Discuss the manager s role in human resource management as it regards staffing, training, and employee performance appraisal. Explain how a manager achieves effective staffing and what tools are available to facilitate this objective. Outline the formats and structures used to interview job candidates. Identify employment laws and practices that managers must follow to ensure fair and unbiased hiring. Describe the methods available to train employees and when each should be used. Discuss the tools and techniques used to evaluate employees and why evaluation and feedback are important elements of performance management. Question # Multiple Choice True/False 1 C False 2 B True 3 A False 4 D True 5 B False 6 C True 7 B False 8 C False 9 C True
10 A True 11 A False 12 D True 13 B False 14 D False 15 C True 16 A True 17 B True 18 C False 19 A False 20 D True 21 A True 22 B False 23 D True 24 C True 25 B False 26 C True 27 A False 28 D True 29 B False 30 B False 31 A False 32 D True
33 A False 34 B True
Which human resource functions are of primary concern to first level managers? A) pay, benefits and retention B) labor relations and employment policies C) staffing, training, and appraising D) employment law, benefits, and recordkeeping Learning Objective 8.1 Answer C What is the objective of effective staffing? A) to ensure job vacancies are filled as soon as possible B) to place the right numbers and kids of employees in the right jobs at the right times C) to obtain the maximum productivity from employees D) to ensure employees are not overworked or stressed out Learning Objective 8.1 Answer B What is the difference between a job description (JD) and a job specification (JS)? A) JD defines job tasks and JS identifies job qualifications B) JD identifies job qualifications and JD defines job tasks C) JD defines a job today and JS defines the job in the future D) JD and JS are similar and can be used interchangeably Answer A
Within the staffing process, what is the objective of recruitment? A) to determine current and future employment needs B) to identify the kinds of jobs needed to meet organizational objectives C) to narrow down the pool of job candidates D) to develop a pool of candidates for an open position Answer D Which tool is not traditionally used to aid selection of the best job candidate? A) employment tests B) job analysis C) work samples D) interviews Answer B Which is an essential activity that helps new employees to transition to a new job environment? A) job interview B) coaching C) orientation D) appraisal Answer C What questions are inappropriate to ask during a job interview? A) questions about past employment experience B) questions not directly related to job qualifications and performance C) questions about education and training in the job field D) questions about the ability to perform specific duties of the job Learning Objective 8.4 Answer B
Which type of training would be best for developing a new skill through individualized training in the actual job environment? A) e-learning B) webinars C) coaching D) workshop Answer C What are the three learning styles of employees that managers can use to tailor the selection of training methods? A) online, onsite and offsite B) reading, writing and repeating C) visual, auditory and tactile D) watching, doing and being Answer C Which is the most commonly used appraisal tool that quantifies employee performance? A) graphic rating scale B) 360 degree review C) behavioral anchored rating D) one-on-one interview Answer A
First level managers are normally involved in which of the following human resource functions? A) staffing, training and appraising B) staffing, controlling and appraising C) staffing, controlling and organizing D) staffing, training and controlling Learning Objective 8.1 Answer A Which of the following is a positive to understaffing? A) It offers flexibility to cover varying demand. B) It provides businesses with the resources needed to handle emergencies. C) It prevents workers from becoming overworked and stressed. D) It can help stimulate creativity. Learning Objective 8.1 Answer D What is the first step in the staffing process? A) forecasting B) job analysis C) screening D) selection Answer B Which step in the staffing process is also referred to as human resource planning? A) screening B) job analysis C) selection D) forecasting Answer D
Which of the following is an advantage of internal recruitment? A) It is cheaper and easier to hire technical and skilled employees from within the organization. B) The pool of talent is much larger C) Morale and motivation of employees are enhanced. D) The pool of talent for internal recruitment is bigger than external recruitment. Answer C Which type of employment tests focus on aptitude, job knowledge, personality and career interests? A) paper-and-pencil tests B) physical ability tests C) background information tests D) performance tests Answer A Which of the following best defines the proven ability of a test to measure what it purports to measure? A) reliability B) validity C) accountability D) credibility Answer B
A job interview has which of the following objectives? A) to give information, to research information, and to build relationships B) to give information, to get information, and to research information C) to give information, to get information, and to build relationships D) to research information, to get information, and to build relationships Answer C Which of the following best defines a presentation of positive and negative features about a job that allows a candidate to reach an informed judgment about the suitability of the position? A) realistic job preview B) job design C) job analysis D) realistic job overview Answer A Which of the following best describes the interview format that is used to complete the initial screening process of applicants? A) face-to-face interviews B) panel interview C) research interview D) phone and group interviews Answer D
Which of the following best describes an interview structure where the interview takes on a conversational form, allowing the interviewer to ask random, open-ended questions? A) unstructured interview B) structured interview C) situational interview D) conversational interview Answer A Which of the following best defines an approach to increasing the effectiveness of a company by improving the performance and developing the capabilities of the employees who work there? A) training management B) performance management C) staffing management D) employee management Answer B What is the reason why most training is conducted? A) To help increase the bottom line of the company. B) To assist managers in meeting their goals and objectives. C) To help ensure that employees understand every aspect of their position. D) To improve employees present or potential job performance. Answer D
What are two ways that managers can identify training needs? A) job design and job analysis B) performance management and job management C) informally and formally D) research and interviewing Answer C Which of the following best defines the time when employees are most likely to learn? A) critical moments B) teachable moments C) coachable moments D) trainable moments Answer B Critical thinking can be characterized by which of the following? A) asking questions, solving problems, integrating new ideas, and seeking out additional training B) seeking additional training, solving problems, considering both sides of an issue, and integrating new ideas C) asking questions, considering both sides of an issue, solving problems, and integrating new ideas D) asking questions, considering both sides of an issue, integrating new ideas, and seeking out additional training Answer C
Combination training can include which of the following? A) apprenticeships, internships, and simulations B) workshops, e-learning, webinars, and social networks C) job aids, coaching, cross training, and job rotation D) workshops, job aids, webinars, and job rotation Answer A Tactile learners like to do which of the following? A) like to visualize a process B) want to be able to refer to notes, manuals, handouts, and instructions C) enjoy discussions and exchanges of ideas and positions D) like to learn by actively doing something Answer D No matter the training type or method, most learners attention spans are limited to which of the following? A) 2 to 5 minutes B) 10 to 20 minutes C) 5 to 10 minutes D) 20 to 25 minutes Answer B Which of the following training methods assess company-wide training needs and conduct standardized classroom training that meets the needs of multiple departments? A) trade associations B) training divisions C) professional societies D) corporate universities Answer B
Which of the following best defines a formal and systematic evaluation of how well a person performs his or her work? A) performance appraisal B) staffing appraisal C) employee appraisal D) job analysis appraisal Answer A Which of the following is an alphabetic or numeric system for quantifying employee performance on a series of items? A) behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) B) management by objectives (MBO) C) 360 degree appraisal D) graphic rating scale Answer D Which of the following is an appraisal formal that describes, and provides examples of, behaviors that can be rated along a scale from outstanding to unsatisfactory? A) behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) B) management by objectives (MBO) C) 360 degree appraisal D) graphic rating scale Answer A
Which of the following best defines the bias of basing judgment on preconceived notions about such things as rage, gender, age, religion, etc.? A) prejudice B) stereotyping C) indiscrimination D) recency Answer B
First level managers are typically involved in three human resource functions which include staffing, training, and controlling. Learning Objective 8.1 Appraising, also called evaluating, involves assessing individual employee performance and developing a plan for continuous improvement. Learning Objective 8.1 Staffing is a continuous activity that involves developing the knowledge, skills and abilities of employees to enable them to meet organizational goals. Learning Objective 8.1 Overstaffing is an excess of employees in relation to job demands, while understaffing is a shortage of employees in relation to job demands. Job specifications describe the tasks and activities assigned to a job, and job descriptions identify the minimum qualifications an individual must have to perform the job successfully.
During the forecasting step of the staffing process, demand is an estimate of the qualifications and numbers of employees an organization will need to achieve its goal. Supply is an estimate of how the availability and qualifications of employees in the organization now, as well as in the labor market. Screening is the third step in the staffing process and helps to narrow down the pool of candidates by determining which candidates actually meet the qualifications. Sources for employee recruitment can be both internal (employees outside of the organization), or external (employees within the organization). The screening process is a time consuming process, and can involve collecting resumes, administering employment tests, and conducting reference checks. Tools used during the selection process include background information, interviews, employment tests, references, and work samples. Background information is considered one of the most controversial areas of staffing, as it is used to draw inferences about the future behavior or performance of a job candidate.
Validity is the proven ability of a test to measure what it purports to measure, while reliability is the demonstrated ability of a test to yield similar scores for a candidate if the test were repeated. Once a job candidate has been selected for hire, they transition to the new job environment through the final stage of staffing which is the training process. Orientation for new hires should be scheduled once they become comfortable with the job, and it has become evident that they are a good fit for the position. A realistic job preview is a balanced presentation of positive and negative features about a job that allows a candidate to reach an informed judgment about a position. Face-to-face interview are best used for single hires and an initial screening has occurred. Phone and group interviews are good for the initial screening of a large pool of job candidates.
Panel interviews are usually informal, impersonal and used to introduce an organization to a group of potential job candidates when multiple hires are to be made. In a situational interview, the interview takes on a conversational form, allowing the interviewer(s) to ask random, open-ended questions. In a structured interview, each candidate is asked the same questions, which allows for the easiest comparison of candidate responses. Questions regarding age, gender, marital or family status, religion, national origin, etc. should be avoided during an interview. Learning Objective 8.4 If a candidate volunteers information about their age, gender, religion, etc you must warn the applicant that the information can be used in the hiring process as it was given freely. Learning Objective 8.4 Training focuses on the preparation of employees to perform specific tasks or acquire specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet organizational goals.
Performance management is an approach to increasing the effectiveness of a company by improving the performance and developing the capabilities of the employees who work there. Informal approaches to training needs are structured and referred to as a needs analysis. Teachable moments are the specific times when employees are most likely to learn. Mentoring is helping employees learn through observation, demonstration, questioning, and timely feedback. Off-the-job training includes workshops, e-learning, webinars, and social networks. If new job skills are the desired outcome, off-the-job training is the desired training method.
Tactile learners like to visualize a process, and prefer dramatic demonstrations or charts and graphs. Modeling is the process by which trainees effectively apply to their jobs knowledge and skills gained in training. A performance appraisal is a formal and systematic evaluation of how well a person performs his or her work and fills the appropriate role in the organization. A force ranking is an appraisal format that evaluates performance at all levels of the organization. Behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) is a performance appraisal formal that describes, and provides examples of, behaviors that can be rated along a scale from outstanding to unsatisfactory.
Explain the three human resource functions in which first level managers are typically involved in. Answer First level managers are typically involved in staffing, training, and appraising employee performance. Staffing involves forecasting, selecting, and retaining employees to perform the work of the organization. Training involves developing the knowledge, skills and abilities of employees to enable them to meet organizational goals. Appraising involves assessing individual employee performance and developing a plan for continuous improvement. What are the six steps to the staffing process? Answer The six steps in the staffing process are: job analysis, forecasting, recruitment, screening, and selection. Name the tools used during the selection process, and identify which selection tool is considered to be the most controversial areas of staffing. Answer During the selection process background information, interviews, employment testing, references, and work samples are used to help determine the most qualified candidate. Out of those tools, employment testing is the most controversial and must be directly related to a job s specifications. Identify the three different interview types, and describe when each interview type is most useful. Answer The three types of interview formats include phone and group interviews, face-to-face and individual interviews, and panel interviews. Phone and group interviews are good for initial screening of a large pool of job candidates. Face-to-face interviews are best used for single hires after an initial screening has occurred. Panel interviews are a good choice for avoiding bias.
What are the three types of delivery formats for training, and what types of training exist for each delivery type? Answer The three delivery types for training include on-the-job training, off-the-job training, and combination training. On-the-job training includes job aids, coaching, cross training, and job rotation. Off-the-job training includes workshops, e-learning, webinars, and social networks. Combination training includes apprenticeships, internships, and simulations). Identify three weaknesses of appraisal programs. Answer Applicants answers will vary, but should include three of the six weaknesses listed below: Individuals may be assigned to work that does not match their capabilities Employees may lack the necessary information or skills because they never received proper training Individuals may be victims of pressure from the work group Workers may not be up to the job requirements, physically or emotionally The manager may be at fault Mechanical or procedural problems may exist Name at least 5 common biases held by appraisers. Answer Applicants answers will vary, but should include at least 5 of the 10 biases listed below: Recency Overemphasis Unforgiveness Prejudice Favoritism Grouping Indiscrimination Stereotyping Similarity Central tendency