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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

HRCI SPHR Exam Questions

Page 2 of 60

21.

What are the examples of compensation documents that should be reviewed as part of the due-diligence process?

Select all that apply. There are 3 correct answers.

  • Hourly wage rates by the job

  • Salary schedules

  • Number of employees in each position

  • Active workers compensation claims

  • Collective bargaining agreement

  • Offer letters/employment contract

HR professionals typically play pivotal roles in a merger or acquisition's core due diligence activity. During due diligence, information about talent and culture—along with typical assessments of employee benefits plans and liabilities, compensation programs, employment contracts and policies, legal exposure, and more—can provide insights into the value of a property and its workforce and can decrease the likelihood of challenges once the deal is complete.

A thorough review of the following information generally takes place during the due diligence phase of the transactions. The items reviewed include:

  • HR documents - This includes names and locations of employees, offer letters/employment contracts, I-9 forms, and visa documents, benefit plans
  • Compensation documents - This includes hourly wage rates by the job, salary schedules, number of employees in each position
  • Policies and procedures - This includes the policy manual, employee handbook, supervisor/manager handbook
  • Equal opportunity compliance - This includes EEO-1 reports, affirmative action plans, government notices of compliance activity
  • Legal compliance - This includes COBRA notices, active FMLA leave, WARN compliance, and OSHA compliance
  • Labor relations - This includes collective bargaining agreement, ongoing negotiations, union activity, and grievance history
  • Legal exposure - This includes pending or resolved sexual-harassment claims, termination disputes, violations of state/federal law, active workers compensation claims

22.

What approach is demonstrated when an organization fills positions with the best candidate possible, regardless of their nationality?

  • Geocentric

  • Ethnocentric

  • Regiocentric

  • Polycentric

Correct answer: Geocentric

A geocentric staffing strategy is when an employer chooses to fill positions with the best candidates possible, no matter where they are from or where they live.

23.

The benefits of an LMS (learning management system) include:

Select all that apply. There are 3 correct answers.

  • Streamlines organizational learning

  • Stores training content and curriculum

  • Allows for pre- and post-assessments

  • Develops training content

  • Determines learning goals and outcomes

A learning management system is often an extension of the HRIS system, but can also be a stand-alone technology. The goal of an LMS is to support and streamline the training and development efforts of the organization.  

From an administrative perspective, an LMS has the capability to manage the learning process by assigning courses to team members as well as provides reporting on completion of assigned training. Additionally, an LMS stores training content and can help evaluate the effectiveness of the training by allowing pre and post-training assessments. 

While an LMS may come with some standard training content, it will be up to the organization to develop any additional training content and determine the organization's learning goals and the desired outcomes.

24.

Which of the following states what employees may or may not do to comply with a particular policy? 

  • Work rule

  • Policy

  • Procedure

  • Law

Correct answer: Work rule

Work rules are defined as the set of rules that are established by the organization as the behaviors, expectations, and standards that an employee must adhere to while performing the duties of their position. 

Policy is the general guideline established by the organization as a method to support the decision-making process for the organization, supervisors, and employees.  

Procedures are defined as the tactical description for how the policy is to be implemented within the organization. Procedures are typically a step-by-step outline of the expectations of the employee in performing the duties of their position. 

25.

The organization process for unions includes signed authorization cards obtained by the union from employees. What does an authorization card do?

  • Determines if there is sufficient support for a union to organize

  • Determines if there are enough managers to support a union election

  • Authorizes an employee to vote

  • Authorizes a union official to be elected or to run for a position

Correct answer: Determines if there is sufficient support for a union to organize

An authorization card is a card signed by eligible employees to show their support for union organization. In order for the NLRB to petition an election, 30% of eligible employees of the bargaining unit must sign authorization cards.

26.

Which of the following is not a type of patent that is defined in the United States?

  • Culinary patents

  • Design patents

  • Utility patents

  • Plant patents

Correct answer: Culinary patents

A patent provides inventors exclusive rights to benefit from their inventions for a set timeframe. Patent laws in the United States define three types of patents:

  1. Design patent: Limited to 14 years, design patents are used to protect original, new and/or ornamental designs of manufactured items. 
  2. Utility patent: Limited to 20 years,  a utility patent protects the invention of useful and new machines, processes, the manufacturing or composition of and improvements to matter.
  3. Plant patent: Limited to 20 years, a plant patent protect the invention or discovery of varieties of plants that have been asexually reproduced.

27.

What is the best reason a recruiter within an organization may reach out to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for candidates?

  • To take a multicultural approach to recruit diverse candidates

  • To recruit the managers that work at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  • To hire an all Hispanic workforce

  • Because they have family in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and value their opinions

Correct answer: To take a multicultural approach to recruit diverse candidates

Many organizations want to find ways to recruit underrepresented people and create a more diverse workforce. One example of taking a multicultural approach to finding diverse and qualified candidates is to reach out to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for candidate recommendations.

28.

Hank has been with his organization for 27 years and is a valued employee. Lately, his supervisor has noticed a decline in performance and suspects that it is a result of the new software program. Which development opportunity should Hank's supervisor consider offering?

  • Reverse mentorship

  • Job enlargement

  • Career development

  • Job design

Correct answer: Reverse mentorship

A mentor is an experienced employee who teaches, guides and provides feedback to a more junior colleague. A reverse mentor is a younger professional who helps more tenured professionals understand technology and the culture of the younger generation.

29.

If a manager is required to use a bell curve when writing performance appraisals, what comparison method is he using?

  • Forced ranking

  • Paired comparison

  • Ranked performance

  • Rating scale

Correct answer: Forced ranking

Comparison appraisal methods are used to measure the performance of one or more employees as compared with the performance of one or more other employees. The most common methods of comparison are ranking, paired comparison, and forced ranking.

  • The ranking method is used to list employees in descending order from the highest to the lowest performer. This method works better for small teams vs larger teams.
  • In the paired comparison method, each employee in the group is compared individually with one other employee at a time.
  • With forced ranking, managers are required to rank employees along the bell curve, with a small group of employees at the high end of the curve, a small group at the low end of the curve, and the majority of employees in the average range of the curve.

30.

John is 15 years old and working as a cashier for the summer. He volunteered to work the 4th of July holiday weekend because his company was offering an incentive. What time must John clock out for the company to remain FLSA-compliant? 

  • 9 PM

  • 10 PM

  • 7 PM

  • John is not eligible to work under FLSA child labor laws

Correct answer: 9 PM

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets regulations on working hours for youth workers. During the school year, they can work between 7 AM and 7 PM, but in the days between June 1 and Labor Day, the workday can be extended to 9 PM.

John is allowed to work as a cashier because youths aged 14 and 15 are allowed to work jobs that are not farming, mining, or otherwise hazardous. Since the 4th of July holiday weekend falls between June 1st and Labor Day, he is able to work until 9 PM.

31.

Which of the following is not included in the process used to determine the appropriate pay level for a position?

  • Select a candidate

  • Recommend a salary range

  • Review the job description

  • Select a salary survey

Correct answer: Select a candidate

Compensation administration is a complex process with many steps. Job evaluation and job pricing are just two of the steps in the process.

When a new position is created, or when changes occur to an existing position, companies should engage in job pricing, which is used to determine appropriate pay levels for a position. The four main steps involved in job pricing are:

  1. Review the job description
  2. Select a salary survey
  3. Review compensation components
  4. Recommend a salary range

Selecting the candidate is not part of the job pricing process.

32.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act established a four-step process for employers to follow which includes:

Select all that apply. There are 4 correct answers.

  • A written stand-alone disclosure form must be provided to the candidate

  • Written authorization must be provided to the employer

  • Before adverse action is taken based on the credit report, the candidate must be given a copy of the background report and advised of their rights under the FCRA

  • Candidate must be advised of their right to dispute the information

  • Candidate must be given 30 days to provide their authorization to the employer

  • Candidate has 7 days to revoke their authorization

In general, when employers use a third party to conduct background checks on applicants or employees, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) will apply. The FCRA governs how employers obtain and handle consumer reports, which include standard background checks. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an FCRA consumer report is any written, oral or other communication of any information by a consumer-reporting agency bearing on a consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living. In the employment context, this definition may, for example, include credit reports, criminal history reports, driving records and other background check reports created by a third party, such as drug tests. The FCRA does not apply when an employer does its own investigation, only when a third party is used.

The FCRA requires employers to disclose that consumer reports may be used for employment decisions and to secure consent from employees or applicants to obtain these reports. If consumer reports provide information that results in an adverse employment action against an individual, the employer must provide the person with a copy of the report and his or her FCRA rights. In addition, the candidate must be advised of their right to dispute the information, which is included in the FCRA rights.

33.

What does AAP stand for?

  • Affirmative Action Plan

  • American Academy of Pediatrics

  • Affirmative Applicant Preference

  • Applicant Action Plan

Correct answer: Affirmative Action Plan

AAP stands for affirmative action plan, which is an employer written plan used to help their workplace comply with equal employment opportunity laws for protected classes.

34.

The CEO of Organization X is due to retire in three years. To properly transition through the loss of a key employee, Organization X should develop a:

  • Succession plan

  • Continuity of operations plan

  • Disaster-recovery plan

  • Emergency-response plan

Correct answer: Succession plan

Organization X should develop a succession plan. A succession plan is the process for identifying potential individuals within the organization who can replace leaders and they transition out of the organization. This allows for experienced individuals to assume the responsibilities of these key positions without disruption to business continuity. 

A continuity of operations plan is designed to move an organization from the disaster-recovery phase to their original state of operations.

The disaster-recovery plan is designed to describe what needs to take place immediately following the initial response of an emergency. 

The emergency-response plan is designed to describe how the organization should react to different natural disasters or emergency situations if they occur. 

35.

What comparison method can managers use to rate employees from the highest to lowest levels of performance?

  • Ranked performance

  • Graded performance

  • Bell curve

  • Hierarchy rating

Correct answer: Ranked performance

The ranked performance model is a comparison method of performance appraisals/reviews that compares the performance of top employees to the lower performing employees and ranks them based on their performance. This can help management focus on bringing all employees up to an acceptable level of performance and reward those who exceed expectations.

36.

Under a graduated vesting schedule, what is the maximum amount of time participants must contribute to a defined benefit plan before becoming fully vested in the employer contributions?

  • After 7 years of service

  • After 1 year of service

  • When the participant reaches the age of 21

  • After 3 years of service

Correct answer: After 7 years of service

When an employee owns the contributions that the employer has made to a pension plan, the employee is then vested in that plan. Vesting may occur immediately or it may occur on a delayed schedule. If an employee is fully vested as soon as the employee meets the plan's eligibility requirements, the employee is enrolled in an instant vesting plan. If an employee Delayed has to wait a defined period of time for vesting to occur, then the employee is enrolled in a delayed vesting plan. There are two types of delayed vesting: Cliff and Graded. Cliff vesting allows participants to become fully vested after a specified period of time. Graded vesting uses a vesting schedule to provide partial vesting each year for a set number of years.

A graded vesting schedule requires vesting of at least 20% after 3 years of service and 20% for each subsequent year. This means that employees must be fully vested after no more than 7 years. 

37.

The FTC is responsible for governing which of the following activities?

  • Fair credit

  • Immigration

  • Military service

  • Polygraph

Correct answer: Fair credit

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for governing fair credit and enacted the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970 (FCRA).

38.

An employee's doctor has indicated on the FMLA paperwork that the employee, who suffered a medical event, is cleared only for a reduced leave schedule. What does this mean?

  • The employee can return to work but will be working fewer hours than their usual schedule

  • The employee can return to work but will have to be absent for intermittent periods of time

  • The employee is granted FML but not for the full 12 weeks

  • The employee is not granted FML and the reduced schedule is only the doctor's suggestion

Correct answer: The employee can return to work but will be working fewer hours than their usual schedule

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to help employees with work-life-balance by preventing them from having to choose between keeping their jobs or tending to the needs of their families. In addition to protecting employees from adverse employment actions and retaliation when they request leave under FMLA, the act provides three benefits for eligible employees in covered organizations:

  • 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period (26 months for military caregiver leave);
  • Continuation of health benefits;
  • Reinstatement to the same position or an equivalent position at the end of the leave FMLA provides for three types of leave: continuous, reduced leave, and intermittent.

A reduced FMLA leave schedule is one in which the employee's regular work schedule is reduced for a period of time. This can mean a reduction in the hours worked each day or in the number of days worked during the week. Employees' FMLA entitlement may be used to cover the difference between the reduced schedule and their regular schedule under this type of leave.

39.

Which of the following best defines mental models?

  • The beliefs that inform people's perceptions and influence how they view and react to the world around them.

  • The ability of groups to openly communicate their ideas and develop them.

  • The continued mastery of an individual's chosen field through lifelong learning.

  • Individuals' and organizations' ability to identify patterns and predict what impact the patterns will have on them.

Correct answer: The beliefs that inform people's perceptions and influence how they view and react to the world around them.

Mental models are one of Peter Senge's five disciplines of learning organizations. These disciplines enable organizations to better achieve desired results, identify new ways of thinking, expand on team members' ideas, and encourage lifelong learning. These disciplines are as follows:

  • Systems Thinking: Individuals' and organizations' ability to identify patterns and predict what impact the patterns will have on them.
  • Personal Mastery: The continued mastery of an individual's chosen field through lifelong learning.
  • Mental Models: The beliefs that inform people's perceptions and influence how they view and react to the world around them.
  • Building a Shared Vision: Stretching beyond the corporate vision statement and building a shared vision encourages the organization to plan for a future that inspires commitment on the part of all individuals in the organization.
  • Team Learning: A team's ability to collaborate and build on their ideas openly, without restraint.

40.

Under Title VII, which three protected classes are included as BFOQ exemptions?

  • Religion, sex, or national origin 

  • Religion, sex, or race

  • Religion, race, or national origin

  • Religion, race, or color

Correct answer: Religion, sex, or national origin

BFOQ stands for bona fide occupational qualifications. A BFOQ is allowed when a particular religion, sex, or national origin is needed in order to perform the job at hand. For example, a religious institution may require that all employees follow that specific religion.

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