Question 1

In the majority of firms,the task of interviewing job candidates is shared between HR and the line manager.

Accepted Answer

In about 60% of firms,HR and other line managers share the responsibility of interviewing job candidates.Line managers and HR managers also share duties such as performance appraisals,skills training,and disciplinary procedures.

Question 2

Strategic human resource management refers to performing transactional duties that satisfy the needs and demands of both the employees and the employer.

Accepted Answer

Strategic human resource management means formulating and executing human resource policies and practices that produce the employee competencies and behaviors the company needs to achieve its strategic aims.

Question 3

Millennial/Generation Y employees bring challenges and strengths.They are said to be "the most high maintenance workforce in the history of the world."

Accepted Answer

Millennial/Generation Y employees bring challenges and strengths.They are said to be "the most high maintenance workforce in the history of the world." Their information technology skills will also make them the most high performing.

Question 4

The evidence used in evidence-based human resource management may come from actual measurements,existing data,or critically evaluated research studies.

Accepted Answer

Evidence is the core of evidence-based human resource management.Data,facts,analytics,scientific rigor,critical evaluation,and critically evaluated research/case studies are used to support human resource management proposals,decisions,practices,and conclusions.

Question 5

According to research,less than one-third of all workers in the U.S.are mentally and emotionally invested in their work.

Accepted Answer

The Institute for Corporate Productivity defines engaged employees "as those who are mentally and emotionally invested in their work and in contributing to an employer's success." Unfortunately,studies suggest that less than one-third of the U.S.workforce is engaged.

Question 6

Human resource managers who complete professional certification exams can earn SPHR,GPHR,or PHR certificates.

Accepted Answer

SHRM exams test the professional's knowledge of all aspects of human resource management,including ethics,management practices,staffing,development,compensation,labor relations,and health and safety.Those who successfully complete all requirements earn the SPHR (Senior Professional in HR),GPHR (Global Professional in HR),or PHR (Professional in HR)certificate.

Question 7

Functional authority is the authority exerted by an HR manager as coordinator of personnel activities.

Accepted Answer

The human resource manager coordinates personnel activities,a duty often referred to as functional authority (or functional control).Here he or she ensures that line managers are implementing the firm's human resource policies and practices (for example,adhering to its sexual harassment policies).

Question 8

The primary goal of talent management is managing the training and development needs of newly hired workers.

Accepted Answer

Talent management involves instituting a coordinated process for identifying,recruiting,hiring,and developing high-potential employees,which may or may not be newly hired.

Question 9

Transactional HR teams focus on assisting top management in big picture issues such as developing a firm's long-term strategic plan.

Accepted Answer

Corporate HR teams focus on assisting top management in big picture issues such as developing a firm's long-term strategic plan.Transactional HR teams focus on providing specialized HR support on daily transactional HR activities like benefits administration.

Question 10

In general,Generation Y employees tend to be more family-centric or dual centric than work centric.

Accepted Answer

Generation Y employees tend to be more family-centric or dual centric than work centric.

Question 11

A key concept of the textbook is that effective human resource management practices add measurable value to an organization.

Accepted Answer

Employers need human resource management practices that add value.To illustrate this throughout the book,each chapter contains illustrative "HR as a Profit Center" features.These show actual examples of how human resource management practices add measurable value.

Question 12

In most firms,top human resource executives have many years of experience working in the human resources department,and about 40% of them have professional HR certification.

Accepted Answer

Most top human resource executives do have prior human resource experience.About 80% of those in one survey worked their way up within HR.About 17% of these HR executives had earned the Human Resource Certification Institute's senior professional in human resources (SPHR)designation,and 13% were certified professionals in human resources (PHR).

Question 13

As baby boomers retire from the work force,there will be more people entering the labor pool than leaving it.

Accepted Answer

Many human resource professionals call "the aging workforce" the biggest demographic trend affecting employers.The basic problem is that there aren't enough younger workers to replace the projected number of baby boom era older-worker retirees.

Question 14

Ethical issues such as work place safety,and employee privacy rights are all related to human resource management.

Accepted Answer

Ethics refers to the standards someone uses to decide what his or her conduct should be.Ethical issues related to HR management include workplace safety,and employee privacy rights.

Question 15

The role of labor relations specialists includes investigating EEO grievances and collecting data about jobs for the purpose of writing job descriptions.

Accepted Answer

Labor relations specialists advise management on all aspects of union-management relations.EEO coordinators investigate EEO grievances,and job analysts collect data for job descriptions.

Question 16

The SHRM Human Resource Certification exams include testing on management practices,staffing,development,compensation,labor relations,and health and safety.

Accepted Answer

The Society for Human Resource Management offers HR professional certification exams.The exams test the professional's knowledge of all aspects of human resource management,including ethics,management practices,staffing,development,compensation,labor relations,and health and safety.

Question 17

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,between now and 2018 the number of workers classified as "white,non-Hispanic" will decrease,and the number of workers classified as Asian will increase.

Accepted Answer

The number of workers classified as "white,non-Hispanic" is expected to decrease by 2018.The workforce will see an increase in the number of Asian,Hispanic,and African-American workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Question 18

A key concept of the textbook is that human resource management is the sole responsibility of human resource managers,so line managers and staff managers rely heavily on HR specialists to hire the best employees.

Accepted Answer

Human resource management is the responsibility of every manager-not just those in human resources.Throughout every page in the textbook,you'll therefore find an emphasis on practical material that you as a manager will need to perform your day-to-day management responsibilities.

Question 19

Although technology has changed how people communicate,it has failed to alter traditional factory work,which requires the specific skills of manual laborers.

Accepted Answer

More and more traditional factory jobs are going high-tech.As the U.S.government's Occupational Outlook Quarterly put it,"knowledge-intensive high tech manufacturing in such industries as aerospace,computers,telecommunications,home electronics,pharmaceuticals,and medical instruments" is replacing factory jobs in steel,auto,rubber,and textiles.

Question 20

Modern human resource managers perform transactional duties as well as help top management develop and execute the firm's long-term plans.

Accepted Answer

Today's new human resource managers are involved in more "big picture" issues.They don't just do transactional things like signing onboard new employees.Today's employers face new challenges,such as squeezing more profits from operations. They expect their human resources managers to have what it takes to address these new challenges.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Human Resource Management