Human Resource Management Chapter 1

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of compensation managers in HRM?

To develop training programs for employees

To develop compensation plans and handle employee benefits (correct)

To advise on labor relations and union negotiations

To assist top management in strategic decision making

What do training specialists primarily focus on in HRM?

Assisting with the financial analysis of HR operations

Planning, organizing, and directing training activities (correct)

Managing salary negotiations with unions

Overseeing day-to-day HR activities

Which approach focuses on providing localized human resource management assistance?

Corporate HR

Centralized HR

Embedded HR (correct)

Transactional HR

What is the purpose of transactional HR?

To use centralized systems for routine HR activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of corporate HR?

Assisting top management with strategic oversight Signup and view all the answers

What does the Equal Pay Act of 1963 specifically require?

Equal pay for equal work, regardless of sex Signup and view all the answers

What age group does the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 primarily protect?

Individuals over 40 years old Signup and view all the answers

Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, what is prohibited?

Discrimination based on pregnancy and related medical conditions Signup and view all the answers

What must an employer show to defend an employment practice that has an adverse impact?

That the practice is job-related and a business necessity Signup and view all the answers

What does disparate treatment refer to in employment discrimination context?

Intentional discrimination against a protected class Signup and view all the answers

Which act requires federal contractors to take affirmative action for disabled persons?

Vocational Rehabilitation Act Signup and view all the answers

In the case of Griggs v. Duke Power Company, what was established about employment discrimination?

Employment discrimination can be overt or subtle and intent is irrelevant Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment is characterized by behaviors that affect an employee's emotional and psychological well-being?

Hostile work environment Signup and view all the answers

What does disparate impact refer to in employment practices?

Neutral practices that disproportionately affect protected groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'adverse impact'?

Significantly higher rejection rates for protected groups in employment. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the four-fifths rule of thumb?

Hiring rates must be at least 80% of the average rate of the majority group. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'disparate treatment' refer to?

Direct and intentional discrimination against individuals based on group membership. Signup and view all the answers

Which law requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees?

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Signup and view all the answers

What is the burden of proof in cases involving disparate impact after a prima facie case is established?

The employer must prove that the practice is not discriminatory. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'mixed motive' refer to in employment practices?

An employer may still be liable even if a non-discriminatory reason is provided. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a restricted policy in employment?

Practices that intentionally exclude protected groups from employment. Signup and view all the answers

What must an employer provide if an employee is unable to perform their job as structured?

A reasonable accommodation Signup and view all the answers

What does the McDonnell-Douglas test assess?

Disparate treatment situations Signup and view all the answers

What is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ)?

A justification for hiring based on religion, sex, or national origin Signup and view all the answers

What is reverse discrimination?

Claims of discrimination against white males due to affirmative action Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a comparison of minority workers in an organization to the labor market?

Population comparisons Signup and view all the answers

What does 'business necessity' imply in terms of employment practices?

A justification for a discriminatory practice that serves an essential business purpose Signup and view all the answers

What does validity refer to in the context of employment practices?

The relationship between test outcomes and job performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a source of discrimination allegations?

Age, religion, gender, and national origin Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential aspect of a business plan?

Comprehensive view of the firm's current and future situation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the strategic planning process?

Conduct market research Signup and view all the answers

What does the HR Scorecard primarily measure?

Employee productivity and outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which type of strategy relates to the overall management of a company’s business portfolio?

Corporate-level strategy Signup and view all the answers

In the context of strategic management, what is the primary goal of strategic human resource management?

To align HR policies with corporate strategies Signup and view all the answers

Which SMART goal component emphasizes realism in goal setting?

Achievable Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of a strategy map?

Framework illustrating strategic objectives and how they relate Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is part of the HR department's strategy execution role?

Formulating employee competencies and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human Resource Management (HRM) Overview

HRM encompasses acquiring, training, appraising, compensating employees, and managing labor relations, health and safety, and fairness concerns.

Roles in HRM

Compensation Managers: Develop compensation plans and oversee employee benefits programs.
Training Specialists: Responsible for planning, organizing, and directing training activities.
Labor Relations Specialists: Advise management on union-management relations.

Approaches to Organizing HR

Transactional HR: Centralized focus using call centers and outsourcing for day-to-day HR support.
Corporate HR: Supports top management with strategic overview and planning.
Embedded HR: Assigns HR generalists to departments like sales for localized support.

The Management Process

Planning: Establishing organizational goals and standards.
Organizing: Assigning specific tasks to subordinates for goal achievement.

Employment Discrimination Laws

Equal Pay Act of 1963: Mandates equal compensation for equal work, regardless of sex.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA): Protects individuals over 40 against age discrimination.
Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Requires federal contractors to take affirmative action for disabled individuals.
Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Act of 1974: Mandates affirmative action for government veterans.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) of 1978: Prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions.

Court Decisions on Equal Employment Opportunity

Griggs v. Duke Power Company: Employment practices must be job-related, irrespective of employer intent, and require burden of proof to rest on the employer.
Disparate Treatment: Occurs when individuals are treated differently based on race, religion, gender, or ethnicity.
Disparate Impact: Neutral policies that inadvertently lead to significant disparities affecting protected groups.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled individuals and prohibits discrimination based on disability status.

Discrimination Definitions

Qualified Individuals: Those who can perform essential functions of the job.
Reasonable Accommodation: Adjustments made to accommodate employees unless it causes undue hardship.

Types of Discrimination and Defenses

Reverse Discrimination: Claims of discrimination against white males due to affirmative action policies.
Business Necessity: Employers must prove their policies serve a legitimate business purpose that justifies any discrimination.

Business Planning and Strategy in HRM

Business plans outline current situations and anticipated goals for 3-5 years, encompassing personnel, operations, and financial plans.

HR Strategy Execution

HR strategies must align with corporate and competitive objectives to produce necessary employee capabilities and behaviors.

Setting SMART Goals

Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.

Strategic Planning Process

Steps include defining the business, conducting audits, formulating direction, translating missions into goals, implementing strategies, and evaluating performance.

Types of Strategies

Corporate-level Strategy: Defines the company's business portfolio and the relationships among its various businesses.

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of Human Resource Management in this quiz, focusing on key roles such as Compensation Managers and Training Specialists. Gain insight into compensation planning, employee benefits, training activities, and labor relations. This chapter sets the foundation for understanding effective HR practices.