MGT EXAM 1

A company that produces solar panels for domestic use has 800 permanent employees working in different departments. If the company gets involved in a case of intentional employee discrimination, what is the maximum amount of punitive damages it would have to pay under the Civil Rights Act of 1991? A) $300,000 B) $200,000 C) $250,000 D) $50,000 E) $100,000

A

All job descriptions within an organization should follow the same format. A) True B) False

A

Arabela, a Hispanic female in the accounting department of a large retail chain, believes she has been the victim of race and sex discrimination. What is a reason she would not be able to turn to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) for assistance with this problem? A) Her employer doesn't have contracts with the federal government. B) A retail chain would not be affected by federal anti-discrimination laws. C) The injury to Arabela is under the $50,000 threshold. D) The OFCCP protection does not cover sex discrimination. E) Her company does not have an affirmative-action plan on file.

A

Establishing and administering personnel policies allows a company to handle problematic situations more fairly and objectively than if it addressed such incidents on a case-by-case basis. A) True B) False

A

Human resources cannot be imitated. A) True B) False

A

In the Job Characteristics Model, feedback refers to the extent to which A) a person receives clear information about performance effectiveness from the work itself. B) employees are given the authority to make decisions. C) a job requires completing a "whole" piece of work from beginning to end. D) a job requires a variety of skills to carry out the tasks involved. E) performance appraisals are perceived as transparent and fair by employees.

A

In the context of forecasting the demand for labor, using trend analysis, inventory levels, changes in technology, and actions of competitors are examples of A) leading indicators. B) functional pointers. C) transitional matrices. D) coincident pointers. E) performance indicators.

A

Kathryn is a nurse in an emergency room. She works 10 hours a day, four days a week, instead of working eight hours a day for five days a week. Kathryn's schedule is called a compressed workweek. A) True B) False

A

Pamela uses ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and LinkedIn to search for jobs every day. These are examples of which type of recruiting source? A) job search and networking B) colleges and universities C) executive search firms D) direct applicants E) help-wanted advertising

A

Starbrite, a merchandising company, has employees who work in different cities in different time zones around the country. They work together efficiently with the help of technology, such as videoconferencing, cell phones, and e-mail. Which statement is true about Starbrite? A) It encourages virtual teams. B) It is using offshoring. C) It does not hold employees accountable for products and services. D) It encourages centralized decision making. E) It has a vertical organizational structure.

A

Tryon Tools applies its in-depth understanding of the challenges facing manufacturers to design and build custom machine tools that are highly valued by business customers. To maintain its competitive advantage, Tryon Tools also wants to avoid spending more than is necessary on administrative activities such as managing employee benefits. What would be the most effective way for Tryon Tools to minimize administrative expenses without sacrificing quality? A) outsourcing administrative work to an organization that specializes in these services B) moving to a location where low-cost workers are abundant C) hiring new employees with administrative skills D) downsizing the workforce so fewer administrators are needed E) hiring temporary workers to fill permanent job positions

A

A computer system used to acquire, store, manipulate, analyze, retrieve, and distribute information about employees is cloud computing. A) True B) False

B

Given the increasing use of computers to do routine tasks, which employee skill is most likely to be actively sought by U.S. employers today? A) ability to work with a variety of tools B) interpersonal skills C) ability to perform routine tasks D) physical strength E) mastery of a particular piece of machinery

B

In companies that are ethical and successful, senior executives are the only stakeholders who are responsible for the actions of the company. A) True B) False

B

In the Job Characteristics Model, task significance refers to the degree to which a job requires completing a "whole" piece of work from beginning to end. A) True B) False

B

The members of Generation X are characterized by their comfort with the latest technology, and the need to be noticed, respected, and involved. A) True B) False

B

The right of free consent states that employers can conceal the nature of a job while hiring an employee for a particular position. A) True B) False

B

To gather information about worker requirements, the Fleishman Job Analysis System typically asks __________ to evaluate a job in terms of the abilities required to perform the job. A) supervisors B) subject-matter experts C) external analysts D) HR specialists E) CEOs

B

Which statement about avoiding discrimination is true? A) A bona fide occupational qualification is a merely preferred qualification for performing a job. B) Reasonable accommodation is provided subject to the condition of undue hardship. C) Proving disparate impact in court requires showing an employer's intent. D) If the four-fifths rule is satisfied, substantial evidence of discrimination exists. E) Proving disparate treatment in court does not require the plaintiff showing an employer's intent.

B

Tetsu is a member of the human resource department at a fabric wholesale company. Setting a goal to enhance the firm's strategy, Tetsu works to attain it by understanding the current human resources. Through a series of surveys, interviews, and observations, she learns what talents the various departments of the company currently need, and attracts new human resources according to those requirements. What kind of HRM responsibility does this example illustrate? A) HRM's responsibility to carry out transactions B) HRM's responsibility to answer questions C) HRM's responsibility to serve as a strategic partner D) HRM's responsibility to handle administrative tasks E) HRM's responsibility to develop effective systems

C

A large-scale chemical production company buys a smaller chemical production company to secure a greater share of the industry. This scenario exemplifies A) downsizing. B) a merger. C) a consolidation. D) a strategic alliance. E) a partnership.

C

Identify the correct statement regarding the composition of the U.S. labor force during the projected 2018-2028 period. A) The total workforce of the United States will considerably decrease. B) The labor force is expected to grow at a greater rate than at any other time in U.S. history. C) Despite a small increase in the number of young workers, the overall workforce will be aging. D) The largest proportion of the labor force is expected to be in the 16- to 25-year age group. E) The segment of the workforce nearing retirement age will hold steady.

C

The practice of having another company provide services is known as A) reengineering. B) benchmarking. C) outsourcing. D) downsizing. E) codetermining.

C

What is a disadvantage of using temporary and contract workers? A) These workers work well in key jobs, but not in those jobs that supplement permanent employees. B) These methods are a relatively slow solution to labor shortage. C) These workers tend to be less committed to an organization. D) These kinds of workers cannot be hired through an agency. E) Revocability of this method is more difficult than other methods of avoiding labor shortage.

C

What is necessary for the success of employee empowerment? A) Employers should create jobs that minimize the need for the employees to come up with innovative ideas and solutions. B) Employers should provide feedback only when employees resign and are about to leave the organization. C) Employees must be properly trained to exert their wider authority and use information resources such as the Internet. D) The jobs must be designed in such a manner that the managers have complete control over business processes. E) Pay and other rewards should reflect employees' loyalty to the organization and not their authority.

C

Which statement characterizes the Civil Rights Act of 1991? A) It limits damage claims to attorney's fees and costs. B) It limits the maximum punitive damages to $50,000 for all organizations even if the discrimination was intentional. C) It limits the maximum punitive damages allowed depending on the size of an organization. D) It prohibits violators from paying compensatory damages. E) It requires violators to pay punitive damages that specifically cover emotional pain and suffering.

C

Which statement is correct about the HR responsibilities of supervisors? A) Job analysis and job design are techniques that lie outside the purview of supervisors. B) Supervisors do not interview job candidates. C) Supervisors typically have responsibilities related to all the HR functions. D) In large organizations, all HR activities are carried out by supervisors. E) Supervisors do not need to be familiar with the basics of HRM.

C

__________ granted all persons the same property rights as white citizens, as well as the right to enter into and enforce contracts. A) Executive Order 11246 B) The Fourteenth Amendment C) The Civil Rights Act of 1866 D) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act E) The Thirteenth Amendment

C

According to the Job Characteristics Model, __________ reflects the degree to which a job allows an individual to make decisions about the way the work is carried out. A) feedback B) skill variety C) task knowledge D) autonomy E) task ability

D

Dorey's company was undergoing a major change from brick and mortar stores to an online ordering system. As HR manager, she was assigned the task of managing this transition. Which HR responsibility is Dorey performing? A) employee data and information systems B) compliance with laws C) personnel policies D) support for strategy E) analysis and design of work

D

Given that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published numerous standards, what is the significance of the OSH Act's general-duty clause? A) It is significant, because NIOSH standards are for government workers only. B) It is somewhat significant, because companies may not understand the NIOSH standards. C) It is not at all significant, because the NIOSH standards have taken the place of the general-duty clause. D) It is very significant, because NIOSH cannot anticipate all possible hazards. E) It is slightly significant, because eventually the NIOSH standards may replace the general-duty clause.

D

Kareem is a human resource specialist at a company with a promote-from-within policy. Based on that policy, what method should he include in his recruiting efforts to fill an open position for an accounting supervisor? A) invite employees to refer a friend B) post the job on an industry careers website C) use the services of a private employment agency D) post the job on the company's intranet E) send recruiters to colleges

D

Myra, a production manager at a healthcare company, must predict future labor demand using information about service levels from the past two years. Myra will most likely use __________ to predict the demand. A) workforce utilization review B) cost per hire C) capacity utilization analysis D) trend analysis E) yield ratio

D

The Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was introduced to enhance employment opportunity for A) women. B) older employees. C) minors. D) individuals with disabilities. E) minorities.

D

What is a key advantage of human resource information systems? A) They can be used to develop new lines of products. B) They can be used to reduce the size of the HR staff. C) They can ensure that data is kept private and confidential. D) They help HR professionals think strategically. E) They can be used to scrutinize balance sheets.

D

Which statement about a bona fide occupational qualification is true? A) It is used to deem disparate treatment illegal. B) It is a preferred qualification for the job. C) It is strictly prohibited by organizations. D) It is a necessary qualification for a job. E) It is considered illegal by a court.

D

Which statement is true of ethics in human resource management? A) Evidence shows that HRM practices are invariably ethical. B) The general public has a positive perception of the ethical conduct of U.S. businesses. C) Most managers have a positive perception of the ethical conduct of U.S. businesses. D) HR managers must view employees as having basic rights. E) Most people believe that individuals apply values they hold in their personal lives to their professional activities.

D

An organization's ability to profit without depleting its resources, including employees, natural resources, and the support of the surrounding community, is called A) absorbability. B) credibility. C) adjustability. D) substitutability. E) sustainability.

E

A consulting firm equips all of its employees with laptop computers, which they use at their desks and carry to client meetings. What ergonomic challenge is most likely to result from employees using these devices throughout the day? A) pain from the tactile feedback of pressing keys B) fatigue from taking frequent breaks to move around C) shoulder strain from carrying them around D) distraction from paying attention to posture E) physical strain to wrists from improper positioning for typing

E

A small company that manufactures special-order wood furniture has kept its employees busy on a 40-hours-a-week schedule for the past two years. The company just received a large contract from a Chinese company that is opening offices in the area. The Chinese company has given a month's time for completion of its order. To complete the contract in the required one month, the furniture company needs additional skilled labor on short notice. Which strategy might the company use if it wants to avoid this short-term labor shortage while finding a simple and cost-effective solution? A) retrained transfers B) turnover reductions C) new external hires D) technological innovation E) overtime

E

Drew is the manager of the accounting division at a manufacturing company. She wants to initiate a teamwork system because she believes it will improve the performance of the division. Which statement provides valid support for Drew's idea? A) Teamwork eliminates the need for quality control. B) Teamwork reduces errors because team members must communicate face-to-face. C) Teamwork simplifies each job to a few tasks, reducing errors. D) Teamwork encourages centralized decision making, which will lower costs. E) Teamwork makes work motivating for employees and helps reduce labor costs.

E

In the past, hospitals deferred to physicians' judgments in how they carried out their work. More recently, hospitals have begun asking surgical teams to use standard presurgical checklists aimed at avoiding miscommunications and oversights. From a job design perspective, why is this aspect of work flow an appropriate one for a hospital to focus on? A) Use of checklists will increase the amount of memorization and information required by a surgical team. B) Simplifying the mental demands of the jobs may enable a hospital to replace high-priced physicians with technicians. C) When jobs are complex and challenging, job design should focus on motivational issues such as autonomy. D) Simplifying work is especially important when jobs are challenging and employees are poorly trained. E) Simplifying work is especially beneficial when jobs are challenging and the costs of error are severe

E

Kai, one of the senior managers at Brazen Inc., insists that the company supervisors handle employee relations as part of their jobs. Which statement strengthens Kai's argument? A) The supervisors have the business experience to take up additional responsibilities. B) The supervisors are not a part of the employees' union. C) The supervisors do not hold any stakes in the organization. D) The supervisors are responsible for any action taken by the employees. E) The supervisors represent the company on a day-to-day basis.

E

Maverick is the human resource manager at Gold Corp. He clearly understands the company's strategy. He has a solid understanding of business principles, and he applies these to help the HR department contribute to Gold's success. This scenario indicates that Maverick has competency in the area of: A) ethical practice. B) leadership and navigation. C) communication. D) relationship management. E) business acumen.

E

Quincy is the HR manager who is preparing for the launch of a new product line. The company needs to know how many new customer service representatives to add to help customers with questions and concerns about the existing and new products. To guide the company, Quincy needs information about the number of employees currently providing customer service, the number likely to be in those jobs next year, and the number expected to move to other positions in the organization. The information will be easier to organize and interpret if Quincy uses a(n) A) electronic recruiting process. B) due-process policy. C) multiple regression analysis. D) propensity analysis. E) transitional matrix

E

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects only those workers who are over the age of A) 35. B) 30. C) 25. D) 20. E) 40.

E

The process of communicating information about a job vacancy on company bulletin boards, in employee publications, on corporate intranets, and anywhere else an organization communicates with employees is referred to as A) employment referral. B) a workforce utilization review. C) direct sourcing. D) external hiring. E) job posting.

E

What is an HR dashboard? A) a system used to store, analyze, and process the information regarding the levels of demand and inventory B) a messaging system used by HR managers to communicate with employees C) a tool used to measure the profitability and growth rate of the organization D) a computer system used to acquire and distribute information about work schedules and job duties E) a display of how the company is performing on specific HR metrics

E

What is one challenge HR might find when attempting to downsize? A) Decision making has become decentralized, leaving no department with the power to reduce the workforce. B) Voluntary turnover programs are illegal. C) Downsizing companies tend to have a strong, interconnected hierarchy. D) Defining employees who are "less valuable" is fluid and hard to determine. E) The best workers may leave before the organization lays off anyone.

E

Which scenario exemplifies an individual in the external labor market? A) Arman, a temporary worker, being paid by a company for his services B) Jason, a contract worker, working for a certain period specified in a written contract C) Jerusha, an employee, going through training D) Vineet, an employee, securing his financial services certification E) Annabelle, an engineering graduate, looking for a job

E