Question 1

With the shift from manufacturing to technology,communication is less important than technical skills for organizational success.

Accepted Answer

Communication is still an important factor for organizational success, especially with the increasing focus on collaboration and team-based work in the technology industry. In fact, effective communication skills are often cited as a key attribute for successful tech leaders and employees. Technical skills are undoubtedly important, but they cannot wholly replace the need for strong communication within an organization.

Question 2

Betty wants to understand the company's family leave policy prior to requesting leave from her supervisor.Betty's first source for information should most likely be the:
A) employee relations representative.
B) employee handbook.
C) company newsletter.
D) company bulletin board.

Accepted Answer

The employee handbook is the best source of information for company policies, including the family leave policy. It is a comprehensive document that outlines the company's policies and procedures, including leave benefits. The employee relations representative may also have information on the policy, but they may not have the most up-to-date information, while the company newsletter and bulletin board may not have specific information on the family leave policy.

Question 3

Chrystal is VP of a small computer business.Chrystal's son Todd and another employee,Lacy,were both considered for a management position.Though Lacy had better credentials,Todd was hired at the insistence of his mother.This is an example of:
A) downward communication.
B) information dissemination.
C) nepotism.
D) fratricide.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of nepotism, which is the practice of favoring relatives or friends in business or other activities. In this case, Chrystal hired her son despite there being a more qualified candidate, Lacy.

Question 4

The most important source of information that HR can provide employees is:
A) audiovisuals, due to the decreasing literacy rate.
B) electronic communications, thereby permitting interaction.
C) memos, so employees have reference copies of what has been communicated.
D) the employee handbook, which outlines the company's entire employee relations philosophy.

Accepted Answer

The employee handbook is the best choice as it outlines the company's entire employee relations philosophy and serves as a reference guide for employees. It covers important policies and procedures, benefits, and expectations, providing employees with a comprehensive resource for understanding their roles and responsibilities. Audiovisuals and electronic communications may be useful in supplementing the handbook, but they cannot replace the comprehensive information provided in the handbook. Memos may also be helpful for specific updates or announcements, but they do not provide the same level of detail and guidance.

Question 5

Which of the following topics would LEAST likely be addressed in an employee handbook?
A) Drug-testing procedures
B) Family leave policies
C) Safety rules
D) Pay ranges

Accepted Answer

Pay ranges are typically addressed in a separate document, such as an employment contract or salary agreement. They are not usually included in an employee handbook.

Question 6

Which of the following is a problem associated with employee handbooks?
A) Employee handbooks can serve as implied contracts between employers and employees and limit an employer's ability to discharge employees.
B) The use of employee handbooks usually increases the amount of litigation brought against employers by disgruntled former employees.
C) Employee handbooks become out of date nearly every month, which is costly and time consuming.
D) Small businesses and family-owned businesses fail to benefit from employee handbooks.

Accepted Answer

Employee handbooks can create implied contracts between employers and employees if they contain specific language that can be construed as a promise of continued employment or certain policies that limit an employer's discretion to terminate employees. This can limit an employer's ability to discharge employees and may result in legal disputes.

Question 7

Which of the following terms refers to an employee who transforms information into a product or service at a firm?
A) Knowledge worker
B) Assembly specialist
C) HR manager
D) Line personnel

Accepted Answer

A knowledge worker is an employee who transforms information into a product or service at a firm through the use of their skills, knowledge, and expertise. Assembly specialists, HR managers, and line personnel typically do not transform information into a product or service in the same way that knowledge workers do.

Question 8

In the communications process,communication begins with a sender.

Accepted Answer

The sender initiates the communication process by creating a message and transmitting it to the receiver. From there, feedback and decoding can occur, completing the communication cycle.

Question 9

________ is the process of making information available to decision makers,wherever they are located.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ is the process of making information...

Question 10

Additional Case 13.2 
Starline is a small children's clothing manufacturer and retailer that has seen rapid growth in the last twelve months and a significant increase in employees. At a meeting of managers, a number of issues are raised.

One manager suggests establishing an EAP because of the increase in troubled employees at the firm. However, other managers state that such programs are costly and would not provide Starline with significant benefits.

Another manager states that Starline needs to develop an employee handbook to address issues related to the growing staff. Some managers express concern about the potential legal issues surrounding the use of an employee handbook.

Numerous managers state that there has been a noticeable decrease in productivity since every office worker was provided Internet access along with e-mail accounts. Managers discuss methods for increasing productivity and preventing misuse of the system.

One manager suggests that the company perform employee attitude surveys in order to help monitor the state of employee relations and make hiring and firing decisions during the next hiring cycle. This manager proposes that a third party perform the surveys and that employees not be told the purpose of the survey.

-Refer to Additional Case 13.2.Which term best describes the type of communication that occurred at the meeting between Starline managers?
A) Information dissemination
B) Upward communication
C) Downward communication
D) Two-way communication

Accepted Answer

The communication at the meeting between Starline managers was two-way communication as there was an exchange of ideas and opinions between the managers. Each manager was able to express their concerns and suggestions, and there was a discussion about each issue raised.

Question 11

Family business provides its own unique set of challenges to human resource management,especially in dealing with nepotism.The best way to lessen non-family employees' concerns over nepotism is to have the family member:
A) earn a broad general education that would make them eligible for any job.
B) start in a high level position with minimal contact with employees.
C) begin in a job made especially for him or her.
D) work outside of the family business first.

Accepted Answer

The best way to address concerns over nepotism is to have the family member work outside of the family business first, gaining experience and skills that can be valuable to the business. This also shows other employees that the family member is being hired based on merit and not just because of their family connection. Starting in a job made especially for them (C) or starting in a high level position with minimal contact with employees (B) can still fuel perceptions of nepotism. Earning a broad general education (A) can be helpful, but it does not necessarily address concerns over nepotism.

Question 12

In order to express feelings most effectively,face-to-face communication is a necessity because of nonverbal messages.

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal messages such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language play a significant role in expressing emotions and cannot be effectively conveyed through written or electronic communication. Therefore, face-to-face communication is necessary for expressing feelings most effectively.

Question 13

The most effective and useful feedback that managers can provide employees is highly personal and focused on specific behaviors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most effective and useful feedback that...

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an information dissemination tool?
A) Audiovisual communication
B) Electronic communications
C) Employee retreats
D) Employee relations

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT an...

Question 15

Feedback in the communications model is the means to clarify the message.

Accepted Answer

Feedback is the process of receiving a message from the receiver and is essential for effective communication. It helps to verify if the message has been understood correctly and if any clarification or correction is required. Thus, feedback is the means to clarify the message in the communication model.

Question 16

Why are employee relations important to a firm? How do communication channels affect employee relations? What types of programs are available to organizations that want to facilitate employee communications?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are employee relations important to a...

Question 17

If a message is misunderstood by a receiver due to a misinterpretation of the sender's motives,this misunderstanding stems from "noise."

Accepted Answer

Noise can refer to any type of interference or distortion in the communication process, including misinterpretation of motives.

Question 18

A(n)________ is a worker who transforms information into a product or service.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A(n)________ is a worker who transforms information...

Question 19

The process of providing information to decision makers wherever they are is called:
A) lateral communication.
B) communication feedback.
C) information dissemination.
D) upward communication.

Accepted Answer

Information dissemination is the process of providing information to decision makers wherever they are, regardless of their location within the organization or outside of it. This process involves sharing relevant and timely information with decision makers in a timely and effective manner.

Question 20

Nepotism is the practice of:
A) making information available to decision makers.
B) favoring relatives over others in the workplace.
C) communicating through nonverbal means.
D) dating and marrying co-workers.

Accepted Answer

Nepotism is the practice of favoring relatives, such as family members or close friends, in the workplace or other situations. This can create unfair advantages for those hired through nepotism and lead to resentment and low morale among other employees.

Quiz 13: Developing Employee Relations

With the shift from manufacturing to technology,communication is less important than technical skills for organizational success.

Betty wants to understand the company's family leave policy prior to requesting leave from her supervisor.Betty's first source for information should most likely be the:

Chrystal is VP of a small computer business.Chrystal's son Todd and another employee,Lacy,were both considered for a management position.Though Lacy had better credentials,Todd was hired at the insistence of his mother.This is an example of:

The most important source of information that HR can provide employees is:

Which of the following topics would LEAST likely be addressed in an employee handbook?

Which of the following is a problem associated with employee handbooks?

Which of the following terms refers to an employee who transforms information into a product or service at a firm?

In the communications process,communication begins with a sender.

________ is the process of making information available to decision makers,wherever they are located.

Family business provides its own unique set of challenges to human resource management,especially in dealing with nepotism.The best way to lessen non-family employees' concerns over nepotism is to have the family member:

In order to express feelings most effectively,face-to-face communication is a necessity because of nonverbal messages.

The most effective and useful feedback that managers can provide employees is highly personal and focused on specific behaviors.

Which of the following is NOT an information dissemination tool?

Feedback in the communications model is the means to clarify the message.

Why are employee relations important to a firm? How do communication channels affect employee relations? What types of programs are available to organizations that want to facilitate employee communications?

If a message is misunderstood by a receiver due to a misinterpretation of the sender's motives,this misunderstanding stems from "noise."

A(n)________ is a worker who transforms information into a product or service.

The process of providing information to decision makers wherever they are is called:

Nepotism is the practice of: