Learning and Development

Question 1

Which performance measure is most commonly used to determine the efficiency of training resources?

Answer 1

Return on investment

Question 2

What is the most appropriate method when training supervisors to handle discipline and discharge incidents?

Answer 2

Role-play

Question 3

Define transfer of training (AKA: transfer of learning).

Answer 3

The degree to which a trainee successfully applies the job skills learned in the classroom to the actual workplace.

Question 4

The methodology whereby employees have planned several routes into a job and several opportunities for advancement.

Answer 4

Career pathing

Question 5

What is the training technique that allows trainees to learn at their own pace? Topics are broken down into discrete units and it is usually self-instructed.

Answer 5

Programmed instruction

Question 6

What is the common term for requiring students to participate in a process that may involve:
1. Deciding which material gets first attention
2. Assigning tasks to subordinates
3. Dictating responses to letters in a role-play environment

Answer 6

In-basket exercise

Question 7

Name the 4 ways that a training course is evaluated for effectiveness, per Kirkpatrick’s model.

Answer 7

1. Reaction
2. Learning
3. Behavior
4. Results

Question 8

A trainer will utilize the _______ to ensure that a job-training program is valid.

Answer 8

Job analysis

Question 9

If an HR manager has posters of scantily clothed (clad) females removed from the shop floor, he is doing so based upon what theory of sexual harassment?

Answer 9

Hostile environment

Question 10

All employers with ___ or more employees must file an annual EEO-1 with the EEOC.

Answer 10

100

Question 11

Another term for your in-house technical gurus who were chosen to act as trainers because of their skill in the domain.

Answer 11

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Question 12

What is it called when a rater gives an excellent employee top ratings in all areas or gives an unsatisfactory employee low ratings in all areas?

Answer 12

Halo/horn effect

Question 13

The term for “forecasting managerial and executive vacancies and developing or identifying potential promotional candidates.”

Answer 13

Succession Planning

Question 14

An employer should carefully review training facilities and materials for necessary accommodations in order to avoid liability concerning what act?

Answer 14

Americans with Disabilities Act

Question 15

The goal of orientation in training is:

Answer 15

To quickly align new hires with the ongoing business plan.

Question 16

What is the most important consideration when designing an organization-wide training and development initiative?

Answer 16

That it supports the strategic plan.

Question 17

The purpose of internal training is to create a motivated, skilled, and effective workforce to:

Answer 17

Achieve the organization’s goals.

Question 18

To improve the participation rates of a professional development program, what is required?

Answer 18

Top management support

Question 19

A development methodology that gradually builds new duties or more challenging responsibilities into an employee’s current position. It allows employees to acquire new skills while on the job and typically results in heightened job satisfaction.

Answer 19

Job enrichment

Question 20

Which appraisal method is widely accepted as a motivating system that appeals to an employee’s “ownership” of his or her job?

Answer 20

Management by Objectives

Question 21

Name the 3 ways to determine the level of learning that occurred in a class.

Answer 21

1. Post-test
2. Pre-test/post-test
3. Pre-test/post-test with control group

Question 22

_________, along with job descriptions, record the skills required for each job and how well employees are doing currently.

Answer 22

Performance evaluations

Question 23

In order to prevail in a charge of discrimination based upon selecting the participants for a training program, an organization must:

Answer 23

Ensure the selection of trainees is well documented and does not result in adverse impact.

Question 24

Name the five major examples of gross misconduct in the workplace.

Answer 24

1. Wanton disregard for the safety of others.
2. Deliberate acts of violence or hostility.
3. Attempts to financially defraud a company.
4. Significant levels of insubordination.
5. Dishonesty through falsification of documents or other forms of misrepresentation.

Question 25

ABC, Inc. does not spend a lot of time monitoring its employees’ meal periods so it automatically deducts 30 minutes’ pay on a daily basis. Is this permissible?

Answer 25

No. If employees are found to be “eating on the go” or not taking the full 30 minutes as a break period, there could be substantial liabilities.

Question 26

What is the first step when a red circle rate employee has been identified?

Answer 26

Perform a job evaluation to determine if the employee is classified correctly or needs to have an adjustment in title, position, or duties.

Question 27

Define “reward theory.”

Answer 27

The concept that employees will repeat behaviors that are reinforced through rewards.

Question 28

Define “vestibule training.”

Answer 28

A training course or class that simulates or mimics the actual job function with actual production equipment.

Question 29

Centralization is one of the most common errors found in using ________ in performance appraisal systems.

Answer 29

Graphic Rating Scales

Question 30

An applicant is hired that does not list being fired for misconduct by a previous employer. The truth is discovered one month later. How can this situation be handled?

Answer 30

The employee may be terminated or disciplined for falsification of the application.

Question 31

Organizational sales training programs are most focused on what subject?

Answer 31

Product Knowledge

Question 32

These programs establish an on-the-job relationship with an experienced employee and a less experienced individual in the same career track.

Answer 32

Mentoring

Question 33

Training department overheard is an example of a(n) ________ cost.

Answer 33

Indirect

Question 34

What is the name of a program that rewards individuals whose skills, abilities, performance, or contributions have enhanced an organization’s productivity or profitability?

Answer 34

Key Contributor Program

Question 35

When a labor grievance goes to final and binding arbitration, the arbitrators base their decisions on:

Answer 35

Their interpretation of the language of the labor agreement and the information presented by both parties.

Question 36

Define “cross training.”

Answer 36

A practice wherein employees are trained on jobs other than the one they normally perform so they can step into the role if required.

Question 37

Name the 3 most well known traditional gainsharing plans.

Answer 37

1. Scanlon Plan
2. Rucker Plan
3. Improshare

Question 38

Define “job rotation.”

Answer 38

Exposing employees to new challenges by placing them, for short durations, into different jobs.

Question 39

Skill tests are more accurate in predicting failures than successes. Why?

Answer 39

They assess ability rather than effort.

Question 40

What is the least serious OSHA violation?

Answer 40

De minimis

Question 41

If an employer withdraws an offer after a pre-employment physical, they must be prepared to demonstrate two important facts. What are they?

Answer 41

1. The reason for withdrawing the offer is job-related, consistent with business necessity, or essential to avoid a direct threat to health or safety.
2. No reasonable accommodation would allow the person to perform the job, or making the necessary accommodations would cause the employer undue hardship.

Question 42

Name the two job evaluation systems that break jobs down into “compensable components.”

Answer 42

1. Factor Comparison
2. Point Factor

Question 43

Define “job posting.”

Answer 43

Listing of open jobs, with requirements, salary range, grade, and description of major activities that are placed on a bulletin board for qualified applicants to see the availability of the position.

Question 44

What theory emphasizes the need for organizations to relate rewards directly to performance and to ensure that the rewards provided are deserved and wanted by the participants?

Answer 44

Expectancy Theory

Question 45

A union employee is asked to the office about violating a work rule. The employee requests the presence of a union representative. What response should the manager give?

Answer 45

The manager should approve the request.

Question 46

Define “organizational development.”

Answer 46

A systems approach based on valid information to help organizations and teams to manage change.

Question 47

What type of employee program provides access to health education seminars, smoking cessation programs, nutrition and weight-loss programs, etc.?

Answer 47

Employee Wellness Program

Question 48

Define “implied contract.”

Answer 48

Communication stating that the employer will follow certain discharge procedures or will terminate employees only for good cause.

Question 49

Name the two methods that an employee becomes vested in an ERISA qualified pension program.

Answer 49

1. Cliff Vesting: serving a set number of continuous years of employment
2. Graded Vesting: incremental vesting over time

Question 50

The process of being reintegrated back into domestic operations after being on an international assignment outside of one’s home country is known as __________.

Answer 50

Repatriation

Question 51

The model that plots leadership style against the three dimensions of task behavior, relationship behavior, and task maturity is known as?

Answer 51

Hersey-Blanchard Model of Situational Leadership

Question 52

Define “spot awards.”

Answer 52

Performance-based programs that are discretionary in nature wherein payments are usually made after the fact.

Question 53

Define “bandwidth time.”

Answer 53

The daily range of hours during which managers allow flex scheduling (including core period). It defines the earliest time employees may arrive and the latest time they may leave.

Question 54

What is HR’s most important task during the rollout of a new health insurance benefits plan?

Answer 54

Communication of information

Question 55

What is a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement under which an employer places funds in a trust, for an executive, that remains under the employer’s control?

Answer 55

Rabbi Trust

Question 56

What is the final step in the disciplinary process?

Answer 56

Termination