year Bob worked at ACME. What does this cheque represent? a. Bob's unused vacation pay b. Bob's unused benefits c. Bob's unused sick leave d. Bob's severance pay
Bob's severance pay
Which of the following is the most common method used for training non-managerial employees? a. classroom training b. on-the-job training c. computer-based instruction d. apprenticeships
on-the-job training
At which stage in the training program development process is content of the training program determined?
task analysis
What is the primary reason why organizations train new employees?
to increase their knowledge, skill, and ability level
Which of the following is a relatively new job evaluation system? a. job classification system b. job ranking c. the point system d. work evaluation
work evaluation
Which of the following is an important weakness of 360-degree feedback? a. In cases where feedback is not positive, it has been shown to increase voluntary turnover b. It is hard to know what to conclude if the evaluation results in conflicting opinions c. The quality of information is not as good as other types of evaluation systems d. The training can be demoralizing because it is so intense
It is hard to know what to conclude if the evaluation results in conflicting opinions
Which of the following is a major advantage of a behaviourally anchored rating scale? a. It has high acceptance rates by employees, management, and unions b. The rating scale can be used across many jobs c. It requires a great deal of employee participation, which leads to acceptance d. It allows the appraiser to observe rather than judge
It requires a great deal of employee participation, which leads to acceptance
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the possible facets of an evaluation interview? a. It should minimize criticism, change the person not the behaviour, and encourage feedback b. It should change the person not the behaviour, minimize criticism, express appreciation, and invite participation c. It should ask for a self-assessment, invite participation, express appreciation, and minimize criticism d. It should ask for a self-assessment, change the person not the behaviour, and encourage feedback
It should ask for a self-assessment, invite participation, express appreciation, and minimize criticism
Med Supplies Ltd. is a manufacturer and distributor of over-the-counter medical devices such as blood pressure monitors. Med Supplies relies heavily on its sales team to push these products to pharmacies and medical clinics across Canada. Sales reps are paid a yearly bonus based on the team's performance, coupled with annual performance evaluations done by managers. Over the last three years, they have been paid bonuses based on the previous year's performance if it is similar in dollar figure despite losing shelf space in stores or declining individual performances. The managers claim that they do not have the time to do the evaluations, but their superiors think these evaluations are key and need to be the link between employees' goals and the organization's objectives. The VP Sales suggests the use of peer evaluations to ensure that each member of the team pulls his or her weight. Which of the following is NOT a reason why peer evaluations are not frequently used? a. Those receiving low ratings might retaliate against their peers b. Peer ratings are simply a popularity contest c. Managers want to give up control over the evaluation process d. Peers rely on stereotypes in ratings
Managers want to give up control over the evaluation process
Unions tend to hold strike votes to assess whether members are willing to go on strike for their demands. What does a high vote in favour of a strike (e.g., 95 percent) mean? a. Management will most likely have to lock out the union b. The union will definitely go on strike because it has an overwhelming mandate to do so c. Management will lose in the bargaining d. The union will have strengthened its bargaining power
The union will have strengthened its bargaining power
Manuela is from Brazil. She was hired by a Canadian multinational corporation to work in its office in Rio (located in Brazil). What is Manuela referred to as? a. an expatriate b. a third-country national c. a host-country national d. an international manager
a host-country national
ABC Corporation has a sales compensation plan that requires salespeople to be paid for performing various duties not reflected in their sales volume. What type of pay plan does this exemplify? a. a straight salary plan b. a merit plan c. lump-sum merit pay d. a standard hour plan
a straight salary plan
Phil's Antique Superstore is hiring ten new customer service agents. All three of Phil's stores are housed in historic landmark buildings that are "heritage" sites and do not have wheelchair ramp access. What is this an example of?
a systemic barrier
Bradshaw, Petrilli & Blake Inc. (BPBI) is a Canadian financial planning firm that provides financial advice for companies across Canada and the United States. The firm offers employees great benefits and excellent salaries. Its workforce is composed of predominantly "Generation Y" employees. These employees are very tech-savvy, achievement focused, and, most importantly, family centric (they value flexible schedules and work-life balance). While they understand the demands of the job, they often get caught between the needs of the organization's clients and their family responsibilities, especially as related to their children. Currently, there is little flexibility if employees want to attend to family needs during work hours. BPBI is now looking into ways of helping its employees better meet these dual needs. BPBI would like to also set up an employee assistance program (EAP) to help employees solve their personal problems, or at least prevent those problems from turning into crises that are likely to affect their ability to work productively. Which of the following are programs offered by EAPs in today's organizations? Which of the following is NOT a family-friendly benefit that will help BPBI develop and maintain work-life balance? a. allowing employees to work from home b. allowing flexible scheduling of work hours c. facilitating employer-paid on-site or near-site childcare facilities d. allowing time off for children's school activities
allowing employees to work from home
What do we call a neutral third party who resolves labour disputes by issuing a final decision that the parties must accept? a. an arbitrator b. a conciliator c. a mediator d. a chief executive officer
an arbitrator
Developing likely union proposals, lists of demands, and a contingency plan for operating in the event of a strike are part of which of the following? a. compulsory binding arbitration b. an employer's bargaining strategy c. a union's bargaining strategy d. good faith bargaining
an employer's bargaining strategy
Why is performance evaluation important? a. because it is key to the validation of selection procedures, which are the foundation of all HR practices b. because all organizations need to weed out lower-performing individuals at a rate of about 10 percent of employees per annum c. because employees need to know that they are being evaluated in order to perform at an appropriate level d. because the success of the entire HR program depends on knowing how the performance of employees compares with the goals established for them
because the success of the entire HR program depends on knowing how the performance of employees compares with the goals established for them
Canada's workforce is becoming increasingly diverse. How is this having an impact on benefits programs? a. Greater pension contributions are required by employers b. There are lower out-of-pocket costs for employees c. Benefit programs are becoming more family-friendly d. Benefits packages now cover part-time as well as full-time employees
benefit programs are becoming more family-friendly
Which of the following statements is most applicable to the benefits costs to employers in Canada and the United States? a. Benefits costs are higher in Canada b. Benefits costs are higher in the United States c. Benefits costs are the same in Canada and the United States d. Benefits costs are both negligible in Canada and the United States
benefits costs are higher in the United States
As part of his training for a new manufacturing process, Lee Li had to attend classroom sessions taught by an instructor, as well as online sessions that included video recordings and a discussion forum. What method of training Lee has experienced? a. self-directed training b. blended learning c. simulated training d. e-learning
blended learning
Using the point manual, how is the relative worth of a job determined? a. by benchmarking jobs contained in the point manual b. through the wage mix c. by the number of steps within the pay grade d. by the total points that have been assigned to that job
by the total points that have been assigned to that job
Which of the following processes would help to improve the consistency and reliability of employee ratings? a. job evaluations b. external validation c. strategic rewards d. calibration
calibration
Jane is manager to 10 direct reports. She is currently concerned that she is perceived as a softy and so she has decided not to give out very many high ratings on this year's performance evaluation exercise. However, she doesn't want anyone to be fired either, so she has also decided not to give out any very low ratings. Which of the following will Jane's ratings suffer from? a. similar-to-self bias b. leniency error c. forced distribution d. central tendency error
central tendency error
What is the first step in establishing the employment equity plan at Metro Business?
collecting data on Metro's demographics
Which of the following is the most widely used sales incentive program? a. straight salary b. straight commission c. combined salary and commission d. commission plus bonus
combined salary and commission
Bradshaw, Petrilli & Blake Inc. (BPBI) is a Canadian financial planning firm that provides financial advice for companies across Canada and the United States. The firm offers employees great benefits and excellent salaries. Its workforce is composed of predominantly "Generation Y" employees. These employees are very tech-savvy, achievement focused, and, most importantly, family centric (they value flexible schedules and work-life balance). While they understand the demands of the job, they often get caught between the needs of the organization's clients and their family responsibilities, especially as related to their children. Currently, there is little flexibility if employees want to attend to family needs during work hours. BPBI is now looking into ways of helping its employees better meet these dual needs. BPBI would like to also set up an employee assistance program (EAP) to help employees solve their personal problems, or at least prevent those problems from turning into crises that are likely to affect their ability to work productively. Which of the following are programs offered by EAPs in today's organizations? a. seminars and workshops to help prepare for retirement b. counselling and referral services for alcohol or drug problems, emotional problems, or financial or family crises c. increased pension benefits or cash bonuses d. salary continuance programs, sick leave credits, and weekly indemnity plans
counselling and referral services for alcohol or drug problems, emotional problems, or financial or family crises
What type of unions do carpenters and masons usually belong to? a. industrial unions b. regional unions c. central unions d. craft unions
craft unions
Farah, a waitress at OMG Restaurant, was appraised only on the quality of the food she delivered to the customers. Which type of problem does this evaluation illustrate? a. criterion deficiency b. criterion reliability c. reliability d. criterion contamination
criterion contamination
Which of the following is the strongest reason to join a union? a. personal preference for a union and social pressure to join b. dissatisfaction with wages, benefits, and working conditions c. favouritism shown by supervisors in promotions, shift assignments, and transfers d. the need to fraternize with similar employees and assert personal leadership skills
dissatisfaction with wages, benefits, and working conditions
Canadian Fasteners Inc. has recently implemented a human resource (HR) system that assists with the recruitment and selection process, as well as administering a pension and benefits program. Included with these programs are training and development programs as well as yearly performance evaluations for both managers and agents who are jointly responsible for bringing in new accounts and maintaining existing ones. While these performance evaluations are done each year, mangers and agents do not receive feedback unless they are unhappy with their salary increases or bonuses. However, HR is now pushing the need for ongoing feedback as it is a key component of its compensation process. Canadian Fasteners wants to embark on feedback sessions. Which of the following is NOT one of the key points to address? a. direct the feedback toward behaviour the employee can control b. give specific examples of desirable and undesirable behaviours c. provide timely feedback d. focus feedback on the person, not behaviour
focus feedback on the person, not behaviour
Aren received a $500 pay bonus as a result of his job performance last year; however, this extra money was not added to his base pay. This is an example of which of the following? a. annual merit raise b. group incentive plan c. lump-sum merit pay d. percentage wage increase
lump-sum merit pay
What is the biggest recruitment problems a company can make when it enters a country like India? a. finding locals with good English language skills b. not using family ties and friendship networks c. reward systems that were culturally biased d. understanding the transportation systems
not using family ties and friendship networks
What are holiday pay, sick leave, and vacation pay examples of? a. categories of health care benefits b. benefits required by law c. payment for time not worked d. unearned benefits
payment for time not worked
Calendar "R" Us Ltd. produces calendars for middle and high schools in Ontario. Calendar started back in 2006 and today has over 60 employees. About two years ago, the employees organized and obtained union certification. To date, the union has not successfully negotiated a collective agreement. Employees are not happy with the progress the union has made, and much of the concerns they have had (wages, benefits, training, etc.) have not been addressed. Calendar "R" Us employees feel that the union is more interested in serving the needs of the company and are looking to find a replacement. What are the steps in the collective bargaining process that the union and Calendar "R" Us need to go through? a. union proposals, management responses, management demands, limits of concessions b. prepare for negotiations, develop strategies, conduct negotiations, formalize agreement c. union demands, database to support management proposals, union responses d. prepare for negotiations, review proposals, determine counteroffer
prepare for negotiations, develop strategies, conduct negotiations, formalize agreement
MJ, Rob, and JIm's compensation packages are calculated and paid on the basis of weekly periods. How would you classify these employees? a. white-collar employees b. part-time employees c. hourly employees d. salaried employees
salaried employees
BioMetrics Imaging Ltd. is a small Saskatoon-based firm that designs and produces one-of-a-kind machines that are capable of capturing medical imaging similar to that of MRI machines but with a higher percentage of accuracy. So far, the company has been able to sell various units to privately owned medical clinics and a few hospitals in the United States. The problem currently facing BioMetrics Imaging is finding salespeople with the appropriate experience who not only understand the equipment but are also trustworthy and willing to work extremely hard to bring the product to the marketplace. It takes roughly six months to convince potential clients to purchase the machines. Sales agents receive a hefty paycheque when a unit is sold based on a percentage of the unit price, and all travel expenses are covered. Still, the company is not able to retain its employees because the time lag between beginning to sell machines and getting paid is too long. One way to address the turnover problem that is driven by the frequency of payout would be to have some form of guaranteed pay. Which pay method for sales employees addresses this issue? a. straight commission b. salary and commission c. bonuses d. gainsharing
salary and commission
What is the first step in selecting individuals for an international assignment? a. self-selection b. assessing core skills c. assessing augmented skills d. creating a candidate pool
self-selection
Scenario 11.1 Canadian Fasteners is a Mississauga-based packing firm that packages nuts, bolts, and screws for various Canadian furniture companies across the country. The company has been growing at a rapid rate in the past couple of years. Previously, all HR-related functions were extremely informal or almost nonexistent. With the rising turnover, and a constant struggle to retain employees during the company's rapid growth, Canadian Fasteners has decided to implement an HR system that not only will assist with the recruitment and selection process, but also will help to administer a pension and benefit program. The newly promoted HR manager is excited about the company's future and is looking forward to the new challenges but hopes efforts to more effectively capture and retain the right talent will be worth it, as turnover has caused the firm to lose one of its biggest clients. Canadian Fasteners must ensure that the benefits it offers employees are fulfilling the legal requirements. Which of the following is not legally required? a. survivor benefits b. employer contributions to the Canada and Quebec pension plans c. employment insurance d. workers' compensation insurance
survivor benefits
Scenario 11.1 Canadian Fasteners is a Mississauga-based packing firm that packages nuts, bolts, and screws for various Canadian furniture companies across the country. The company has been growing at a rapid rate in the past couple of years. Previously, all HR-related functions were extremely informal or almost nonexistent. With the rising turnover, and a constant struggle to retain employees during the company's rapid growth, Canadian Fasteners has decided to implement an HR system that not only will assist with the recruitment and selection process, but also will help to administer a pension and benefit program. The newly promoted HR manager is excited about the company's future and is looking forward to the new challenges, but hopes efforts to more effectively capture and retain the right talent will be worth it, as turnover has caused the firm to lose one of its biggest clients. Canadian Fasteners wants to take into consideration changes in the diversity and lifestyles of its workforce. Which of the following would be the best option for the company? a. implementing a defined-benefit program b. tailoring its benefits programs to be family friendly c. paying employees money in lieu of benefits d. continuing with the way it is currently doing things
tailoring its benefits programs to be family friendly
In which stage in the training needs assessment are job descriptions and job specifications reviewed? a. task analysis b. person analysis c. organizational analysis d. job analysis
task analysis
Omega Organization is going through a very detailed process of looking at all the tasks or duties included in a job. It will then list all the steps performed by the employee to complete each task, and then look to examine the skills and knowledge necessary for the job. Which process is Omega Organization performing?
task analysis
Which of the following pay plans can be plagued by the "free rider" effect? a. piece rates b. team incentives c. base pay d. retirement plans
team incentives
Which of the following requires large firms bidding on federal government contracts worth $1 million or more to have an employment equity plan?
the Federal Contractors Program
Which of the following is a firm's internal factor that can influence the rates at which employees are paid? a. labour market conditions b. collective bargaining c. the cost of living d. the employer's strategy
the employer's strategy
Which learning method would be well-suited to teach air-traffic controllers how use the radar display?
the simulation method
Which of the following is an advantage of merit increases on a lump-sum basis? a. They do not contribute to escalating base salary levels b. They add a permanent sum to the base salary c. They are done in conjunction with promotions d. They reflect annual adjustments in base salary
they do not contribute to escalating base salary levels
What is the purpose of a profit-sharing plan? a. to allow workers to contribute ideas and suggestions b. to motivate a total commitment to the organization as a whole c. to enable workers to share in labour cost savings d. to instil commitment to the employee's immediate work group
to motivate a total commitment to the organization as a whole
Scenario 9.2 Calendar "R" Us Ltd. is a small firm that manufactures yearly calendars with a specific focus on middle and high schools in Alberta. They started operations back in 2006 with just 12 employees, two machines, and a small warehouse that served as an office and production and storage facilities. Today, Calendar "R" Us has roughly 60 employees and supplies its calendars to most middle and high schools in Alberta. When employees join they are paid based on their relationship with the owners. Given the rapid growth in its staff complement, and the arbitrary way in which it normally compensates employees, payroll has proven to be quite a challenge for the company as management looks to expand into other provinces. 13. Refer to Scenario 9.2. Which of the following is a useful and cost-effective way for Calendar 'R" Us to find information on wage and salary trends in similar industries?a. develop in-house surveys b. use surveys done by provincial governments and boards of trade c. purchase surveys done with global organizations d. set wages based on ability to pay only
use surveys done by provincial governments and boards of trade
Under which of the following conditions would a firm continue to use expatriates in its international operations even after a few years? a. when the labour costs of expatriates increase b. when local employees are fully trained c. when it wants to send a signal that it values third-country nationals d. when host-country nationals continue to experience difficulties with marketing the firm's products
when host-country nationals continue to experience difficulties with marketing the firm's products
When is piecework most appropriate? a. when the job is fairly standardized b. when quality is more important than quantity c. when performance measures are difficult to define d. when technology changes are frequent
when the job is fairly standardized
Which of the following is based on the perspective that work-related accidents and illnesses should be considered a cost of doing business and that employees should not bear the costs of their treatment? a. unpaid leave b. medical care benefits c. paid sick time d. workers' compensation insurance
workers' compensation insurance
Which of the following statements best describes cross-training?
It represents a shift from assembly-line production to
Which of the following is a reason why performance evaluation programs fail? a. Managers use them for administrative purposes b. Performance standards may not be clear c. The program is usually based on a job analysis rather than a competency analysis d. There is too much employee input into the development of the evaluation program
Performance standards may not be clear
6. What is a key implication of expectancy theory when applied to pay systems? a. Employees must get pay raises to cover increased living costs b. Employees expect their managers to be competent c. Employers expect their employees to be competent d. Rewards must be valuable for motivation to occur
Rewards must be valuable for motivation to occur
Accounting clerks, pay clerks, and junior secretaries are all classed in Grade 2 at Metroland Inc. Which of the following should apply to all these jobs? a. They should all receive the same wage rate in order to achieve equality b. They should be paid within the same pay range c. They should be paid similar to Grade 2 jobs at McDonald's d. They should be paid at different wage rates because the worth of these jobs to the organization may differ
They should be paid within the same pay range
Mark recently received an incentive for a special contribution not directly tied to a performance standard. What is this incentive called? a. a piece rate plan b. a spot bonus c. a special incentive d. a differential piece rate
a spot bonus
What do we call jobs that are selected to be included in salary surveys? a. higher-pay jobs b. equity jobs c. comparison jobs d. benchmark jobs
benchmark jobs
Accounting Power Inc. is a Canadian employment agency that provides professional accounting services to various businesses across the country. In the last couple of years, the firm has been slowly losing clients, which is impacting its bottom line. Interviews done with some clients revealed that Accounting Power Inc. employees are not as sharp as they used to be and, lately, there have been too many inconsistencies and errors with their work. In the last recession, managers could not justify how the training was adding value to the agency. These programs were not viewed as strategic imperatives and most of them were cut. Accounting Powerr Inc. is losing its clients because it did not accurately do which of the following? a. design the right training programs to help its employees success b. hire the right trainers to run the programs c. assess the extent to which training programs improve learning and behaviour on the job and eventually impact their performance d. evaluate participants' reactions
design the right training programs to help its employees success
Some organizations ask managers to place a percentage of their employees in the bottom performance category on every performance evaluation exercise, which in some cases may mean they are fired. Which type of performance evaluation method does this exemplify? a. forced-distribution system b. checklist method c. percent method d. forced-choice method
forced-distribution system
Which of the following is job classification often used to help determine pay for? a. merit bonuses b. the company's CEO c. classified university professors' jobs d. government jobs
government jobs
Which of the following methods require an appraiser to rate the degree to which the employee possesses a trait or characteristic? a. behaviourally anchored rating scale b. graphic rating scale c. forced-choice method d. critical incident method
graphic rating scale
Meritas Financial Ltd. is a financial advisory firm located in downtown Toronto. Most of the firm's senior employees (referred to as partners) are paid top dollar for bringing in huge accounts regardless of whether these accounts bring in the appropriate amount of business to justify the incentives paid. The partners are compensated on the net worth of the companies that sign on to use Meritas as their financial advisor. The owner is now concerned about this pay arrangement and wants to make changes to the way he compensates his employees. However, he is worried that with a potential reduction of salary and short-term incentives, he might lose some of his most valuable employees and the accounts that they brought on board. 6. Refer to Scenario 10.2. Meritas wants to keep these employees happy and motivated. Which of the following is NOT a positive impact of implementing profit sharing? a. having an adverse effect on productivity and employee morale b. helping stimulate employees to think and feel more like partners c. encouraging a total commitment from employees d. contributing to the growth of the organization's profit
having an adverse effect on productivity and employee morale
What is the foundation for performance standards in the development of effective performance management systems? a. the knowledge and experience of HR managers b. feedback from customers c. job-related requirements derived from a job analysis d. job evaluations
job-related requirements derived from a job analysis
Which of the following training methods is the most poorly implemented?
on-the-job training
BioMetrics Imaging Ltd. is a small Saskatoon-based firm that designs and produces one-of-a-kind machines that are capable of capturing medical imaging similar to that of MRI machines but with a higher percentage of accuracy. So far, the company has been able to sell various units to privately owned medical clinics and a few hospitals in the United States. The problem currently facing BioMetrics Imaging is finding salespeople with the appropriate experience who not only understand the equipment but are also trustworthy and willing to work extremely hard to bring the product to the marketplace. It takes roughly six months to convince potential clients to purchase the machines. Sales agents receive a hefty paycheque when a unit is sold based on a percentage of the unit price, and all travel expenses are covered. Still, the company is not able to retain its employees because the time lag between beginning to sell machines and getting paid is too long. Which of the following factors is least likely to affect sales for this equipment? a. economic and seasonal fluctuations b. sales competition and changes in demand c. producing the machines in a timely manner d. the nature of the sales territory
producing the machines in a timely manner
Which of the following is the simplest method to evaluate a training program
reactions
What do we call payment rates above the maximum of a pay range? a. red circle rates b. unfair pay rates c. pay for talent d. broadband rates
red circle rates
Max Weber works for ABC Corporation a sales agent. The company uses his actual sales numbers to rate his performance. What performance evaluation method is ABC Corporation using? a. trait method b. behavioural method c. outcome method d. results method
results method
What do we call the process of grooming an employee to take over the supervisor's job through gaining experience in handling important functions of the job?
role modelling
What is the first step in the employment equity implementation process?
senior management commitment
Amelia received a stellar performance appraisal in 2014, which translated to a 10 percent pay raise for 2015. Her 2014 base pay was $50 000. Which of the following applies to 2015? a. Her employer would give her a bonus of $5000 b. Her pay would remain $50 000 but she would most likely get a promotion c. Her employer would add 10 percent to all her 2014 compensation components—base pay, incentives, benefits, and perks d. $5000 would be added to her 2014 base pay
$5000 would be added to her 2014 base pay
Which of the following is the fastest growing demographic group in Canada?
visible minorities
Which of the following is NOT one of the four designated groups covered by the federal Employment Equity Act?
war veterans
What is the most important thing an organization can do to ensure that a performance evaluation process achieves standards that are legally defensible if challenged in courts? a. Use calibration and train the managers on how to deliver feedback b. Make sure the tool is reliable c. Base the standards on a sound job analysis and make sure all involved know what the standards are d. Make sure managers are not biased in their delivery of evaluation feedback
Base the standards on a sound job analysis and make sure all involved know what the standards are
Which of the following best describes orientation programs?
Careful planning of orientation activities is essential
What is the main difference between training and development?
Development is more future-oriented and broadly focused
What does the strategic relevance of performance evaluations refer to? a. the extent to which individuals tend to maintain a certain level of performance over time b. the extent to which standards capture the entire range of an employee's responsibilities c. the extent to which standards relate to the overall objectives of the organization d. the extent to which internal and external strategic factors can influence performance
the extent to which standards relate to the overall objectives of the organization
Which of the following is a major concern about executive compensation? a. the timing of the stock awards b. the lack of objective performance data c. the lack of perquisites d. the growing gap between leaders and the company's lowest-paid employees
the growing gap between leaders and the company's lowest-paid employees
If Furniture Emporium wants to create an environment for success in the international furniture market by leveraging their employees, what do they need to fully understand?
the need for a systematic approach to managing diversity
What are the two key factors that affect the success of those who are identified to receive training? a. trainee readiness and trainee motivation b. trainee capacity and trainee motivation c. trainee readiness and trainee capacity d. trainee participation and trainee capacity
trainee readiness and trainee motivation
When designers of training programs attempt to make conditions in the training program come as close as possible to those on the job, which of the following are they attempting to improve?
transfer
Ross Metals Inc. is claiming that it would cost the organization more than half its revenues to build a ramp to accommodate one of its employees with a disability. What is likely the argument Ross Metals Inc. is making to seek exemption from the duty to accommodate?
undue hardship to the employer
Tracy was evaluated by multiple raters in her last job, including her supervisor, customers, peers, and clients. What performance evaluation system was most likely used in this instance? a. whole-team evaluations b. peer evaluations c. 360-degree feedback d. multiplicative feedback
360-degree feedback
Suppose the performance evaluations that salespeople receive are based solely on sales revenue to the exclusion of other important factors. Which of the following would these performance evaluations suffer from? a. criterion contamination b. lack of reliability c. criterion deficiency d. lack of criterion relevance
criterion deficiency
Tiffany works as an IT specialist at Nortel. She is compensated based on such skills as programming and service to clients. It is likely that she is paid under which of the following pay plans? a. a competency-based pay plan b. a performance-based pay plan c. a merit-based pay plan d. a seniority-based pay plan
a competency-based pay plan
All of following are reasons for earning a merit raise, EXCEPT which one?
a profit merit decision
Bob works in an electronic store where he is paid only if he sells merchandise. What type of compensation plan is Bob's company utilizing for its salespeople? a. a straight commission plan b. a straight salary plan c. a combination salary and commission plan d. a sales plus bonus plan
a straight commission plan
Vi works at PC Shoes and is paid for time she works in the store. How would you classify Vi? a. a salaried employee b. an hourly employee c. an exploited employee d. a white-collar employee
an hourly employee
In terms of training techniques, on which of the following principles does behaviour modification operate?
A behaviour that is rewarded will be exhibited more frequently
Which of the following is NOT a developmental purpose of performance evaluation? a. meeting legal requirements b. providing performance feedback c. improving communication d. identifying an individual's strengths and weaknesses
meeting legal requirements
What is the most common training delivery method for formally training employees?
on-the-job training
Organization Z is about to undertake an organization-wide process of ensuring equitable representation in terms of designated groups, including an analysis and redressing of past discriminations. What is Organization Z undertaking?
employment equity policy implementation
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of labour force statistics in Canada today?
increasing proportion of Aboriginals
