Dramatic changes in the U.S. labor force will make the work of human resource managers more interesting, and more difficult, in the future. Identify and describe three trends that will challenge future human resource managers. Identify and describe three common methods of training and developing employees What is the purpose of a performance appraisal? What are the major steps involved in the performance appraisal process? What are the key features of flextime plans, compressed workweeks, and job sharing plans? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches to scheduling employees What are the main provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and how have these provisions affected human resource management in American companies?
Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees TEST PLANNING TABLE FOR CHAPTER 11 Learning Objective LL:1 Knows Basic Terms and Facts LL:2 Understands Concepts and Principles LL:3 Applies Principles Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12, 13,14, 227,228,229,230,231,232, 233 15,16,17,18, 234,235,236,237 19,20, 21,22,23, 238,239, 429 24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31, 32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39, 240,241,242,243,244,245, 246,247,248 40,41,42, 249,250,251,252,253 43,44,45,46,47,48, 254,255,256,257,258, 259,260, 433 Summarize the five steps in human resource planning 49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56, 56,57,58,59, 261,262,263,264,265,266, 267,268,269 60,61,62, 270,271,272,273,274, 275, 63,64,65,66,67,68,69, 276,277,278,279,280, 281,282,283,284, Describe methods that companies use to recruit new employees, and explain some of the issues that make recruitment challenging Outline the six steps in selecting employees 70,71,72,73,74~,75,76,77, 78~,79, 285,286,287,288,289~ 80,81,82,83~, 290,291,292,293,294, 84,85,86,87~, 295,296,297,298, 299~ 88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95, 96,97,98,99,100,101,102, 103, 300,301,302,303,304,305, 306,307,308,309 104,105,106~, 310,311,312,313,314, 315,316 107,108,109,110,111, 317,318,319,320,321, 322, 430 Illustrate employee training and development methods 112,113,114,115,116,117, 118,119,120,121,122,123, 124,125,126,127,128,129, 130,131,132,133, 323,324,325,326,327,328, 329,330,331,332,333,334, 335,336,337,338 134,135,136, 339,340,341,342,343, 344,345,346,347 137,138,139,140,141, 142,143, 348,349,350,351,352, 353,354,355,356,357, 358, Trace the six steps in appraising employee performance 144,145,146,147,148,149, 150,151,152,153,154,155, 359,360,361,362 156,157,158,159, 363,364,365,366 160,161,162,163,164, 367,368,369,370,371, 431, 436* Summarize the objectives of employee compensation programs, and evaluate pay systems and fringe benefits 165,166,167,168,169,170, 171,172,173,174,175,176, 177,178,179,180, 372,373,374,375,376,377, 378,379,380,381,382,383 181~,182,183~,184, 185,186,187, 384,385,386,387,388~ 389 188,189,190,191,192, 193, 390,391,392,393, 394~,395,396, 434*,437* 11-1 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees Demonstrate how managers use scheduling plans to adapt to workers’ needs 194,195,196,197,198,199, 200,201,202,203,204, 397,398,399,400,401,402 205, 403,404,405,406 10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement 212,213,214,215,216,217, 218, 415,416,417,418,419 219,220,221,222, 420,421,422,423 Total number of test items: 437 True/false questions are in plain text Multiple choice questions are in bold text Questions on boxed material are in bold text with a tilde~ Essay questions are in bold underlined text Minicase questions are in bold with an asterisk* 11-2 206,207,208,209,210, 211, 407,408,409,410,411, 412,413,414, 432 435* 223,224,225,226, 424,425,426,427,428 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees Chapter 11 Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees Answer Key True / False Questions Human resource management is the process of deciding the number and types of people your business needs, and then, recruiting, selecting, developing, motivating, evaluating, compensating, and scheduling employees to achieve organizational goals Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management Human resource management is receiving increased attention because the shift from traditional manufacturing industries to service and high-tech manufacturing industries requires workers to have more technical job skills Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management Recruiting is relatively easy today because qualified labor is so plentiful Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management Today, human resource management is viewed as a clerical function of keeping personnel records and processing payroll Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 11-3 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees The human resource function has become so critical that it is now a concern of all managers Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 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 Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 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 Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 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 deferring retirement Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management Today's workers have an increased demand for benefits tailored to their individual needs Answer: True 11-4 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 10 Today's workers place a lower priority on leisure time than they did in the past Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 11 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 Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 12 Today's workers tend to be very loyal, as evidenced by declining turnover rates in most industries Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 13 Underemployed workers present a challenge for human resources managers These are people who are working beyond their capabilities Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 11-5 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 14 The appropriate term for employees whose skills and knowledge go beyond their current work environment and work responsibilities is underemployed workers Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 15 Very few experienced employees have skills and knowledge that are considered to be at a higher level than what they use at their jobs Feedback: 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 Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Understand Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Medium Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 16 It is challenging for HR managers to deal with a declining economy that results in a shortterm 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 Feedback: 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 Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Understand Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Medium Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 11-6 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 17 The growing importance of human resource issues has led most firms to expect only their human resource specialists to tackle HR issues Feedback: 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 Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Understand Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Medium Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 18 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 Feedback: 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 Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Understand Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Medium Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 19 Robotek International is a rapidly growing firm specializing in the production of sophisticated robots One of the major problems Robotek is likely to face is a shortage of qualified workers Feedback: 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 Answer: True AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 11-7 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 20 Rick is in his early sixties A few years ago he had planned to retire by the time he was sixty, but when the time came, he decided to continue working In fact, not only is Rick still working, he has no intention of retiring or setting a time when retirement might occur Rick's decision to keep working into his late sixties is unusual in today's labor market Feedback: 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 Answer: False AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 21 Elise is the manager in the finance department for a company that competes in a service industry If her company is like most contemporary firms, Elise will leave almost all aspects of human resource functions to specialists in the human resource department Feedback: Human resource management has become so important that it is no longer the responsibility of just one department Most human resource management functions are now shared by professional human resource managers and the other managers within the organization Answer: False AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 22 Last year Adam lost his job as a skilled welder at an automobile assembly plant After looking for work for several months, he finally accepted a job as an unskilled laborer at a local nursery Although he is pleased to have work, Adam feels that his new job doesn't use his skills to their full potential Adam is an example of an underemployed worker Feedback: Underemployed workers have higher-level skills than their current job requires Answer: True AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 11-8 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 23 In one year's time, James developed gall bladder problems and needed surgery; he became a single parent; he willingly moved his older mom in to live with him in order to avoid placing her in a nursing home; and he unexpectedly tore his rotator cuff playing softball during the summer Overall, these are not considered circumstances that impact job performance because they fall outside of the workplace HR managers need only be concerned with how James performs when he is at work Feedback: Health issues and social issues affect job performance HR managers must create strategies for addressing these challenges HR managers cannot compartmentalize these as issues that fall outside of the work environment, because they directly impact workers' abilities to perform well at work Answer: False AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 24 The federal government has minimized its role in human resource management Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 25 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in hiring, firing, or compensation, based on race, religion, creed, sex, or national origin Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 26 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 did not enough to discourage discriminatory practices in the workplace Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 11-9 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 27 Congress has given the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission broad powers to issue guidelines for acceptable employer behavior concerning employment opportunities Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 28 The effectiveness of the EEOC has been limited because Congress never gave it any authority to enforce its mandates Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 29 Affirmative action programs are the least controversial method of correcting job inequities created by past discrimination Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 30 Reverse discrimination is the term the EEOC uses to refer to activities designed to "right past wrongs" that resulted from discrimination against women and minorities Answer: False AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 31 The Civil Rights Act of 1991 gave victims of discrimination the right to seek punitive damages from the firms that discriminated against them Answer: True AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 11-10 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 415 Two advantages of using _ to fill open positions are: (1) it improves the morale of current employees, and (2) the person filling the position is already familiar with the organization's culture and procedures A unskilled workers B apprenticed workers C promotions from within D external sources Answer: C AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 416 One implication of today's flatter corporate structures is that: A employees are more likely to get a lateral transfer, before a promotion B firms are becoming less interested in hiring contingent workers C a greater number of workers are now classified as middle managers D workers are expecting more of their pay in the form of stock options Answer: A AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 417 If a firm wants to know why valuable employees are leaving the company, it will conduct A performance appraisals B job inventories C job simulations D exit interviews Answer: D AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 418 The _ doctrine states that employers have as much right to fire workers as the workers have to leave the company voluntarily A first-in, first-out B employment at will C reciprocal employment D mutual consent Answer: B 11-140 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 419 A(n) is a financial incentive a firm offers to encourage employees to accept an early retirement offer A ESOP B green fair-way C golden handshake D silver lining Answer: C AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Remember Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 420 A reason workers tend to receive fewer promotions than in the past is that: A most firms now believe hiring people outside the organization is a better way to fill management positions because it brings in new blood B the movement toward flatter organizational structures provides fewer opportunities to move upward C firms have found that promoting employees can create jealousy and resentment among the workers who are not promoted D very few of today's supervisors and lower-level managers have the qualifications needed to move into higher management positions Feedback: As companies downsize and become flatter, they have fewer levels of management This means that fewer higher-level management positions are available for employees to reach Answer: B AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Understand Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Medium Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 11-141 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 421 Which of the following statements about early retirement is most accurate? A Traditional early retirement plans are no longer legal because they represent age discrimination B An advantage of early retirement as a method of downsizing is that early retirement provides opportunities for younger employees to be promoted C Federal law requires firms to offer early retirement benefits to any worker who voluntarily offers to retire before the age of 60 D Workers who receive an offer for early retirement are likely to gain by refusing the firm's first offer and holding out for a better deal Feedback: Early retirements have an advantage over layoffs as a means of downsizing because having workers voluntarily retire is better for the morale of remaining workers than seeing workers being laid off Answer: B AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Understand Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Medium Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 422 One of the reasons many firms have chosen to use temporary employees rather than rehire full-time employees is that: A the government provides strong tax incentives to hire temporary workers B such workers usually are more loyal to the firm C most labor laws only apply to full-time workers, so there are fewer legal hassles associated with hiring temporary workers D it enables them to avoid the prohibitively high costs associated with terminating employees Feedback: Firms have found the cost of terminating full-time workers to be prohibitively high The cost of termination is the result of both lost training costs and damages and legal fees that result from wrongful discharge lawsuits Thus, many firms are reluctant to hire fulltime employees, opting instead to either use temporary employees or to outsource certain functions Answer: D AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Understand Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Medium Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 11-142 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 423 A firm would implement a policy of holding exit interviews if it wanted to: A find out why so many of its good employees were quitting B implement a golden handshake policy C allow immediate supervisors one more chance to convince retiring workers to stay on the job D make sure workers who agreed to work from home understood their new responsibilities Feedback: Firms need to know why good employees are leaving a company in order to prevent further losses of valuable human resources One way to obtain this information is to conduct an exit interview However, this type of interview should be conducted by a third party rather than by the departing employee's immediate supervisor Answer: A AACSB: Reflective Thinking Bloom’s: Understand Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Medium Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 424 Frank has thirty years of service as a manager for his company He remembers when managers had almost complete freedom to fire workers Frank thinks this is only fair "After all," Frank points out, "workers quit whenever they get a better offer Shouldn't managers have as much freedom to fire workers as the workers have to quit?" Frank's comments suggest that he believes in the doctrine of: A bonded employment B reciprocated employment C employment by mutual consent D employment at will Feedback: The "employment at will" doctrine says that managers have as much right to fire workers as the workers have to leave voluntarily Answer: D AACSB: Analytical Thinking Bloom’s: Analyze Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 11-143 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 425 The Krandall Corporation wants to reduce its labor force, but is concerned about the impact downsizing will have on its remaining employees One policy that might allow Krandall to reduce its labor force without adversely affecting morale is to: A develop an affirmative action plan B offer early retirement benefits C implement a job sharing program D make more extensive use of job rotation Feedback: Early retirement incentives are often a more expensive method of downsizing than layoffs, but such incentives have the advantage of improving the morale of remaining employees Answer: B AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 426 While talking with a group of family and friends, Jeanne mentions that she was offered an impressive golden handshake by her employer Which of the following statements is she most likely to make next? A "That will teach those guys to discriminate against me." B "It's great to work for a company that encourages employees to further their education." C "I've already looked into using some of the money to go on a trip to Europe when I retire." D "Of course, I would have really preferred to receive money, but just knowing that top executives will take the time to recognize my accomplishments, makes me feel better about my work." Feedback: A golden handshake is a financial incentive (such as a one-time cash payment) used to entice older workers to retire early Answer: C AACSB: Analytical Thinking Bloom’s: Analyze Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 11-144 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 427 Janie worked in the student bookstore of a community college The store was quite large and offered a variety of items besides books and school supplies Although she liked the retail atmosphere, there was little opportunity for advancement because the three persons in management positions were doing well in their jobs and not planning to retire very soon When the college opened a new branch, Janie seized the opportunity to be reassigned to the new location and manage the smaller operation Her change was not a promotion, it was considered a(n) ; however, it served to improve her morale because she was performing more tasks and had greater responsibility than at the previous bookstore A advancement B vertical move C forward shift D lateral transfer Feedback: A lateral transfer is a horizontal move within a firm With companies assuming flatter organization structures, there are fewer opportunities for good employees to make vertical moves within the firm Lateral moves provide employees opportunities to learn new skills and assume different responsibilities, which usually improve their morale Answer: D AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 428 The creative director at Image First Promotion Company got word yesterday that the firm lost the Hottie Potatee account As Hottie was its second best customer, the director must quickly perform damage control and unfortunately dismiss two creative writers and one web development content provider As he prepares to call each of them to his office and perform the dismissals, he decides to make one final call to the company HR manager to make certain that he is doing and saying the right things The HR manager will disagree with which of the following statements? A He will offer each employee a three-month severance package, as long as they agree to sign a noncompete agreement for that time period B He will be consistent in his remarks to the three employees C He will create a story that their jobs are being eliminated due to new technology since revealing that the firm lost a major account could tarnish the image of the firm D Assure each employee that they can count on him for future job references and that he will be honest with anyone inquiring as to why they were dismissed Feedback: According to Figure 11.9 in Chapter 11, "How to Avoid Wrongful-Discharge Lawsuits," it is important to provide an honest business reason that the employee is being terminated Failure to so may have negative consequences for the company Answer: C 11-145 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees AACSB: Analytical Thinking Bloom’s: Analyze Learning Objective: 11-10 Describe how employees can move through a company: promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: How Employees Move Through a Company 11-146 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees Essay Questions 429 Dramatic changes in the U.S labor force will make the work of human resource managers more interesting, and more difficult, in the future Identify and describe three trends that will challenge future human resource managers Answer: Students can choose from several trends mentioned in the text, including: Shortages in people trained to work in the growth areas of the future, such as biotechnology, robotics, and the sciences Human resource managers will have to be perfect recruiting sources and skills to locate these workers Large numbers of skilled and unskilled workers from declining industries, such as steel, automobiles, and garment making, who are unemployed or underemployed and who need retraining Underemployed workers are those who have more skills or knowledge than their current jobs require These people will require retraining to prepare them for new careers in the changing economy A growing number of new workers who are undereducated and not prepared for jobs in the contemporary global business environment A shift in the age composition of the workforce, including aging baby boomers, many of whom are deferring retirement A complex set of laws and regulations involving hiring, firing, safety, unionization, and equal pay that require organizations to go beyond a profit orientation and be more fair and socially conscious An increasing number of both single-parent and two-income families, resulting in a demand for day care, job sharing, maternity leave, and special career advancement programs for women Continued downsizing that is taking a toll on employee morale as well as increasing the demand for temporary workers A shift in employee attitudes toward work; leisure time has become a much higher priority, as have concepts such as flextime and a shorter workweek A challenge from overseas labor pools whose members are available for lower wages and subject to many fewer laws and regulations This results in many jobs being outsourced overseas An increased demand for benefits tailored to the individual A growing concern over issues such as health care, elder care, child care, equal opportunities for people with disabilities, and special attention given to affirmative action programs A decreased sense of employee loyalty, resulting in increased employee turnover and increased costs of replacing lost workers AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-01 Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 11-147 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 430 Identify and describe three common methods of training and developing employees Answer: Students can choose from the following possibilities: A Employee orientation initiates new employees to the organization It introduces the employees to their coworkers and immediate supervisors, and explains the policies, practices and objectives of the firm B On-the-job training is the most fundamental type of training The employee starts actual work almost immediately and learns by doing and by watching others on the job This type of training is best suited for jobs that are relatively simple or jobs that involve repetitive tasks C Apprentice programs involve a period in which the new employee works alongside an experienced worker to master skills and procedures of a particular craft Many unions provide this type of training The apprenticeship period may last for several years A worker who has completed the apprenticeship period is known as a journeyman D Off-the-job training occurs away from the workplace and consists of internal or external programs to develop any of a variety of skills or to foster personal development E Online training is an approach in which workers attend classes via the Internet This approach is known as distance learning because the students are separated from the instructor or content source F Vestibule training is done in classrooms where employees are taught on equipment that is similar to that used on the job This allows the students to learn proper methods and safety procedures before taking on job responsibilities in the actual workplace G Job simulation uses equipment to duplicate not only the equipment used on the job, but also the job conditions This type of training seeks to give workers a realistic work experience even though they are not actually on the job Simulations are used in the training of airline pilots, astronauts, and ship captains AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-05 Outline the six steps in selecting employees Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: Training and Evaluation 11-148 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 431 What is the purpose of a performance appraisal? What are the major steps involved in the performance appraisal process? Answer: A performance appraisal compares an employee's actual performance against established standards Performance appraisals are used to help managers make decisions about promotions, compensation, training, and even firing, but the primary purpose of a performance appraisal is to improve employee performance if possible Performance appraisals consist of six steps: Establish performance standards that are reasonable, understandable, and measurable Clearly communicate the standards to employees Evaluate employee performance by comparing the employee's results to the established standards If the first two steps of the process are done correctly, this step should be relatively easy Discuss results of the evaluation with employees This step allows the manager to provide guidance and advice that can improve the employee's performance It also gives the employee a chance to offer suggestions about how a particular task could be performed more efficiently Take corrective action, if necessary Use the results of the appraisal to make decisions about promotions, bonuses and raises, additional training, and firing AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-07 Trace the six steps in appraising employee performance Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: Performance Appraisal 11-149 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 432 What are the key features of flextime plans, compressed workweeks, and job sharing plans? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches to scheduling employees Answer: Flextime plans give employees some freedom to adjust when they work as long as they work the required number of hours In the most common approach workers can report to work between 7:00 a.m and 9:00 a.m and leave between 4:00 p.m and 6:00 p.m Usually all employees are expected to be at work during specified hours known as core time Flextime has the advantage of allowing employees such as members of two-income and single-parent households to have more flexibility to meet the various demands on their time Students should also point out that flextime also has some disadvantages For example, it is not practical for assembly-line workers where everyone must be at work at the same time It may also force managers to work very long hours Another disadvantage is that it may make communication more difficult since some employees may not be available when other workers need to talk to them Finally, a flextime system could be abused, leading to resentment among other employees A compressed workweek allows employees to work the required number of hours in fewer days than a standard work week For example, workers who normally work hours per day for days each week (for a total of 40 hours per week) could achieve the same total number of hours in just days if they worked 10 hours per day The main advantage of this approach is that it gives workers more days off, something that many employees really like However, one disadvantage is that some workers get tired working the longer days, and this could hurt productivity Job sharing is an arrangement whereby two part-time employees share one full-time job The advantage of this approach is that it enables retirees, students, and workers who have young children who only want to work part-time to satisfy their personal needs and responsibilities By helping these employees meet their other responsibilities job sharing offers some real advantages: a reduction in tardiness and absenteeism, a higher level of enthusiasm and productivity, and the ability to attract and retain workers who otherwise would not be able to work for the organization The disadvantages of job sharing include the need to hire, train, and supervise a larger number of workers In some cases, firms may face additional complications because they need to prorate certain types of benefits AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-09 Demonstrate how managers use scheduling plans to adapt to workers’ needs Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: Training and Evaluation 11-150 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 433 What are the main provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and how have these provisions affected human resource management in American companies? Answer: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to give disabled applicants the same consideration for employment as people without disabilities It also requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities This might include things like widening doors, making sure office areas are wheel chair accessible, and making other modifications to furniture, computers, and other types of equipment so that they can be used by the disabled employee For many firms, making physical changes in the workplace may not be a big issue These adjustments often are relatively inexpensive The more challenging aspects of bringing disabled workers into the workplace concern the need to make other adjustments For example, many managers believe fairness means treating everyone the same When some workers have disabilities, this view may not work The key to making the needed cultural adjustments is the acceptance of the concept of accommodation, meaning that in order to deal with diversity people sometimes need to be treated differently AACSB: Knowledge Application Bloom’s: Apply Learning Objective: 11-02 Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 11-151 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees Multiple Choice Questions Mini-Case Dee Pozitt had been the assistant HR director at Fleesum Financial Services for a bit more than a year when the company's HR director was injured in a sky-diving accident Because of his injuries the director would be unable to work for several months Howie Fleesum, the company's CEO, decided to name Dee the acting director of human resources Though she had been at the firm for a shorter period of time than most other managers, he felt that her position as the director's assistant had given her insights into the company's human resource issues that the other managers lacked He also was very impressed by the glowing performance appraisal Dee recently received from the director, her peers, and even subordinates Before accepting the position as acting director, Dee made sure that Mr Fleesum recognized her authority to implement some major changes in policies she and the director had been planning before his accident The changes were intended to make the company more responsive to the needs of employees, thus improving morale and reducing worker turnover Although Dee was sorry the director was injured, she was pleased that Mr Fleesum had confidence in her and was willing to give her the authority to implement important new programs The only aspect of her opportunity that worried her was the resentment and hostility she sensed from a few of the older, more experienced managers One of the most hostile coworkers was a fellow named Mort Gage Dee decided she had better talk to Mort and find out why he was so upset 434 Before the director's accident, Dee had worked with him to devise a plan that would allow each employee to select the fringe benefits he or she wants up to a certain dollar amount The type of plan Dee and the director developed is known as a(n): A cafeteria-style fringe benefits plan B benefits buffet C open options plan D flexible spending plan Feedback: A cafeteria-style benefits plan allows employees to choose the benefits they want up to a certain dollar amount Answer: A AACSB: Analytical Thinking Bloom’s: Analyze Learning Objective: 11-08 Summarize the objectives of employee compensation programs, and evaluate pay systems and fringe benefits Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: Recruitment and Hiring 11-152 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 435 Dee wants to give Fleesum's employees more freedom to schedule when they begin and end their work days Her plan still requires employees to work eight hours per day, but allows them to start as early as 7:00 a.m or as late as 9:00 a.m., and leave as early as 4:00 p.m or as late as 6:00 p.m Her plan also requires all workers to be on the job between 9:00 a.m and noon, and between 2:00 p.m and 4:00 p.m The type of plan Dee wants to implement is known as a: A compressed work day B flextime plan C personal time frame plan D block scheduling plan Feedback: A flextime plan gives workers some freedom to adjust when they work, as long as they work the required number of hours Most flextime plans also designate core times when all employees are expected to be at work Answer: B AACSB: Analytical Thinking Bloom’s: Analyze Learning Objective: 11-09 Demonstrate how managers use scheduling plans to adapt to workers’ needs Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 436 Dee's performance appraisal allowed the director to evaluate her performance, but also allowed peers and subordinates to provide feedback as well This type of appraisal is called a(n): A vertical appraisal B horizontal appraisal C global review D 360-degree review Feedback: A relatively new type of performance appraisal is called a 360-degree review, because it calls for feedback from all directions in the organization Thus, it allows peers and subordinates to offer comments and suggestions about an employee's performance Answer: D AACSB: Analytical Thinking Bloom’s: Analyze Learning Objective: 11-07 Trace the six steps in appraising employee performance Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: Performance Appraisal 11-153 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 437 Fleesum recently began using cross-functional teams Dee wants to make sure the teams collaborate effectively, but also wants to avoid stifling individual initiative One method she could use to achieve this goal would be to: A use a more autocratic management style B use a skill-based pay plan for the teams C base the compensation of team members on a commission rather than a salary D implement a job sharing plan for team members Feedback: Skill-based pay is a common form of compensation for teams This approach relates the pay of team members to the growth of both the individual and the team The goal of this type of compensation system is to encourage collaboration within teams while still recognizing the contributions of individuals Answer: B AACSB: Analytical Thinking Bloom’s: Analyze Learning Objective: 11-08 Summarize the objectives of employee compensation programs, and evaluate pay systems and fringe benefits Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Teams 11-154 ... Topic: The Importance of Human Resource Management 1 1-6 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees 17 The growing importance of human resource issues has led... legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Easy Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 1 1-1 0 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees. .. legislation on human resource management Level of Difficulty: Hard Topic: Legislation Affecting Human Resource Management 1 1-1 3 Chapter 11 - Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees