Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals

A department manager advises you that the productivity of his data entry operators is unsatisfactory and asks you to develop a training program to improve their data entry skills. What is your first step?

• Conduct a needs asessment

• Develop a lesson plan

• Talk to other managers to validate the situation.

• Select a training Method

Answer explanation

A needs assessment is conducted to determine what is required to solve a problem, including whether training is the appropriate intervention. If, for example, network crashes are the cause of the low productivity, training will not solve the problem.

For several months, the management team has been struggling to come to grips with the need for a formal succession plan. About 30 percent of the workforce will reach retirement age within 10 years, and little has been done to prepare for the loss of knowledge in key roles that will occur as employees begin to retire. The team has come to a consensus that what is needed is a comprehensive plan, on that includes a mentor program for each of the key positions, identification of key skills that will need to be replaced, a recruiting strategy that attracts qualified candidates wo are looking for longevity, and creating a more open culture. Which of the following can be used to accomplish these goals?

• Create a succession plan

• Create a knowledge Management Program

• Create a Talent Management Program

• All of the above

Answer explanation

A talent management program is a comprehensive strategy to workforce management. This approach includes planning for future needs, recruiting, qualified candidates, creating compensation and retention strategies, developing employees, managing performance, and cultivating a positive culture.

Based on an analysis of the industry and labor market trends, a VP of Human Resources has determine that the best course of action for her company is to change from a narrow to a broadband salary structure. The current structure has been in place for more than 15 years, and the VP is anticipating strong reisstanc eot making the change. Which of the following tools should the VP use to convince the executive team to make the change?

• Calculate the return on investment

• Build a business case

• Calculate the cost-benefit analysis

• Conduct a SWOT analyis

Answer explanation

A business case lays out the desired result of an action or program, presents alternative solutions, describes possible risks from both implementing and not implementing the action, and defines the criteria used to measure success.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs does not include the following need

• Social

• Safety

• Growth

• Self-actualization

Answer explanation

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory developed to explain what motivates workers. The levels are physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. Growth is a need level identified by Alderfer in the ERG theory, which is based on Maslow's work.

Rachel has worked in accounting for six years. She has always been a steady performer, but recently she has made several costly errors in her work. The accounting manager, Rachel's boss has talked to her several time, but no improvement has taken place what is the most appropriate action the manager should take?

• First written warning

• Verbal warning

• Decision-making day

• Coaching

Answer explanation

Assuming that the nature of the previous conversations with Rachel has been informal the first step is a verbal warning, where Rachel is advised that his isi the first step in the disciplinary process and failure to improve will lead to further disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

What is the purpose of a diversity initiative?

• To educate all employees about other groups in the workforce.

• To increase the diversity of the workforce.

• To increase organizational creativity.

• To increase the comfort level of employees.

Answer explanation

A diversity initiative is designed to increase diversity in an organization. Diversity training educates employees about the cultural and social differences in other cultures and is designed to increase the comfort level of employees

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate use of an HRIS

• Tracking applicant data for the EEO-1

• Tracking time and attendance

• Tracking employee expense reports

• Maintaining employee records

Answer explanation

Data for employee expense reports is maintained by the accounting department. An HRIS system can be used to collect and track employee data for various uses, including EEO-1 reporting, time and attendance, and other employee records.

The middle value when values are arranged in order from high to low is which of the following?

• Mean

• Median

• Mode

• Moving average

Answer explanation

Median is the middle value when values are arranged from high to low. Half the numbers are higher than the media; half are lower.

Which of the following is a basic principle behind job analysis

• The analysis focuses on the job, not the person

• The analysis focuses on the person doing the job, not the job.

• The analysis is limited to task inventories and questionnaires.

• The required qualifications should include everything the manager would like the employee to have.

Answer explanation

The correct focus of a job analysis is the job itself, not the incumbent in the job. Performance management focuses on the person in the job.

After conducting a risk assessment, what can you do to protect the company against any identified risks?

• Identify policies that are applied inconsistently througout the organization

• Obtain employment practices liability insurance

• Develop a plan to reduce the risks

• Present management with a plan for reducing the risks

Answer explanation

As part of the risk assessment, inconsistent policies have been identified, a plan for reducing risk has been developed, and management has reviewed the plan for reducing risks. After the assessment is complete, the company may decided to purchase insurance, self-insure, or mitigate the risk by making operational changes.