Academic Year 2026–2027 UNISA Assignment: HRM3704 Contemporary
Issues in Human Resource Management Fully Solved Assignment with
Verified Answers | Strategic HRM, Workplace Diversity, Talent
Management, Employee Wellbeing, Future of Work and Human Capital
Development
Question 1: What is the primary function of predictive analytics in HR?
A. Calculating payroll accurately B. Forecasting turnover and hiring needs C. Tracking
daily attendance D. Conducting annual appraisals
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Forecasting turnover and hiring needs
Rationale: Predictive analytics uses historical data to forecast future outcomes,
enabling proactive workforce planning and retention strategies.
Question 2: How do AI-driven chatbots primarily enhance the recruitment process?
A. By conducting final interview assessments B. By automating initial candidate
engagement and screening C. By calculating compensation packages D. By managing
employee grievances
CORRECT ANSWER: B. By automating initial candidate engagement and screening
Rationale: AI chatbots handle high-volume, repetitive tasks like answering FAQs and
screening basic qualifications, improving candidate experience and recruiter efficiency.
Question 3: What is the core benefit of implementing a cloud-based Human
Resource Information System (HRIS)?
A. Eliminating the need for HR staff B. Centralizing data for real-time, accessible
insights C. Automating all legal compliance automatically D. Replacing performance
management systems
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Centralizing data for real-time, accessible insights
Rationale: Cloud-based HRIS provides a single source of truth, allowing secure, real-
time access to employee data from any location, enhancing decision-making.
Question 4: What is a major ethical concern when using AI for resume screening?
A. The high cost of software licenses B. The potential for algorithmic bias against
protected groups C. The speed of processing applications D. The inability to read digital
formats
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The potential for algorithmic bias against protected groups
Rationale: AI models trained on historical data may inadvertently learn and perpetuate
past biases, leading to discriminatory hiring practices if not carefully audited.
Question 5: How is Virtual Reality (VR) primarily utilized in contemporary HR
training?
,A. To conduct virtual payroll processing B. To simulate immersive, risk-free practical
learning environments C. To host annual company-wide meetings D. To manage
employee benefits enrollment
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To simulate immersive, practical learning environments
Rationale: VR provides safe, controlled, and highly realistic simulations for training,
particularly useful for technical skills, safety protocols, and empathy training.
Question 6: What is the primary HR application of blockchain technology?
A. Automating employee social media posts B. Securely verifying academic and
professional credentials C. Tracking employee internet usage D. Designing
organizational charts
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Securely verifying academic and professional credentials
Rationale: Blockchain provides a decentralized, tamper-proof ledger, allowing HR to
instantly and securely verify the authenticity of candidate degrees and work history.
Question 7: What distinguishes people analytics from traditional HR reporting?
A. People analytics focuses solely on financial metrics B. People analytics uses
advanced statistical modeling to find trends and causal relationships C. Traditional
reporting uses predictive AI models D. There is no difference between the two
CORRECT ANSWER: B. People analytics uses advanced statistical modeling to find
trends and causal relationships
Rationale: While traditional reporting looks at descriptive historical data, people
analytics applies statistical models to understand the "why" behind HR metrics and
predict future outcomes.
Question 8: What is the main advantage of Employee Self-Service (ESS) portals?
A. They allow employees to manage their own HR transactions, reducing administrative
burden B. They automatically approve all leave requests C. They replace the need for
managers D. They calculate company-wide tax liabilities
CORRECT ANSWER: A. They allow employees to manage their own HR
transactions, reducing administrative burden
Rationale: ESS portals empower employees to update personal info, view payslips, and
request time off, which streamlines HR operations and improves employee autonomy.
Question 9: In the context of HR data, what does GDPR primarily mandate?
A. That all HR data must be stored on physical servers B. The protection and privacy of
personal data for individuals within the EU C. That HR must share all data with the
public D. The elimination of digital HR records
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. The protection and privacy of personal data for individuals
within the EU
Rationale: GDPR enforces strict data privacy and security rules, requiring HR to obtain
consent, secure data, and allow individuals access to or deletion of their personal
information.
Question 10: What is the primary role of an HR dashboard?
A. To visually display key HR metrics and KPIs for quick analysis B. To automatically
discipline underperforming employees C. To generate marketing materials for
recruitment D. To process monthly payroll directly
CORRECT ANSWER: A. To visually display key HR metrics and KPIs for quick
analysis
Rationale: Dashboards aggregate complex data into visual formats like charts and
graphs, allowing HR leaders to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions
rapidly.
Question 11: What defines a "hybrid work model" in contemporary HR?
A. Employees work exclusively from the office five days a week B. Employees split their
time between working remotely and working from a central office C. Employees work
only on weekends D. Employees are entirely location-independent with no office access
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Employees split their time between working remotely and
working from a central office
Rationale: A hybrid model combines the flexibility and focus of remote work with the
collaboration and culture-building opportunities of in-person office attendance.
Question 12: What is "proximity bias" in a hybrid work environment?
A. The tendency to favor employees who are physically closer to the manager or in the
office B. The preference for hiring people who live near the office C. The technical lag in
video conferencing software D. The bias against employees who work late shifts
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The tendency to favor employees who are physically closer
to the manager or in the office
Rationale: Proximity bias occurs when managers unconsciously give preferential
treatment, such as better assignments or promotions, to remote workers they see less
frequently.
Question 13: What is the primary benefit of asynchronous communication in
remote teams?
A. It requires everyone to be online at the exact same time B. It allows employees to
respond to messages according to their own schedules, accommodating different time
Issues in Human Resource Management Fully Solved Assignment with
Verified Answers | Strategic HRM, Workplace Diversity, Talent
Management, Employee Wellbeing, Future of Work and Human Capital
Development
Question 1: What is the primary function of predictive analytics in HR?
A. Calculating payroll accurately B. Forecasting turnover and hiring needs C. Tracking
daily attendance D. Conducting annual appraisals
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Forecasting turnover and hiring needs
Rationale: Predictive analytics uses historical data to forecast future outcomes,
enabling proactive workforce planning and retention strategies.
Question 2: How do AI-driven chatbots primarily enhance the recruitment process?
A. By conducting final interview assessments B. By automating initial candidate
engagement and screening C. By calculating compensation packages D. By managing
employee grievances
CORRECT ANSWER: B. By automating initial candidate engagement and screening
Rationale: AI chatbots handle high-volume, repetitive tasks like answering FAQs and
screening basic qualifications, improving candidate experience and recruiter efficiency.
Question 3: What is the core benefit of implementing a cloud-based Human
Resource Information System (HRIS)?
A. Eliminating the need for HR staff B. Centralizing data for real-time, accessible
insights C. Automating all legal compliance automatically D. Replacing performance
management systems
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Centralizing data for real-time, accessible insights
Rationale: Cloud-based HRIS provides a single source of truth, allowing secure, real-
time access to employee data from any location, enhancing decision-making.
Question 4: What is a major ethical concern when using AI for resume screening?
A. The high cost of software licenses B. The potential for algorithmic bias against
protected groups C. The speed of processing applications D. The inability to read digital
formats
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The potential for algorithmic bias against protected groups
Rationale: AI models trained on historical data may inadvertently learn and perpetuate
past biases, leading to discriminatory hiring practices if not carefully audited.
Question 5: How is Virtual Reality (VR) primarily utilized in contemporary HR
training?
,A. To conduct virtual payroll processing B. To simulate immersive, risk-free practical
learning environments C. To host annual company-wide meetings D. To manage
employee benefits enrollment
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To simulate immersive, practical learning environments
Rationale: VR provides safe, controlled, and highly realistic simulations for training,
particularly useful for technical skills, safety protocols, and empathy training.
Question 6: What is the primary HR application of blockchain technology?
A. Automating employee social media posts B. Securely verifying academic and
professional credentials C. Tracking employee internet usage D. Designing
organizational charts
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Securely verifying academic and professional credentials
Rationale: Blockchain provides a decentralized, tamper-proof ledger, allowing HR to
instantly and securely verify the authenticity of candidate degrees and work history.
Question 7: What distinguishes people analytics from traditional HR reporting?
A. People analytics focuses solely on financial metrics B. People analytics uses
advanced statistical modeling to find trends and causal relationships C. Traditional
reporting uses predictive AI models D. There is no difference between the two
CORRECT ANSWER: B. People analytics uses advanced statistical modeling to find
trends and causal relationships
Rationale: While traditional reporting looks at descriptive historical data, people
analytics applies statistical models to understand the "why" behind HR metrics and
predict future outcomes.
Question 8: What is the main advantage of Employee Self-Service (ESS) portals?
A. They allow employees to manage their own HR transactions, reducing administrative
burden B. They automatically approve all leave requests C. They replace the need for
managers D. They calculate company-wide tax liabilities
CORRECT ANSWER: A. They allow employees to manage their own HR
transactions, reducing administrative burden
Rationale: ESS portals empower employees to update personal info, view payslips, and
request time off, which streamlines HR operations and improves employee autonomy.
Question 9: In the context of HR data, what does GDPR primarily mandate?
A. That all HR data must be stored on physical servers B. The protection and privacy of
personal data for individuals within the EU C. That HR must share all data with the
public D. The elimination of digital HR records
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. The protection and privacy of personal data for individuals
within the EU
Rationale: GDPR enforces strict data privacy and security rules, requiring HR to obtain
consent, secure data, and allow individuals access to or deletion of their personal
information.
Question 10: What is the primary role of an HR dashboard?
A. To visually display key HR metrics and KPIs for quick analysis B. To automatically
discipline underperforming employees C. To generate marketing materials for
recruitment D. To process monthly payroll directly
CORRECT ANSWER: A. To visually display key HR metrics and KPIs for quick
analysis
Rationale: Dashboards aggregate complex data into visual formats like charts and
graphs, allowing HR leaders to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions
rapidly.
Question 11: What defines a "hybrid work model" in contemporary HR?
A. Employees work exclusively from the office five days a week B. Employees split their
time between working remotely and working from a central office C. Employees work
only on weekends D. Employees are entirely location-independent with no office access
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Employees split their time between working remotely and
working from a central office
Rationale: A hybrid model combines the flexibility and focus of remote work with the
collaboration and culture-building opportunities of in-person office attendance.
Question 12: What is "proximity bias" in a hybrid work environment?
A. The tendency to favor employees who are physically closer to the manager or in the
office B. The preference for hiring people who live near the office C. The technical lag in
video conferencing software D. The bias against employees who work late shifts
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The tendency to favor employees who are physically closer
to the manager or in the office
Rationale: Proximity bias occurs when managers unconsciously give preferential
treatment, such as better assignments or promotions, to remote workers they see less
frequently.
Question 13: What is the primary benefit of asynchronous communication in
remote teams?
A. It requires everyone to be online at the exact same time B. It allows employees to
respond to messages according to their own schedules, accommodating different time
