Question 1

HR is focused on issues directly related to a person's job and with things that happen at work, as opposed to concerns that may affect one's work such as eldercare and childcare, but are not directly related to work.

Accepted Answer

HR is very involved with issues that affect employees whether they are directly work related or whether they are outside of one's work area but affect the ability for employees to work effectively and productively.

Question 2

The growing importance of human resource issues has led most firms to expect only their human resource specialists to tackle HR issues.

Accepted Answer

Human resource management has become so important that it is now a function of all managers. Most human resource functions are shared by professional human resource managers and other managers.

Question 3

Epic Electronics International is a rapidly growing firm specializing in the production of sophisticated robots. One of the major problems Epic Electronics is likely to face is a shortage of qualified workers.

Accepted Answer

One of the major problems faced by firms in growth industries such as robotics, computers, and biotechnology is a shortage of workers with the necessary skills to work in these areas.

Question 4

Human resource management is the process of deciding the number and types of employees your business needs, and then recruiting, selecting, developing, motivating, evaluating, compensating, and scheduling employees to achieve organizational goals.

Accepted Answer

Human resource management does involve all of these actions in order to effectively manage the workforce and support the attainment of business goals.

Question 5

The reason industries such as robotics and biotechnology have grown rapidly in recent years is that the United States has a surplus of highly educated and experienced workers available for employment in these fields.

Accepted Answer

While having a skilled workforce is certainly important for the growth of these industries, there are many other factors such as technological advancements, investment in research and development, and market demand that have also played significant roles in their growth. Additionally, many workers in these fields come from outside the United States, indicating that the surplus of highly educated and experienced workers is not entirely limited to US citizens.

Question 6

The human resource manager's job is easier today than it was in the past because a growing percentage of the workforce is highly educated and well-prepared for jobs in the contemporary business environment.

Accepted Answer

While it is true that more people in the workforce are highly educated, this also means that there is increased competition for jobs and a greater need for strategic talent management. Additionally, the HR manager's job has become more complex due to changing laws and regulations, globalization, and the need to address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Question 7

Very few experienced employees have skills and knowledge that are considered to be at a higher level than what they use at their jobs.

Accepted Answer

Managers are challenged to utilize workers whose skills and knowledge are superior to what they actually use at work. The term that we use to describe this group of employees is underemployed workers.

Question 8

It is challenging for HR managers to deal with a declining economy that results in a short-term preference for part-time and/or temporary employees and a trend to outsource jobs, even though there are skilled employees who are willing to work.

Accepted Answer

Today's HR managers are faced with a declining economy where cost-saving measures such as hiring part-time and/or temporary employees have become a short-term solution. Due to the fact that employees in developing nations are willing to work for lower wages, companies have elected to outsource many jobs.

Question 9

One challenge faced by today's human resource managers is the fact that workers overseas often work for lower wages and are subject to fewer laws and regulations.

Accepted Answer

Many companies outsource jobs overseas to take advantage of lower labor costs and fewer regulations, which can pose challenges for human resource managers in terms of maintaining fair and ethical employment practices.

Question 10

Today's workers place a lower priority on leisure time than they did in the past.

Accepted Answer

According to multiple studies, including surveys conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Pew Research Center, today's workers value leisure time more than previous generations. They prioritize work-life balance and are more likely to negotiate for flexible schedules or remote work options.

Question 11

One reason human resource management has grown is that the shift from traditional manufacturing industries to service and high-tech manufacturing industries requires workers to have highly technical job skills.

Accepted Answer

As service and high-tech manufacturing industries require workers to have highly technical job skills, human resource management has grown to ensure that companies have the right talent with the necessary skills to meet their business objectives.

Question 12

Today's workers have an increased demand for benefits tailored to their individual needs.

Accepted Answer

With the changing times and increasing diversity in the workforce, workers are increasingly seeking customization of benefits to meet their individual needs. Employers need to understand this trend and offer flexibility in benefits packages to attract, retain, and engage talent.

Question 13

One of the challenges facing today's human resource managers is a shift in the age distribution of the labor force, including aging baby boomers, many of whom are delaying retirement.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Many baby boomers are choosing to delay retirement, which creates a challenge for human resource managers who need to plan for succession and ensure that younger workers have opportunities for advancement.

Question 14

The human resource function has become so critical that it is now a concern of all managers.

Accepted Answer

The human resource function is no longer limited to just the HR department but is now a concern for all managers. This is because the success of an organization depends on the performance of its employees, making human resource management an integral part of overall management.

Question 15

A decade ago Simon had planned to retire by the time he was sixty. But he's now in his mid-60s and has decided to continue working. In fact, not only is Simon still working, he has no intention of retiring or setting a time when retirement might occur. Simon's decision to keep working into his sixties is unusual in today's labor market.

Accepted Answer

One of the trends affecting human resource management has been a shift in the age composition of the labor force, part of which is due to the increasing number of aging baby boomers that have decided to defer retirement.

Question 16

Today's workers tend to be very loyal, as evidenced by declining turnover rates in most industries.

Accepted Answer

According to various studies, turnover rates have actually been increasing in many industries, indicating decreasing levels of worker loyalty.

Question 17

Today, human resource management is viewed as a clerical function of keeping personnel records and processing payroll.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Human resource management involves much more than just keeping records and processing payroll. It includes a range of activities such as recruitment, training, performance management, employee relations, and strategic planning, among others.

Question 18

The appropriate term for employees whose skills and knowledge go beyond their current work environment and work responsibilities is underemployed workers.

Accepted Answer

Underemployed workers are capable of and seeking more challenging and rewarding work, but their current work environment and job responsibilities do not fully utilize their skills and knowledge.

Question 19

Underemployed workers present a challenge for human resources managers. These are people who are working beyond their capabilities.

Accepted Answer

Underemployed workers are those who are working below their capabilities or with fewer hours than they desire.

Question 20

Recruiting is relatively easy today because qualified labor is so plentiful.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Recruiting can still be challenging even with high levels of unemployment because finding qualified candidates with the right skills and experience can still be difficult. Additionally, certain industries or geographic regions may still face labor shortages even during times of high unemployment.

Quiz 11: Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees