Download aPHR Practice Test Questions and Answers 2024 and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity! aPHR Practice Test Questions and Answers 2024 The process by which the key stakeholders of an organization envision its future and develop a mission, objectives, and procedures to achieve that future is called: A) Goal Planning B) Future Planning C) Succession Planning D) Strategic Planning - ANSWER-B) Strategic Planning Organizational culture reflects a shared understanding among all who work within the company. What are the common components of organizational culture? A) Vision, mission, and values B) Structure, system, and people C) Values, beliefs, and norms D) Finance, marketing, and operations - ANSWER-C) Values, beliefs, and norms Computer software that stimulates a worksheet used to tabulate data and create graphs based on data is known as what tool? A) Presentation B) Application C) Spreadsheet D) Balance Sheet - ANSWER-C) Spreadsheet The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requires employers to file these annual reports on employee benefits offered: A) OSHA 300 log B) Form 5500 C) EEO-1 form D) LM-1 report - ANSWER-B) Form 5500 Which choice represents an advantage of a "best-of-breed" HRIS solution? A) Quicker implementation because of a simpler system B) Careful management of vendor relationships C) Ease of data integration D) Least expensive - ANSWER-A) Quicker implementation because of a simpler system Each essential job function in a job description should consider? A) Pay level associated with it B) Level of complexity and frequency C) Education needed to complete the job function D) Work experience of past incumbents in the job - ANSWER-B) Level of complexity and frequency D) ROI analysis - ANSWER-B) 360-degree feedback A company reaches an agreement with a labor union that states only union members will be employed with the company. Which of the following laws makes it illegal to establish a closed shop except in the construction industry? A) National Labor Relations Act B) Wagner Act C) Taft-Hartley Act D) Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act - ANSWER-C) Taft-Hartley Act Which of the following describes an employment-at-will exception? A) Employee terminated after filing a workers' compensation claim B) A candidate discusses salary range, job title and level with HR C) An employee on long-term disability leave is terminated from employment D)An employee is fired for no stated reason - ANSWER-A) Employee terminated after filing a workers compensation claim What is the main advantage to an organization using the alternative dispute resolution process? A) Decreases HR/management time spent on disputes B) Decreases costs related to conducting investigations C) Decreases conflict within the organization D) Decreases the number of disputes that might end up in court - ANSWER- D) Decreases the number of disputes that might end up in court A procedure that provides clear guidance for supervisors and employees to systematically and fairly resolve complaints is known as which of the following? A) An open door policy B) An HR resolution policy C) A grievance process D) A team-building process - ANSWER-C) A grievance process Drake the lead groundskeeper, is off the company's premises, cleaning the back access road leading to the company's building. Drake slips, falls, and injures his back. Per the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), this situation requires: A) All employees to be trained on safety protocols B) Recording on the OSHA 300 log C) The employee to seek medical attention D) The employee to be sent home - ANSWER-B) Recording on the OSHA 300 log Which of the following requires that a publicly traded company's employment offers consistently meet internal approval requirements, that they are consistent with established salary ranges, and that salary increases are documented and approved in accordance with internal policies? A) OSHA B) EEOC C) Sarbanes-Oxley Act D) Fair Labor Standards Act - ANSWER-C) Sarbanes-Oxley Act An agency of the United States Department of Labor. Congress established this agency under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. - ANSWER-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Agency that ensures that employers provide a safe and healthy work environment. - ANSWER-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) What are some OSHA requirements for a safe and healthy work environment? - ANSWER--eliminating and reducing hazards -providing free safety equipment -informing employees of chemical hazards -provide safety training -recording work related injuries -displaying OSHA poster HR policies, programs, and practices must align with what? - ANSWER-Laws and regulations at local, state, federal, and international levels. Why must an organization analyze internal business information? - ANSWER-- Understand performance -Evaluate strategies -Identify areas for improvement Data is analyzed using what? - ANSWER-Metrics Method of measuring a set of data. - ANSWER-Metrics Known as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). - ANSWER-Metrics Concerned with analyzing money coming in and out. - ANSWER-Cash flow metrics A measure of the difference between incoming and outgoing cash over a fixed period of time. - ANSWER-Net cash flow Compares the initial investment to the outcome of the investment to determine the gains or loses. - ANSWER-Return on Investment (ROI) Profit vs. Cost - ANSWER-Return on Investment (ROI)% Found by dividing a company's fiscal year net income by the total shareholder equity. - ANSWER-Return on Equity (ROE) % What tells us the efficiency of a company's investments? - ANSWER-Return on Equity (ROE) % Any person or group who interacts with the organization and might become a customer or client. - ANSWER-Lead (Marketing/Sales Metric) Total number of leads - ANSWER-Lead Volume(Marketing/Sales Metric) Total number of leads in a fixed period of time - ANSWER-Lead Gain (Marketing/Sales Metric) This metric shows whether or not the company is investing its resources into profitable work. - ANSWER-Number of Activities (Operations/Business Development) This metric shows how many opportunities are closed by sales. - ANSWER- Opportunity Success Rate (Operations/Business Development) The halfway point between a lead and a customer - ANSWER-Opportunity Revenue generated by new products and services =? Total revenue from all products and services - ANSWER-Innovation Rate (Operations and Business Development) Metric that shows the impact of innovation within an organization. - ANSWER- Innovation Rate (Operations and Business Development) Important IT metrics - ANSWER--Number of bugs/IT issues -Number of views per page -Costs This law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employee who have a disability. - ANSWER-ADA Law that requires employers to make all public spaces accessible to persons with disabilties. - ANSWER-ADA Which three laws require equal access to career development and training? - ANSWER--ADA -Age Discrimination Employment Act (ADEA) -Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Who requires Equal Opportunity Employment Reporting? - ANSWER-Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Who is required to report to the EEOC? - ANSWER--Employers with 100+ employees -Federal contractors with 50+ employees and contracts of $50,000 Data that helps ensure no discrimination is occurring by determining the composition of the workforce. - ANSWER-EEO Reporting EEO Job Reporting Categories - ANSWER--Officials/Managers -Professionals -Technicians -Sales -Office/Clerical -Craft Workers (skilled) -Operatives (semi-skilled) -Laborers (unskilled) -Service Workers A system that does not use a "one size fits all" approach. Instead it attempts to address each incident as a unique infraction and then develops consequences accordingly. - ANSWER-Progressive Discipline Five Stages of Progressive Discipline - ANSWER-1) Coaching 2) Counseling 3)Formal Warning 4)Termination Review 5)Termination What happens during the Coaching step of Progressive Discipline? - ANSWER- Manager verbally discusses the issue with the employee What happens during the Counseling step of Progressive Discipline? - ANSWER-First formal warning and it is normally verbal What happens during the Formal Warning step of Progressive Discipline? - ANSWER- Second formal warning is normally written and paired with disciplinary action. Internal and external recruiting costs Total number of new hires - ANSWER-Cost per Hire Examples of external recruiting costs - ANSWER--Ads -Outsourcing -Recruiting Technology Examples of internal recruiting costs - ANSWER--in house recruiting -recruiting staff -referral rewards Selection ratios - ANSWER--% of qualified candidates -% of minority applicants -Participants should also receive a Summary Annual Report (SAR) The process of analyzing and identifying the need and availability of labor resources so that the organization can meet its objectives is called: A) Human resources planning B) Recruitment requisition C) Objective planning D) Training needs assessment - ANSWER-A) Human resource planning A statement that communicates the organizations top priorities and core beliefs to customers and employees is called: A) Code of conduct B) Employee handbook C) Purpose statement D) Values statement - ANSWER-D) Values statement The statement "We aspire to be the best widget maker in America" is an example of a: A) Vision statement B) Financial Statement C) Mission statement D) Values Statement - ANSWER-A) Vision Statement In Michael Porter's Five Forces Analysis, five forces shape the competitive landscape for any industry. What are they? - ANSWER--Political/legal -Economic -Social -Technology -Competition What are the common components of organizational culture? - ANSWER-- Values -Beliefs -Norms In XYZ organization the leadership team thinks that the expression of humor in the workplace will improve productivity. This is an example of what kind of element? A) Norms B) Beliefs C) Directives D) Values - ANSWER-B) Beliefs What statement can be used to guide an organization's decisions and provides a purpose for employees? A) Values statement B) Financial statement C) Goal statement D) Norms statement - ANSWER-A) Values statement A) There is no liability because Jasmine did not report the incidents that led up to her decision to resign B) The company is vicariously liable because the team leader meets the definition of a supervisor as established by the Ellerth and Faragher cases on sexual harassment. C) The company is not liable for the team leaders actions because the Supreme Court in Vance V. Ball State University narrowly defined supervisor as the person who may take tangible employment actions such as demotion or termination of employment D) The company is liable because the team leader meets the definition of supervisor ass established by the EEOC - ANSWER-C) The company is not liable for the team leaders actions because the Supreme Court in Vance V. Ball State University narrowly defined supervisor as the person who may take tangible employment actions such as demotion or termination of employment A reservist was called to active duty for five years. Upon return to the United States mainland, he was informed that the position he left had been upgraded and fulfilled by a permanent employee. Does the employer have responsibilities to the reservist related to reinstatement of employment? - ANSWER-The reservist has 90 days following the completion of service to apply to the employer for reinstatement Scott, a 57-year-old white male, is interviewing for Director of Urban Affairs at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). If Scott is not selected for the position, which of the following laws may be applicable? A) Norris-LaGuardia Act B) Title VII C) Landrum Griffith Act D)ADEA - ANSWER-D) ADEA An employee of a doctor's office often takes a work laptop home. Information about patients is stored on the laptop for the employee's easy reference. While the employee is in a local grocery store, someone breaks into his car and steals the laptop. Which federal law should the employer be concerned about? A) Federal Data Protection Act B) Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 C) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act D) Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR Part 11) - ANSWER-C) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which provides the continuation of health coverage for a limited time after the loss of a job, is an amendment to which Act? - ANSWER-Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) A financial services firm hires a trader who spent the last four years in state prison for committing a battery against a co-worker. The financial services firm is in Wyoming, but the trader did his jail time in state prison in Arizona. In an effort to reduce costs, HR did a background check, but it was only for the state of Wyoming. How would you safeguard the company from any legal exposure regarding this situation? - ANSWER- The company should adopt a policy of conducting complete background and reference checks, including state and FBI records, going forward Establishes that an employer can monitor employee electronic communications if the employer can show legitimate business purpose. - ANSWER-Electronic Communications and Privacy Act of 1986 The CEO wants to install a surveillance system. As the HR manager, what should you be most concerned with when advising the CEO on the new system implementation? - ANSWER-Is the monitoring policy narrowly tailored? Establishes than an employer can't intentionally access an employee's e- mails unless they are sent through the employer's server. - ANSWER-The Stored Communications Act (SCA) Latoya resigned from her position as vice president of marketing at Kwesi Engineering. She failed to delete her personal e-mail account from the company iPad prior to returning it on her last day. For the next six months, Latoya's personal e-mail was accessible on the company phone and was read by her former manager. By reading the e-mails, did the manager violate any laws? - ANSWER-Yes, under the provisions of the Stored Communications Act (SCA), Latoya's negligence does not constitute authorization. Difference between confidentiality and privacy - ANSWER-Confidentiality is how information is treated. Privacy is an employee's right to freedom from intrusion. Reason to disclose medical information that was obtained through pre- employment drug testing to a third party - ANSWER-For a disability claim Which performance measures includes metrics in the areas of financial performance, customer satisfaction, efficiency of internal business processes, and company learning and growth. - ANSWER-Balanced Scorecard Difference between a financial role and a accounting role within an organization. - ANSWER-Accounting captures day-to-day transactions of the business. Finance provides financial modeling and investment advice to the organization. What is HR's primary strategic value to the organization? - ANSWER-Intimate knowledge of all core functional business areas HR's primary contribution to an organization's strategic plan. - ANSWER-HR serves the needs of the entire organization as subject-matter experts (SMEs) The executive board of a test preparation company considers franchising. functions is known as what? - ANSWER-Enterprise resource planning (ERP) A request for information from a database table or a combination of tables is called what? - ANSWER-Query Which application would you use to see a non-relational view of data that will be used for frequent calculations and statistical comparisons? - ANSWER-Spreadsheet Using a spreadsheet you need to combine two lists, one with employee hire dates and the other with department heads and bonus results. What is the name of the function that combines two lists into a single list? - ANSWER- Vlookup A tool found in spreadsheets that can automatically sort, count, total, or average data and display it in a table is called what? - ANSWER-Pivot Table A visual display of HR metrics at a high level is called what? - ANSWER- Dashboard A type of interview that depends on job analysis to identify critical job requirements, such as competencies for each position, by focusing on what the person has done in previous situations is called what? - ANSWER- Targeted selection interview A short document, or section of a document, that provides a brief overview of a longer report, proposal, or business plan is known as what? - ANSWER- Executive summary A type of chart used to visualize the trend of something over time is called what? - ANSWER-Line graph A performance metric used in strategic management to identify, report, and improve various internal functions of a business and resulting external results is called what? - ANSWER-Balanced scorecard What provides insight into business trends and patterns and helps improve decisions? - ANSWER-Business Intelligence How can a company minimize any negative impact to data integrity? - ANSWER-A policy that prohibits sharing passwords and the utilization of monitoring software that tracks and blocks the attempted download of phishing programs or malware Software that is managed remotely where the organization is charged only for the number of users and the bandwidth they use - ANSWER-SaaS Which collaborative software platforms provides users with a near in-person integrated experience? - ANSWER-Teleprescence Which records should the hiring manager have access to? A) Drug Tests B) Applications recognized department or subdivision of the enterprise Employer must pay a predetermined amount of To qualify for the learned professional exemption under FLSA, one must do what? - ANSWER-Have advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning a regularly set schedule - ANSWER-Salaried exempt employees Nonexempt employees are not required to be paid when attending training programs if what? - ANSWER-If attendance is voluntary A job description should include the following information about a job except: A) Physical requirements B) Employees disability status C) Mental requirements D) Approvals from management - ANSWER-B) Employees disability status What is the main reason it may be difficult to conduct a job analysis when the only employee who is at the company is a long-term employee? A) It can get difficult to separate what the employee brings to the job from the job's main purpose B) The employee may have a bad attitude toward the position C) The employee may misrepresent information about the job based on what he or she thinks is best D) Its difficult to separate what the manager does versus what the employees - ANSWER-A) It can get difficult to separate what the employee brings to the job from the job's main purpose Job descriptions are used for? - ANSWER-Benefit packages an employee receives Which of the following job competencies does someone in a managers role need to possess? A) Developing subordinates B) Team work C) Communication D) Customer focus - ANSWER-A) Developing subordinates Functional structure is represented by the traditional: A) Matrix-shaped organizational type B) Product-based organizational type C) Pyramid- shape organizational type D) Seamless design organizational type - ANSWER-C) Pyramid-shape organizational type The most formal and rigid of all the organization structures is what? - ANSWER- Functional structure In a structure, executives of regional Typically, a headhunter is used to help find . - When employees report to 2 managers, one for the product line and one for the functional line, it's an example of which type of structure? - ANSWER- Matrix Structure Which of the following is a horizontal organization connected by networks? A) Divisional organization B) Geographic organization C) Matrix organization D) Seamless organization - ANSWER-D) Seamless organization What is the main purpose of a seamless organization? - ANSWER-To enhance communication and creativity responsible for their business functions. - ANSWER-Geographic What is the disadvantage of a functional organizational structure? - ANSWER-People are in specialized "silos" and often fail to coordinate or communicate with other departments What is the main advantage of a matrix organizational structure? - ANSWER- It creates a functional and divisional partnership and focuses on the work more than on the people What is the disadvantage of a matrix organizational structure? - ANSWER-The dual chain of command requires cooperation between two direct supervisors to determine an employee's work priorities, work assignments, and performance standards An HR business process outcome (BPO) is an arrangement: - ANSWER-Where payroll and benefit administration are entirely outsourced In a professional employer organization (PEO) relationship, the PEO becomes the: - ANSWER-Employer of record In human resources outsourcers (HROs), all the following functions are outsourced, except: A)Payroll B) Benefits C) Human resources D) Temp workers - ANSWER-D) Temp workers Upper management What is the main benefit to using a benefit broker? - ANSWER-They sell for multiple companies and typically can provide more options What type of employees position does not involve supervision of others or the use of independent judgement. - ANSWER-Non-exempt Employees positions that fall directly under FLSA regulations - ANSWER-Non- exempt Employees positions that do not fall under the FLSA regulations - ANSWER- Exempt These employees are paid on a salary basis and spend more than 50% of their work time performing exempt duties. - ANSWER-Exempt Three main categories of exempt level duties. - ANSWER--Executive -Professional -Administrative Employees that are responsible for directing the work of two or more full time employees. - ANSWER-Executive employees Management is the key focus of their role, and they have direct input into the job status of other employees, such as hiring and firing. - ANSWER- Executive employees Employees whose position requires knowledge in a specific field of science or learning (i.e. doctor, lawyer) - ANSWER-Professional employees Employees that also fall under the category of creative professionals, meaning their positions involve the invention, imagination, originality, or talent in a recognized field of arts - ANSWER-Professional employees Employees that are responsible for exercising discretion and judgment with respect to matters of significance, which can be directly related to management of the general business or in dealings with the customers of the business - ANSWER-Administrative employees The process used to determine the requirements and importance of duties for a particular job - ANSWER-Job analysis A list of general duties and responsibilities for a particular job - ANSWER-Job descriptions A statement of the essential parts of a particular class of jobs. This includes a summary of the duties to be performed, and responsibilities and qualifications necessary to do the job. - ANSWER-Job specifications The ways to determine the value or worth of a job in relation to other jobs - ANSWER- Job evaluation Two main job evaluation methods - ANSWER-Quantitative and Non- quantitative Also known as whole-job methods - ANSWER-Non-quantitative job evaluation Three examples of non-quantitative job evaluation methods - ANSWER--Job ranking -Paired comparison -Job classification Involves a job-to-job comparison by developing a hierarchy of jobs from the lowest to the highest, based on each job's overall importance to the organization. - ANSWER-Job ranking This is a quick, inexpensive way for a small organization to compare one job to another - ANSWER-Job ranking The process of comparing each job to every other job for the purpose of ranking all jobs on a scale from high to low. This is also a low-cost evaluation method for small companies. - ANSWER-Paired comparison Involves grouping jobs into a predetermined number of grades, each of which has a class description to use for job comparisons. Benchmark jobs that fall into each class can be defined as reference points. - ANSWER-Job classification Methods that use a scaling system and provide a score that indicates how valuable one job is when compared to another job. - ANSWER-Quantitative job evaluation methods Two examples of quantitative job evaluation methods - ANSWER--Point factor method -Factor comparison method This method uses specific, compensable factors, such as skill, responsibility, effort, working conditions, and the supervision of others, in order to evaluate the relative worth of each job. Each job receives a total point value, and then, the relative worth of all jobs within an organization can be compared. - ANSWER-Point-factor method This method involves ranking each job by each selected compensable factor and then identifies dollar values for each level of each factor to develop a pay rate for an evaluated job - ANSWER-Factor comparison method This method is best used when wages are not frequently changing and the organization uses a flat rate of pay for each job. - ANSWER-Factor comparison method Type of reporting structure in which positions are grouped according to similar job roles (defined by skills, expertise, or resources) in a hierarchical chain. - ANSWER-Functional structure The vendor is located within the same country as the business - ANSWER- Onshore outsourcing The vendor is in a country adjacent to the business - ANSWER-Nearshore outsourcing The vendor is in a country far from the business - ANSWER-Offshore outsourcing Involves two or more employees performing the tasks of a role normally performed by one person - ANSWER-Job sharing For older employees involves both the cutting back of working hours and the phasing in of retirement benefits. - ANSWER-Phased retirement Technique that involves interviewers asking candidates to use specific examples to describe how they have handled a problem or preformed a task in a past work situation. - ANSWER-Behavioral interview What is the STAR method - ANSWER--Situation/Task (describe it) -Actions (explain the ones taken) -Results of the actions taken Interviewers asking hypothetical questions regarding events that could take place in the future. - ANSWER-Situational interview Interviews conducted by a group of individuals from the organization that may consist of managers, HR< and other future team members - ANSWER- Panel interviews Always presumed when a written employment agreement does not exisit - ANSWER- Employment-at-will Common-law doctrine that states employers have the right to hire, promote, terminate, or demote whomever they choose, provided there is not a law or contract in place. This doctrine also allows employees to leave employers whenever they choose. - ANSWER- Employment-at-will Two types of employment contracts - ANSWER--Implied -Express Employment contracts that are inferred from an employer's conduct or actions. - ANSWER-Implied contract Employment contract based on an employers' written or oral words and is a formal agreement that outlines the details of the employment arrangement - ANSWER-Express contract By what time does the I-9 process need to be completed for new hires? - ANSWER- Within the first 3 days of employemnt What is the government program called that assists with the I-9 process? - ANSWER-E- Verify Who is E-Verify mandatory for? - ANSWER-Government contractors and subcontractors The process by which new hires obtain the knowledge, skills, and behaviors they need in order to become valued, productive contributors to the company. - ANSWER-On- boarding/Organizational socialization A detailed description of specific qualifications, experience, or education that is needed to perform tasks. - ANSWER-Job specification A detailed breakdown of specific tasks, skills, and knowledge required to know a position. - ANSWER-Job description A detailed list of broad skills or traits needed for a position. - ANSWER-Job competency A way of gathering and analyzing information systemically about the context, content, and human resource requirements of jobs within an organization - ANSWER-Job analysis What type of interviews utilizes questions that are developed from an applicant's answers to previous questions. - ANSWER-Non-directive interview Under federal guidelines, an employer is required to keep records associated with employment benefits for how many years? - ANSWER-Six years Under federal guidelines, an employer is required to keep records associated with family medical leave for how many years? - ANSWER- Three years COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) - ANSWER-Law passed by the US Congress that mandates an insurance program which gives some employees the ability to continue health insurance coverage after leaving employment. The length of time an employee is eligible for insurance coverage is determined by what? - ANSWER-Qualifying event How long do employees and their families have to elect COBRA coverage from the time of their qualifying event? - ANSWER-60 days Pay program that is used to reward employees for performing work that is viewed as less than desirable. - ANSWER-Differential Pay Program Type of differential pay that is allotted to employees based on when they work. - ANSWER-Time-based differential pay Paid to employees as a higher rate of overtime pay for working holidays or vacation days. - ANSWER-Premium Pay Pay for employees who work in a hazardous environment is called what? - ANSWER- Hazard Pay Type of pay for employee who arrive at their place of employment and find that there is no available work for them to perform. - ANSWER-Reporting Pay Type of pay plan used to motivate employees to perform their work at a higher level. - ANSWER-Performance-based pay plans Examples of Individual performance-based pay plans - ANSWER--Piece Rates -Commissions -Cash bonuses - ANSWER-