HRM 402 MIDTERM 1 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Historical order of HR perceptions over time - Answers - 1. Social Welfare Department
(1880 - 1935)
2. Labor Relations Department (1935 - 1950)
3. Industrial Relations Department (1950 - 1970)
4. Personnel Department (1970 - 1990)
5. Strategic Human Resource Management (1990 - Present)
Social Welfare Department (1880 - 1935) - Answers - -Helping injured workers and their
families
-Company unions: parties and social events
-Worker health
Labor Relations Department (1935 - 1950) - Answers - -Collective bargaining
-Contract administration
Industrial Relations Department (1950 - 1970) - Answers - -Benefits and vacations
-Testing and selection
-Compensation systems
Personnel Department (1970 - 1990) - Answers - -Legal compliance
-Staffing
-Performance evaluation
-Compensation and benefits
-Employee relations
-Safety and health
Strategic Human Resource Management (1990 - Present) - Answers - -Aligning HR with
business strategy
-Focus on human capital
-HR analytics
Information included in employee handbook - Answers -
Influence of employee handbook - Answers - Companies have an obligation to follow
their written policies.
List and explain the typical human resource jobs in an organization. - Answers -
, Describe the roles of human resources (Advisory/Counseling Role) - Answers - Internal
consultants who gather info, diagnose problems, prescribe solutions, and offer HR
problem solving assistance.
Describe the roles of human resources (Service Role) - Answers - Recruiting,
orientation training, record keeping, and reporting duties.
Describe the roles of human resources (Control Roles aka Functional Authority) -
Answers - Establishes policies and procedures and monitors compliance with said
procedures.
List and explain the human resource functions typical of most organizations. - Answers -
-Strategic Human Resource Planning
-Employment Law
-Staffing
-Training and Development
-Performance Management
-Compensation and Incentive Systems
-Labor and Employee Relations
-Safety, Health, and Security
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Answers - -Forbids discrimination on the basis
of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin in all areas of the employment relationship
-Applies to companies with 15+ employees
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1991) - Answers - More specific requirements to prove
discrimination in court.
Four-fifths (or 80 percent) rule - Answers - to determine if adverse impact has occurred;
discrimination when a protected group in the organization has a selection rate of less
than 80% of the selection rate of the largest population.
EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) - Answers - The Government
agency that oversees discrimination in the workplace. The largest issue they face is
retaliation charges.
OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs) - Answers - Extra protection
against discrimination in government organizations. Shares responsibility with the
EEOC for age disputes.
Describe the shifting burden of proof in employment discrimination litigation. - Answers -
1. Worker brings complaint of discrimination and evidence forward.
2. Business must prove it was a BFOQ or necessary for the organization.
3. Worker proves that there was another option for the business to take.
4. Business refutes or the worker wins.
ANSWERS
Historical order of HR perceptions over time - Answers - 1. Social Welfare Department
(1880 - 1935)
2. Labor Relations Department (1935 - 1950)
3. Industrial Relations Department (1950 - 1970)
4. Personnel Department (1970 - 1990)
5. Strategic Human Resource Management (1990 - Present)
Social Welfare Department (1880 - 1935) - Answers - -Helping injured workers and their
families
-Company unions: parties and social events
-Worker health
Labor Relations Department (1935 - 1950) - Answers - -Collective bargaining
-Contract administration
Industrial Relations Department (1950 - 1970) - Answers - -Benefits and vacations
-Testing and selection
-Compensation systems
Personnel Department (1970 - 1990) - Answers - -Legal compliance
-Staffing
-Performance evaluation
-Compensation and benefits
-Employee relations
-Safety and health
Strategic Human Resource Management (1990 - Present) - Answers - -Aligning HR with
business strategy
-Focus on human capital
-HR analytics
Information included in employee handbook - Answers -
Influence of employee handbook - Answers - Companies have an obligation to follow
their written policies.
List and explain the typical human resource jobs in an organization. - Answers -
, Describe the roles of human resources (Advisory/Counseling Role) - Answers - Internal
consultants who gather info, diagnose problems, prescribe solutions, and offer HR
problem solving assistance.
Describe the roles of human resources (Service Role) - Answers - Recruiting,
orientation training, record keeping, and reporting duties.
Describe the roles of human resources (Control Roles aka Functional Authority) -
Answers - Establishes policies and procedures and monitors compliance with said
procedures.
List and explain the human resource functions typical of most organizations. - Answers -
-Strategic Human Resource Planning
-Employment Law
-Staffing
-Training and Development
-Performance Management
-Compensation and Incentive Systems
-Labor and Employee Relations
-Safety, Health, and Security
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Answers - -Forbids discrimination on the basis
of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin in all areas of the employment relationship
-Applies to companies with 15+ employees
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1991) - Answers - More specific requirements to prove
discrimination in court.
Four-fifths (or 80 percent) rule - Answers - to determine if adverse impact has occurred;
discrimination when a protected group in the organization has a selection rate of less
than 80% of the selection rate of the largest population.
EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) - Answers - The Government
agency that oversees discrimination in the workplace. The largest issue they face is
retaliation charges.
OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs) - Answers - Extra protection
against discrimination in government organizations. Shares responsibility with the
EEOC for age disputes.
Describe the shifting burden of proof in employment discrimination litigation. - Answers -
1. Worker brings complaint of discrimination and evidence forward.
2. Business must prove it was a BFOQ or necessary for the organization.
3. Worker proves that there was another option for the business to take.
4. Business refutes or the worker wins.
