All Related Questions of Human Resource Management

Q: If unions are to survive, what do you think they will

If unions are to survive, what do you think they will have to do to attract and maintain members?

Q: If unions are to survive, what do you think they will

If unions are to survive, what do you think they will have to do to attract and maintain members?

Q: Why is trust so important for PFP systems?

Why is trust so important for PFP systems?

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using home-country,

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using home-country, host-country, and third-country nationals? Under what specific circumstances might an organization choose to utilize third-country nat...

Q: Why it is important to understand a systems model of training (

Why it is important to understand a systems model of training (needs assessment, development, and evaluation)? Which aspects are employers most likely to skip when developing training programs? Why is...

Q: What is stereotyping? Give examples of legal and illegal stereotypes.

What is stereotyping? Give examples of legal and illegal stereotypes.

Q: Describe how an organization might improve the reliability and validity of interviews

Describe how an organization might improve the reliability and validity of interviews.

Q: Contrast an unstructured interview with a situational or behavioral interview.

Contrast an unstructured interview with a situational or behavioral interview.

Q: "The most efficient solution to the problem of interview validity is

"The most efficient solution to the problem of interview validity is to do away with the interview and substitute paper and pencil measures." Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

Q: Explain the difference between “actuarial” and “clinical” or

Explain the difference between “actuarial” and “clinical” or “holistic” prediction.

Q: Are GMA or cognitive ability tests more trouble than they are worth

Are GMA or cognitive ability tests more trouble than they are worth? Given that some minorities may score lower on such tests, would it be advisable to find some other method for predicting job succe...

Q: Think about two businesses: (1) a manufacturer of athletic

Think about two businesses: (1) a manufacturer of athletic gear and (2) a property and casualty insurance company. How might the internationalization of each of these companies differ from one anothe...

Q: Why do you need tests of clerical ability? Couldn’t you just

Why do you need tests of clerical ability? Couldn’t you just rely on a typing test and recommendations from previous employers?

Q: Some experts believe that if you have to use performance appraisals as

Some experts believe that if you have to use performance appraisals as the main source of data for a PFP system, you shouldn’t bother with the PFP system. What do you think?

Q: Under what circumstances would GMA or cognitive ability tests be appropriate for

Under what circumstances would GMA or cognitive ability tests be appropriate for promotion decisions? Are there other methods that might be more valid?

Q: When is a group-based PFP system better than an individual

When is a group-based PFP system better than an individual system?

Q: If you were given a personality test as part of an employment

If you were given a personality test as part of an employment application process, would you answer the questions honestly or would you attempt to answer the questions based on your image of the "corr...

Q: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of performance testing and work samples.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of performance testing and work samples. Under what circumstances would such tests be most appropriate?

Q: Given that the validity of assessment centers and work samples are not

Given that the validity of assessment centers and work samples are not significantly greater than that reported for cognitive ability tests, why would an organization choose the far more costly approa...

Q: What steps would you take if your performance appraisal system resulted in

What steps would you take if your performance appraisal system resulted in disparate or adverse impact?

Q: Under what circumstances would you use customer or client evaluation as one

Under what circumstances would you use customer or client evaluation as one basis for appraising employees?

Q: Why are so many companies using 360-degree feedback systems?

Why are so many companies using 360-degree feedback systems? What are the benefits of such systems?

Q: Why should managers provide ongoing and frequent feedback to employees about their

Why should managers provide ongoing and frequent feedback to employees about their performance?

Q: As an employee, how would you react to a forced distribution

As an employee, how would you react to a forced distribution rating system?

Q: How do differences in international HR management (IHRM) strategies affect

How do differences in international HR management (IHRM) strategies affect the relative importance of each of the HR domains?

Q: Deming and other quality experts think PFP is a bad idea.

Deming and other quality experts think PFP is a bad idea. What do you think?

Q: Why do you think businesses internationalize? Which forces are most influential

Why do you think businesses internationalize? Which forces are most influential and which are secondary forces?

Q: Why has performance appraisal taken on increased significance in recent years?

Why has performance appraisal taken on increased significance in recent years?

Q: As the work force becomes more diverse, why does performance appraisal

As the work force becomes more diverse, why does performance appraisal become a more difficult process?

Q: Ford was accused of age discrimination based on the use of its

Ford was accused of age discrimination based on the use of its forced-distribution rating system. What evidence would you investigate to test this allegation?

Q: Many managers describe performance appraisal as the responsibility that they like the

Many managers describe performance appraisal as the responsibility that they like the least. Why is this? What could be done to improve the situation?

Q: Describe several advantages and disadvantages to using rating instruments that are based

Describe several advantages and disadvantages to using rating instruments that are based on comparisons among ratees’ performance, comparisons among anchors, and comparisons to anchors.

Q: Results from a preliminary company needs assessment indicate that managers have a

Results from a preliminary company needs assessment indicate that managers have a negative opinion of the training offered by the firm, think the training is a waste of time, and are resistant to atte...

Q: Some people say that employees already understand racial and sexual harassment and

Some people say that employees already understand racial and sexual harassment and that we no longer need training for managers. What do you think? Why is this training needed or not needed? Defend yo...

Q: Suppose that you are going to design a training program for newly

Suppose that you are going to design a training program for newly hired sales associates for a retail chain. Results from the needs assessment indicate that they will need training on company policie...

Q: A group of 60 consultants in a large firm has just completed

A group of 60 consultants in a large firm has just completed SAP and PeopleSoft training. You have been called in to evaluate the training. What might you do to evaluate the effectiveness of the tra...

Q: Describe a number of ideas for building motivation of trainees before and

Describe a number of ideas for building motivation of trainees before and during a program. What suggestions would you offer for ensuring that trainees are motivated to transfer their skills after th...

Q: Suppose you are instructed to determine whether a training curriculum is needed

Suppose you are instructed to determine whether a training curriculum is needed to address literacy issues in the workplace. How would you conduct the needs assessment? Be specific about the techniqu...

Q: You have been contracted to deliver a training program for employees on

You have been contracted to deliver a training program for employees on generational differences in the workplace. You ask the CEO for the results of the needs assessment indicating that this trainin...

Q: Should organizations make special efforts to deal with career-family issues

Should organizations make special efforts to deal with career-family issues through part-time work, job-sharing, flextime, relocation assistance, and other programs? Should they also have special pro...

Q: With the increasing number of organizations experiencing downsizings and layoffs, it

With the increasing number of organizations experiencing downsizings and layoffs, it has become critical that they have career programs in place to assist out placed employees. What suggestions would...

Q: Companies are increasingly expecting their employees to take international assignments, and

Companies are increasingly expecting their employees to take international assignments, and yet they are not providing much career development for them while they are away and when they return. Why i...

Q: How can companies use career programs to retain their most talented employees

How can companies use career programs to retain their most talented employees? How might these differ for the various generations at the workplace (e.g. gen Y, Gen X, Baby Boomers, Traditionalists)?...

Q: During troubled economic times (e.g. financial crisis),

During troubled economic times (e.g. financial crisis), what advice would you give to today’s workers so that they could continue to thrive in their careers?

Q: Distance learning is becoming the fastest-growing technique for training employees

Distance learning is becoming the fastest-growing technique for training employees and students. Describe the benefits and drawbacks for distance learning for employees in the workforce. What would...

Q: Should organizations adopt formal career development policies and programs? How do

Should organizations adopt formal career development policies and programs? How do these programs affect their ability to be flexible in terms of staffing? How do they influence their ability to rec...

Q: What is the role of EEO in career development? What is

What is the role of EEO in career development? What is the role of the training or career staff in designing and implementing career development programs?

Q: The “covenant of good faith and fair dealing” as related

The “covenant of good faith and fair dealing” as related to employment-at-will implies that excellent performance over an extended period of time grants the performer a right to only be terminated for...

Q: Recently, the role of managers has changed and today more are

Recently, the role of managers has changed and today more are being called to be career “coaches” for their employees. What suggestions would you give to managers about what the new role involves? Wh...

Q: Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using interviews, observation, and

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using interviews, observation, and questionnaires for collecting work analysis data.

Q: Describe several career development programs that would be useful for individuals planning

Describe several career development programs that would be useful for individuals planning on making a career or job change. Suppose they have worked in one field for 7-10 years (e.g. engineering) an...

Q: What is the value of self-assessment for individual career planning

What is the value of self-assessment for individual career planning and organizational career management? Why should employees seek feedback from others regarding their job performance and career pla...

Q: Why is it important to integrate career development programs with other programs

Why is it important to integrate career development programs with other programs in organizations (e.g., performance appraisal, training, selection, compensation)? Offer some suggestions for how this...

Q: Some argue that workers’ compensation programs and the FMLA have proven to

Some argue that workers’ compensation programs and the FMLA have proven to be problematic laws for employers. Research these issues to determine the recent controversies and proposed solutions. Why...

Q: Research current trends in defined contribution versus defined benefits programs. From

Research current trends in defined contribution versus defined benefits programs. From the employer’s perspective, what program is preferable and why? Now, consider the employee’s perspective.

Q: What ideas do you have for training employees who are going on

What ideas do you have for training employees who are going on an international assignment? What about for those employees coming back to an organization after an international assignment? What issu...

Q: What is the most typical pay policy for expatriate assignments? How

What is the most typical pay policy for expatriate assignments? How would you determine the entire pay package?

Q: Research CEO pay on the Internet (try www.aflcio.

Research CEO pay on the Internet (try www.aflcio.org/paywatch and Graef Crystal’s column at www.bloomberg.com/columns). Identify persons you believe to be the most overpaid and underpaid and explain...

Q: It has been proposed that HR managers should be more involved with

It has been proposed that HR managers should be more involved with compensation committees charged with determining executive pay packages. How should HR be involved?

Q: Do PAQ data provide sufficient argument of “job relatedness?” Explain

Do PAQ data provide sufficient argument of “job relatedness?” Explain.

Q: Critique market-pricing pay with the traditional approach to compensation.

Critique market-pricing pay with the traditional approach to compensation. Which approach is more important for organizational effectiveness? Which approach would you implement and why?

Q: Pay expert Ed Lawler says pay the person, not the job

Pay expert Ed Lawler says pay the person, not the job. Explain what you think he means and how that would work.

Q: Should companies have the right to monitor all Internet “surfing”

Should companies have the right to monitor all Internet “surfing” at work? How would you react if a company stipulated that no personal surfing is allowed and, if discovered, could result in terminat...

Q: How does a binding arbitration agreement work? Should companies be allowed

How does a binding arbitration agreement work? Should companies be allowed to adopt a binding arbitration requirement for their current employees in which employees surrender their right to litigate...

Q: Should companies purchase software that shuts down all access terminated employees have

Should companies purchase software that shuts down all access terminated employees have to company equipment, credit cards, website access, and premises as soon as the termination takes effect? Why w...

Q: To what extent would you be attracted to an organization that offered

To what extent would you be attracted to an organization that offered a variety of work arrangements such as flextime, telecommuting, four-day workweeks and job sharing?

Q: Why is it important to assess the costs and benefits of training

Why is it important to assess the costs and benefits of training?

Q: A CEO once told an HR consultant that organizational justice is a

A CEO once told an HR consultant that organizational justice is a “touchy feely concept not related to anything important.” If you were the HR consultant, what would you say?

Q: Should realistic job previews be applied to overseas assignments? If so

Should realistic job previews be applied to overseas assignments? If so, how would you go about constructing a realistic job preview for such an assignment? Pick one country and do a draft of an RJP...

Q: How might you involve customers in the development of job descriptions and

How might you involve customers in the development of job descriptions and job specifications? Are there any constraints on what customers can stipulate in job specifications?

Q: Should companies be allowed to hire workers based on their attitudes toward

Should companies be allowed to hire workers based on their attitudes toward unions?

Q: Why is it advantageous for both the union and management to remain

Why is it advantageous for both the union and management to remain flexible during collective bargaining negotiations?

Q: Describe the sources of power brought to the bargaining table by both

Describe the sources of power brought to the bargaining table by both the union and management sides.

Q: Describe how union and management might prepare for labor negotiations. How

Describe how union and management might prepare for labor negotiations. How are their preparations similar and different?

Q: How would you use O*Net for developing job descriptions and

How would you use O*Net for developing job descriptions and specifications?

Q: Should the government be allowed to intervene in strikes that are not

Should the government be allowed to intervene in strikes that are not a threat to national security or public welfare, in order to expedite their resolution? Why or why not?

Q: How might a multinational corporation better prepare itself for dealing with the

How might a multinational corporation better prepare itself for dealing with the differing union environments in other countries?

Q: Why is it important to collect multiple criteria to assess the effectiveness

Why is it important to collect multiple criteria to assess the effectiveness of a training program? What if a company was insistent that only reactions needed to be collected? How might you convince...

Q: Compare and contrast unions in the United States, Germany, and

Compare and contrast unions in the United States, Germany, and Japan. How are they similar and different? What can they learn from one another?

Q: Describe the procedures required to file a discrimination lawsuits under the disparate

Describe the procedures required to file a discrimination lawsuits under the disparate impact and disparate treatment theories. How is adverse impact determined? Provide a scenario illustrating evid...

Q: Based on your reading of the major EEO laws, what information

Based on your reading of the major EEO laws, what information should an employer include in a personnel policies and procedures manual given to all employees?

Q: What is broadbanding and what does the latest research say about its

What is broadbanding and what does the latest research say about its effectiveness?

Q: What will be the impact of the 2008 ADA Amendments Act?

What will be the impact of the 2008 ADA Amendments Act? Explain your answer

Q: What steps would you take to prevent ADEA cases after a major

What steps would you take to prevent ADEA cases after a major restructuring or reduction in force?

Q: Would you be less likely to join an organization that required you

Would you be less likely to join an organization that required you to agree to binding arbitration regarding labor disputes and to waive your right to a jury trial?

Q: In terms of EEO, how can customer requirements or preferences be

In terms of EEO, how can customer requirements or preferences be used in hiring people?

Q: Given the great economic incentives for plaintiffs’ attorneys today, why is

Given the great economic incentives for plaintiffs’ attorneys today, why is the EEOC even necessary? Why can’t a person simply be allowed to sue without the involvement of the EEOC?

Q: A fast growing small business decides to hire a human resources manager

A fast growing small business decides to hire a human resources manager for the first time. What steps should be taken next?

Q: What do you see as the future trends for the field of

What do you see as the future trends for the field of training?

Q: Should public employees of all types of jobs be allowed to strike

Should public employees of all types of jobs be allowed to strike?

Q: What are the major effects of unions on compensation?

What are the major effects of unions on compensation?

Q: Why do unions sometimes have a positive impact on productivity?

Why do unions sometimes have a positive impact on productivity?

Q: What is meant by conducting a work analysis? How might you

What is meant by conducting a work analysis? How might you convince top managers of the importance of conducting work analysis?

Q: The Paycheck Fairness Act has been proposed to promote pay equity.

The Paycheck Fairness Act has been proposed to promote pay equity. Research this legislation and determine its status and/or effects.

Q: Do you believe having highly detailed job descriptions for every position can

Do you believe having highly detailed job descriptions for every position can interfere with group effectiveness? If so, is there anything that can be done?

Q: For each of the following HR systems, what type of analysis

For each of the following HR systems, what type of analysis is needed to develop a professional and legally defensible system? a. Training program for new employees b. Selection system c. Performance...

Q: Why is a 20 year old with three years of experience more

Why is a 20 year old with three years of experience more likely to be involved in an accident than a 30 year old with three years of experience? After you develop your theory for this fact, explain h...

Q: How could you as a manager develop a strategy for increasing employees'

How could you as a manager develop a strategy for increasing employees' motivation to work more safely?

Q: Devise a training program and a policy directed at increasing the physical

Devise a training program and a policy directed at increasing the physical fitness of your employees. Take a position on smoking, alcohol use, and other health related matters, and state whether you...

Q: Why should a training (or HRD) department develop a mission

Why should a training (or HRD) department develop a mission and goals? Why should these goals be tied into the organization’s strategic objectives? How would you ensure that this occurs?

Q: Compare and contrast employee assistance and wellness programs. What is the

Compare and contrast employee assistance and wellness programs. What is the value of each for an organization?

Q: Do you think that managers should be held criminally liable for health

Do you think that managers should be held criminally liable for health and safety violations? Should they go to jail for such violations? If so, under what conditions? If not, why not?

Q: Do you support a policy of random drug testing for all employees

Do you support a policy of random drug testing for all employees? Explain. Would you be less attracted to an organization that required random drug testing with no probable cause?

Q: Should a company be allowed to prohibit smoking or drinking alcohol on

Should a company be allowed to prohibit smoking or drinking alcohol on or off the job for its employees? Explain your answer.

Q: Why is the support of line management critical to the effective functioning

Why is the support of line management critical to the effective functioning of HRM practices in an organization? Provide some suggestions for ensuring that this support is maintained.

Q: Why has violence in the workplace become a larger problem for organizations

Why has violence in the workplace become a larger problem for organizations? What recommendations would you offer to a company to ensure that it does not experience violence? Be specific.

Q: Why does the number of qualified applicants for each strategic position relate

Why does the number of qualified applicants for each strategic position relate to corporate effectiveness? How can HRM enhance this?

Q: What are the sources of uniqueness that can aid a company seeking

What are the sources of uniqueness that can aid a company seeking competitive advantage?

Q: Explain how Ford and GM have a competitive disadvantage related to financial

Explain how Ford and GM have a competitive disadvantage related to financial capability.

Q: Some experts argue that a corporation’s board of directors should be paid

Some experts argue that a corporation’s board of directors should be paid only with stock options. What do you think?

Q: Employee referral is a popular method of recruiting candidates. What are

Employee referral is a popular method of recruiting candidates. What are its advantages and disadvantages?

Q: Suppose a key employee has just resigned and you are the department

Suppose a key employee has just resigned and you are the department manager. After you have sent your request to personnel for a replacement, how could you help the recruiter to find the best replace...

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of the various external recruitment sources

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the various external recruitment sources?

Q: How would you set up a study to evaluate the effects of

How would you set up a study to evaluate the effects of an on-line training program versus a lecture-based approach?

Q: Given the accumulated evidence of the effects of smoking, why hasn't

Given the accumulated evidence of the effects of smoking, why hasn't OSHA taken any steps to regulate smoking and second-hand smoke in the workplace?

Q: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using Web-based recruitment.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using Web-based recruitment.

Q: How do human resource planning and recruitment complement each other?

How do human resource planning and recruitment complement each other?

Q: How should HR planning involve a comparison to competitors? What critical

How should HR planning involve a comparison to competitors? What critical data are required?

Q: Why is planning an important activity? What are some of the

Why is planning an important activity? What are some of the advantages of effective planning?

Q: Think of three or four organizations with which you are familiar.

Think of three or four organizations with which you are familiar. How have they been affected by the globalization of business? Make sure you consider both direct and indirect influences. If they h...

Q: Some organizations do a thorough job analysis first and then human resource

Some organizations do a thorough job analysis first and then human resource planning as part of a restructuring process. What makes more sense to you?

Q: Discuss the possible pros and cons of the two qualitative methods of

Discuss the possible pros and cons of the two qualitative methods of forecasting labor demand presented.

Q: How would you go about combining individual and group-based PFP

How would you go about combining individual and group-based PFP systems?

Q: If actual performance of the human resources plan differs from desired performance

If actual performance of the human resources plan differs from desired performance, what remedial steps might you use?

Q: It has been proposed that students be assessed with work simulations similar

It has been proposed that students be assessed with work simulations similar to those used in managerial assessment centers. Assessments are then made on student’s competencies in decision-making, le...

Q: A constant political debate is whether the minimum wage should be increased

A constant political debate is whether the minimum wage should be increased. Research this topic and justify your position on the topic.

Q: What kind of work-related factors affect employees’ stress levels?

What kind of work-related factors affect employees’ stress levels? What recommendations would you offer a company to manage the stress of its employees?

Q: Describe the changing status of HRM. What factors have led to

Describe the changing status of HRM. What factors have led to these changes?

Q: How do productivity concerns influence organizational policies and procedures regarding HRM activities

How do productivity concerns influence organizational policies and procedures regarding HRM activities?

Q: Describe the major HRM activities conducted in an organization. Provide an

Describe the major HRM activities conducted in an organization. Provide an example of each from a company with which you are familiar.

Q: Why is e-Learning so popular today? What is the

Why is e-Learning so popular today? What is the future of social media techniques for training? How can we ensure that everyone in the firm is comfortable using these types of techniques?

Q: What impact should the composition of the workforce have on HRM practices

What impact should the composition of the workforce have on HRM practices or activities? What future trends do you see that will influence HRM activities? Why is the growing cultural diversity of th...

Q: What would you say to those who argue that establishing attractive career

What would you say to those who argue that establishing attractive career programs for employees will only enhance their own marketability and enable them to leave the firm faster?

Q: Under what conditions (if any) should a company install a

Under what conditions (if any) should a company install a forced-distribution rating system for PFP?

Q: Illustrate examples of segmenting and actively managing a company’s talent.

Illustrate examples of segmenting and actively managing a company’s talent.

Q: What is organizational development and how does it differ from traditional approaches

What is organizational development and how does it differ from traditional approaches to organizational change?

Q: What important precedents were set by the Griggs v. Duke Power

What important precedents were set by the Griggs v. Duke Power Company case?

Q: Assume you are the manager in a small restaurant; you are

Assume you are the manager in a small restaurant; you are responsible for hiring employees, supervising them, and recommending them for promotion. Working individually or in groups, compile a list of...

Q: Explain with examples each of the seven steps in the strategic planning

Explain with examples each of the seven steps in the strategic planning process.

Q: The HRCI Knowledge Base appendix at the end of this book (

The HRCI Knowledge Base appendix at the end of this book (pages 468–476) lists the knowledge someone studying for the HRCI certification exam needs to have in each area of human resource management (s...

Q: Describe the types of information typically found in a job specification.

Describe the types of information typically found in a job specification.

Q: Briefly discuss and give examples of at least five common interviewing mistakes

Briefly discuss and give examples of at least five common interviewing mistakes. What recommendations would you give for avoiding these interviewing mistakes?

Q: Give some examples of how interest inventories could be used to improve

Give some examples of how interest inventories could be used to improve employee selection. In doing so, suggest several examples of occupational interests that you believe might predict success in va...

Q: What sort of training program would you recommend to avoid such cultural

What sort of training program would you recommend to avoid such cultural insensitivity?

Q: Explain how to install a performance management program.

Explain how to install a performance management program.

Q: Create an Accenture-type grid for your place of work or

Create an Accenture-type grid for your place of work or college, showing how you would segment employees into four groups.

Q: Explain how you would write a task statement, say for a

Explain how you would write a task statement, say for a police officer.

Q: Make a list of five specific HR problems you think Carter Cleaning

Make a list of five specific HR problems you think Carter Cleaning will have to grapple with.

Q: Based on the information in this case, provide examples, for

Based on the information in this case, provide examples, for Siemens, of at least four strategically required organizational outcomes, and four required workforce competencies and behaviors.

Q: Laurie Siegel, senior vice president of human resources for Tyco International

Laurie Siegel, senior vice president of human resources for Tyco International took over her job in 2003, just after numerous charges forced the company’s previous board of directors and top executive...

Q: Working individually or in groups, develop a list showing how trends

Working individually or in groups, develop a list showing how trends such as workforce diversity, technological trends, globalization, and changes in the nature of work have affected the college or un...

Q: List, with examples, the main generic types of corporate strategies

List, with examples, the main generic types of corporate strategies and competitive strategies.

Q: Explain how you would conduct a job analysis.

Explain how you would conduct a job analysis.

Q: The PHR and SPHR Knowledge Base appendix at the end of this

The PHR and SPHR Knowledge Base appendix at the end of this book (pages 468–476) lists the knowledge someone studying for the HRCI certification exam needs to have in each area of human resource manag...

Q: Compare and contrast a job offer letter and a contract, and

Compare and contrast a job offer letter and a contract, and discuss the basic components of each.

Q: Describe the pros and cons of five management development methods.

Describe the pros and cons of five management development methods.

Q: List and briefly explain each of the five steps in the training

List and briefly explain each of the five steps in the training process.

Q: How does one identify the essential functions of a job?

How does one identify the essential functions of a job?

Q: Explain to the head of a company how he or she could

Explain to the head of a company how he or she could use the talent management approach to improve his or her company’s performance.

Q: Bring to class several classified and display ads from the Sunday newspaper

Bring to class several classified and display ads from the Sunday newspaper, help wanted ads, or online sources. Analyze the effectiveness of these ads using the guidelines discussed in the chapter....

Q: What can you learn from www.google.com/intl

What can you learn from www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/ about how Google goes about recruiting applicants and how Google screens and selects candidates?

Q: How would you explain the nature of the panel interview Maria had

How would you explain the nature of the panel interview Maria had to endure? Specifically, do you think it reflected a well-thought-out interviewing strategy on the part of the firm or carelessness (o...

Q: What would be the advantages and disadvantages to Jennifer’s company of routinely

What would be the advantages and disadvantages to Jennifer’s company of routinely administering honesty tests to all its employees?

Q: Explain what is meant by reliability and validity. What is the

Explain what is meant by reliability and validity. What is the difference between them? In what respects are they similar?

Q: Explain HR management’s role in relation to the firm’s line management.

Explain HR management’s role in relation to the firm’s line management.

Q: What do you think of Apex’s training process? Could it help

What do you think of Apex’s training process? Could it help to explain why employees “do things their way” and if so, how?

Q: Use sites such as www.factorytour.com/tours/

Use sites such as www.factorytour.com/tours/toyota.cfm to illustrate how Toyota appraises employees, and why that approach is important for the goals Toyota has for its cars.

Q: What do you think is causing some of the problems in the

What do you think is causing some of the problems in the bank home office and branches?

Q: Do you think that the experts' recommendations will be sufficient to get

Do you think that the experts' recommendations will be sufficient to get most of the administrators to fill out the rating forms properly? Why? Why not? What additional actions (if any) do you think w...

Q: “Who should do the appraising?”

“Who should do the appraising?”

Q: Working individually or in groups, develop a graphic rating scale for

Working individually or in groups, develop a graphic rating scale for the following jobs: secretary, professor, directory assistance operator.

Q: Based on sites such as www.starbucks.com/careercenter

Based on sites such as www.starbucks.com/careercenter/us-careers/partner-experience what do you think of the benefits that Starbucks offers its employees? Do you think they are better, worse, or about...

Q: Give examples of how HR management concepts and techniques can be of

Give examples of how HR management concepts and techniques can be of use to all managers.

Q: What would you do first if you were Jennifer?

What would you do first if you were Jennifer?

Q: Do you think setting up an HR unit in the main office

Do you think setting up an HR unit in the main office would help?

Q: Explain the defenses and exceptions to discriminatory practice allegations.

Explain the defenses and exceptions to discriminatory practice allegations.

Q: Explain with at least five examples why “a knowledge and proficiency

Explain with at least five examples why “a knowledge and proficiency in HR management concepts and techniques is important to all supervisors or managers.”

Q: Working individually or in groups, interview an HR manager. Based

Working individually or in groups, interview an HR manager. Based on that interview, write a short presentation regarding HR’s role today in building competitive organizations.

Q: This chapter explained how Randy MacDonald, IBM’s senior vice president of

This chapter explained how Randy MacDonald, IBM’s senior vice president of human resources, reorganized IBM’s human resources function. Use sites such as http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/biography/10...

Q: What is human resource management?

What is human resource management?

Q: What is the difference between disparate treatment and disparate impact?

What is the difference between disparate treatment and disparate impact?

Q: From what you know of this case, do you think the

From what you know of this case, do you think the jury arrived at the correct decision? If not, why not? If so, why?

Q: How should Jennifer and her company address the sexual harassment charges and

How should Jennifer and her company address the sexual harassment charges and problems?

Q: Explain the Equal Opportunity Commission enforcement process.

Explain the Equal Opportunity Commission enforcement process.

Q: Working individually or in groups, discuss how you would set up

Working individually or in groups, discuss how you would set up an affirmative action program.

Q: Using sites such as http://www.foxnews.com/

Using sites such as http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517334,00.html, discuss the details of the discrimination suit against Hooters.

Q: How, specifically, do equal employment laws apply to personnel planning

How, specifically, do equal employment laws apply to personnel planning and recruiting activities?

Q: Identify at least four of the strategically relevant HR system policies and

Identify at least four of the strategically relevant HR system policies and activities that Siemens has instituted in order to help human resource management contribute to achieving Siemens’ strategic...

Q: Define and give at least two examples of the cost leadership competitive

Define and give at least two examples of the cost leadership competitive strategy and the differentiation competitive strategy.

Q: What are five things employers should keep in mind when using Internet

What are five things employers should keep in mind when using Internet sites to find job candidates?

Q: How would you have conducted the job analysis? What should Phil

How would you have conducted the job analysis? What should Phil do now?

Q: Several years ago, Stanford’s restaurant in Lake Oswego was written up

Several years ago, Stanford’s restaurant in Lake Oswego was written up for how well it used HR to keep good employees. What do customers at sites such as http://www.yelp.com/biz/stanfords-restaurant-...

Q: What items are typically included in a job description? What items

What items are typically included in a job description? What items are not shown?

Q: Working individually or in groups, use O*NET to develop

Working individually or in groups, use O*NET to develop a job description for a position of your choosing—perhaps an accounting clerk, or your professor in this class. Based on that, use your judgment...

Q: What are the main types of information that application forms provide?

What are the main types of information that application forms provide?

Q: What does www.siop.org/workplace/employment%

What does www.siop.org/workplace/employment%20testing/ information to consider when purchasing a selection test?

Q: Specifically, what other screening techniques could the company use to screen

Specifically, what other screening techniques could the company use to screen out theft-prone employees, and how exactly could these be used?

Q: Define and give several examples of strategic human resource management.

Define and give several examples of strategic human resource management.

Q: Discuss at least four basic types of personnel tests.

Discuss at least four basic types of personnel tests.

Q: What role do job descriptions play in training?

What role do job descriptions play in training?

Q: John Santos is an undergraduate business student majoring in accounting. He

John Santos is an undergraduate business student majoring in accounting. He has just failed the first accounting course, Accounting 101, and is understandably upset. Explain how you would use performa...

Q: Do you think that Vice President Winchester would be better off dropping

Do you think that Vice President Winchester would be better off dropping graphic rating forms, substituting instead one of the other techniques we discussed in this chapter such as a ranking method? W...

Q: Judging from what you can find at www.wegmans.

Judging from what you can find at www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?identifier=CATEGORY_533&catalogId=10002&storeId=10052&langId=-1, what sorts of pay policies does Wegmans se...

Q: What is sexual harassment? How can an employee prove sexual harassment

What is sexual harassment? How can an employee prove sexual harassment?

Q: Illustrate the HR responsibilities of line and staff managers.

Illustrate the HR responsibilities of line and staff managers.

Q: What specific functions should an HR unit carry out? What HR

What specific functions should an HR unit carry out? What HR functions would be carried out by the bank’s supervisors and other line managers?

Q: Explain with examples what we mean by the “the changing environment

Explain with examples what we mean by the “the changing environment of human resource management.”

Q: Working individually or in groups, bring several business publications such as

Working individually or in groups, bring several business publications such as Business Week and the Wall Street Journal to class. Based on their content, compile a list entitled, “What HR Managers an...

Q: Choose two tools HR managers use for employment forecasting and explain

Choose two tools HR managers use for employment forecasting and explain how to use them.

Q: Explain with examples how the evolution of equal employment law in the

Explain with examples how the evolution of equal employment law in the 1960s helps illustrate how public policy considerations drove the original EEO legislation.

Q: Based on the few facts that you have, what steps could

Based on the few facts that you have, what steps could Garden management have taken to protect itself from liability in this matter?

Q: How should she and her company address the possible problems of age

How should she and her company address the possible problems of age discrimination?

Q: List five strategies for successfully increasing diversity in the workforce.

List five strategies for successfully increasing diversity in the workforce.

Q: Compare and contrast the issues presented in recent court rulings on affirmative

Compare and contrast the issues presented in recent court rulings on affirmative action. Working individually or in groups, discuss the current direction of affirmative action.

Q: What conclusions can you draw from sites such as http://

What conclusions can you draw from sites such as http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2008-05-20-overweight-bias_N.htm about handling and avoiding discrimination against obese people?

Q: Do you think Ms. Browne Sanders had the basis for a

Do you think Ms. Browne Sanders had the basis for a sexual harassment suit? Why or why not?

Q: Provide a brief illustrative outline of a strategy map for Siemens.

Provide a brief illustrative outline of a strategy map for Siemens.

Q: What are the five main things you would do to recruit and

What are the five main things you would do to recruit and retain a more diverse workforce?

Q: Could an employer actually use a typing test like that in www

Could an employer actually use a typing test like that in www.iphonetypingtest.com/ to help select employees? If so, how exactly?

Q: Explain how you would use the alternation ranking method, the paired

Explain how you would use the alternation ranking method, the paired comparison method, and the forced distribution method.

Q: Would you take the job offer if you were Maria? If

Would you take the job offer if you were Maria? If you’re not sure, is there any additional information that would help you make your decision, and if so, what is it?

Q: How should her company terminate employees caught stealing, and what kind

How should her company terminate employees caught stealing, and what kind of procedure should be set up for handling reference calls about these employees when they go to other companies looking for j...

Q: Explain the shortcomings of background investigations, reference checks, and pre

Explain the shortcomings of background investigations, reference checks, and pre-employment information services, and how to overcome them.

Q: Give a short presentation entitled “How to Be Effective as an

Give a short presentation entitled “How to Be Effective as an Interviewer.”

Q: What are some typical on-the-job training (OJT

What are some typical on-the-job training (OJT) techniques? What do you think are some of the main drawbacks of relying on informal on-the-job training for breaking new employees into their jobs?

Q: According to http://careercompass.berkeley.edu/perfmgmt resources

According to http://careercompass.berkeley.edu/perfmgmt resources/evalforms.html, how does Berkeley appraise supervisors? What do you think of the form it uses?

Q: What performance appraisal system would you develop for the secretaries if you

What performance appraisal system would you develop for the secretaries if you were Rob Winchester? Defend your answer.

Q: Is it true, as Jack Carter claims, that “we

Is it true, as Jack Carter claims, that “we can’t be accused of being discriminatory because we hire mostly women and minorities anyway?”

Q: Explain how to conduct an appraisal feedback interview.

Explain how to conduct an appraisal feedback interview.

Q: President Obama’s “pay czar” tried to reduce the pay

President Obama’s “pay czar” tried to reduce the pay of executives at AIG. According to sites such as www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/08/pay-czar-caveson-aig-pay_n_383973.html, how successful was he,...

Q: Working individually or in groups, develop several examples showing how the

Working individually or in groups, develop several examples showing how the new HR management practices mentioned in this chapter (using technology, for instance) have or have not been implemented to...

Q: Identify the required HR system policies and activities.

Identify the required HR system policies and activities.

Q: Based on your personal experiences, list 10 examples showing how you

Based on your personal experiences, list 10 examples showing how you used (or could have used) human resource management techniques at work or school.

Q: Give at least three examples of how current EEOC policy reflects public

Give at least three examples of how current EEOC policy reflects public policy decisions.

Q: Aside from the appeal, what would you do now if you

Aside from the appeal, what would you do now if you were the Garden’s top management?

Q: Given the fact that each of its stores has only a handful

Given the fact that each of its stores has only a handful of employees, is her company in fact covered by equal rights legislation?

Q: What is Title VII? What does it state?

What is Title VII? What does it state?

Q: Working individually or in groups, write a paper entitled “What

Working individually or in groups, write a paper entitled “What the manager should know about how the EEOC handles a person’s discrimination charge.”

Q: Explain why strategic planning is important to all managers.

Explain why strategic planning is important to all managers.

Q: Present a summary of what employers can and cannot do legally with

Present a summary of what employers can and cannot do legally with respect to recruitment, selection, and promotion and layoff practices.

Q: We discussed several methods for collecting job analysis data—questionnaires,

We discussed several methods for collecting job analysis data—questionnaires, the position analysis questionnaire, and so on. Compare and contrast these methods, explaining what each is useful for and...

Q: Briefly describe how you would apply talent management principles in improving your

Briefly describe how you would apply talent management principles in improving your employer’s workforce planning processes.

Q: What are the main things you would do to recruit and

What are the main things you would do to recruit and retain a more diverse workforce?

Q: For what sorts of jobs do you think computerized interviews are most

For what sorts of jobs do you think computerized interviews are most appropriate? Why?

Q: Write a short essay discussing some of the ethical and legal considerations

Write a short essay discussing some of the ethical and legal considerations in testing.

Q: One reason for implementing global training programs is the need to avoid

One reason for implementing global training programs is the need to avoid business losses "due to cultural insensitivity." What sort of cultural insensitivity do you think is referred to, and how mig...

Q: Give examples of five potential appraisal problems.

Give examples of five potential appraisal problems.

Q: Working individually or in groups, evaluate the rating scale in Figure

Working individually or in groups, evaluate the rating scale in Figure 8.4. Discuss ways to improve it.

Q: Give examples of how the HR manager’s duties are different from 30

Give examples of how the HR manager’s duties are different from 30 years ago?

Q: “The allegations against Madison Square Garden in this case raise ethical

“The allegations against Madison Square Garden in this case raise ethical questions with regard to the employer’s actions.” Explain whether you agree or disagree with this statement, and why.

Q: And finally, aside from the specific problems, what other human

And finally, aside from the specific problems, what other human resource management matters (application forms, training, and so on) have to be reviewed given the need to bring them into compliance wi...

Q: Citicorp recently faced a billion dollar discrimination suit. Use Web sites

Citicorp recently faced a billion dollar discrimination suit. Use Web sites such as http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/legal-services-litigation/5062526-1.html to discuss what happened with these suits....

Q: How can human resource management contribute to a company’s success?

How can human resource management contribute to a company’s success?

Q: At many organizations, goals include improving people’s performance by relying on

At many organizations, goals include improving people’s performance by relying on knowledge workers, empowering employees, and assigning work to teams. How can HRM support these efforts?

Q: In a typical large corporation, the majority of the chief executive’s

In a typical large corporation, the majority of the chief executive’s pay is tied to the company’s stock price. What are some benefits of this pay strategy? Some risks? How can organizations address t...

Q: What are the pros and cons of linking incentive pay to individual

What are the pros and cons of linking incentive pay to individual performance? How can organizations address the negatives?

Q: Suppose you are a human resource professional at a company that is

Suppose you are a human resource professional at a company that is setting up work teams for production and sales. What group incentives would you recommend to support this new work arrangement?

Q: Why do some organizations link the use of incentive pay to the

Why do some organizations link the use of incentive pay to the organization’s overall performance? Is it appropriate to use stock performance as an incentive for employees at all levels? Why or why no...

Q: What issues should an organization consider in selecting a package of employee

What issues should an organization consider in selecting a package of employee benefits? How should an employer manage the trade-offs among these considerations?

Q: What legal requirements might apply to a family leave policy? Suggest

What legal requirements might apply to a family leave policy? Suggest how this type of policy should be set up to meet those requirements.

Q: Why is it important to communicate information about employee benefits? Suppose

Why is it important to communicate information about employee benefits? Suppose you work in the HR department of a company that has decided to add new benefits—dental and vision insurance plus an addi...

Q: Why do employers provide employee benefits, rather than providing all compensation

Why do employers provide employee benefits, rather than providing all compensation in the form of pay and letting employees buy the services they want?

Q: Define the types of benefits required by law. How can organizations

Define the types of benefits required by law. How can organizations minimize the cost of these benefits while complying with the relevant laws?

Q: In principle, health insurance would be the most attractive to employees

In principle, health insurance would be the most attractive to employees with large medical expenses, and retirement benefits would be most attractive to older employees. What else might a company inc...

Q: Merging, downsizing, and reengineering all can radically change the structure

Merging, downsizing, and reengineering all can radically change the structure of an organization. Choose one of these changes and describe HRM’s role in making the change succeed. If possible, apply y...

Q: How do tax laws and accounting regulations affect benefits packages?

How do tax laws and accounting regulations affect benefits packages?

Q: What are some advantages of offering a generous package of insurance benefits

What are some advantages of offering a generous package of insurance benefits? What are some drawbacks of generous insurance benefits?

Q: Imagine that you are the human resource manager of a small architectural

Imagine that you are the human resource manager of a small architectural firm. You learn that the monthly premiums for the company’s existing health insurance policy will rise by 15 percent next year....

Q: Why are strikes uncommon? Under what conditions might management choose to

Why are strikes uncommon? Under what conditions might management choose to accept a strike?

Q: What are the usual steps in a grievance procedure? What are

What are the usual steps in a grievance procedure? What are the advantages of resolving a grievance in the first step? What skills would a supervisor need so grievances can be resolved in the first st...

Q: What can a company gain from union-management cooperation? What

What can a company gain from union-management cooperation? What can workers gain?

Q: What are the legal restrictions on labor-management cooperation?

What are the legal restrictions on labor-management cooperation?

Q: Why do employees join labor unions? Did you ever belong to

Why do employees join labor unions? Did you ever belong to a labor union? If you did, do you think the union membership benefited you? If not, do you think a union would have benefited you? Why or why...

Q: Why do managers at most companies prefer that unions not represent their

Why do managers at most companies prefer that unions not represent their employees? Can unions provide benefits to an employer? Explain.

Q: How has union membership in the United States changed over the past

How has union membership in the United States changed over the past few decades? How does union membership in the United States compare with union membership in other countries? How might these patter...

Q: When an organization decides to operate facilities in other countries, how

When an organization decides to operate facilities in other countries, how can HRM practices support this change?

Q: What legal responsibilities do employers have regarding unions? What are the

What legal responsibilities do employers have regarding unions? What are the legal requirements affecting unions?

Q: Suppose you are the HR manager for a chain of clothing stores

Suppose you are the HR manager for a chain of clothing stores. You learn that union representatives have been encouraging the stores’ employees to sign authorization cards. What events can follow in t...

Q: If the parties negotiating a labor contract are unable to reach an

If the parties negotiating a labor contract are unable to reach an agreement, what actions can resolve the situation?

Q: How do HRM practices such as performance management and work design encourage

How do HRM practices such as performance management and work design encourage employee empowerment?

Q: Besides cultural differences, what other factors affect human resource management in

Besides cultural differences, what other factors affect human resource management in an organization with international operations?

Q: Suppose you work in the HR department of a company that is

Suppose you work in the HR department of a company that is expanding into a country where the law and culture make it difficult to lay off employees. How should your knowledge of that difficulty affec...

Q: For an organization with operations in three different countries, what are

For an organization with operations in three different countries, what are some advantages and disadvantages of setting compensation according to the labor markets in the countries where the employees...

Q: What abilities make a candidate more likely to succeed in an assignment

What abilities make a candidate more likely to succeed in an assignment as an expatriate? Which of these abilities do you have? How might a person acquire these abilities?

Q: In the past, a large share of expatriate managers from the

In the past, a large share of expatriate managers from the United States have returned home before successfully completing their foreign assignments. Suggest some possible reasons for the high failure...

Q: Identify the parent country, host country or countries, and third

Identify the parent country, host country or countries, and third country or countries in the following example: A global soft-drink company called Cold Cola is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It o...

Q: Why do organizations outsource HRM functions? How does outsourcing affect the

Why do organizations outsource HRM functions? How does outsourcing affect the role of human resource professionals? Would you be more attracted to the role of HR professional in an organization that o...

Q: What are some HRM challenges that arise when a U.S

What are some HRM challenges that arise when a U.S. company expands from domestic markets by exporting? When it changes from simply exporting to operating as an international company? When an internat...

Q: In recent years, many U.S. companies have invested

In recent years, many U.S. companies have invested in Russia and sent U.S. managers there in an attempt to transplant U.S.-style management. According to Hofstede (see Figure 15.3), U.S. culture has l...

Q: Suppose an organization decides to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing by developing

Suppose an organization decides to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing by developing an intranet to link its global workforce. It needs to train employees in several different countries to use...

Q: Why do multinational organizations hire host-country nationals to fill most

Why do multinational organizations hire host-country nationals to fill most of their foreign positions, rather than sending expatriates for most jobs?

Q: What HRM functions could an organization provide through self-service?

What HRM functions could an organization provide through self-service? What are some of advantages and disadvantages of using self-service for these functions?

Q: How is the employment relationship typical of modern organizations different from the

How is the employment relationship typical of modern organizations different from the relationship of a generation ago?

Q: How does each of the following labor force trends affect HRM?

How does each of the following labor force trends affect HRM? a. Aging of the labor force b. Diversity of the labor force c. Skill deficiencies of the labor force

Q: To identify instances of sexual harassment, the courts may use a

To identify instances of sexual harassment, the courts may use a “reasonable woman” standard of what constitutes offensive behavior. This standard is based on the idea that women and men have differen...

Q: Given that the “reasonable woman” standard is based on women’s

Given that the “reasonable woman” standard is based on women’s ideas of what is appropriate, how might an organization with mostly male employees identify and avoid behavior that could be found to be...

Q: What are an organization’s basic duties under the Occupational Safety and Health

What are an organization’s basic duties under the Occupational Safety and Health Act?

Q: Imagine that a small manufacturing company decides to invest in a materials

Imagine that a small manufacturing company decides to invest in a materials resource planning (MRP) system. This is a computerized information system that improves efficiency by automating such work a...

Q: OSHA penalties are aimed at employers, rather than employees. How

OSHA penalties are aimed at employers, rather than employees. How does this affect employee safety?

Q: How can organizations motivate employees to promote safety and health in the

How can organizations motivate employees to promote safety and health in the workplace?

Q: What is the role of each branch of the federal government with

What is the role of each branch of the federal government with regard to equal employment opportunity?

Q: For each situation in the preceding question, what actions, if

For each situation in the preceding question, what actions, if any, should the organization take? Situation in preceding question a. A veteran of the Iraqi conflict experiences lower-back pain after...

Q: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that employers make reasonable accommodations for

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that employers make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. How might this requirement affect law enforcement officers and firefighter...

Q: Consider the “job” of college student. Perform a

Consider the “job” of college student. Perform a job analysis on this job. What tasks are required in the job? What knowledge, skills, and abilities are necessary to perform those tasks? Prepare a jo...

Q: Discuss how the following trends are changing the skill requirement for managerial

Discuss how the following trends are changing the skill requirement for managerial jobs in the United States: Increasing use of social media. Increasing international competition. (c) Increasing work...

Q: Suppose you have taken a job as a trainer in a large

Suppose you have taken a job as a trainer in a large bank that has created competency models for all of its positions. How could the competency models help you succeed in your career at the bank? How...

Q: What ergonomic considerations might apply to each of the following jobs?

What ergonomic considerations might apply to each of the following jobs? For each job, what kinds of costs would result from addressing ergonomics? What costs might result from failing to address ergo...

Q: Modern electronics have eliminated the need for a store’s cashiers to calculate

Modern electronics have eliminated the need for a store’s cashiers to calculate change due on a purchase. How does this development modify the job description for a cashier? If you were a store manage...

Q: What skills are important for success in human resource management? Which

What skills are important for success in human resource management? Which of these skills are already strengths of yours? Which would you like to develop?

Q: Assume you are a manager of a fast-food restaurant.

Assume you are a manager of a fast-food restaurant. What are the outputs of your work unit? What are the activities required to produce those outputs? What are the inputs?

Q: Some organizations have detailed affirmative-action plans, complete with goals

Some organizations have detailed affirmative-action plans, complete with goals and timetables for women and minorities, yet have no formal human resource plan for the organization as a whole. Why migh...

Q: Review the sample transitional matrix shown in Table 5.1.

Review the sample transitional matrix shown in Table 5.1. What jobs experience the greatest turnover (employees leaving the organization)? How might an organization with this combination of jobs reduc...

Q: In the transitional matrix, which jobs seem to rely most on

In the transitional matrix, which jobs seem to rely most on internal recruitment? Which seem to rely most on external recruitment? Why?

Q: Why do organizations combine statistical and judgmental forecasts of labor demand,

Why do organizations combine statistical and judgmental forecasts of labor demand, rather than relying on statistics or judgment alone? Give an example of a situation in which each type of forecast wo...

Q: Give an example of a personnel policy that would help attract a

Give an example of a personnel policy that would help attract a larger pool of job candidates. Give an example of a personnel policy that would likely reduce the pool of candidates. Would you expect t...

Q: Discuss the relative merits of internal versus external recruitment. Give an

Discuss the relative merits of internal versus external recruitment. Give an example of a situation in which each of these approaches might be particularly effective.

Q: Recruiting people for jobs that require international assignments is increasingly important for

Recruiting people for jobs that require international assignments is increasingly important for many organizations. Where might an organization go to recruit people interested in such assignments?

Q: How can organizations improve the effectiveness of their recruiters?

How can organizations improve the effectiveness of their recruiters?

Q: Suppose an organization expects a labor shortage to develop in key job

Suppose an organization expects a labor shortage to develop in key job areas over the next few years. Recommend general responses the organization could make in each of the following areas: a. Recruit...

Q: Traditionally, human resource management practices were developed and administered by the

Traditionally, human resource management practices were developed and administered by the company’s human resource department. Line managers now play a major role in developing and implementing HRM pr...

Q: Suppose your organization needs to hire several computer programmers and you are

Suppose your organization needs to hire several computer programmers and you are reviewing résumés you obtained from an online service. What kinds of information will you want to gather from the “work...

Q: For each of the following jobs, select the two kinds of

For each of the following jobs, select the two kinds of tests you think would be most important to include in the selection process. Explain why you chose those tests. a. City bus driver b. Insura...

Q: How can organizations improve the quality of their interviewing so that interviews

How can organizations improve the quality of their interviewing so that interviews provide valid information?

Q: Some organizations set up a selection process that is long and complex

Some organizations set up a selection process that is long and complex. In some people’s opinion, this kind of selection process not only is more valid but also has symbolic value. What can the use of...

Q: What activities are involved in the selection process? Think of the

What activities are involved in the selection process? Think of the last time you were hired for a job. Which of those activities were used in selecting you? Should the organization that hired you hav...

Q: Why should the selection process be adapted to fit the organization’s job

Why should the selection process be adapted to fit the organization’s job description?

Q: Choose two of the selection methods identified in this chapter. Describe

Choose two of the selection methods identified in this chapter. Describe how you can compare them in terms of reliability, validity, ability to generalize, utility, and compliance with the law.

Q: Why does predictive validation provide better information than concurrent validation? Why

Why does predictive validation provide better information than concurrent validation? Why is this type of validation more difficult?

Q: How do U.S. laws affect organizations’ use of each

How do U.S. laws affect organizations’ use of each of the employment tests? Interviews?

Q: A manufacturing company employs several maintenance employees. When a problem occurs

A manufacturing company employs several maintenance employees. When a problem occurs with the equipment, a maintenance employee receives a description of the symptoms and is supposed to locate and fix...

Q: If you were to start a business, what aspects of human

If you were to start a business, what aspects of human resource management would you want to entrust to specialists? Why?

Q: Who should be involved in onboarding of new employees? Why would

Who should be involved in onboarding of new employees? Why would it not be appropriate to provide employee orientation purely online?

Q: Why do organizations provide diversity training? What kinds of goals are

Why do organizations provide diversity training? What kinds of goals are most suitable for such training?

Q: “Alicia!” bellowed David to the company’s HR specialist, “

“Alicia!” bellowed David to the company’s HR specialist, “I’ve got a problem, and you’ve got to solve it. I can’t get people in this plant to work together as a team. As if I don’t have enough trouble...

Q: Assume you are human resource manager of a small seafood company.

Assume you are human resource manager of a small seafood company. The general manager has told you that customers have begun complaining about the quality of your company’s fresh fish. Currently, trai...

Q: Many organizations turn to e-learning as a less expensive alternative

Many organizations turn to e-learning as a less expensive alternative to classroom training. What are some other advantages of substituting e-learning for classroom training? What are some disadvantag...

Q: Suppose the managers in your organization tend to avoid delegating projects to

Suppose the managers in your organization tend to avoid delegating projects to the people in their groups. As a result, they rarely meet their goals. A training needs analysis indicates that an approp...

Q: Many people feel that mentoring relationships should occur naturally, in situations

Many people feel that mentoring relationships should occur naturally, in situations where senior managers feel inclined to play the role. What are some advantages of setting up a formal mentoring prog...

Q: What are the three roles of a coach? How is each

What are the three roles of a coach? How is each coach different from a mentor? What are some advantages of using someone outside the organization as a coach? Some disadvantages?

Q: Why should organizations be interested in helping employees plan their careers?

Why should organizations be interested in helping employees plan their careers? What benefits can companies gain? What are the risks?

Q: What are the manager’s roles in a career management system? Which

What are the manager’s roles in a career management system? Which role do you think is most difficult for the typical manager? Which is the easiest role? List reasons why managers might resist becomin...

Q: Why do all managers and supervisors need knowledge and skills related to

Why do all managers and supervisors need knowledge and skills related to human resource management?

Q: What is the glass ceiling? What are the possible consequences to

What is the glass ceiling? What are the possible consequences to an organization that has a glass ceiling? How can employee development break the glass ceiling? Can succession planning help with this...

Q: Why might an organization benefit from giving employee development opportunities to a

Why might an organization benefit from giving employee development opportunities to a dysfunctional manager rather than simply dismissing the manager? Do these reasons apply to non-management employee...

Q: How does development differ from training? How does development support career

How does development differ from training? How does development support career management in modern organizations?

Q: What are the four broad categories of development methods? Why might

What are the four broad categories of development methods? Why might it be beneficial to combine all these methods into a formal development program?

Q: A company that markets sophisticated business management software systems uses sales teams

A company that markets sophisticated business management software systems uses sales teams to help customers define needs and to create systems that meet those needs. The teams include programmers, sa...

Q: In an organization that wants to use work experience as a method

In an organization that wants to use work experience as a method of employee development, what basic options are available? Which of these options would be most attractive to you as an employee? Why?...

Q: Many employees are unwilling to relocate because they like their current community

Many employees are unwilling to relocate because they like their current community and family members prefer not to move. Yet preparation for management requires that employees develop new skills, str...

Q: How can an organization promote ethical behavior among its employees?

How can an organization promote ethical behavior among its employees?

Q: Summarize how each of the following HR functions can contribute to high

Summarize how each of the following HR functions can contribute to high performance. a. Job design. b. Recruitment and selection. c. Training and development. d. Performance management. e. Compensat...

Q: How can HRM technology make a human resource department more productive?

How can HRM technology make a human resource department more productive? How can technology improve the quality of HRM decisions?

Q: Federal law requires that employers not discriminate based on a person’s race

Federal law requires that employers not discriminate based on a person’s race, sex, national origin, or age over 40. Is this also an ethical requirement? A competitive requirement? Explain.

Q: Why should human resource departments measure their effectiveness? What are some

Why should human resource departments measure their effectiveness? What are some ways they can go about measuring effectiveness?

Q: What is a high-performance work system? What are its

What is a high-performance work system? What are its elements? Which of these elements involve human resource management?

Q: How can teamwork, empowerment, knowledge sharing, and job satisfaction

How can teamwork, empowerment, knowledge sharing, and job satisfaction contribute to high performance?

Q: Give two examples of an administrative decision that would be based on

Give two examples of an administrative decision that would be based on performance management information. Give two examples of developmental decisions based on this type of information.

Q: Imagine that a pet supply store is establishing a new performance management

Imagine that a pet supply store is establishing a new performance management system to help employees provide better customer service. Management needs to decide who should participate in measuring th...

Q: Suppose you were recently promoted to a supervisory job in a company

Suppose you were recently promoted to a supervisory job in a company where you have worked for two years. You genuinely like almost all your co-workers, who now report to you. The only exception is on...

Q: Continuing the example in question 7, imagine that you are preparing

Continuing the example in question 7, imagine that you are preparing for your first performance feedback session. You want feedback to be effective—that is, you want the feedback to result in improved...

Q: Besides giving employees feedback, what steps can a manager take to

Besides giving employees feedback, what steps can a manager take to improve employees’ performance?

Q: Suppose you are a human resource professional helping to improve the performance

Suppose you are a human resource professional helping to improve the performance management system of a company that sells and services office equipment. The company operates a call center that takes...

Q: How does a complete performance management system differ from the use of

How does a complete performance management system differ from the use of annual performance appraisals?

Q: When a restaurant employee slipped on spilled soup and fell, requiring

When a restaurant employee slipped on spilled soup and fell, requiring the evening off to recover, the owner realized that workplace safety was an issue to which she had not devoted much time. A frien...

Q: A risk of disciplining employees is that some employees retaliate. To

A risk of disciplining employees is that some employees retaliate. To avoid this risk, what organizational policies might encourage low-performing employees to leave while encouraging high-performers...

Q: List forms of behavior that can signal job withdrawal.

List forms of behavior that can signal job withdrawal.

Q: What are the four factors that influence an employee’s job dissatisfaction (

What are the four factors that influence an employee’s job dissatisfaction (or satisfaction)? Which of these do you think an employer can most easily change? Which would be the most expensive to chang...

Q: Why are exit interviews important? Should an organization care about the

Why are exit interviews important? Should an organization care about the opinion of people who are leaving? How are those opinions relevant to employee separation and retention?

Q: Give an example of voluntary turnover and an example of involuntary turnover

Give an example of voluntary turnover and an example of involuntary turnover. Why should organizations try to reduce both kinds of turnover?

Q: A member of a restaurant’s serving staff is chronically late for work

A member of a restaurant’s serving staff is chronically late for work. From the organization’s point of view, what fairness issues are involved in deciding how to handle this situation? In what ways m...

Q: For the situation in question 2, how would a formal discipline

For the situation in question 2, how would a formal discipline policy help the organization address issues of fairness? Situation from Question 2: A member of a restaurant’s serving staff is chroni...

Q: In what type of situation would an employer have a legitimate reason

In what type of situation would an employer have a legitimate reason for learning about an employee’s personal matters outside the workplace?

Q: Summarize the way organizations use information about jobs as a basis for

Summarize the way organizations use information about jobs as a basis for a pay structure.

Q: Pay structure consists of the relative pay for different jobs within the

Pay structure consists of the relative pay for different jobs within the organization. Establishing a pay structure simplifies the process of making decisions about individual employees’ pay by groupi...

Q: Discuss several advantages of flexible work schedules. What are some disadvantages

Discuss several advantages of flexible work schedules. What are some disadvantages?

Q: What are the advantages of establishing pay ranges, rather than specific

What are the advantages of establishing pay ranges, rather than specific pay levels, for each job? What are the drawbacks of this approach?

Q: Suppose the company in question 1 wants to establish a skills-

Suppose the company in question 1 wants to establish a skills-based pay structure. What would be some advantages of this approach? List the issues the company should be prepared to address in setting...

Q: Why do some employers subsidize the pay of military reserve members called

Why do some employers subsidize the pay of military reserve members called up to active duty? If the military instead paid these people the wage they command in the civilian market (that is, the salar...

Q: In setting up a pay structure, what legal requirements must an

In setting up a pay structure, what legal requirements must an organization meet? Which of these do you think would be most challenging for a small start-up business? Why?

Q: In gathering data for its pay policies, what product markets would

In gathering data for its pay policies, what product markets would a city’s hospital want to use as a basis for comparison? What labor markets would be relevant? How might the labor markets for surgeo...

Q: Why might an organization choose to pay employees more than the market

Why might an organization choose to pay employees more than the market rate? Why might it choose to pay less? What are the consequences of paying more or less than the market rate?

Q: Suppose you work in the HR department of a manufacturing company that

Suppose you work in the HR department of a manufacturing company that is planning to enrich jobs by having production workers work in teams and rotate through various jobs. The pay structure will have...

Q: Stock options have been called the pay program that “built Silicon

Stock options have been called the pay program that “built Silicon Valley” because of their key role as incentive pay for employees in high-tech companies. They were popular during the 1990s when the...

Q: Why might a balanced scorecard like the one in question 7 be

Why might a balanced scorecard like the one in question 7 be more effective than simply using merit pay for a manager?

Q: How can the way an organization creates and carries out its incentive

How can the way an organization creates and carries out its incentive plan improve the effectiveness of that plan?

Q: This case describes the use of experiential and informal mobile technology by

This case describes the use of experiential and informal mobile technology by a trade association that focuses on the delivery of drinking water to residents and businesses. Apprenticeship 3.0 deliver...

Q: Assume you are an HR Director with a staff of seven people

Assume you are an HR Director with a staff of seven people. A departmental objective is for all staff members to become professionally certified within a year. Using the Internet resources of HR assoc...

Q: This case investigates how a number of companies offer creative benefits to

This case investigates how a number of companies offer creative benefits to employees to enhance their work engagement and job performance. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or vi...

Q: This case explores how FedEx provides benefits to its employees. (

This case explores how FedEx provides benefits to its employees. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Why is having multiple health-car...

Q: This case describes the problems that can occur when trying to coordinate

This case describes the problems that can occur when trying to coordinate time-off leaves for employees. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion websit...

Q: Discuss the following statement: “Health care costs are out of

Discuss the following statement: “Health care costs are out of control in the United States, and increasing conflicts between employers and employees are likely as employers try to reduce their health...

Q: Assume that as an HR staff member, you have been asked

Assume that as an HR staff member, you have been asked to research consumer-driven health plans because your employer is considering implementing one. Go to a leading benefits information resource, Em...

Q: Based on the information discussed in the chapter, how would you

Based on the information discussed in the chapter, how would you oversee the design (or redesign) of a benefits program in a large organization? What issues would you consider?

Q: Your company now has more than 60 employees. The controller has

Your company now has more than 60 employees. The controller has been handling all of the HR functions, including administration of the company’s benefits. You are considering outsourcing the benefit a...

Q: Why are benefits strategically important to employers, and what are some

Why are benefits strategically important to employers, and what are some key strategic considerations?

Q: This case explores the positive individual and organizational benefits of wellness programs

This case explores the positive individual and organizational benefits of wellness programs. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. What...

Q: This case explores the different challenges associated with managing data security.

This case explores the different challenges associated with managing data security. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How would you...

Q: This case highlights the challenges of employee retention during stressful and unpredictable

This case highlights the challenges of employee retention during stressful and unpredictable times when Xerox was undergoing a significant shift in its strategic focus. (For the case, go to www.cengag...

Q: This case concerns warning signs of possible alcohol use and the consequences

This case concerns warning signs of possible alcohol use and the consequences at work. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. What action...

Q: This case provides information on the success of safety and health efforts

This case provides information on the success of safety and health efforts in the workplace. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Ident...

Q: This case considers the safety culture at a construction firm.

This case considers the safety culture at a construction firm. 1. What could be done to increase front-line workers’ reports of violations? Why might they be reluctant to report violations they witne...

Q: As the HR manager of a distribution and warehouse firm with 600

As the HR manager of a distribution and warehouse firm with 600 employees, you plan to discuss a company wellness program at an executive staff meeting next week. The topics to cover include what a we...

Q: What can first-line supervisors do to help control workers’ compensation

What can first-line supervisors do to help control workers’ compensation costs, and how might they be rewarded for doing so?

Q: What should an employer do when facing an OSHA inspection?

What should an employer do when facing an OSHA inspection?

Q: The number and magnitude of data breaches have been increasing at retailers

The number and magnitude of data breaches have been increasing at retailers, banks, government agencies, and other institutions. The management team at your company has decided to develop plans for de...

Q: This case describes the problem facing a new department supervisor when HR

This case describes the problem facing a new department supervisor when HR policies and discipline have been handled poorly in the past. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit...

Q: This case discusses the stringent noncompete clause that must be signed by

This case discusses the stringent noncompete clause that must be signed by every Jimmy John’s employee. 1. Based on your understanding of this case, what possible reasons could Jimmy John’s management...

Q: This case explores the problems that occur when “bullying” bosses

This case explores the problems that occur when “bullying” bosses or employees are present in the workplace. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion we...

Q: HR can become more valuable in helping organizations meet their strategic goals

HR can become more valuable in helping organizations meet their strategic goals by getting involved with performance consulting. At Ingersoll Rand’s Climate Solutions, the HR group worked with manager...

Q: This case discusses a California court ruling on terminating a female for

This case discusses a California court ruling on terminating a female for her personal appearance. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1....

Q: Management is developing a company workplace monitoring program to track compliance with

Management is developing a company workplace monitoring program to track compliance with safety procedures at an offshore oil rig platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The monitoring program is expected to...

Q: Discuss the impact on an individual employee and work unit if organizational

Discuss the impact on an individual employee and work unit if organizational justice is not honored by managers. Recall any past work experience you may have in which a supervisor “played favorites.”...

Q: Assume that as the HR Manager, you have decided to prepare

Assume that as the HR Manager, you have decided to prepare some guidelines for supervisors to use when they have to discipline employees. Gather the information needed, using Internet resources, such...

Q: Identify how overreliance on the employment-at-will doctrine can

Identify how overreliance on the employment-at-will doctrine can create problems for supervisors and employees. What are the ramifications if companies default to EAW rather than dealing directly with...

Q: Give some examples of how technology is creating employer–employee rights

Give some examples of how technology is creating employer–employee rights and policy issues. Then suggest some possible actions that may be needed.

Q: The case discusses how unions sometimes compete to represent workers and explores

The case discusses how unions sometimes compete to represent workers and explores experiences at the Denver Sheriff’s Department. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the in...

Q: The case deals with labor disputes in a unionized hospital. (

The case deals with labor disputes in a unionized hospital. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss the hospital administrator’s r...

Q: This case covers Walmart’s efforts to stay nonunion. (For the

This case covers Walmart’s efforts to stay nonunion. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of...

Q: The case involves the decision of Volkswagen Motors employees to reject unionization

The case involves the decision of Volkswagen Motors employees to reject unionization. 1. Under what circumstances might a company side with a union in its attempt to organize employees? How would you,...

Q: This case illustrates how turnover in a company was dealt with by

This case illustrates how turnover in a company was dealt with by surveying current and former employees to develop better HR strategies. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visi...

Q: Suppose a coworker just brought you a union leaflet urging employees to

Suppose a coworker just brought you a union leaflet urging employees to sign an authorization card. What questions would you ask of the union supporter? What may happen from this point on?

Q: As the HR manager, you have heard rumors about potential efforts

As the HR manager, you have heard rumors about potential efforts to unionize your warehouse employees. Use the Employment Law Information Network (www.elinfonet.com/human-resources/Union-Avoidance) we...

Q: Several states have limited public-sector union power. What are

Several states have limited public-sector union power. What are some reasons for lawmakers taking this stand? What are the advantages and disadvantages of workers in the public sector belonging to lab...

Q: There has been some discussion among the employees in your company’s insurance

There has been some discussion among the employees in your company’s insurance claims processing unit about forming a union. Company management has asked you to research existing labor agreements in t...

Q: Discuss the following statement: If management gets a union, it

Discuss the following statement: If management gets a union, it deserves one.

Q: This case identifies problems associated with HR planning and recruiting in a

This case identifies problems associated with HR planning and recruiting in a tight labor market. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1....

Q: HR analytics at four different organizations helped solve several problems, and

HR analytics at four different organizations helped solve several problems, and this case shows how analytics can be used. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructo...

Q: As the HR Director of a U.S.-based company

As the HR Director of a U.S.-based company that is looking at global opportunities in China, you have been asked by the company president to prepare an outline for an HR strategic plan as part of the...

Q: Discuss how globalization has changed jobs in an organization where you have

Discuss how globalization has changed jobs in an organization where you have worked. What are some HR responses to those changes?

Q: How can an organization maintain its image while dealing with a talent

How can an organization maintain its image while dealing with a talent surplus? If layoffs are necessary, what would you recommend managers do to ensure that survivors remain committed and productive?...

Q: What steps can HR professionals take to ensure that mergers and acquisitions

What steps can HR professionals take to ensure that mergers and acquisitions are successful? How can HR help during the integration process?

Q: This case describes a company that must reduce its workforce due to

This case describes a company that must reduce its workforce due to the 2008 global recession. The approach used was global in nature, and downsizing efforts were highly coordinated and consistent acr...

Q: This case discusses how labor laws in China provide limited protection for

This case discusses how labor laws in China provide limited protection for workers, raising ethical concerns when U.S. companies do business with firms located there. (For the case, go to www.cengage....

Q: This case illustrates the problems that can be associated with the use

This case illustrates the problems that can be associated with the use of employment tests that have not been validated. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor...

Q: This case shows the problems Mitsubishi had with sexual harassment in the

This case shows the problems Mitsubishi had with sexual harassment in the United States. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss w...

Q: This case shows how companies must deal with employees from many cultures

This case shows how companies must deal with employees from many cultures and religions. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. What is t...

Q: When a UPS employee’s pregnancy was discovered, her manager placed her

When a UPS employee’s pregnancy was discovered, her manager placed her on unpaid leave. She pursued a complaint in federal court that UPS violated the requirements of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act...

Q: You recently learned that two of your key female employees will be

You recently learned that two of your key female employees will be taking maternity leave around the same time. What procedures or rules do you need to be aware of based on the Pregnancy Discriminatio...

Q: Discuss some of the protected characteristics covered by equal employment opportunity laws

Discuss some of the protected characteristics covered by equal employment opportunity laws and why they are important in today’s employment setting

Q: This case illustrates flexible scheduling at Best Buy. (For the

This case illustrates flexible scheduling at Best Buy. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how a ROWE-type program would fit i...

Q: This case shows how a health care organization uses flexible work arrangements

This case shows how a health care organization uses flexible work arrangements to provide care for patients, as well as to attract and keep employees. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/m...

Q: This case illustrates how incomplete job analysis and job descriptions create both

This case illustrates how incomplete job analysis and job descriptions create both managerial and employee problems. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor comp...

Q: This case describes a small company that has grown large enough to

This case describes a small company that has grown large enough to need a full-time HR person. You have been selected to be the HR Manager, and you have to decide what HR activities are needed and the...

Q: This case describes how a printing firm had to increase productivity and

This case describes how a printing firm had to increase productivity and redesign jobs. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss wh...

Q: You have recently assumed the role of Human Resource Manager in your

You have recently assumed the role of Human Resource Manager in your company. In reviewing the company records, you note that the job descriptions were last updated five years ago. The company’s Presi...

Q: For many individuals, the nature of work and jobs is changing

For many individuals, the nature of work and jobs is changing. Describe these changes, some reasons for them, and how they are affecting both human resource management and individuals.

Q: Explain how you would conduct a job analysis in a company that

Explain how you would conduct a job analysis in a company that has never had job descriptions. Utilize the O*Net as a resource for your information.

Q: This case discusses how Alegant, a large nonprofit health care system

This case discusses how Alegant, a large nonprofit health care system, improved employee retention and reduced turnover. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor...

Q: This case describes one firm’s approach to improving employee retention. (

This case describes one firm’s approach to improving employee retention. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how the culture o...

Q: If you became the new manager at a restaurant with high employee

If you became the new manager at a restaurant with high employee turnover, what actions would you take to increase retention of employees?

Q: As the HR manager you must provide the senior management team with

As the HR manager you must provide the senior management team with turnover costs for the following high-turnover position. Use Web sites such as www.talentkeepers.com and www.keepemployees.com, to ca...

Q: Your company has reaped the benefits of having long-term,

Your company has reaped the benefits of having long-term, tenured employees, but many of them are now approaching retirement. It is anticipated that approximately 20% of the company’s workforce will r...

Q: Describe your expectations for a job. How well does your employer

Describe your expectations for a job. How well does your employer meet the expectations you hold about the psychological contract?

Q: Large food services and distribution firm Sysco had to revise its HR

Large food services and distribution firm Sysco had to revise its HR management. Review this case and identify how the changes at Sysco modified HR’s importance. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/m...

Q: This case highlights how a large car rental firm uses a range

This case highlights how a large car rental firm uses a range of recruiting approaches successfully. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.)...

Q: This case shows that to be able to define workers as independent

This case shows that to be able to define workers as independent contractors, an organization must meet several legal requirements that distinguish independent contractors from employees. (For the cas...

Q: This case highlights how the car manufacturer utilized an extensive recruiting process

This case highlights how the car manufacturer utilized an extensive recruiting process to hire good employees at a facility located in Georgia. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis o...

Q: This case shows how recruiting policies can work against successful recruiting when

This case shows how recruiting policies can work against successful recruiting when a tight labor market exists. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companio...

Q: Staffing up for the holiday season is typically limited to a few

Staffing up for the holiday season is typically limited to a few months out of the year; thus, it is highly competitive as many retailers compete for the same talent. Tapping into databases of custome...

Q: Your small home health care service company of about 50 workers has

Your small home health care service company of about 50 workers has traditionally recruited employees using newspaper print advertisements. Applications have been decreasing from these ads, so you are...

Q: What labor markets should be considered when recruiting to fill an opening

What labor markets should be considered when recruiting to fill an opening for a housekeeping staff at a local hospital? What labor markets should be considered for staffing the chief surgeon for the...

Q: Discuss ways a regional bank could effectively use the Internet to recruit

Discuss ways a regional bank could effectively use the Internet to recruit bank tellers.

Q: Describe how a local firm might be able to utilize college/

Describe how a local firm might be able to utilize college/university interns to generate future applicants for anticipated job openings within the next one to two years.

Q: This case demonstrates the power of using data and statistical analysis to

This case demonstrates the power of using data and statistical analysis to recruit high-quality workers who will perform well and stay with the company for a long time. (For the case, go to www.cengag...

Q: This case describes HR’s role in the culture of three different companies

This case describes HR’s role in the culture of three different companies. HR’s contribution to organizational success in each case can be identified and further researched. (For the case, go to www.c...

Q: This case investigates how Megan’s Law, which specifies that all states

This case investigates how Megan’s Law, which specifies that all states must register all convicted sex offenders register so that residents are aware of their presence in a neighborhood, generates im...

Q: This case shows how Hallmark and United Health Group use selection as

This case shows how Hallmark and United Health Group use selection as part of their strategic approach to HR. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion w...

Q: This case demonstrates how using a test after a pool of candidates

This case demonstrates how using a test after a pool of candidates has already been interviewed can present some difficulties. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instr...

Q: J.P. Morgan Chase & Company hired individuals in China

J.P. Morgan Chase & Company hired individuals in China based on their connections to the political or business elite in China rather than their skills. 1. Explain why it is or is not a good practice t...

Q: How would you conduct a complete background investigation on applicants for the

How would you conduct a complete background investigation on applicants for the job of school bus driver to minimize concerns about negligent hiring?

Q: Develop a work sample test to screen applicants for a college professor’s

Develop a work sample test to screen applicants for a college professor’s job.

Q: Develop a slate of six to eight behavioral interview questions to use

Develop a slate of six to eight behavioral interview questions to use for hiring a server for a restaurant. Review the job description on http://www.onetonline.org/ to identify essential job functions...

Q: You are the HR manager for a commercial airline. You have

You are the HR manager for a commercial airline. You have been assigned to develop a realistic job preview for flight attendants. Your objective is to give a balanced picture of the job so that applic...

Q: This case shows the frustration that often accompanies the first day at

This case shows the frustration that often accompanies the first day at work, and why orientation is important in reducing turnover. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the...

Q: This case introduces a company that provides security personnel. Online training

This case introduces a company that provides security personnel. Online training is not always practical, so 60% of the company's training is delivered by live instructor-led classroom sessions. Throu...

Q: Your company, a growing firm in the financial services industry,

Your company, a growing firm in the financial services industry, is extremely sensitive to the issues surrounding business ethics. The company wants to be proactive in developing a business ethics tra...

Q: This case illustrates the process of performance support that employees use to

This case illustrates the process of performance support that employees use to improve their job performance. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion w...

Q: This case illustrates the increased role training is playing in large U

This case illustrates the increased role training is playing in large U.S. hotel chains. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss h...

Q: Why is evaluating training an important part of strategic training?

Why is evaluating training an important part of strategic training?

Q: Develop an orientation checklist on the basis of one first-day

Develop an orientation checklist on the basis of one first-day session and a second session of four hours 30 days later.

Q: Create a briefing for division managers showing the advantages and disadvantages of

Create a briefing for division managers showing the advantages and disadvantages of using MOOCs. Use websites, including www.td.org, www.coursera.org, and www.mooc-list.com.

Q: Because of rapid growth of your technology company, the executive team

Because of rapid growth of your technology company, the executive team has asked HR to develop an internal training program. The purpose of the program is to help employees recently promoted to superv...

Q: Identify training needs for a group of entry-level workers in

Identify training needs for a group of entry-level workers in a fast food restaurant.

Q: This case demonstrates how a health care company utilized talent to better

This case demonstrates how a health care company utilized talent to better manage the development of employees. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion...

Q: This case shows how one company in the oil industry started a

This case shows how one company in the oil industry started a succession planning program. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss...

Q: This case illustrates a serious concern some employers have about developing employees

This case illustrates a serious concern some employers have about developing employees only to have them leave. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion...

Q: Discuss several areas in which HR can affect organizational culture positively or

Discuss several areas in which HR can affect organizational culture positively or negatively.

Q: This case describes the Leadership Academy Walmart runs to train its managers

This case describes the Leadership Academy Walmart runs to train its managers. 1. What are the pros and cons of rotating participants from in-class training back to the worksite every two weeks? What...

Q: You are the HR Director of a large manufacturing company that is

You are the HR Director of a large manufacturing company that is approximately 50 years old. The company has reaped the benefits of a mostly tenured workforce, and many of the key workers are now appr...

Q: Discuss what talent management is and why it is a consideration addressed

Discuss what talent management is and why it is a consideration addressed by a growing number of employers

Q: How have the evolving business environment and the emergence of free agent

How have the evolving business environment and the emergence of free agent workers affected the “make-or-buy” talent decisions?

Q: Design a management development program for first-level supervisors in a

Design a management development program for first-level supervisors in a mass-market retail company. What courses and experiences do they need?

Q: This case identifies the consequences of giving appraisal ratings that may not

This case identifies the consequences of giving appraisal ratings that may not be accurate. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How ha...

Q: This case provides an example of how a performance-oriented culture

This case provides an example of how a performance-oriented culture can be established to facilitate the performance management process. 1. Would you find working at Netflix exciting or frightening? W...

Q: This case identifies how performance management systems might be redesigned. (

This case identifies how performance management systems might be redesigned. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how this case...

Q: The case outlines what was done at Jewelers Mutual Insurance in allowing

The case outlines what was done at Jewelers Mutual Insurance in allowing employees to have a say in performance management. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instruct...

Q: This case describes the stack rankings system that Microsoft used for several

This case describes the stack rankings system that Microsoft used for several years before dropping it. 1. What is your overall opinion of the stack ranking system? Do you think this approach serves a...

Q: Why is it important for HR management to transform from being primarily

Why is it important for HR management to transform from being primarily administrative and operational to a more strategic contributor?

Q: As the new HR Director of a company in the behavioral health

As the new HR Director of a company in the behavioral health industry, you have the responsibility to develop a performance management system. You need to present a business case to senior executives...

Q: Describe how an organizational culture and the use of performance criteria and

Describe how an organizational culture and the use of performance criteria and standards affect the remaining components of a performance management system

Q: Suppose you are a supervisor. What errors might you make when

Suppose you are a supervisor. What errors might you make when preparing the performance appraisal on a clerical employee? How might you avoid those errors?

Q: Based on your experiences, as well as the chapter information,

Based on your experiences, as well as the chapter information, what are some good “rules of thumb” for conducting successful performance appraisal interviews?

Q: This case identifies how the Fair Labor Standards Act might need to

This case identifies how the Fair Labor Standards Act might need to be reformed because of restrictions caused by workweek definitions. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit...

Q: This case identifies how performance management systems might be redesigned. (

This case identifies how performance management systems might be redesigned. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How do the JC Penney...

Q: This case discusses the concerns associated with having a formal base pay

This case discusses the concerns associated with having a formal base pay system, and communication issues that occur. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor co...

Q: This case discusses how a hospital uses pay for performance to improve

This case discusses how a hospital uses pay for performance to improve employee productivity. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Disc...

Q: United Grinding Technologies needed a compensation plan for all of its employees

United Grinding Technologies needed a compensation plan for all of its employees. Because benchmark jobs were not readily available, HR created job descriptions and matched them to jobs with BLS and t...

Q: Recently, larger companies have been in the news because of violations

Recently, larger companies have been in the news because of violations of overtime regulations. How should your Human Resources department protect itself from these devastating claims? Brainstorm some...

Q: Give some examples of ethical issues that you have experienced in jobs

Give some examples of ethical issues that you have experienced in jobs and explain.

Q: Congratulations! You have recently been promoted and are the company’s new

Congratulations! You have recently been promoted and are the company’s new Human Resources Manager! You have offices in several countries, so how would you evaluate different compensation packages for...

Q: This case deals with CEO pay for a newly hired executive at

This case deals with CEO pay for a newly hired executive at Best Buy. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Was Joly overpaid? 2. What f...

Q: Both positive and negative issues associated with the use of an incentive

Both positive and negative issues associated with the use of an incentive plan are discussed in this case. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion webs...

Q: This case discusses incentive plans that stimulate employee interest and motivate them

This case discusses incentive plans that stimulate employee interest and motivate them to perform well. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website...

Q: This case shows how a large firm uses recognition and awards.

This case shows how a large firm uses recognition and awards. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Based on the Sodexo example, discuss...

Q: This case discusses incentives paid to government workers who had been disciplined

This case discusses incentives paid to government workers who had been disciplined or failed to support their agency’s mission and values. The case focuses on the scandal involving delayed medical tre...

Q: Recent research has shown an inverse relationship between CEO pay and corporate

Recent research has shown an inverse relationship between CEO pay and corporate performance. Read the article “The Highest- Paid CEOs Are the Worst Performers, New Study Says” at http://www.forbes.com...

Q: Discuss why variable pay-for-performance plans have become popular

Discuss why variable pay-for-performance plans have become popular and what elements are needed to make them successful.

Q: Suppose you have been asked to lead a taskforce to develop a

Suppose you have been asked to lead a taskforce to develop a sales incentive plan at your firm. The taskforce is to generate a list of strategies and issues to be evaluated by upper management. Using...

Q: This case explores how KPMG Canada updated its benefit program by involving

This case explores how KPMG Canada updated its benefit program by involving employees in the design process. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion we...

Q: A boring internship suddenly gets interesting when the antiquated, but common

A boring internship suddenly gets interesting when the antiquated, but common HR policies and practices of an organic grocer collide with a manager's attempt to do the right thing. Students are asked...

Q: The employee firings in the chapter opener are examined and evaluated.

The employee firings in the chapter opener are examined and evaluated. The actual results are:

Q: Explain how and why employee development and career development activities overlap.

Explain how and why employee development and career development activities overlap.

Q: Identify the Holland vocational preferences and explain the importance of this model

Identify the Holland vocational preferences and explain the importance of this model in determining the best job fit.

Q: What is a mentor and how do you go about finding one

What is a mentor and how do you go about finding one?

Q: Explain the importance of each of the four purposes of the performance

Explain the importance of each of the four purposes of the performance management system. Suggest a fifth purpose and explain why you feel it is important.

Q: Describe the appraisal process. Explain which step in the process is

Describe the appraisal process. Explain which step in the process is most important.

Q: Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of evaluating employees by absolute standards and

Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of evaluating employees by absolute standards and relative standards.

Q: Explain the concept of a Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS)

Explain the concept of a Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS) and explain how it can reduce leniency and central tendency errors.

Q: Explain the advantages of using management by objective (MBO) as

Explain the advantages of using management by objective (MBO) as an appraisal method.

Q: Identify ways to make performance evaluations more effective. Select one that

Identify ways to make performance evaluations more effective. Select one that you believe is most effective and explain why.

Q: What should supervisors know about conducting effective performance appraisal meetings?

What should supervisors know about conducting effective performance appraisal meetings?

Q: Six situations that may or may not be sexual harassment are presented

Six situations that may or may not be sexual harassment are presented. Some suggested responses: a. A female supervisor frequently praises the work of a highly competent male employee who recently rec...

Q: Outline the external factors that affect compensation and explain how they apply

Outline the external factors that affect compensation and explain how they apply in your community.

Q: Explain job evaluation and how the three different methods help to create

Explain job evaluation and how the three different methods help to create effective pay structures.

Q: Explain the types of individual incentive plans and how they motivate performance

Explain the types of individual incentive plans and how they motivate performance.

Q: How do bonuses and stock options provide incentive pay for executives?

How do bonuses and stock options provide incentive pay for executives?

Q: Explain the advantages of offering employee benefits from the perspectives of the

Explain the advantages of offering employee benefits from the perspectives of the employee and the employer.

Q: Explain the function and purpose of four legally required benefits.

Explain the function and purpose of four legally required benefits.

Q: Describe the differences in the types of health insurance plans from the

Describe the differences in the types of health insurance plans from the perspective of an employee.

Q: Explain the ways ERISA and PBGC provides protection for workers with pensions

Explain the ways ERISA and PBGC provides protection for workers with pensions.

Q: What are the major differences between defined benefit pension plans, defined

What are the major differences between defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans and 401k accounts. Which would you prefer and why?

Q: Explain the purpose of OSHA and the employer record-keeping requirements

Explain the purpose of OSHA and the employer record-keeping requirements.

Q: The Honolulu Police Department was always fully staffed until a few years

The Honolulu Police Department was always fully staffed until a few years ago when retirements, openings in other law enforcement agencies, and even the events of 9/11 reduced its ranks. The organizat...

Q: Discuss how OSHA prioritizes investigation and enforcement of standards.

Discuss how OSHA prioritizes investigation and enforcement of standards.

Q: Compare bullying in the workplace and employee violence.

Compare bullying in the workplace and employee violence.

Q: What is a union and why do they exist?

What is a union and why do they exist?

Q: Describe the groups protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Describe the groups protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and explain how well the act has accomplished the goal of eliminating discrimination against those groups. What would you have added...

Q: Describe ways HRM uses HRIS to provide information and services more efficiently

Describe ways HRM uses HRIS to provide information and services more efficiently.

Q: Explain the legal issues relevant to the workplace and HRM.

Explain the legal issues relevant to the workplace and HRM.

Q: Explain the purpose of HRM in an organization.

Explain the purpose of HRM in an organization.

Q: What is meant by “reasonable accommodation” as it pertains to

What is meant by “reasonable accommodation” as it pertains to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990?

Q: Describe the human resource planning implications when an organization implements flexible scheduling

Describe the human resource planning implications when an organization implements flexible scheduling.

Q: When you suggest that your employer use Facebook, LinkedIn, and

When you suggest that your employer use Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to advertise job openings for a new clinic because the medical staff necessary is in short supply, the clinic director refuses,...

Q: Western Motors has coasted along, like many companies, allowing experienced

Western Motors has coasted along, like many companies, allowing experienced managers do their own interviewing. Problems arise at Western Motors when the service manager's interviewing philosophy resu...

Q: Unions have become so weak, and their public image is so

Unions have become so weak, and their public image is so bad, that you don't need to worry about them showing up and demanding to represent your employees. Let them go ahead and try to distribute auth...

Q: Explain how social media and other online sources are used to recruit

Explain how social media and other online sources are used to recruit candidates.

Q: What services does your college career center offer to help you land

What services does your college career center offer to help you land a job when your education is complete?

Q: Outline the steps in the selection process and explain which steps you

Outline the steps in the selection process and explain which steps you believe are most important.

Q: How does the ADDIE model of training design connect training with strategy

How does the ADDIE model of training design connect training with strategy?

Q: Rank the four career development stages in order of increasing employer responsibility

Rank the four career development stages in order of increasing employer responsibility and involvement. Explain your choices.

Q: What are some major factors that distort performance appraisals?

What are some major factors that distort performance appraisals?

Q: How does the global nature of business affect performance management systems?

How does the global nature of business affect performance management systems?

Q: Explain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards and explain how they

Explain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards and explain how they relate to a job you have held.

Q: Summarize the ways the Fair Labor Standard Act regulates compensation.

Summarize the ways the Fair Labor Standard Act regulates compensation.

Q: It turns out that being a successful "Beauty Advisor," also

It turns out that being a successful "Beauty Advisor," also called cosmetic associates, takes different skills than other types of sales positions. Turnover for the Beauty Advisor position at Bon-Ton...

Q: Explain how salaries are determined for workers with assignments in other countries

Explain how salaries are determined for workers with assignments in other countries.

Q: Why is PTO such a popular option over sick leave?

Why is PTO such a popular option over sick leave?

Q: How do benefits for employees in other developed countries compare to employees

How do benefits for employees in other developed countries compare to employees in the U.S.?

Q: Outline ways employers can create safer workplaces.

Outline ways employers can create safer workplaces.

Q: List sources of stress in the workplace.

List sources of stress in the workplace.

Q: What must an organization do differently with respect to health and safety

What must an organization do differently with respect to health and safety when operating in another country?

Q: What is the process for establishing a union as the legal collective

What is the process for establishing a union as the legal collective bargaining representative for employees?

Q: Summarize the ways unions differ globally.

Summarize the ways unions differ globally.

Q: Explain human resource planning and explain why it is important to organizations

Explain human resource planning and explain why it is important to organizations.

Q: Identify how each of the five core job characteristics of job enrichment

Identify how each of the five core job characteristics of job enrichment could be used to improve your job or a job of your choice.

Q: When confronted with complaints about the quality of care, The Director

When confronted with complaints about the quality of care, The Director of Nursing and HR Director at Kindness House Hospice look for ways to reduce their excessively high employee turnover as a way t...

Q: Supervisors identified as having potential at Whirlpool are invited to participate in

Supervisors identified as having potential at Whirlpool are invited to participate in a unique employee development program that involves their managers too. 1. Discuss how each of the levels in Kirkp...

Q: An HR director is confused when Western States, the mortgage company

An HR director is confused when Western States, the mortgage company she works for fails to gain a place on the local "Best Employers" list. Students are asked to help her utilize career development c...

Q: Nearly 40 percent of first-time leaders fail in their position

Nearly 40 percent of first-time leaders fail in their position. When you look at the number of leaders Walmart needs to sustain their global growth, it's important to reduce that number and increase t...

Q: A young HR Generalist is frustrated when a variety of common problems

A young HR Generalist is frustrated when a variety of common problems in the performance appraisal process combine to make her job difficult. Students are asked to diagnose the problems and suggest wa...

Q: The U.S. Navy may not be the first employer

The U.S. Navy may not be the first employer that comes to mind when you think of employers that are making efforts to help employees with work/life balance issues. However, the Navy has made improveme...

Q: Jelly Belly is a family-owned company that found during a

Jelly Belly is a family-owned company that found during a merger that they had not only one ineffective performance appraisal process, they had two. Revising the process involved bringing in an HRIS p...

Q: Shannon Keller spent years developing a compensation system aligned with Exactitude's strategic

Shannon Keller spent years developing a compensation system aligned with Exactitude's strategic goals of high quality manufacturing. External influences on compensation from the chapter have been cons...

Q: The hospitality industry has recently been the focus of the DOL due

The hospitality industry has recently been the focus of the DOL due to widespread pay violations. Housekeepers are at the highest risk of not receiving fair pay for the hours worked. Common unethical...

Q: Elena, an HR Director at a casino, meets with Sienna

Elena, an HR Director at a casino, meets with Sienna, an employee with family and financial problems. Sienna wants a raise, which Elena can't accommodate. Elena suggests ways the casino's benefits off...

Q: Genentech, a California pharmaceutical company, and Zappos, an online

Genentech, a California pharmaceutical company, and Zappos, an online shoe retailer, are firms with employee retention strategies that result in low turnover rates. Employee benefits are a key compone...

Q: After ignoring several signs that an employee is under stress, a

After ignoring several signs that an employee is under stress, a supervisor is faced with handling an outburst from the troubled employee that may qualify for one of several serious disciplinary actio...

Q: OSHA inspectors see their role as contributing to employee safety, not

OSHA inspectors see their role as contributing to employee safety, not just as regulations and bureaucratic red tape. Death and injury are the two most serious consequences to companies and employees...

Q: Exactitude Manufacturing implemented a new compensation system a year ago and it

Exactitude Manufacturing implemented a new compensation system a year ago and it hasn’t been very well received by their employees. The employees are understandably frustrated and have taken to social...

Q: A lengthy labor dispute between West Coast dockworkers and the shipping companies

A lengthy labor dispute between West Coast dockworkers and the shipping companies created problems when a work slow-down created a backlog of merchandise and produce waiting to be shipped and dozens o...

Q: The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has faced low morale and

The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has faced low morale and high turnover of its screeners. Reasons cited for the problems include low pay, discrimination, and fear of retaliation for comp...

Q: Grower's Choice is a regional food store chain that plans rapid growth

Grower's Choice is a regional food store chain that plans rapid growth and was recently advised to begin a strategic planning process to guide HR policies and practices and prepare for growth. Armed w...

Q: Rob Dow has problems recruiting and retaining good employees at his home

Rob Dow has problems recruiting and retaining good employees at his home services company called Outdoor Solutions. When he asks an acquaintance at a local staffing company for tips on finding good wo...

Q: Review the chapter opener about "industrial athletes" on page 285

Review the chapter opener about "industrial athletes" on page 285. Prepare a list of reasons that employers should take responsibility (and the expense) for making sure that employees whose jobs requi...

Q: After a local workplace was the site of a brutal employee attack

After a local workplace was the site of a brutal employee attack on a supervisor, the V.P of HR told local media, "This was completely unexpected. Nobody saw this coming. There were no obvious signs o...

Q: A colleague makes the suggestion that the company should invest in a

A colleague makes the suggestion that the company should invest in a new safety training program that consists of online videos, tutorials, and quizzes. Another colleague disagrees, stating "We develo...

Q: In response to state budget problems, a bill has been introduced

In response to state budget problems, a bill has been introduced in your state legislature that eliminates a number of public-sector union activities, including the dues check-off and maintenance-of-m...

Q: Review the elements of Samsung's Global Services Group and Regional Specialists program

Review the elements of Samsung's Global Services Group and Regional Specialists program in chapter in chapter five and on the Samsung website. Explain the benefits to Samsung and to the participants....

Q: After reviewing the chapter opener describing the efforts of Principal Financial Group

After reviewing the chapter opener describing the efforts of Principal Financial Group to help employees manage their careers, explain which of the company’s initiatives you feel is the most valuable...

Q: Aiden, founder of a growing company that creates software to help

Aiden, founder of a growing company that creates software to help small businesses manage their money sees no reason to create a mission statement or undergo a strategic planning process. He states "I...

Q: Diversity and inclusion is nothing new. Thousands of immigrants came to

Diversity and inclusion is nothing new. Thousands of immigrants came to the United States in the early 1900s and they integrated into the workplace just fine. Pay them a fair wage and treat them equal...

Q: Juliet is the owner of a design firm that survived the recession

Juliet is the owner of a design firm that survived the recession, but just barely. Her firm has grown 25% each of the last 2 years, but she is wary of hiring any full-time employees. “Firing half of m...

Q: 1. How are recruiting, job design and organizational strategy at

1. How are recruiting, job design and organizational strategy at Frito-Lay linked? How does one influence the other? 2. If you were an RSR at Frito-Lay, which of the changes would you find most benefi...

Q: You have been offered two positions in HRM. One is a

You have been offered two positions in HRM. One is a generalist position in a smaller business, and one is a recruiting position in a large corporation. Explain which of the two jobs you would prefer...

Q: Here are the answers to the questions in the chapter opener.

Here are the answers to the questions in the chapter opener. Do you agree with them? Explain why you agree or disagree.

Q: Affirmative action does not work. When you’re hired under an affirmative

Affirmative action does not work. When you’re hired under an affirmative action program, you’re automatically labeled as such and are rarely recognized for the value that you can bring to an organizat...

Q: A local employer confides to you that she secretly does internet searches

A local employer confides to you that she secretly does internet searches of applicants before she calls them in for interviews. She tells you that she has a very established clientele and needs to ma...

Q: The social media policy in your handbook states “Employees are not

The social media policy in your handbook states “Employees are not to use social media during work hours and should make references the company online or on social media sites .” Evaluate the effectiv...

Q: An employee is overheard telling a new worker, “Don’t rush

An employee is overheard telling a new worker, “Don’t rush back from lunch. You’ll make us look bad. Everyone takes an extra fifteen to thirty minutes. Every once in a while we get warned if the super...

Q: After asking a production supervisor to review several job descriptions for positions

After asking a production supervisor to review several job descriptions for positions he supervises, he returns them an hour later with a note that they are all ok. You explain that you are concerned...

Q: When proposing that your organization investigate flexible scheduling and other flexible workplace

When proposing that your organization investigate flexible scheduling and other flexible workplace options, the CEO replies that she has no interest in “getting involved in that type of chaotic workpl...

Q: The only employer brand that matters is salary. If an employer

The only employer brand that matters is salary. If an employer pays a competitive or slightly higher salary with competitive benefits, they'll get the same applicants everyone else does.” Evaluate the...

Q: What do you think of realistic job previews? Would you be

What do you think of realistic job previews? Would you be more likely to choose a position where recruiters emphasized only the positive aspects of the job?

Q: The HR Director of a manufacturing company learns the hard way that

The HR Director of a manufacturing company learns the hard way that doing the right thing can be complicated when she handles a sexual harassment complaint and ends up with at least one retaliation co...

Q: "All former employers will tell me anymore is the dates of

"All former employers will tell me anymore is the dates of employment. Period. Calling them is a waste of time.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement. Explain.

Q: Untrained interviewers can make mistakes that are very costly to the organization

Untrained interviewers can make mistakes that are very costly to the organization.” Discuss errors in perception and selection that interviewers can make and how to avoid them.

Q: Describe what a socialization program might look like if management desired employees

Describe what a socialization program might look like if management desired employees who were innovative and individualistic.

Q: Anne and Ed are disagreeing over the content of the employee manual

Anne and Ed are disagreeing over the content of the employee manual of their new start-up. Anne wants to keep the content to a bare minimum or have no handbook at all because a lawyer friend of hers w...

Q: It's a dog eat dog world out there" according to Jackson

It's a dog eat dog world out there" according to Jackson, president of Onleo as he defended their use of relative standards to evaluate employees. "If Onleo falls below 10% market share, we're finishe...

Q: Performance appraisal is more valid and reliable when many perspectives are included

Performance appraisal is more valid and reliable when many perspectives are included. Supervisors should evaluate their employees, and employees should be able to evaluate their supervisors. And custo...

Q: Would you rather work for an organization where everyone knows what others

Would you rather work for an organization where everyone knows what others are earning or an organization where this information is kept secret? Why? Would it make a difference if you suspected that y...

Q: During a class discussion on ethics, a classmate proclaims “U

During a class discussion on ethics, a classmate proclaims “U.S. executives earn every dollar of their pay. Very few people have the skills to effectively run a multi-million dollar global enterprise....

Q: Employers in many other countries are required to provide generous paid leaves

Employers in many other countries are required to provide generous paid leaves compared to the U.S. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of requiring U.S. employer to provide a minimum amount of...

Q: When interviewed about his new business venture, a local entrepreneur told

When interviewed about his new business venture, a local entrepreneur told a reporter "I'll provide every benefit I'm required to by law, and the minimum amount of health insurance I can buy to stay l...

Q: The case focus describes how Abercrombie & Fitch recruited employees based on

The case focus describes how Abercrombie & Fitch recruited employees based on an image the company wanted to project and staffed their stores with sales people that were primarily white and athletic....

Q: “Social Security should serve as a foundation for employee retirement programs

“Social Security should serve as a foundation for employee retirement programs. Therefore, Congress should explore more extensive revisions to the program to ensure that the next generation of retiree...

Q: Explain the three pieces of legislation that have been most important in

Explain the three pieces of legislation that have been most important in defining the rights of management and unions.

Q: Describe the collective-bargaining process and how it differs for private

Describe the collective-bargaining process and how it differs for private-sector and public-sector employees.

Q: How have globalization and changes in workforce composition contributed to the need

How have globalization and changes in workforce composition contributed to the need for understand diversity and inclusion in our organizations?

Q: How is the role of HR demonstrated in each of the four

How is the role of HR demonstrated in each of the four management functions?

Q: Explain which of the advances in management seem most and least important

Explain which of the advances in management seem most and least important in the evolution of HRM.

Q: Explain the roles HRM plays in dealing with current employment challenges such

Explain the roles HRM plays in dealing with current employment challenges such as mergers, offshoring, the economy, and ethical issues.

Q: What is the purpose of a continuous improvement program? What role

What is the purpose of a continuous improvement program? What role does HRM play in assisting continuing improvements?

Q: What are the necessary ingredients for a successful employee involvement program?

What are the necessary ingredients for a successful employee involvement program?

Q: Explain what ethics are and how organizations and HRM can promote ethical

Explain what ethics are and how organizations and HRM can promote ethical behavior.

Q: This case allows students to study and discuss a variety of discipline

This case allows students to study and discuss a variety of discipline issues. An accountant at an excavation contractor and his boss share a mutual gun collection hobby, often bringing guns to work....

Q: What role does HRM play in the strategic management process?

What role does HRM play in the strategic management process?

Q: Explain ways that a talent management strategy improves an organization's ability to

Explain ways that a talent management strategy improves an organization's ability to attract and keep talented employees.

Q: Which of the HR functions seem to be most important and why

Which of the HR functions seem to be most important and why?

Q: Select one of the cases concerning employment discrimination that seems to be

Select one of the cases concerning employment discrimination that seems to be most important to fairness in employment and explain your reasoning.

Q: What is an adverse impact? How does it differ from adverse

What is an adverse impact? How does it differ from adverse or disparate treatment?

Q: Explain why an employee might file a claim of retaliation and why

Explain why an employee might file a claim of retaliation and why retaliation claims are on the rise.

Q: Explain how the two types of sexual harassment differ.

Explain how the two types of sexual harassment differ.

Q: What is the purpose of the FMLA and who does it cover

What is the purpose of the FMLA and who does it cover?

Q: What should an organization know about employee records?

What should an organization know about employee records?

Q: What should be considered when developing a policy on employee use of

What should be considered when developing a policy on employee use of social media?

Q: This case concerns a casino employee placing a “Dilbert” cartoon

This case concerns a casino employee placing a “Dilbert” cartoon on the company bulletin board, which management found offensive. The employee was fired for misconduct and denied unemployment benefits...

Q: Discuss issues involved in using honesty tests to screen job applicants?

Discuss issues involved in using honesty tests to screen job applicants?

Q: What is employment-at-will? How does it affect

What is employment-at-will? How does it affect employees? Employers?

Q: Explain the potential advantages and disadvantages of having organizational policies that deal

Explain the potential advantages and disadvantages of having organizational policies that deal with workplace romance.

Q: Describe the progressive discipline process as it would apply to an employee

Describe the progressive discipline process as it would apply to an employee with a minor violation of workplace rules as opposed to a serious violation.

Q: Explain how you would do a job analysis for the position of

Explain how you would do a job analysis for the position of “Successful HR Student” and create a job description using the elements in this chapter. Explain your choices of essential functions and job...

Q: Identify the advantages and disadvantages of the observation, structured questionnaire,

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of the observation, structured questionnaire, and diary job analysis methods.

Q: Explain the importance of essential functions as they relate the Americans with

Explain the importance of essential functions as they relate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Q: What are some challenges to effective recruiting?

What are some challenges to effective recruiting?

Q: Present the advantages and disadvantages of promote from within policies.

Present the advantages and disadvantages of promote from within policies.

Q: Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the external recruitment alternatives.

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the external recruitment alternatives.

Q: Elyse took over as president of a home healthcare supply company when

Elyse took over as president of a home healthcare supply company when her father retired. Soon after, many other longtime employees also retired. Replacing the lost experience was difficult and the ne...

Q: Describe the differences one may encounter when recruiting globally.

Describe the differences one may encounter when recruiting globally.

Q: Explain guidelines for developing effective interview questions that respect the legal rights

Explain guidelines for developing effective interview questions that respect the legal rights of the applicant.

Q: Explain the advantages and disadvantages of searching social media as a screening

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of searching social media as a screening tool for applicants.

Q: What are the advantages of conducting background investigations on applicants and what

What are the advantages of conducting background investigations on applicants and what do employees need to consider when conducting the investigations?

Q: What mistakes could employers make that would influence a qualified candidate to

What mistakes could employers make that would influence a qualified candidate to turn down a job offer?

Q: How do the types of validity differ? Explain their use in

How do the types of validity differ? Explain their use in evaluating testing and in preventing discrimination.

Q: Explain the purpose and benefits of an effective onboarding process for new

Explain the purpose and benefits of an effective onboarding process for new employees.

Q: What are the similarities and differences between training and development?

What are the similarities and differences between training and development?

Q: Why is evaluation of training effectiveness necessary?

Why is evaluation of training effectiveness necessary?

Q: Explain the differences in philosophy of the Calm Waters and White-

Explain the differences in philosophy of the Calm Waters and White-Water Rapids views of change.

Q: What advice would you give to a prospective expatriate regarding questions to

What advice would you give to a prospective expatriate regarding questions to ask before accepting the assignment?

Q: Develop a policy to inform employees of your organization’s BYOD approach to

Develop a policy to inform employees of your organization’s BYOD approach to electronic devices.

Q: What would an effective performance-management system look like?

What would an effective performance-management system look like?

Q: What is the difference between performance management and performance appraisal?

What is the difference between performance management and performance appraisal?

Q: You have been asked to design a rater-training program.

You have been asked to design a rater-training program. What types of elements would you build into the process that are specific to managers, specific to employees, and common to both?

Q: Working in small groups, develop a performance-management system for

Working in small groups, develop a performance-management system for a cashier in a neighborhood grocery with little technology but lots of personal touch.

Q: The chief counsel for a large corporation comes to you for advice

The chief counsel for a large corporation comes to you for advice. She wants to know what makes a firm’s review system legally vulnerable. What would you tell her?

Q: How is performance appraisal for teams different from performance appraisal for individuals

How is performance appraisal for teams different from performance appraisal for individuals?

Q: How can we overcome employee defensiveness in performance-feedback interviews?

How can we overcome employee defensiveness in performance-feedback interviews?

Q: Should discussions of employee job performance be separated from salary considerations?

Should discussions of employee job performance be separated from salary considerations?

Q: What steps can a company take to align its compensation system with

What steps can a company take to align its compensation system with its general business strategy?

Q: What can companies do to ensure internal, external, and individual

What can companies do to ensure internal, external, and individual equity for all employees?

Q: What are some advantages of having a common set of leadership attributes

What are some advantages of having a common set of leadership attributes for all managers to strive for? Are there any downsides to this approach?

Q: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of competency- or skill-based

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of competency- or skill-based pay systems.

Q: What cautions would you advise in interpreting data from pay surveys?

What cautions would you advise in interpreting data from pay surveys?

Q: In your opinion, why are more firms tying executive incentives to

In your opinion, why are more firms tying executive incentives to long-term (3 years or more) company performance?

Q: Distinguish profit-sharing from gain-sharing.

Distinguish profit-sharing from gain-sharing.

Q: If you were implementing an employee stock-ownership plan, what

If you were implementing an employee stock-ownership plan, what key factors would you consider?

Q: How do tight versus loose labor market conditions affect wage rates?

How do tight versus loose labor market conditions affect wage rates?

Q: What should a company do over the short and long term to

What should a company do over the short and long term to maximize the use and value of its benefits choices to employees?

Q: The new world of employee benefits is best described as “sharing

The new world of employee benefits is best described as “sharing costs, sharing risks.” Discuss the impact of that philosophy on the broad areas of health care and pensions.

Q: In terms of the “attract-retain-motivate” philosophy

In terms of the “attract-retain-motivate” philosophy, how do benefits affect employee behavior?

Q: What can large firms do to control health-care costs?

What can large firms do to control health-care costs? What about small firms?

Q: How will demographic changes and increasing diversity in the workplace affect the

How will demographic changes and increasing diversity in the workplace affect the ways that organizations manage their people?

Q: Your company has just developed a new, company-sponsored savings

Your company has just developed a new, company-sponsored savings plan for employees. Develop a strategy to publicize the program and to encourage employees to participate in it.

Q: A major problem with benefits is that many employees don’t know much

A major problem with benefits is that many employees don’t know much about them—until they need to use them. What can organizations do to deal with that problem?

Q: How do voluntary benefits programs allow smaller companies to offer a wider

How do voluntary benefits programs allow smaller companies to offer a wider array of benefits than they otherwise would be able to?

Q: What might be some advantages and some disadvantages of cafeteria-style

What might be some advantages and some disadvantages of cafeteria-style benefits?

Q: Are the roles of labor and management inherently adversarial?

Are the roles of labor and management inherently adversarial?

Q: Discuss the rights and obligations of unions and management during a union

Discuss the rights and obligations of unions and management during a union-organizing drive.

Q: Why is it so difficult to be effective at both distributive and

Why is it so difficult to be effective at both distributive and integrative bargaining in the course of the same negotiations?

Q: What are the key features of the U.S. industrial

What are the key features of the U.S. industrial relations system?

Q: Compare and contrast mediation, interest arbitration, and grievance arbitration.

Compare and contrast mediation, interest arbitration, and grievance arbitration.

Q: Why is it in the best interests of management and labor to

Why is it in the best interests of management and labor to work together? Or is it?

Q: Considering everything we have discussed in this chapter, describe management styles

Considering everything we have discussed in this chapter, describe management styles and practices that will be effective for your country’s businesses in the next decade.

Q: Your company has just learned that it is the target of a

Your company has just learned that it is the target of a union-organizing campaign. How will you advise managers about what they can and cannot say to employees?

Q: Why is it so difficult to compare industrial relations systems in different

Why is it so difficult to compare industrial relations systems in different countries?

Q: Google’s Project Oxygen found that technical skill is the least important characteristic

Google’s Project Oxygen found that technical skill is the least important characteristic of a good boss. What kinds of other skills are more important?

Q: In performance reviews, why is it more important to focus on

In performance reviews, why is it more important to focus on the future than to dwell on the past?

Q: Discuss the similarities and differences in these concepts: procedural justice,

Discuss the similarities and differences in these concepts: procedural justice, workplace due process, and ethical decisions about behavior.

Q: What advice would you give to an executive who is about to

What advice would you give to an executive who is about to negotiate an employment contract?

Q: Is it ethical to record a conversation with your boss without his

Is it ethical to record a conversation with your boss without his or her knowledge? If yes, under what circumstances?

Q: How can a firm avoid lawsuits for employment at will?

How can a firm avoid lawsuits for employment at will?

Q: What are some guidelines to follow in determining a reasonable compromise between

What are some guidelines to follow in determining a reasonable compromise between a company’s need to run its business and employee rights to privacy?

Q: In the course of your job, you learn that someone is

In the course of your job, you learn that someone is “cooking the books.” Discuss the steps you would take to resolve the issue.

Q: What difficulties do you see in shifting from a hierarchical, departmentalized

What difficulties do you see in shifting from a hierarchical, departmentalized organization to a leaner, flatter one in which power is shared between workers and managers?

Q: Discuss the similarities and differences among employee voice, interactional justice,

Discuss the similarities and differences among employee voice, interactional justice, and informational justice. Can you give an example of each one?

Q: What might explain the finding that across cultures, employee-voice

What might explain the finding that across cultures, employee-voice systems are associated with judgments of fairness?

Q: How does the imposition of employee discipline for poor performance (or

How does the imposition of employee discipline for poor performance (or conversely, the failure to discipline) serve as a signal to other employees?

Q: Should OSHA’s enforcement activities be expanded? Why, or why not

Should OSHA’s enforcement activities be expanded? Why, or why not?

Q: What can firms do to encourage all employees to behave safely on

What can firms do to encourage all employees to behave safely on the job?

Q: Discuss the relative effectiveness of engineering versus management controls to improve job

Discuss the relative effectiveness of engineering versus management controls to improve job safety and health.

Q: Explain how a disease-management program might be used to address

Explain how a disease-management program might be used to address substance-abuse problems.

Q: If the benefits of EAPs cannot be demonstrated to exceed their costs

If the benefits of EAPs cannot be demonstrated to exceed their costs, should EAPs be discontinued?

Q: You observe a coworker threatening another employee. What should you do

You observe a coworker threatening another employee. What should you do?

Q: Should organizations be willing to invest more money in employee wellness?

Should organizations be willing to invest more money in employee wellness? Why or why not?

Q: How can effective HRM contribute to improvements in productivity and quality of

How can effective HRM contribute to improvements in productivity and quality of work life?

Q: Identify three preventive steps that an employer might take to avoid incidents

Identify three preventive steps that an employer might take to avoid incidents of workplace violence.

Q: Your company wants to encourage more employees to participate in work site

Your company wants to encourage more employees to participate in work site wellness programs. Would you recommend rewards for participating or punishments for not participating?

Q: Skyline Machine Shop is a medium-sized firm located in San

Skyline Machine Shop is a medium-sized firm located in San Jose, California. It employs almost 1,000 workers when business is good. Skyline specializes in doing precision machining on a subcontract ba...

Q: When appointed CEO of PepsiCo in 2006, Ms. Indra Nooyi

When appointed CEO of PepsiCo in 2006, Ms. Indra Nooyi was only the 11th woman to run a Fortune 500 company. Since then, Ms. Nooyi has been ranked in the top 10 of Forbes magazine’s list of the world’...

Q: The robots are coming! The robots are coming! Well,

The robots are coming! The robots are coming! Well, not so fast. According to a 2017 study from the McKinsey Global Institute, only 5 percent of all occupations are at risk of being entirely automated...

Q: ONO Inc. is an auto-supply company with 11 employees

ONO Inc. is an auto-supply company with 11 employees. In addition, there are two supervisors and Fred Donofrio, the owner and general manager. Last year, ONO did $7 million in business and earned $355...

Q: Talk, talk, talk. As Ken Hartman, an African

Talk, talk, talk. As Ken Hartman, an African American midlevel manager at Blahna Inc. recalls, that’s all he got from the white men above him in top management—despite the fact that Blahna had long en...

Q: Merrill Lynch, like many other financial companies, was caught in

Merrill Lynch, like many other financial companies, was caught in a bad situation during the Great Recession. Sub-prime lending woes and a downwardly spiraling housing market resulted in enormous fina...

Q: Arguably, the bottom line of recruiting success is the number of

Arguably, the bottom line of recruiting success is the number of successful new hires. Organizations know that it is important to measure the outcomes of recruitment, but, unfortunately, most focus on...

Q: In the 3 months since he began working for Alibaba Group Holdings

In the 3 months since he began working for Alibaba Group Holdings, Ltd., Matt Shofnos, age 30, has improved his Mandarin, helped an American retailer target Chinese consumers, and donned a Captain Ame...

Q: How can effective HRM contribute to sustainability?

How can effective HRM contribute to sustainability?

Q: The gold medal performance of the U.S. ice hockey

The gold medal performance of the U.S. ice hockey team in the 1980 Winter Olympics has been described as the “Miracle on Ice” The “miracle” was the product of an effective performance-management syste...

Q: Forging a Winning Workforce Nucor’s egalitarian culture places a premium on

Forging a Winning Workforce Nucor’s egalitarian culture places a premium on teamwork and idea-sharing between frontline workers and management. Result: A highly profitable partnership. Pay-for-Perform...

Q: As you have seen in this chapter, many employers are offering

As you have seen in this chapter, many employers are offering company-sponsored savings programs known as 401(k) plans. While expert’s advice that workers need to save about 15 percent of their annual...

Q: General Motors (GM) manager Courtland Kelley had been the head

General Motors (GM) manager Courtland Kelley had been the head of a nationwide GM inspection program and then the quality manager for the Chevy Cavalier and its successor, the Chevy Cobalt. He found f...

Q: Can you identify any differences between managing domestically and managing internationally?

Can you identify any differences between managing domestically and managing internationally?

Q: How accurate are such workplace simulations? In what form might results

How accurate are such workplace simulations? In what form might results show up?

Q: Do simulations like Motorola’s “travel well”? That is, do

Do simulations like Motorola’s “travel well”? That is, do you think they will work in different cultures?

Q: What are some of the benefits of increased flows of digital information

What are some of the benefits of increased flows of digital information and knowledge?

Q: In the United States, about 6 million manufacturing jobs disappeared in

In the United States, about 6 million manufacturing jobs disappeared in the first decade of the 21st century. What factors other than free trade and foreign competition might explain that?

Q: What might governments do to cushion the blow from job losses?

What might governments do to cushion the blow from job losses?

Q: The pace of developments in new technologies is becoming faster than the

The pace of developments in new technologies is becoming faster than the abilities of workers to adjust to them. What recommendations would you make to high-level policymakers in organizations and gov...

Q: How can managers maximize the positive effects of technology at work?

How can managers maximize the positive effects of technology at work?

Q: What advice would you offer a young person about the effects of

What advice would you offer a young person about the effects of technology on his or her career?

Q: How has ubiquitous computing changed the way you live and work?

How has ubiquitous computing changed the way you live and work?

Q: What kinds of organizational policies might help to support these beliefs?

What kinds of organizational policies might help to support these beliefs?

Q: What can a manager do in his or her everyday behavior to

What can a manager do in his or her everyday behavior to encourage these beliefs?

Q: Why is it that work groups that hold these beliefs are 50

Why is it that work groups that hold these beliefs are 50 percent more likely to achieve customer loyalty? What might be the link?

Q: What effects do you think the U.S. Supreme Court

What effects do you think the U.S. Supreme Court decisions have had on the number of retaliation charges filed with the EEOC?

Q: What can an employer do to avoid liability for retaliation?

What can an employer do to avoid liability for retaliation?

Q: What is the ethical rationale for building and managing a diverse workforce

What is the ethical rationale for building and managing a diverse workforce?

Q: Is there additional information beyond the information presented here that you feel

Is there additional information beyond the information presented here that you feel is necessary to make the business case for diversity?

Q: It has often been said that people don’t leave bad companies;

It has often been said that people don’t leave bad companies; they leave bad bosses. What can managers do to enhance employee retention?

Q: Based on EEOC’s guidance, what changes in company policies might be

Based on EEOC’s guidance, what changes in company policies might be necessary?

Q: If planning for leadership succession is so important, why don’t more

If planning for leadership succession is so important, why don’t more organizations do it?

Q: What sort of leadership-development process would you recommend?

What sort of leadership-development process would you recommend?

Q: As board chairperson, how might you overcome the resistance of a

As board chairperson, how might you overcome the resistance of a CEO to plan for succession?

Q: From your own perspective, what is the main appeal of social

From your own perspective, what is the main appeal of social media in recruitment?

Q: How can organizations manage the risks associated with social media?

How can organizations manage the risks associated with social media?

Q: How might a company measure the costs and benefits of social media

How might a company measure the costs and benefits of social media in the workplace?

Q: What can a company do to communicate its culture to prospective new

What can a company do to communicate its culture to prospective new hires?

Q: What might be the role of organizational culture in staffing decisions?

What might be the role of organizational culture in staffing decisions?

Q: How might organizational culture affect the ways that employees deal with coworkers

How might organizational culture affect the ways that employees deal with coworkers and customers?

Q: How does the effective management of people provide a competitive advantage to

How does the effective management of people provide a competitive advantage to organizations?

Q: What are some of the key advantages of TDI?

What are some of the key advantages of TDI?

Q: Are some types of material or course work better suited than others

Are some types of material or course work better suited than others to TDI?

Q: What disadvantages or opportunity costs can you identify with this approach?

What disadvantages or opportunity costs can you identify with this approach?

Q: It’s one thing to get rid of numerical ratings, but managers

It’s one thing to get rid of numerical ratings, but managers still have to decide whom to promote, perhaps whom to let go, the relative sizes of pay raises, and bonuses. Will the new systems help them...

Q: Are there features of current performance-management systems that are worth

Are there features of current performance-management systems that are worth keeping?

Q: What types of safeguards might you suggest to ensure fairness, transparency

What types of safeguards might you suggest to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in performance-management systems?

Q: To many people, a deep-seated sense of unfairness lies

To many people, a deep-seated sense of unfairness lies at the heart of the trust gap. How might perceptions of unfairness develop?

Q: What are some of the predictable consequences of a trust gap?

What are some of the predictable consequences of a trust gap?

Q: Can you suggest alternative strategies for reducing the trust gap?

Can you suggest alternative strategies for reducing the trust gap?

Q: Do you think companies should provide a broader menu of benefits (

Do you think companies should provide a broader menu of benefits (e.g., child care, veterinary care, financial counseling) or improve the menu of core benefits (e.g., health care, insurance, pensions)...

Q: Discuss the special problems that women face in overseas assignments.

Discuss the special problems that women face in overseas assignments.

Q: Describe how technology has changed the ways that you live and work

Describe how technology has changed the ways that you live and work.

Q: How might your preference for various benefits change as you grow older

How might your preference for various benefits change as you grow older or as your family situation changes?

Q: What role do benefits play, in your opinion, in attracting

What role do benefits play, in your opinion, in attracting and retaining workers? Might that role be different for different generations or for employees at different stages of their careers?

Q: What are some key obstacles in the way of true cooperation by

What are some key obstacles in the way of true cooperation by labor and management?

Q: Is labor–management cooperation just a short-term solution to

Is labor–management cooperation just a short-term solution to economic problems, or can it become institutionalized into the very culture of an organization?

Q: Will widespread labor–management cooperation lead to a loss of union

Will widespread labor–management cooperation lead to a loss of union power?

Q: What do you see as some key advantages and disadvantages of ADR

What do you see as some key advantages and disadvantages of ADR programs?

Q: Should an employee’s agreement to binding arbitration be a condition of employment

Should an employee’s agreement to binding arbitration be a condition of employment or a condition of continuing employment?

Q: What are some arguments for and against each of the following policies

What are some arguments for and against each of the following policies: dismissal, demotion, return to the same job following rehabilitation, and return to a different job following rehabilitation?

Q: Should follow-up be required after rehabilitation? If so,

Should follow-up be required after rehabilitation? If so, how long should it last and what form should it take?

Q: Working in small groups, identify characteristics that would make an ADR

Working in small groups, identify characteristics that would make an ADR program fair for both employees and employers.

Q: Always-on technology, such as e-mail and smartphones

Always-on technology, such as e-mail and smartphones, has promises as well as perils. Discuss alternative strategies for avoiding overwork and burnout.

Q: If an organization decides to use biometrics for security reasons, what

If an organization decides to use biometrics for security reasons, what can it do to protect personal privacy?

Q: Technology alone is not sufficient to ensure a successful implementation of an

Technology alone is not sufficient to ensure a successful implementation of an HRIS. What else is necessary?

Q: Identify three types of security procedures that can help to minimize the

Identify three types of security procedures that can help to minimize the risk of security breaches.

Q: What are some examples of HR risks?

What are some examples of HR risks?

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of on-premise versus SAAS

What are the advantages and disadvantages of on-premise versus SAAS HRIS?

Q: How might HRIS affect employees, managers, and HR team members

How might HRIS affect employees, managers, and HR team members?

Q: You have been charged with choosing an HRIS. What key factors

You have been charged with choosing an HRIS. What key factors will you consider?

Q: Recommend three strategies for protecting employees’ personal information.

Recommend three strategies for protecting employees’ personal information.

Q: What effects might international labor standards have on workers, companies,

What effects might international labor standards have on workers, companies, and consumers?

Q: What are the HRM implications of employing nonstandard workers in the “

What are the HRM implications of employing nonstandard workers in the “gig” economy?

Q: What are the key elements of the LAMP model? What does

What are the key elements of the LAMP model? What does each contribute?

Q: : Given the positive financial returns from high-performance work practices

Given the positive financial returns from high-performance work practices, why don’t more firms implement them?

Q: Why is management interested in the financial effects of employee attitudes?

Why is management interested in the financial effects of employee attitudes?

Q: Discuss three controllable and three uncontrollable costs associated with absenteeism.

Discuss three controllable and three uncontrollable costs associated with absenteeism.

Q: In making the business case for work–life programs, what

In making the business case for work–life programs, what points would you emphasize?

Q: What might be some examples of jobs or business models where increasing

What might be some examples of jobs or business models where increasing (or decreasing) turnover makes sound business sense?

Q: How would you answer the question, “Is employee turnover good

How would you answer the question, “Is employee turnover good or bad for an organization?”

Q: If you wanted to quantify the financial effects of collaboration and sharing

If you wanted to quantify the financial effects of collaboration and sharing knowledge in a hospital, how might you proceed?

Q: As a recruiter, your boss says to you, “Don’t

As a recruiter, your boss says to you, “Don’t worry about not filling that open position. We’re saving money.” Under what circumstances might it be more costly not to fill an open position?

Q: Describe the conditions necessary for a geocentric recruitment policy to work effectively

Describe the conditions necessary for a geocentric recruitment policy to work effectively.

Q: If you were asked to advise a private employer (with no

If you were asked to advise a private employer (with no government contracts) of its equal employment opportunity responsibilities, what would you say?

Q: As a manager, what steps can you take to deal with

As a manager, what steps can you take to deal with the organizational impact of the Family and Medical Leave Act?

Q: Prepare a brief outline of an organizational policy on sexual harassment.

Prepare a brief outline of an organizational policy on sexual harassment. Be sure to include complaint, investigation, and enforcement procedures.

Q: What steps would you take as a manager to ensure fair treatment

What steps would you take as a manager to ensure fair treatment for older employees?

Q: Why should efforts to reduce turnover focus only on controllable costs?

Why should efforts to reduce turnover focus only on controllable costs?

Q: To comply with the provisions of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act,

To comply with the provisions of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, what types of reasonable accommodations might an employer make for a pregnant employee?

Q: What are some of the key differences between adverse-impact discrimination

What are some of the key differences between adverse-impact discrimination and disparate-treatment discrimination?

Q: Your boss, the Chief HR Officer, asks for advice on

Your boss, the Chief HR Officer, asks for advice on how to avoid charges of age discrimination when conducting a layoff. What would you recommend?

Q: How might an employer ensure that the term overqualified applicant is not

How might an employer ensure that the term overqualified applicant is not just a code for too old?

Q: In your opinion, what are some key business reasons for emphasizing

In your opinion, what are some key business reasons for emphasizing the effective management of a diverse workforce?

Q: What key characteristics would you look for in selecting a prospective expatriate

What key characteristics would you look for in selecting a prospective expatriate?

Q: Why is there no simple relationship between diversity and business performance?

Why is there no simple relationship between diversity and business performance?

Q: How would you respond to someone who has questions or concerns about

How would you respond to someone who has questions or concerns about diversity?

Q: What would be the broad elements of a company policy to emphasize

What would be the broad elements of a company policy to emphasize the management of diversity?

Q: What are some possible sources of intergenerational friction? How might you

What are some possible sources of intergenerational friction? How might you deal with those?

Q: Suppose you were asked to identify key components of a successful diversity

Suppose you were asked to identify key components of a successful diversity-training program. What would you say?

Q: Why is cultivating a diverse workforce an ethical imperative?

Why is cultivating a diverse workforce an ethical imperative?

Q: Describe a management policy designed to promote a culture of cooperation.

Describe a management policy designed to promote a culture of cooperation.

Q: It has been said that diversity only endures when it is baked

It has been said that diversity only endures when it is baked into the way a company does business every day. As a newly appointed CEO of a cosmetics company, how would you ensure that diversity is “b...

Q: You are the CEO of a midsize manufacturing company. You want

You are the CEO of a midsize manufacturing company. You want to be sure that all your supervisors understand the concept of retaliation and that your company is not accused of it. What actions might y...

Q: Why don’t more fathers take paternity leave, even when their employers

Why don’t more fathers take paternity leave, even when their employers offer it?

Q: Describe the balance-sheet approach to international compensation.

Describe the balance-sheet approach to international compensation.

Q: How are workforce plans related to business and HR strategies?

How are workforce plans related to business and HR strategies?

Q: Discuss the similarities and differences between job analysis and competency models.

Discuss the similarities and differences between job analysis and competency models.

Q: For purposes of succession planning, what information would you want in

For purposes of succession planning, what information would you want in order to evaluate “potential”?

Q: Why are forecasts of workforce demand more uncertain than forecasts of workforce

Why are forecasts of workforce demand more uncertain than forecasts of workforce supply?

Q: When is it more cost-effective to “buy” rather

When is it more cost-effective to “buy” rather than to “make” competent employees?

Q: Why should the output from forecasting models be tempered with the judgment

Why should the output from forecasting models be tempered with the judgment of experienced line managers?

Q: The chairperson of the board of directors at your firm asks for

The chairperson of the board of directors at your firm asks for advice about SWP. What would you say?

Q: Discuss the kinds of employee information that managers might find to be

Discuss the kinds of employee information that managers might find to be particularly useful in a talent inventory.

Q: Why is it important that job design include all of the following

Why is it important that job design include all of the following kinds of characteristics: task, physical, knowledge, social, and contextual?

Q: Why is it important to have up-to-date job

Why is it important to have up-to-date job descriptions?

Q: Your boss asks for suggestions about ways to reduce the high rate

Your boss asks for suggestions about ways to reduce the high rate of attrition among repatriates. What advice would you offer?

Q: What special measures might be necessary for a successful diversity-oriented

What special measures might be necessary for a successful diversity-oriented recruitment effort?

Q: Discuss the conditions under which realistic job previews are and are not

Discuss the conditions under which realistic job previews are and are not appropriate.

Q: How would you advise a firm that wants to improve its recruitment

How would you advise a firm that wants to improve its recruitment efforts at universities?

Q: Knowing that you have been studying the subject of recruitment, a

Knowing that you have been studying the subject of recruitment, a friend asks you for advice on doing an online job search. What would you say?

Q: Draft a recruitment ad to advertise a job opening at your company

Draft a recruitment ad to advertise a job opening at your company. Have a friend critique it, as well as—if possible—a knowledgeable HR professional from a local company. Summarize their suggestions f...

Q: You have just lost your middle-management job. Outline a

You have just lost your middle-management job. Outline a procedure to follow in trying to land a new one.

Q: How might social media help in recruiting passive job applicants, those

How might social media help in recruiting passive job applicants, those not actively looking for a job?

Q: Why is organizational culture particularly important in internal recruitment?

Why is organizational culture particularly important in internal recruitment?

Q: Your boss asks you to develop an employee-referral program for

Your boss asks you to develop an employee-referral program for new hires. What might such a program look like?

Q: You have been assigned to manage the recruitment visit of a prospective

You have been assigned to manage the recruitment visit of a prospective new hire for your 12-person organization. Develop a checklist of do’s and don’ts to help ensure a successful visit.

Q: What are some differences between local and cosmopolitan perspectives?

What are some differences between local and cosmopolitan perspectives?

Q: Your boss asks you how she can improve the accuracy of pre

Your boss asks you how she can improve the accuracy of pre-employment interviews. What would you tell her?

Q: Why are reliability and validity key considerations for all assessment methods?

Why are reliability and validity key considerations for all assessment methods?

Q: How does business strategy affect management selection?

How does business strategy affect management selection?

Q: Discuss the do’s and don’ts of effective reference checking

Discuss the do’s and don’ts of effective reference checking

Q: As jobs become more team oriented, assessment centers will be used

As jobs become more team oriented, assessment centers will be used more often for nonmanagement jobs. Do you agree or disagree?

Q: There are many possible staffing tools to help forecast later job performance

There are many possible staffing tools to help forecast later job performance. How do you decide which ones to use?

Q: Your boss asks you to review the current application form that your

Your boss asks you to review the current application form that your organization is using. How will you decide which questions to keep, change, or delete?

Q: Of the Big Five personality characteristics, what might explain why conscientiousness

Of the Big Five personality characteristics, what might explain why conscientiousness is the most valid predictor across many types of jobs?

Q: Why is emotional intelligence particularly important in service jobs?

Why is emotional intelligence particularly important in service jobs?

Q: Choose a job you know well. Develop three job-relevant

Choose a job you know well. Develop three job-relevant situational interview questions (“What would you do if . . .” or “Tell me about a time when . . .”) to use with applicants for that job.

Q: Melissa chooses to accept international assignments her entire career. Over time

Melissa chooses to accept international assignments her entire career. Over time, it is not clear where her “home” is. How might a local-plus approach to compensation help smooth her international tra...

Q: Would you be able to recognize a sound training program if you

Would you be able to recognize a sound training program if you saw one? What features would you look for?

Q: How does goal setting affect trainee learning and motivation?

How does goal setting affect trainee learning and motivation?

Q: Outline an evaluation procedure for a training program designed to teach sales

Outline an evaluation procedure for a training program designed to teach sales principles and strategies.

Q: Why do organizations so frequently overlook the on-boarding of new

Why do organizations so frequently overlook the on-boarding of new employees?

Q: Think back to your first day of the most recent job you

Think back to your first day of the most recent job you have held. What could the organization have done to hasten your on-boarding and your adjustment to the job?

Q: Given the growth of the “on-demand,” or “

Given the growth of the “on-demand,” or “gig,” economy, we can no longer assume that “workers” in an organization are all employees. What are the implications of that for training and on-boarding?

Q: Companies with the best training practices seem to share several characteristics in

Companies with the best training practices seem to share several characteristics in common. What are they?

Q: Some companies don’t want to offer training to employees because they fear

Some companies don’t want to offer training to employees because they fear that the employees will then leave. How might a firm use training as a strategy to retain employees?

Q: Why is it critical first to identify what employees need to learn

Why is it critical first to identify what employees need to learn before deciding on a method to use in training them?

Q: What can organizations do to enhance positive transfer from training to on

What can organizations do to enhance positive transfer from training to on-the-job application?

Q: Prepare and give a short presentation titled “How to Be Effective

Prepare and give a short presentation titled “How to Be Effective as an Interviewer.”

Q: Assume you run a small business. Working individually or in groups

Assume you run a small business. Working individually or in groups, visit the Web site www.dol.gov/elaws. Write a two-page summary explaining: (1) the various retirement savings programs available to...

Q: Based on the materials discussed in this chapter, what courses,

Based on the materials discussed in this chapter, what courses, experiences, or training programs do you think are most likely to help Dan achieve his dream of a foreign assignment? Explain.

Q: Would you be willing to follow Dan’s desired career path? Why

Would you be willing to follow Dan’s desired career path? Why or why not?

Q: Do you think it is appropriate for a company to transfer jobs

Do you think it is appropriate for a company to transfer jobs overseas that may be perceived as too hazardous at home? Explain.

Q: Based on what you have learned in this chapter, what do

Based on what you have learned in this chapter, what do you think are the underlying problems in the Polish subsidiary of Pressman Company?

Q: How would you account for the sharp differences in the perceptions of

How would you account for the sharp differences in the perceptions of the Polish locals and U.S. expatriates?

Q: Do you think that Titan is an isolated example or that many

Do you think that Titan is an isolated example or that many companies engage in similar behaviors overseas but are never caught? Do you think it is acceptable for a firm to take the risk and pay a bri...

Q: When a company operates in many different countries with widely diverse legal

When a company operates in many different countries with widely diverse legal systems and ethical standards, how can it develop and enforce a global set of criteria as to what is right and wrong? Expl...

Q: A company has a speak-up feedback program but unfortunately few

A company has a speak-up feedback program but unfortunately few employees use it. Managers learn about employee problems only during the exit interview when the employees are leaving to work for a dif...

Q: Why is the departure of women an issue for organizations?

Why is the departure of women an issue for organizations?

Q: When trying to re-enter the workforce, women often find

When trying to re-enter the workforce, women often find that they have to take a lower pay rate to “get back in the game.” Do you think this is fair? Why or why not?

Q: What alternatives to electronic monitoring could an employer use to effectively control

What alternatives to electronic monitoring could an employer use to effectively control employee theft?

Q: If a corporation restricts its employees from displaying visible tattoos in the

If a corporation restricts its employees from displaying visible tattoos in the workplace and faces a court challenge of employment discrimination under EEOC regulations, on what basis can the corpora...

Q: Assume that you have chosen to work in a field that is

Assume that you have chosen to work in a field that is highly vulnerable to future job loss due to automation. What are a few strategies you can use to keep yourself employed in this field as long as...

Q: A company’s sales representative obtained a highly visible tattoo on her neck

A company’s sales representative obtained a highly visible tattoo on her neck after being employed at that company. The company has a dress code policy that restricts the display of visible tattoos fo...

Q: Do you think employees are more likely to react positively or negatively

Do you think employees are more likely to react positively or negatively to office romance policies?

Q: If a lower wage discourages the re-entry of women,

If a lower wage discourages the re-entry of women, what, if anything, can be done about it?

Q: Would you like to work for a company that offers the sorts

Would you like to work for a company that offers the sorts of programs that are described in the case? Would this be an important enticement for you to accept a job in such a company and remain employ...

Q: Some skeptics argue that most sustainability programs (such as the ones

Some skeptics argue that most sustainability programs (such as the ones discussed above) represent an insincere attempt to create a positive company image at a low cost. Do you agree or disagree? Do y...

Q: Should business schools actively promote the enrollment of women into their full

Should business schools actively promote the enrollment of women into their full-time MBA programs? If so, how should they do it? Explain.

Q: Sometimes qualifications and credentials are important. For example, do you

Sometimes qualifications and credentials are important. For example, do you think it is important that your professors actually have the required qualifications (e.g., Ph.D.) to teach university-level...

Q: Why would employers want to fire employees whose dependents are having serious

Why would employers want to fire employees whose dependents are having serious health problems? Should this be illegal? What do you think would be the reaction of employees with healthy dependents who...

Q: Is it ethical to require all employees to sign an employment-

Is it ethical to require all employees to sign an employment-at-will statement acknowledging that they understand that the employer can terminate their employment at any time for any reason?

Q: While the cases discussed above are all very different, what do

While the cases discussed above are all very different, what do they have in common? Explain.

Q: What seems to be the main source of conflict between supervisors and

What seems to be the main source of conflict between supervisors and the HR department at Sands Corporation? Explain.

Q: Apart from the potential legal outcomes of the lawsuits discussed, are

Apart from the potential legal outcomes of the lawsuits discussed, are any larger ethical issues involved? Explain.

Q: How should Sands’ top executives deal with the complaints expressed by supervisors

How should Sands’ top executives deal with the complaints expressed by supervisors? How should the director of the HR department deal with the situation? Explain.

Q: If a fraudulent imposter can perform the job, what’s the harm

If a fraudulent imposter can perform the job, what’s the harm?

Q: Do you think that the use of social media for recruitment is

Do you think that the use of social media for recruitment is an effective approach to recruit workers?

Q: Should Wagner be held responsible for these problems? Explain.

Should Wagner be held responsible for these problems? Explain.

Q: What steps would you take to make sure that potential applicants are

What steps would you take to make sure that potential applicants are aware of the social responsibility commitments of your organization? That is, what would you recommend be done to make social respo...

Q: Assuming that only 10 percent of applicants are potentially qualified for police

Assuming that only 10 percent of applicants are potentially qualified for police work, what challenge does it pose from a HR perspective? What criteria would you use to disqualify potential applicants...

Q: Protest marches by teachers have become a common occurrence in many cities

Protest marches by teachers have become a common occurrence in many cities. Do you think these protests will affect teacher shortages? Explain.

Q: Working individually or in groups, use Internet resources to find situations

Working individually or in groups, use Internet resources to find situations where company management and the union reached an impasse at some point during their negotiation process, but eventually re...

Q: As a manager looking to hire additional workers, what steps would

As a manager looking to hire additional workers, what steps would you take to maximize the effectiveness of your recruitment efforts using social media?

Q: Using social media to recruit for job openings may disproportionately tap into

Using social media to recruit for job openings may disproportionately tap into younger applicants. Older workers could be unintentionally precluded from the applicant pool to the extent they are less...

Q: If there are distinct roles to be played on a team,

If there are distinct roles to be played on a team, how would you go about recruiting and hiring for them?

Q: The characteristics needed by individual team members depend on the team and

The characteristics needed by individual team members depend on the team and the strengths and weaknesses of others who are on the team. In other words, the situation is much more dynamic than assumin...

Q: There are potential costs to the use of social media for screening

There are potential costs to the use of social media for screening job applicants. For example, checking public profiles could easily reveal to the religion, age, race, and so on of the job candidates...

Q: Traditionally, hiring decisions were primarily based on the extent to which

Traditionally, hiring decisions were primarily based on the extent to which an applicant’s qualifications fit the job. In other words, the focus has been on hiring the person who, based on information...

Q: Social responsibility can be helpful in recruiting job applicants. However,

Social responsibility can be helpful in recruiting job applicants. However, the better the fit between individuals and the organization’s social responsibility commitments, the more this should result...

Q: What steps do most companies take to reduce voluntary turnover? Are

What steps do most companies take to reduce voluntary turnover? Are they effective?

Q: Do you think the voluntary turnover rate should be considered before opening

Do you think the voluntary turnover rate should be considered before opening a business operation there? Why?

Q: Assume that you are working in a company and you believe that

Assume that you are working in a company and you believe that your supervisor gave you a pay raise that is unfair and less than you deserve based on your performance. This is not the first time this h...

Q: Some feel that wellness and employee assistance programs should be evaluated on

Some feel that wellness and employee assistance programs should be evaluated on a cost–benefit basis and discontinued if these programs’ benefits do not exceed their costs. Others feel that because co...

Q: According to a 2010 study by economists Angus Deaton and Nobel Prize

According to a 2010 study by economists Angus Deaton and Nobel Prize–winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman, “high income doesn’t bring you happiness…[T]he further a person’s household income falls belo...

Q: Why should management be concerned with helping employees retire from their organization

Why should management be concerned with helping employees retire from their organization successfully?

Q: Would you design a performance appraisal system based on behaviors, outcomes

Would you design a performance appraisal system based on behaviors, outcomes, or both? Why would you design it this way?

Q: Training provides workers with skills needed in the workplace. However,

Training provides workers with skills needed in the workplace. However, many organizations have dynamic environments in which change is the norm. How can training requirements be identified when job d...

Q: According to one survey, trainees list the following as some of

According to one survey, trainees list the following as some of the traits of a successful trainer: knowledge of the subject, adaptability, sincerity, and sense of humor. What other traits do you thin...

Q: How would you go about retaining and developing older employees who are

How would you go about retaining and developing older employees who are part of a dual-career couple?

Q: As a manager, what could you do to offer career development

As a manager, what could you do to offer career development for your workers? Do you think it would be worth it? Why or why not?

Q: What would you suggest about the use of social media as a

What would you suggest about the use of social media as a career development tool? Is it a good option? How could it be better used in career development?

Q: People have different comfort zones and aspirations that can affect their careers

People have different comfort zones and aspirations that can affect their careers. How does the career anchor system (see Manager’s Notebook, “Anchor Yourself,”) take these individual differences into...

Q: In a recent article by professors Hannah Riley Bowless from Harvard and

In a recent article by professors Hannah Riley Bowless from Harvard and Linda Babcock from Carnegie Mellon, the authors argue that “policy makers, academics, and media reports suggest that women could...

Q: Working individually or in groups, compile a list of the factors

Working individually or in groups, compile a list of the factors at work or in school that create dysfunctional stress for you. What methods do you use for dealing with the stress?

Q: According to a recent report by the Society for Human Resource Management

According to a recent report by the Society for Human Resource Management, “many job evaluation methods are subjective. Evaluators’ decisions about which jobs are worth more can be personal and emotio...

Q: It seems preferable to use objective performance data (such as productivity

It seems preferable to use objective performance data (such as productivity figures) when available, rather than subjective supervisory ratings, to assess employees. Why might objective data be less e...

Q: Some people argue that is it is wrong for CEOs to earn

Some people argue that is it is wrong for CEOs to earn multimillion-dollar salaries while some of their employees are earning the minimum wage or even being laid off. Some suggest that a firm’s top ea...

Q: Based on your experiences working in a group task (for instance

Based on your experiences working in a group task (for instance, completing a course project), what major problems have you observed when the team is rewarded as a group (for instance, a grade for the...

Q: Some companies offer “healthy living incentives” based on measurable criteria

Some companies offer “healthy living incentives” based on measurable criteria of current and future health (such as fat mass body index, blood pressure, and cholesterol). Do you believe that most empl...

Q: A customer survey for Landmark Company reports that people do not trust

A customer survey for Landmark Company reports that people do not trust what sales representatives say about their firms’ products. How might you use the compensation system to help change this negati...

Q: How might the increasing diversity of the workforce affect the design of

How might the increasing diversity of the workforce affect the design of employee benefits packages in large companies?

Q: Some benefits experts claim that unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation benefits create

Some benefits experts claim that unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation benefits create a disincentive to work. Why do you think they say this? Do you agree or disagree with this position?

Q: Do you think that OSHA standards for combustible dust are needed?

Do you think that OSHA standards for combustible dust are needed? Why or why not?

Q: Do you think that wellness programs are worth their cost to a

Do you think that wellness programs are worth their cost to a company? Explain.

Q: In February 2004, a 315-foot tall, 2-

In February 2004, a 315-foot tall, 2-million pound erection crane collapsed on a construction site in East Toledo, Ohio, killing four ironworkers. Do you think catastrophic failures like this are avoi...

Q: One of your colleagues argues that domestic violence isn’t a concern of

One of your colleagues argues that domestic violence isn’t a concern of the business. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

Q: How might an international firm trying to adapt HRM practices to the

How might an international firm trying to adapt HRM practices to the local culture produce worse results than it would produce by “exporting” HRM practices from the home office?

Q: Today's organizations are flatter and offer fewer opportunities for advancement. How

Today's organizations are flatter and offer fewer opportunities for advancement. How do you think careers should be developed in this type of organizational environment?

Q: Assume you are the owner of a small business with 35 employees

Assume you are the owner of a small business with 35 employees that produce shoes for the domestic market. Would you consider operating overseas to reduce labor costs and expand your market? What part...

Q: Some people believe that cross-cultural training often reinforces stereotypes by

Some people believe that cross-cultural training often reinforces stereotypes by discussing aspects of a culture (i.e., “Punctuality is not as important to Southern Italians. It is acceptable to arriv...

Q: According to Laura D’Andrea Tyson, Dean of the College of Business

According to Laura D’Andrea Tyson, Dean of the College of Business at London Business School, in both the United States and Europe, women often choose to opt out of high-powered jobs. In her words: “T...

Q: In your opinion, which of the environmental, organizational, and

In your opinion, which of the environmental, organizational, and individual challenges identified in this chapter will be most important for human resource management in the twenty-first century? Whic...

Q: Many companies in the United States have recently put an end to

Many companies in the United States have recently put an end to the practice of giving an annual employee Christmas party due to complaints by employees with non-Christian religious backgrounds or spi...

Q: 3M’s competitive business strategy is based on innovation. 3M requires that

3M’s competitive business strategy is based on innovation. 3M requires that at least 25 percent of its annual sales come from products introduced over the previous five years, a goal it often exceeds....

Q: Many believe that top managers care little about human resources compared to

Many believe that top managers care little about human resources compared to such areas as marketing, finance, production, and engineering. What might account for the perception, and what would you do...

Q: Some people believe that the Internet is rewriting the rules of how

Some people believe that the Internet is rewriting the rules of how to attract, motivate, and retain talent internationally. Consider Planet-Intra.com Ltd., a year-old software company that is nominal...

Q: A recent report suggests that pay disparities by gender remain essentially the

A recent report suggests that pay disparities by gender remain essentially the same whether or not the most senior executive is a man or a woman. Why do you think this is the case? Explain.

Q: Based on what you read in this chapter, on what legal

Based on what you read in this chapter, on what legal basis could the 61-year-old California attorney claim he was a victim of discrimination?

Q: If you were the judge called on to make a decision on

If you were the judge called on to make a decision on this case, what would your decision be, and why?

Q: Working individually or in groups, interview managers or administrators at your

Working individually or in groups, interview managers or administrators at your employer or college in order to determine the extent to which the employer or college endeavors to build two-way communi...

Q: Working individually or in groups, obtain copies of the student handbook

Working individually or in groups, obtain copies of the student handbook for your college and determine to what extent there is a formal process through which students can air grievances. Based on you...

Q: Working individually or in groups, determine the nature of the academic

Working individually or in groups, determine the nature of the academic discipline process in your college. Do you think it is effective? Based on what you read in this chapter, would you recommend an...

Q: What role should HR specialists play in ensuring that employees follow a

What role should HR specialists play in ensuring that employees follow a company’s code of ethics?

Q: In a group, develop several lists showing how trends like workforce

In a group, develop several lists showing how trends like workforce diversity, technological trends, globalization, and changes in the nature of work have affected the college or university you are no...

Q: Contact the HR manager of a local business. Ask that person

Contact the HR manager of a local business. Ask that person how he or she is working as a strategic partner to manage human resources given the firm’s strategic goals and objectives.

Q: Working individually or in groups, develop a forecast for the next

Working individually or in groups, develop a forecast for the next five years of occupational market conditions for various occupations such as accountant, nurse, and engineer.

Q: In some areas of the world, business practices that are contrary

In some areas of the world, business practices that are contrary to Western values—such as child labor, payment of bribes to government officials, and sex or race discrimination in hiring and promotio...

Q: Working individually or in groups, obtain copies of job descriptions for

Working individually or in groups, obtain copies of job descriptions for clerical positions at the college or university where you study, or the firm where you work. What types of information do they...

Q: Working individually or in groups, respond to these three scenarios based

Working individually or in groups, respond to these three scenarios based on what you learned in Chapter 2. Under what conditions (if any) do you think the following constitute sexual harassment? (a)...

Q: Working individually or in groups, find at least five employment ads

Working individually or in groups, find at least five employment ads either on the Internet or in a local newspaper that suggest that the company is family-friendly and should appeal to women, minorit...

Q: Working individually or in groups, develop a list of selection techniques

Working individually or in groups, develop a list of selection techniques that you would suggest your dean use to hire the next HR professor at your school. Also, explain why you chose each selection...

Q: Working individually or in groups, contact the publisher of a standardized

Working individually or in groups, contact the publisher of a standardized test such as the Scholastic Assessment Test and obtain from the publisher written information regarding the test's validity a...

Q: Working in groups, list 10 examples showing how you did use

Working in groups, list 10 examples showing how you did use (or could have used) human resource management techniques at work or school.

Q: Many employees and union representatives complain bitterly about the practice of outsourcing

Many employees and union representatives complain bitterly about the practice of outsourcing work, particularly to foreign countries. Part of the complaint is that companies do this to avoid paying fa...

Q: When American Greetings Corporation, the Cleveland greeting card and licensing company

When American Greetings Corporation, the Cleveland greeting card and licensing company, redesigned about 100 jobs in its creative division, it asked workers and managers to reapply for the new jobs. E...

Q: Using the Internet or library sources, analyze the annual reports of

Using the Internet or library sources, analyze the annual reports of at least five companies. Bring to class examples of how those companies say they are using their HR processes to help the company a...

Q: “Sexual harassment is a problem that occurs between two employees.

“Sexual harassment is a problem that occurs between two employees. The company should not be held liable for the actions of misbehaving employees.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explai...

Q: Use a library source to determine the relative cost of living in

Use a library source to determine the relative cost of living in five countries as of this year, and explain the implications of such differences for drafting a pay plan for managers being sent to eac...

Q: Working individually or in groups, discuss how you would set up

Working individually or in groups, discuss how you would set up an affirmative action program.

Q: Compare and contrast the issues presented in Bakke with more recent court

Compare and contrast the issues presented in Bakke with more recent court rulings on affirmative action.Working individually or in groups, discuss the current direction of affirmative action.

Q: Working individually or in groups, write a paper entitled “What

Working individually or in groups, write a paper entitled “What the manager should know about how the EEOC handles a person’s discrimination charge.”

Q: Explain the difference between affirmative action and equal employment opportunity.

Explain the difference between affirmative action and equal employment opportunity.

Q: Assume you are the manager in a small restaurant; you are

Assume you are the manager in a small restaurant; you are responsible for hiring employees, supervising them, and recommending them for promotion. Working individually or in groups, compile a list of...

Q: Is it ethical to refuse to give preferential treatment to minorities and

Is it ethical to refuse to give preferential treatment to minorities and women, who have been widely discriminated against in the past?

Q: Some businesses thrive on a sexual theme. For example, "

Some businesses thrive on a sexual theme. For example, "Hooters" attracts customers by marketing a sexual environment. Many ad campaigns have explicit sexual themes. Are such marketing efforts ethical...

Q: Is it ethical for a U.S. employer to require

Is it ethical for a U.S. employer to require all employees speak only English at the workplace?

Q: Suppose you are a plant manager and one of your employees has

Suppose you are a plant manager and one of your employees has trouble controlling his anger and experiences wide swings in emotions due to bipolar disorder (a medical condition). You are aware that he...

Q: What three steps are involved in developing an affirmative action program?

What three steps are involved in developing an affirmative action program? How much flexibility does an employer have in developing the specific points in such a program?

Q: Working individually or in groups, describe the advantages and disadvantages of

Working individually or in groups, describe the advantages and disadvantages of using the forced distribution appraisal method for college professors.

Q: Is it ethical for top managers to receive cash bonuses while at

Is it ethical for top managers to receive cash bonuses while at the same time asking lower-level employees to accept a pay freeze?

Q: Why should managers be concerned with understanding human resource law instead of

Why should managers be concerned with understanding human resource law instead of leaving it to the experts?

Q: Many organizations have policies requiring that members of certain demographic groups (

Many organizations have policies requiring that members of certain demographic groups (such as women and African Americans) sit on certain (or all) committees. Are there any dangers to such a policy?...

Q: Many managers and executives use golfing as an opportunity to combine business

Many managers and executives use golfing as an opportunity to combine business and pleasure. How could this practice damage an organization's diversity efforts? Are there any recreation activities tha...

Q: What ethical problems might arise from giving preferential treatment to certain employees

What ethical problems might arise from giving preferential treatment to certain employees based on their group membership?

Q: To what extent should employers be responsible for the appropriate care of

To what extent should employers be responsible for the appropriate care of their employees’ children?

Q: The United States is often viewed (by outsiders) as a

The United States is often viewed (by outsiders) as a litigious society, where everyone has a lawyer and is willing to sue someone else on the merest basis. Until recently, Europeans believed that sex...

Q: Conflicts among minority groups may arise as they compete for what they

Conflicts among minority groups may arise as they compete for what they perceive as a limited number of jobs and promotion opportunities. Is this perception accurate? What can firms do to avoid these...

Q: James L. Schneider, owner of a small computer design and

James L. Schneider, owner of a small computer design and software consulting company in San Francisco, complains that he has a difficult time competing with firms that bring foreign software engineers...

Q: Suppose you are asked to write a recommendation letter for a friend

Suppose you are asked to write a recommendation letter for a friend whom you like but consider unreliable. Would it be ethical for you to write a positive reference even though you anticipate that you...

Q: Use the Internet to find employers that now do preliminary selection interviews

Use the Internet to find employers that now do preliminary selection interviews via the Web. Print out and bring examples to class. Do you think these interviews are useful? Why or why not? How would...

Q: Working individually or in groups, bring to class several classified and

Working individually or in groups, bring to class several classified and display ads from the Sunday’s help wanted ads. Analyze the effectiveness of these ads using the guidelines discussed in the cha...

Q: In June 2003 Lockheed Martin Corp. sued the Boeing Corp.

In June 2003 Lockheed Martin Corp. sued the Boeing Corp. in Orlando, Florida, accusing it of using Lockheed’s trade secrets to help win a multibillion-dollar government contract. Among other things, L...

Q: Some experts contend that urinalysis is an invasion of privacy and therefore

Some experts contend that urinalysis is an invasion of privacy and therefore should be prohibited unless there is a reasonable cause to suspect an employee of drug use. Is it ethical for companies to...

Q: Working individually or in groups, visit the local office of your

Working individually or in groups, visit the local office of your state employment agency. Come back to class prepared to discuss the following questions: What types of jobs seemed to be available thr...

Q: Write a short essay discussing some of the ethical and legal considerations

Write a short essay discussing some of the ethical and legal considerations in testing.

Q: What can a company do to help a community when it decides

What can a company do to help a community when it decides to close a plant that is important to the community's economic prosperity?

Q: How much notice of a layoff should a company be obligated to

How much notice of a layoff should a company be obligated to give?

Q: Is it appropriate for organizations to evaluate and compensate employees according to

Is it appropriate for organizations to evaluate and compensate employees according to objective measures of performance, even though performance is at least partially determined by factors beyond thei...

Q: Performance appraisal is a management tool. As such, managers often

Performance appraisal is a management tool. As such, managers often use the tool to benefit themselves or the company. For example, a manager may use overly positive performance ratings as a reward fo...

Q: Working individually or in groups, develop a graphic rating scale for

Working individually or in groups, develop a graphic rating scale for the following jobs: secretary, engineer, directory assistance operator.

Q: Working individually or in groups, develop, over the period of

Working individually or in groups, develop, over the period of a week, a set of critical incidents covering the classroom performance of one of your instructors.

Q: Traditionally, employee training has primarily been used to remove deficiencies.

Traditionally, employee training has primarily been used to remove deficiencies. As described in this chapter, how can technology be used to shift training toward a tool that can improve capability?

Q: Some companies reimburse the educational expenses of employees who take classes on

Some companies reimburse the educational expenses of employees who take classes on their own. In an era when people can count less and less on a single employer to provide them with work over the cour...

Q: Are companies ethically responsible for providing literacy training for workers who lack

Are companies ethically responsible for providing literacy training for workers who lack basic skills? Why or why not?

Q: Working individually or in groups, you are to develop a short

Working individually or in groups, you are to develop a short-programmed learning program on the subject “Guidelines for Giving a More Effective Lecture.”

Q: How much responsibility does a company have for managing its employees' careers

How much responsibility does a company have for managing its employees' careers? Can a company take too much responsibility for employee career development? In what ways might this be harmful to emplo...

Q: Working individually or in groups, choose three occupations (such as

Working individually or in groups, choose three occupations (such as management consultant, HR manager, or salesperson) and use some of the sources described in the appendix to this chapter to make an...

Q: Some companies have introduced “business literacy” programs on the assumption

Some companies have introduced “business literacy” programs on the assumption that pay-for-performance programs will only work if employees are aware of what brings money into the firm. Most employees...

Q: An insurance company compensates its work teams by awarding an annual bonus

An insurance company compensates its work teams by awarding an annual bonus based on three factors: productivity, customer satisfaction, and quality of work. In one of its teams, four members came up...

Q: In 2002, Ford announced some of the details concerning the firing

In 2002, Ford announced some of the details concerning the firing of former CEO Jacques A. Nasser, which followed a $5.4 billion loss during his last year in the job (Mullaney & Darnell, 2002). In add...

Q: How much consideration should the organization give to the psychological health of

How much consideration should the organization give to the psychological health of its employees when designing a pay-for-performance system?

Q: Do you think it is ethical for a company to give its

Do you think it is ethical for a company to give its CEO and its other top executive’s multimillion-dollar pay packages that are not closely tied to the company's performance?

Q: One observer argues that external equity should always be the primary concern

One observer argues that external equity should always be the primary concern in compensation, noting that it attracts the best employees and prevents the top performers from leaving. Do you agree?

Q: Working individually or in groups, develop an incentive plan for the

Working individually or in groups, develop an incentive plan for the following positions: chemical engineer, plant manager, used-car salesperson. What factors did you have to consider in reaching your...

Q: A state university system in the southeast recently instituted a "Teacher

A state university system in the southeast recently instituted a "Teacher Incentive Program" (TIP) for its faculty. Basically, faculty committees within each university’s college were told to award $5...

Q: Most large employers provide some sort of retirement fund for their employees

Most large employers provide some sort of retirement fund for their employees. Do you think that companies are ethically bound to offer this benefit? Does the financial condition or size of the firm (...

Q: One way for companies to lower their workers' compensation costs is to

One way for companies to lower their workers' compensation costs is to move from a state with a high workers' compensation tax rate to one with a lower rate. Is this a legitimate reason for moving a b...

Q: You are the HR consultant to a small business with about 40

You are the HR consultant to a small business with about 40 employees. At the present time the firm offers only five days’ vacation, five paid holidays, and legally mandated benefits such as unemploym...

Q: Some companies attempt to restrict the behavior of employees while they are

Some companies attempt to restrict the behavior of employees while they are off the job. The most common restriction is a prohibition against smoking. Less common, is a prohibition against public drin...

Q: Should companies have the right to read and monitor their employees’ e

Should companies have the right to read and monitor their employees’ e-mail?

Q: Bob Allenby's company handbook states that employees will be fired only if

Bob Allenby's company handbook states that employees will be fired only if they violate the company's listed reasons for termination. Bob is fired, yet his conduct did not match any of the reasons out...

Q: Why do employees not take suggestion systems seriously in some companies?

Why do employees not take suggestion systems seriously in some companies? What can management do to improve the credibility of its employee suggestion system?

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of letting the team administer discipline

What are the advantages and disadvantages of letting the team administer discipline to a team member?

Q: Some people have argued that performance appraisal should not be done.

Some people have argued that performance appraisal should not be done. Take the position that performance appraisal is useful and should be done. Describe three benefits of conducting performance appr...

Q: A computer programming manager suspects that one of her programmers is sharing

A computer programming manager suspects that one of her programmers is sharing information with a competitor through electronic mail. Is it appropriate for the manager to examine her employee's e-mail...

Q: You discover that your superior has been billing the company for business

You discover that your superior has been billing the company for business trips that he never took. When you ask him about it, he says this is common practice throughout the company, the other departm...

Q: What factors are encouraging unions and management in the United States to

What factors are encouraging unions and management in the United States to adopt more cooperative strategies today?

Q: What factors explain why unions in the United States have been losing

What factors explain why unions in the United States have been losing more than 50 percent of all certification elections?

Q: Individuals who are sympathetic to unions claim that currently in the United

Individuals who are sympathetic to unions claim that currently in the United States, it is very difficult for unions to win certification elections, which is why union membership is in a period of dec...

Q: One strategy for suppressing union activity is to ask certain workers to

One strategy for suppressing union activity is to ask certain workers to report to management any union-organizing activities that are taking place at the company. Is this strategy legal? Is it ethica...

Q: Suppose at a pre-bargaining meeting between the company's negotiating team

Suppose at a pre-bargaining meeting between the company's negotiating team and top management it is decided that the company will give up to a 4 percent raise. When negotiations start, however, the le...

Q: You are a supervisor in a small manufacturing plant. The union

You are a supervisor in a small manufacturing plant. The union contract covering most of your employees is about to expire. Working individually or in groups, discuss how to prepare for union contract...

Q: In October 2003, 8,000 Amtrak workers agreed not to

In October 2003, 8,000 Amtrak workers agreed not to disrupt service by walking out; at least not until a court hearing was held. Amtrak had asked the courts for a temporary restraining order, and the...

Q: Opponents of "Big Government" claim that excessive regulation of workplace

Opponents of "Big Government" claim that excessive regulation of workplace safety hurts productivity and increases costs. They argue that in a free market, employees should be responsible for their ow...

Q: A goal of performance management is to improve performance. Describe the

A goal of performance management is to improve performance. Describe the factors that should be considered when diagnosing and improving performance.

Q: Working individually or in groups, answer the question, "Is

Working individually or in groups, answer the question, "Is there such a thing as an accident-prone person?" Develop your answer using examples of actual people you know who seemed to be accident-pron...

Q: The March 2004 issue of the journal Occupational Hazards presented some information

The March 2004 issue of the journal Occupational Hazards presented some information about what happens when OSHA refers criminal complaints about willful violations of OSHA standards to the U.S. Depar...

Q: Expatriates frequently complain that when they accept an international assignment, they

Expatriates frequently complain that when they accept an international assignment, they put their careers on hold while their peers in the home office continue to climb the corporate ladder. To what w...

Q: Despite the growth of airfreight, ships transport 90 percent of world

Despite the growth of airfreight, ships transport 90 percent of world trade. According to a recent report by the International Shipping Commission, “For thousands of today’s international seafarers, l...

Q: U.S. law does not prohibit selection decisions based on

U.S. law does not prohibit selection decisions based on marital status, as long as they are applied equally to men and women. Why might a company have such a policy? Is it ethical? Is it in the best l...

Q: Working individually or in groups, write an expatriation and repatriation plan

Working individually or in groups, write an expatriation and repatriation plan for your professor, whom your school is sending to Bulgaria to teach HR for the next three years.

Q: Choose three traits useful for selecting international assignees, and create a

Choose three traits useful for selecting international assignees, and create a straightforward test (not pencil and paper) to screen candidates for these traits.

Q: Why is it so difficult to predict whether a new employee will

Why is it so difficult to predict whether a new employee will be a highly motivated employee? What factors can influence employee motivation?

Q: Implicit in this chapter is the view that organizational change is necessary

Implicit in this chapter is the view that organizational change is necessary for survival. However, organizational change often places individual employees under considerable stress, particularly the...

Q: A major complaint one often hears is that the human resource function

A major complaint one often hears is that the human resource function still remains as one of the weakest and less prestigious functions in many organizations, with the stereotype that it is a “paper...

Q: Survivors of layoffs might be considered the lucky ones who still have

Survivors of layoffs might be considered the lucky ones who still have a job. However, layoff survivors can present a number of problems. What kind of problems might you expect layoff survivors to exh...

Q: Some scholars believe that there is a set of “best”

Some scholars believe that there is a set of “best” human resource practices that advanced companies should follow (see Figure 1.7), whereas others believe that there is “no one best way” when it come...

Q: Outline a set of issues that are most likely to pose a

Outline a set of issues that are most likely to pose a major challenge to the management of human resources during the next few decades. Based on the materials learned in this chapter, explain why you...

Q: What are bona fide occupational qualifications (BFOQs)? What is a

What are bona fide occupational qualifications (BFOQs)? What is a business necessity? Can race be a BFOQ? Can it be a business necessity? Why or why not?

Q: Outline a set of programs that you would put in place to

Outline a set of programs that you would put in place to improve the management of diversity in a particular firm. Based on the materials learned in this chapter, explain why you have suggested each o...

Q: The Society for Human Resource Management now utilizes the terms “diversity

The Society for Human Resource Management now utilizes the terms “diversity and inclusiveness” together. Why do you think that is the case? What would you do to accomplish both simultaneously? Explain...

Q: Of all the major demographic trends discussed in this chapter, which

Of all the major demographic trends discussed in this chapter, which one(s) do you think will pose the greatest challenges for firms in the next 50 years or so? Explain.

Q: Kate has severe diabetes that seriously limits her ability to eat.

Kate has severe diabetes that seriously limits her ability to eat. Even when taking insulin to help manage her diabetes, Kate must test her blood sugar several times a day, and strictly monitor the av...

Q: Under the ADA, is an obese individual considered to have a

Under the ADA, is an obese individual considered to have a disability and, therefore, be eligible for coverage? Explain.

Q: Describe the concept of career anchors. Why are they important in

Describe the concept of career anchors. Why are they important in career development?

Q: Your workers complain that they don’t like the performance appraisal system because

Your workers complain that they don’t like the performance appraisal system because all they get is negative evaluations and feedback. What approach to performance feedback could reduce this problem?...

Q: Can being too focused on career enhancement have negative effects? Describe

Can being too focused on career enhancement have negative effects? Describe. Can a careerist orientation also have positive effects? Describe.

Q: Employees have been terminated due to their postings on social media.

Employees have been terminated due to their postings on social media. Do you think that social media postings should be a cause for termination? Are there circumstances that might make termination a m...

Q: Can employee turnover be a good thing? Explain. When is

Can employee turnover be a good thing? Explain. When is employee turnover a bad thing?

Q: Training is often used to improve performance problems. Describe when training

Training is often used to improve performance problems. Describe when training would not be expected to improve performance.

Q: Your boss has asked for an evaluation of the effectiveness of a

Your boss has asked for an evaluation of the effectiveness of a training program. Describe the various levels of evaluation you could include in a report to your boss.

Q: Distinguish between career development and advancement. Describe at least two steps

Distinguish between career development and advancement. Describe at least two steps that can be taken to improve development and two that can be taken to improve advancement.

Q: Do you think a company should keep pay secret and demand that

Do you think a company should keep pay secret and demand that all employees not disclose their pay to coworkers? Why or why not?

Q: Outline a set of features that you would put in place if

Outline a set of features that you would put in place if you were asked to design a pay-for-performance system. Based on the materials learned in this chapter, explain why you have suggested each of t...

Q: Many U.S. companies outsource activities, such as manufacturing

Many U.S. companies outsource activities, such as manufacturing, to factories in Asia and Latin America. For example, Nike manufactures shoes in Indonesia and Hewlett-Packard uses electrical parts mad...

Q: Compare and contrast the progressive and positive discipline procedures.

Compare and contrast the progressive and positive discipline procedures.

Q: The administration of discipline usually occurs between a manager and a subordinate

The administration of discipline usually occurs between a manager and a subordinate employee. How can HR staff contribute to the fairness of the administration of discipline? How can HR staff contribu...

Q: In recent years most companies have relied heavily on the use of

In recent years most companies have relied heavily on the use of stock-based compensation programs to reward senior executives. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using these incentive progr...

Q: What are two of the advantages and two of the disadvantages of

What are two of the advantages and two of the disadvantages of a strike from management's perspective? From the union's perspective?

Q: Suppose a goal of management is to reduce the number of grievances

Suppose a goal of management is to reduce the number of grievances filed by union employees each year. Provide three ways that the HRM staff can contribute to this goal?

Q: What, in your opinion, are the three the most significant

What, in your opinion, are the three the most significant impacts of a union on the management of human resources? Explain and indicate whether the impact for each one is positive or negative.

Q: Some jobs involve hazards. Some employers pay a higher wage for

Some jobs involve hazards. Some employers pay a higher wage for those jobs, but safety and health regulations suggest that may not be enough. What other basic steps should an employer take to assure w...

Q: Describe how social media can be used in employee wellness programs.

Describe how social media can be used in employee wellness programs.

Q: Describe why management should address violence in the workplace. Identify a

Describe why management should address violence in the workplace. Identify a couple of steps that management might take to reduce the threat of workplace violence.

Q: Outline a set of features that you would put in place if

Outline a set of features that you would put in place if you were asked to design a selection and training program for expatriates. Based on the materials learned in this chapter, explain why you have...

Q: In recent years many companies sent managers overseas on short-term

In recent years many companies sent managers overseas on short-term assignments (for a couple of weeks or less) rather than on a long-term basis. What factors do you think explain this trend? What are...

Q: Some experts believe that one way for a multinational firm to avoid

Some experts believe that one way for a multinational firm to avoid political risks in a foreign country is to use local executives for key positions. Why do they reach that conclusion? Do you agree?...

Q: How do managed-care health insurance plans (HMOs and PPOs

How do managed-care health insurance plans (HMOs and PPOs) differ from traditional fee-for-service health insurance plans? What are the costs and benefits of each to the employer? To the employee?

Q: A group of scholars has argued that use of extrinsic rewards tends

A group of scholars has argued that use of extrinsic rewards tends to reduce intrinsic motivation. Why do the scholars reach that conclusion? Do you agree? Explain.

Q: Do you think it is a good idea for a company and

Do you think it is a good idea for a company and its managers to keep in touch with employees who have quit and taken jobs elsewhere? What are the advantages and disadvantages of staying in touch with...

Q: Cost containment is an important issue in employee benefit programs? Provide

Cost containment is an important issue in employee benefit programs? Provide at least three employee benefits where cost containment is a high priority and explain how it works for each benefit.

Q: Several companies are moving in the direction of compensating employees with nonmonetary

Several companies are moving in the direction of compensating employees with nonmonetary rewards in lieu of higher wages (see the Manager’s Notebook “Rewarding Employees with Nonmonetary Compensation”...

Q: Which type of jobs are less likely to be impacted by being

Which type of jobs are less likely to be impacted by being replaced by automation? Explain.

Q: Do you agree with Carlson who claims that HR personnel are always

Do you agree with Carlson who claims that HR personnel are always likely to side with management’s position when an employee files a formal complaint to HR that alleges sexual harassment? Explain the...

Q: What do you see as the main differences between a specific job

What do you see as the main differences between a specific job description and a general description?

Q: Suppose several people are employed in the same job as the one

Suppose several people are employed in the same job as the one for which you are writing a job description. Would it be necessary to write a different job description for each person who works in the...

Q: Go to the Web sites of IBM (www.ibm.

Go to the Web sites of IBM (www.ibm.com), PepsiCo (www.pepsico.com), and Xerox (www.xerox.com), and explore the sites to learn more about the women who are either the CEO or chairman at these companie...

Q: What role, if any, should HR professionals play in helping

What role, if any, should HR professionals play in helping a company become a leader in sustainability efforts? What specific HR challenges is a company likely to face as it tries to become socially r...

Q: Some male senior executives avoid becoming mentors to younger women because of

Some male senior executives avoid becoming mentors to younger women because of their fear of the possible sexual harassment claims against them (as retribution for a romantic relationship that ends ba...

Q: In groups, discuss and compile examples of “the worst interview

In groups, discuss and compile examples of “the worst interview I ever had.” What was it about these interviews that made them so bad? If time permits, discuss as a class.

Q: List three ways the HR department can contribute to positive employee relations

List three ways the HR department can contribute to positive employee relations in a company.

Q: Do you think companies can realistically design office-romance policies that

Do you think companies can realistically design office-romance policies that are effectively implemented? Why or why not?

Q: How would you go about deciding if a real or perceived romantic

How would you go about deciding if a real or perceived romantic relationship at work is consensual or potentially forced on one of the parties?

Q: What do you think is the main reason for the large disparity

What do you think is the main reason for the large disparity in the enrollment of women in full-time MBA programs versus medical and law school? Explain.

Q: Do you believe that managers should be given more autonomy to make

Do you believe that managers should be given more autonomy to make personnel decisions such as hiring, appraising, and compensating subordinates? If so, what are some potential drawbacks to granting t...

Q: Do you think fraud on résumés and job applications is an important

Do you think fraud on résumés and job applications is an important issue for organizations? Why or why not?

Q: Most workers are not covered by explicit or implicit contracts and are

Most workers are not covered by explicit or implicit contracts and are at-will employees. Thus, an employer should be able to terminate these workers at any time and for any reason. A practical realit...

Q: What consequences are likely to result from the problems at the Northern

What consequences are likely to result from the problems at the Northern Sigma plant? Explain your answer.

Q: How should a manager go about developing an appraisal system that measures

How should a manager go about developing an appraisal system that measures ethical performance? Identify the steps.

Q: Why do you think some of these critical jobs are becoming so

Why do you think some of these critical jobs are becoming so undesirable? From an HR perspective, is there anything that can be done to make these jobs more attractive? Are these changes you are propo...

Q: What specific recommendations would you offer Wagner to improve the management of

What specific recommendations would you offer Wagner to improve the management of diversity at the Chicago plant?

Q: The United States mandates only four benefits, yet U.S

The United States mandates only four benefits, yet U.S. employers provide many other benefits—such as health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid vacations—voluntarily. Why do so many employers pr...

Q: Do you think forced ranking is a good performance management system?

Do you think forced ranking is a good performance management system? Why or why not?

Q: Part of the forced raking label reflects the intent to force distinctions

Part of the forced raking label reflects the intent to force distinctions among the performance level of workers. In an absolute rating system, everyone could be rated “above average,” not so with for...

Q: Place yourself in the position of an employee receiving a performance review

Place yourself in the position of an employee receiving a performance review. Would it matter to you whether your performance review, the narrative description of your performance levels, and suggesti...

Q: From the perspective of a manager, what advantages might be associated

From the perspective of a manager, what advantages might be associated with taking an electronic approach to reviewing the workers’ performance levels? List these advantages into two categories: ratio...

Q: Given your answers to the previous questions, would you recommend the

Given your answers to the previous questions, would you recommend the use of electronic performance reviews? Justify your position.

Q: Place yourself in the position of the manager of a small business

Place yourself in the position of the manager of a small business. Describe situations when ethical performance appraisals for your employees are useful.

Q: Are there disadvantages to a focus on ethics in performance appraisal?

Are there disadvantages to a focus on ethics in performance appraisal? Describe.

Q: If you have a clear code of ethics, do you think

If you have a clear code of ethics, do you think training to challenge unethical behavior would still be needed? Why or why not?

Q: Might challenging someone who is engaging in unethical behavior have some risk

Might challenging someone who is engaging in unethical behavior have some risk? How could this risk be minimized?

Q: Which should drive action planning more, strengths or weaknesses? That

Which should drive action planning more, strengths or weaknesses? That is, is it more important to build on your strengths or to reduce your weaknesses? Explain.

Q: Millions of people use social networking Web sites, such as Facebook

Millions of people use social networking Web sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, to share personal information, including photos and videos, with their friends. Should companies use social networking...

Q: In some work environments, career aspirations are ignored and immediate performance

In some work environments, career aspirations are ignored and immediate performance is the focus. Do you think this lack of attention to career anchors is an ethical issue? Explain why or why not.

Q: Workers can learn about policies, procedures, and so on by

Workers can learn about policies, procedures, and so on by reading electronic or hard-copy documents. What else does mentoring bring to the situation that apparently makes this form of employee develo...

Q: Do you think employers nationwide should be banned from asking applicants about

Do you think employers nationwide should be banned from asking applicants about their compensation history? Do you think the introduction of such a law at the federal level would serve to reduce dispa...

Q: Is the dean's explanation for decreased pay differences by rank and/

Is the dean's explanation for decreased pay differences by rank and/or seniority justifiable?

Q: How would you suggest the dean deal with disgruntled senior faculty who

How would you suggest the dean deal with disgruntled senior faculty who feel underpaid?

Q: What do you think accounts for the recent shortening of the pay

What do you think accounts for the recent shortening of the pay-for-performance cycle? Do you see this as a positive trend? Explain.

Q: What are some of the challenges of managing a pay-for

What are some of the challenges of managing a pay-for-performance system as described here? Explain.

Q: What do you see as the main advantages and disadvantages of this

What do you see as the main advantages and disadvantages of this proposal? Explain.

Q: How would you prevent the problems that arose at Green Giant,

How would you prevent the problems that arose at Green Giant, the software developer, and Sunbeam and still reward good performance? Explain.

Q: Assuming you are a top executive at Green Giant and the software

Assuming you are a top executive at Green Giant and the software developer, would you punish the employees who engaged in those unethical acts, the managers who devised the incentive system, or both?...

Q: If your company is opening up an operation in another country in

If your company is opening up an operation in another country in which voluntary turnover is high, how could this problem be reduced? Specifically, rather than hiring local talent, talent could be shi...

Q: Will women benefit more than men from Walmart’s paid parental leave policy

Will women benefit more than men from Walmart’s paid parental leave policy? What evidence would lead you to believe that women are likely to receive greater benefits from a paid parental leave policy?...

Q: Why are employers implementing policies that require employees to adopt healthier lifestyles

Why are employers implementing policies that require employees to adopt healthier lifestyles? Do you think it is ethical when an employer decides to penalize employees who eat their favorite junk food...

Q: The enforcement of the wellness policies described in this case often falls

The enforcement of the wellness policies described in this case often falls into the domain of the HR staff, and they may be viewed by employees as the “wellness police.” How might this enforcer role...

Q: The opt-out feature of the 401(k) plan

The opt-out feature of the 401(k) plan is designed to increase the enrollment of employees in the plan because, without this feature, an average of 25 percent of employees are likely not to enroll in...

Q: By offering its employees one of the best 401(k)

By offering its employees one of the best 401(k) plans available, how does IBM benefit from this investment in its employees? How might employee behavior and performance be affected by the IBM 401(k)...

Q: Do you expect that Walmart’s new policy that extends paid parental leave

Do you expect that Walmart’s new policy that extends paid parental leave to all full-time employees will have a positive effect on its ability to attract and retain employees in its retail stores and...

Q: Costco’s “good jobs strategy” allows it to have very high

Costco’s “good jobs strategy” allows it to have very high rates of employee retention in its stores compared with the retail industry average, which is much lower. Can you think of other factors besid...

Q: Why do you think people are more accepting of the application of

Why do you think people are more accepting of the application of nepotism in the workplace in a privately owned business than in one that is publicly owned by many shareholders? Why is there little to...

Q: Under what conditions could it be considered acceptable to hire a relative

Under what conditions could it be considered acceptable to hire a relative of an employee or executive in a public organization, such as in federal government, or a publicly owned business, such as Ge...

Q: Why might an employee decide to blow the whistle on another person

Why might an employee decide to blow the whistle on another person or practice in a company? What does an employee have to gain from blowing the whistle? What are the potential risks an employee could...

Q: Do you agree with the concept of employment-at-will

Do you agree with the concept of employment-at-will? Why or why not?

Q: How could an employer use the “employment-at-will

How could an employer use the “employment-at-will” doctrine to defend against an allegation of retaliation from an employee who has been discharged after blowing the whistle on the company?

Q: What are some alternative methods that teachers could use to obtain improvements

What are some alternative methods that teachers could use to obtain improvements in pay and working conditions without resorting to strikes and protest marches?

Q: How does the Freelancers Union differ from the unions described in this

How does the Freelancers Union differ from the unions described in this chapter?

Q: Do you think legislation would be an effective tool for managing workplace

Do you think legislation would be an effective tool for managing workplace bullying? Why or why not?

Q: How could you develop a workplace culture that doesn’t tolerate bullying?

How could you develop a workplace culture that doesn’t tolerate bullying?

Q: Based on the materials discussed in this chapter, which personal traits

Based on the materials discussed in this chapter, which personal traits or characteristics would multinationals be looking for in a young candidate searching for an expatriate post? Explain.

Q: How much responsibility do multinationals have in ensuring that their locations overseas

How much responsibility do multinationals have in ensuring that their locations overseas comply with safety regulations? Explain.

Q: Should multinational firms utilize different safety standards overseas than they do in

Should multinational firms utilize different safety standards overseas than they do in domestic locations? Explain.

Q: If you were hired as a consultant by Pressman Company, what

If you were hired as a consultant by Pressman Company, what steps would you recommend that Stevens take?

Q: Shortly after Titan pleaded guilty to the bribery charges, it hired

Shortly after Titan pleaded guilty to the bribery charges, it hired Daniel W. Danjczek under a new position title of “vice president for compliance and ethics.” Danjczek’s job is to “install ethical b...

Q: If you had a choice, would you rather be employed as

If you had a choice, would you rather be employed as an at-will employee or have some employment protection? Why?

Q: Given East Computer Company’s present personnel policies, what problems is the

Given East Computer Company’s present personnel policies, what problems is the company likely to face in each facility if it transports its domestic policies abroad?

Q: How would you change or adapt each of the company’s current personnel

How would you change or adapt each of the company’s current personnel policies to better fit the cultural environment of each international facility?

Q: What set of management recommendations would you provide for keeping, changing

What set of management recommendations would you provide for keeping, changing, or adapting East Computer Company’s HR policies for the United States, Australia, Mexico, England, and Norway? In your r...

Q: Although it is illegal for profit-based companies to create unpaid

Although it is illegal for profit-based companies to create unpaid internships that require college interns to perform primarily menial tasks, unfortunately this is happening with increasing regularit...

Q: Does the university have a responsibility to ensure that a student’s unpaid

Does the university have a responsibility to ensure that a student’s unpaid internship will be a legitimate learning experience that earns college credits toward graduation? How can the university ens...

Q: Do you agree that normally it is in the best interest of

Do you agree that normally it is in the best interest of the company to make early interventions when there is an alleged instance of sexual harassment so that more costly and disruptive outcomes are...

Q: Do you think that it is feasible to boil down human behavior

Do you think that it is feasible to boil down human behavior to numbers? What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of doing so? Explain.

Q: What do you think are the main reasons for the trend toward

What do you think are the main reasons for the trend toward “managing by the numbers,” as discussed in the case? Do you believe that this is happening in many organizations, or is it an isolated pheno...

Q: Is it possible to use quantitative assessments of the organization’s human resources

Is it possible to use quantitative assessments of the organization’s human resources to better link human resource management to firm strategy? Explain.

Q: Companies are currently attempting to develop policies that offer more flexible work

Companies are currently attempting to develop policies that offer more flexible work arrangements that allow employees to achieve better work–life balance. Briefly describe several popular approaches...

Q: Do you think terminations for the type of incidents presented here are

Do you think terminations for the type of incidents presented here are fair? Why or why not?

Q: Large U.S. companies such as Accenture, AOL,

Large U.S. companies such as Accenture, AOL, and Dell have outsourced customer service call centers to India. Customers use these call centers for help when they are having difficulty using the servic...

Q: Are managers likely to question the work commitment of their contingent workers

Are managers likely to question the work commitment of their contingent workers? What might be the consequences for management when the majority of a company's workforce consists of temporary employee...

Q: What are the drawbacks to using flexible work hours from the organization's

What are the drawbacks to using flexible work hours from the organization's perspective? Compressed workweeks? Telecommuting? How should the HR department deal with these challenges?

Q: Some management experts do not agree that a virtual team is really

Some management experts do not agree that a virtual team is really a team at all. Based on the definition of a team, what properties of a virtual team satisfy the definition of a team? Do any aspects...

Q: A recent trend is that more and more companies are embracing is

A recent trend is that more and more companies are embracing is to outsource all or most of their human resource management activities. Do you agree or disagree with this trend? What risks is a compan...

Q: Are job descriptions really necessary? Provide several of the advantages (

Are job descriptions really necessary? Provide several of the advantages (at least three) to a company that decides to avoid using job descriptions. Next, briefly describe some situations that would b...

Q: Explain why HR decisions are heavily regulated. Based on your analysis

Explain why HR decisions are heavily regulated. Based on your analysis of current social forces, what new laws or regulations do you think will be passed or issued in the next few years?

Q: You own a small construction business. One of your workers is

You own a small construction business. One of your workers is 55 years old and had heart bypass surgery about six months ago. He wants to come back to work, but you are concerned that he will not be a...

Q: What is adverse impact? How does it differ from adverse treatment

What is adverse impact? How does it differ from adverse treatment?

Q: How can an individual show prima facie evidence for adverse impact discrimination

How can an individual show prima facie evidence for adverse impact discrimination? How would an employer defend itself from this evidence?

Q: Assume that the employees or managers in each of the scenarios perform

Assume that the employees or managers in each of the scenarios perform at an above-average level. Should that matter in the decision to terminate or not terminate? Why or why not?

Q: Recently, the movie The Class was shown at the New York

Recently, the movie The Class was shown at the New York Film Festival, to the displeasure of many French. The actors were young Parisians. According to one movie critic: With their cell phones and pou...

Q: The European Parliament recently voted 504 to 110 to scold companies for

The European Parliament recently voted 504 to 110 to scold companies for “sexual stereotyping” in marketing their products. One reporter noted that “The lawmakers’ ire has many targets, from a print a...

Q: Consider the Manager’s Notebook “Religious Differences Moving to the Forefront of

Consider the Manager’s Notebook “Religious Differences Moving to the Forefront of Inclusiveness.” Do you think that the owners of a company, major shareholders, or top management have a right to use t...

Q: Consider the Manager’s Notebook “The Rise of the Older Worker.”

Consider the Manager’s Notebook “The Rise of the Older Worker.” Do you think that young employees are now appreciating the wisdom of older workers more than at earlier times? Why do you think the Unit...

Q: Many U.S. computer companies fear that if they do

Many U.S. computer companies fear that if they do not hire foreign talent, then competitors in other countries will. What is your position on this? Explain.

Q: Doug Dokolosky, a former IBM executive who specializes in coaching women

Doug Dokolosky, a former IBM executive who specializes in coaching women, argues that "to reach the top requires sacrifice and long hours. If that is your ambition, forget things like balancing work a...

Q: Recent economic difficulties, restructuring, and plant closings have left many

Recent economic difficulties, restructuring, and plant closings have left many people without jobs and looking for new career paths. A hiring employer can now enjoy being able to select from among far...

Q: A company has come up with a new selection test and decides

A company has come up with a new selection test and decides to try it out on some of its current workers before giving it to job applicants. A group of its current workers volunteered to take the test...

Q: Interviewing unqualified applicants can be a frustrating experience and a waste of

Interviewing unqualified applicants can be a frustrating experience and a waste of time for managers, peers, or whoever is responsible for interviewing. How can the HR department minimize or eliminate...

Q: You work for a medium-sized, high-tech firm

You work for a medium-sized, high-tech firm that faces intense competition on a daily basis. Change seems to be the only constant in your workplace, and each worker's responsibilities shift from proje...

Q: How could these social media–driven issues be prevented? Are

How could these social media–driven issues be prevented? Are there steps that you, as a manager, could take that would prevent these issues from happening in the first place?

Q: After eight years as marketing assistant for the New York office of

After eight years as marketing assistant for the New York office of a large French bank, Sarah Schiffler was told that her job, in a non-revenue-producing department, was being eliminated. Her choices...

Q: The departure of senior workers through retirement can mean that years of

The departure of senior workers through retirement can mean that years of experience and knowledge are walking out an organization’s doors. This “brain drain” can cripple an organization’s ability to...

Q: You have noticed that the overall turnover rate for your company is

You have noticed that the overall turnover rate for your company is about average for your industry. Does this average rate mean their turnover isn’t a problem? Considering the sources and types of tu...

Q: The Manager’s Notebook “Volunteer Turnover in China” addressed the high

The Manager’s Notebook “Volunteer Turnover in China” addressed the high rate at which workers in China have been choosing to quit their jobs. Do you think voluntary turnover is becoming more of an iss...

Q: Would an employer ever want to increase the rate of employee turnover

Would an employer ever want to increase the rate of employee turnover in a company? Why or why not?

Q: In an age when more and more companies are downsizing, an

In an age when more and more companies are downsizing, an increasingly trendy concept is the “virtual corporation." The idea is that a company should have a core of owners and managers, but that, to t...

Q: Under what circumstances might a company's managers prefer to use layoffs instead

Under what circumstances might a company's managers prefer to use layoffs instead of early retirements or voluntary severance plans as a way to downsize the workforce?

Q: Under what set of conditions should a company lay off employees without

Under what set of conditions should a company lay off employees without giving them advance notice?

Q: Carrying out terminations usually is the responsibility of the manager. However

Carrying out terminations usually is the responsibility of the manager. However, the manager may not always be involved in determining who should be let go. Do you think direct managers should have in...

Q: Managing survivors in a layoff is important. As a manager,

Managing survivors in a layoff is important. As a manager, what concerns would you have about the surviving workforce after a layoff? How can the HR management staff be of assistance in providing supp...

Q: As a manager, would you prefer to rely on an absolute

As a manager, would you prefer to rely on an absolute performance rating system or a relative system, such as forced ranking? Why?

Q: One of the performance dimensions used in a certain organization is “

One of the performance dimensions used in a certain organization is “communication”—specifically, “listens and observes attentively, allowing an exchange of information” and “speaks and writes clearly...

Q: Your company is considering using relative ratings for its performance appraisal system

Your company is considering using relative ratings for its performance appraisal system. Are there potential problems with a relative system? What type of rating system, relative or absolute, would yo...

Q: How important are rating formats to the quality of performance ratings?

How important are rating formats to the quality of performance ratings? What is the most important influence on rating quality?

Q: What is comparability? How can it be maximized in performance appraisal

What is comparability? How can it be maximized in performance appraisal?

Q: "Occasionally an employee comes along who needs to be reminded who

"Occasionally an employee comes along who needs to be reminded who the boss is, and the appraisal is an appropriate place for such a reminder." Would the manager quoted here be likely to use a rationa...

Q: Do you think performance appraisals should be done? Is it worth

Do you think performance appraisals should be done? Is it worth the cost?

Q: What criteria do you think should be used to measure team performance

What criteria do you think should be used to measure team performance? What sources should be used for the appraisal? Should individual performance still be measured? Why or why not?

Q: You're the owner of a 25-employee company that has just

You're the owner of a 25-employee company that has just had a fantastic year. Everyone pulled together and worked hard to achieve the boost in company profits. Unfortunately, you need to sink most of...

Q: Performance problems seem all too common in your workplace. People don't

Performance problems seem all too common in your workplace. People don't seem to be putting forth the needed effort, and interpersonal conflict on the work teams seems to be a constant. Is training th...

Q: How effective do you think training can be in raising employee motivation

How effective do you think training can be in raising employee motivation?

Q: Some firms swear by unorthodox interview methods. For example, Tech

Some firms swear by unorthodox interview methods. For example, Tech Planet, of Menlo Park, California, uses weekly lunches and “wacky follow-up sessions” as substitutes for first-round job interviews....

Q: Can you devise an absolute rating system that would guarantee differentiation among

Can you devise an absolute rating system that would guarantee differentiation among workers? Why or why not?

Q: Illiterate workers can suffer from embarrassment and fear that keep them from

Illiterate workers can suffer from embarrassment and fear that keep them from admitting their problem. Instead, they may cope by asking questions, observing others, and relying on informal assistance...

Q: How important is it that the effectiveness of a training program be

How important is it that the effectiveness of a training program be measured in dollar terms? Why is it important to measure training effectiveness in the first place?

Q: Simuflite, a Texas aviation training company, expected to whip the

Simuflite, a Texas aviation training company, expected to whip the competition with FasTrak, its computer-based training (CBT) curriculum for corporate pilots. Instead, the new venture sent Simuflite...

Q: Auto-Valve was an example in this chapter of an organization

Auto-Valve was an example in this chapter of an organization that used a simple spreadsheet to determine which skills were most critical and should be taught to employees first. Using the general spre...

Q: Areas in need of performance improvement, such as better customer service

Areas in need of performance improvement, such as better customer service and more sales, can be easily identified as training goals. What can be wrong with simply assigning these objectives as goals...

Q: What challenges do non-traditional family units pose to company career

What challenges do non-traditional family units pose to company career development plans? How can companies meet these challenges?

Q: People who adopt a careerist strategy focus on career advancement through political

People who adopt a careerist strategy focus on career advancement through political machinations rather than excellent performance. Experts have pointed out four ways in which workers try to influence...

Q: Companies use various tactics to encourage managers to make employee development a

Companies use various tactics to encourage managers to make employee development a top priority. What do you think of this policy of tying financial rewards to people development? What are some other...

Q: In a feisty response to critics who accuse Wal-Mart of

In a feisty response to critics who accuse Wal-Mart of providing poverty-level wages (around $9.68 an hour on average) and few benefits, Wal-Mart Chief Executive H. Lee Scott Jr. said Wal-Mart offered...

Q: Go to any of the salary survey sources listed in the Manager’s

Go to any of the salary survey sources listed in the Manager’s Notebook “How Much Is a Position Worth in the Marketplace?” and research the salary ranges of four to five positions of your choice. Assu...

Q: What rational and political disadvantages are associated with the use of electronic

What rational and political disadvantages are associated with the use of electronic performance review?

Q: Fixed or assured pay is much less prevalent than it used to

Fixed or assured pay is much less prevalent than it used to be. What impact do you think this has on employees’ outlook? What, if any, are the negative and positive aspects of this trend? Explain.

Q: Some people believe that the recent trend toward giving employees nonmonetary rewards

Some people believe that the recent trend toward giving employees nonmonetary rewards is simply a way to save money by using a cheaper method to retain, attract, and motivate employees. Do you agree?...

Q: This chapter identifies three assumptions underlying pay-for-performance plans

This chapter identifies three assumptions underlying pay-for-performance plans. Do you believe these assumptions are valid?

Q: One observer notes that "the problem with using pay as an

One observer notes that "the problem with using pay as an incentive is that it is such a powerful motivational weapon that management can easily lose control of the situation." Do you agree? Why or wh...

Q: Reread the Manager’s Notebook “Incentives Come to Medicine: Do They

Reread the Manager’s Notebook “Incentives Come to Medicine: Do They Promote Unethical Behaviors Among Doctors?
” Do you agree that it is a good idea to offer incentives to doctors for better patient c...

Q: Some critics of pay-for-performance programs warn that incentive

Some critics of pay-for-performance programs warn that incentive pay may promote unethical behaviors among employees. Do you agree? Why or why not? What system would you put in place, if any, to preve...

Q: Reread the Manager’s Notebook “High-Priced CEOs: Are They

Reread the Manager’s Notebook “High-Priced CEOs: Are They Worth It?” Develop a list of arguments in favor of the position of Prof. Desai (that CEO pay is irrational) and a list of arguments in favor o...

Q: John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, keeps his pay low

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, keeps his pay low to keep staff morale high and donates half of his pay to charity. Most of his pay is based on Whole Foods’ performance. Mackey has blogged that strat...

Q: Paid time off (PTO) policies pool vacation, sick leave

Paid time off (PTO) policies pool vacation, sick leave, personal days, and floating holidays into a bank of days that employees can have for personal use. Normally, the use of one of these days requir...

Q: Why should younger employees (those in their 20s and 30s)

Why should younger employees (those in their 20s and 30s) care about retirement benefits?

Q: Not everyone can be good at everything about a job. Providing

Not everyone can be good at everything about a job. Providing only positive performance feedback can give workers inaccurate pictures of their performance. What are the disadvantages of this inaccurac...

Q: Only a small percentage of part-time and temporary employees in

Only a small percentage of part-time and temporary employees in the United States receive health insurance and retirement benefits compared to employees with full-time jobs. How serious a problem is t...

Q: Employee privacy has been called “today’s most important workplace issue.”

Employee privacy has been called “today’s most important workplace issue.” What kinds of dilemmas have the new technologies created regarding employee privacy? What other kinds of problems have the ne...

Q: Shelly Wexler tells her supervisor, Rob Levine, that having to

Shelly Wexler tells her supervisor, Rob Levine, that having to care for her aging mother is forcing her to leave work early and is making her increasingly "stressed out." While Rob refers her to the c...

Q: Do you think most employees have reservations about using an appeals procedure

Do you think most employees have reservations about using an appeals procedure such as an open-door policy? What can managers do to convince employees that the available procedures are fair and effect...

Q: Some communication experts claim that men and women have different styles of

Some communication experts claim that men and women have different styles of communication that create barriers to decoding messages from a sender of the opposite sex. What do you think are the import...

Q: A minority of employees are actually demotivated by being given public recognition

A minority of employees are actually demotivated by being given public recognition in front of their coworkers. Why might some employees feel uncomfortable being recognized in a public ceremony? Do yo...

Q: Why have managers needed to place greater emphasis on employee rights in

Why have managers needed to place greater emphasis on employee rights in recent years?

Q: Do employers have rights? If so, what are these rights

Do employers have rights? If so, what are these rights?

Q: National Medical Enterprises, Inc., a $4 billion operator of

National Medical Enterprises, Inc., a $4 billion operator of hospitals and psychiatric treatment centers, faced criminal probes for practices such as widespread overbilling and fraudulent diagnoses to...

Q: When a whistle-blower steps forward and discloses corruption or misconduct

When a whistle-blower steps forward and discloses corruption or misconduct performed by a manager, how does a company benefit from this action? What can HR staff working with management do to reduce t...

Q: Motivating workers is an important goal for managers. Do you think

Motivating workers is an important goal for managers. Do you think that providing feedback on strengths helps accomplish this goal? Identify other purposes for performance appraisal. How well does a s...

Q: Can you think of a job-related reason why a company

Can you think of a job-related reason why a company would decide to restrict dating between employees and enforce a no-dating policy? Do you think employers have a right to restrict any or all of the...

Q: Why have labor and management tended to treat each other as adversaries

Why have labor and management tended to treat each other as adversaries in the U.S. labor relations system?

Q: How can management’s collective bargaining tactics be influenced by the company's labor

How can management’s collective bargaining tactics be influenced by the company's labor relations strategy? Provide examples.

Q: It is often said that "good pay and good management"

It is often said that "good pay and good management" are the keys to successful union avoidance. Spell out the kinds of policies and practices companies should develop if they want to keep their worke...

Q: Assume that a union has organized the faculty at the university or

Assume that a union has organized the faculty at the university or the college where you are a student. What impact would you expect the union to have on the faculty? Which faculty would you expect to...

Q: Some experts in the field of labor relations believe that when a

Some experts in the field of labor relations believe that when a union can pose a credible threat of a strike to management in the collective bargaining process, both parties—union and management—are...

Q: What is the difference between the objectives of workers’ compensation and the

What is the difference between the objectives of workers’ compensation and the objectives of OSHA?

Q: Do you think social media is a useful way for offering a

Do you think social media is a useful way for offering a wellness program? Why or why not? What major characteristics do you think a social media– based wellness program should have?

Q: What kind of policies do you think would work best to prevent

What kind of policies do you think would work best to prevent workplace violence?

Q: If a job is potentially hazardous to the fetus of a pregnant

If a job is potentially hazardous to the fetus of a pregnant employee, should it be legal for the company to restrict the job to men?

Q: If a worker has some weak areas that affect how well he

If a worker has some weak areas that affect how well he or she performs aspects of the job, the traditional approach would be to provide evaluation and feedback to the worker to try to improve those d...

Q: How could genetic testing be used to discriminate?

How could genetic testing be used to discriminate?

Q: How can managers use the organization's reward system to encourage workplace safety

How can managers use the organization's reward system to encourage workplace safety?

Q: It was argued in this chapter that an empowerment approach to improving

It was argued in this chapter that an empowerment approach to improving safety could yield positive results. The operation of consultative safety teams including cleaning workers was used as an exampl...

Q: As noted in the chapter-opening vignette, Toyota ran into

As noted in the chapter-opening vignette, Toyota ran into trouble for two reasons. One, was that the company centralized most decision making in its corporate headquarters. The second was that the CEO...

Q: U.S. MNCs experience a much higher rate of early

U.S. MNCs experience a much higher rate of early returns with their expatriate employees than European and Japanese MNCs do. What explains this difference? What HRM policies and procedures would you d...

Q: Reread the Manager’s Notebook “Toxic Factories Take Toll on China’s Labor

Reread the Manager’s Notebook “Toxic Factories Take Toll on China’s Labor Force.” Do you think it is fair for a company to take advantage of lax environmental standards in other countries? Should a mu...

Q: Some people believe that U.S. MNCs should serve as

Some people believe that U.S. MNCs should serve as vehicles for cultural change in developing countries by introducing modern U.S. HRM practices and instilling values (such as punctuality and efficien...

Q: Reread the Manager’s Notebook “Learning How to Cope with Political Risks

Reread the Manager’s Notebook “Learning How to Cope with Political Risks.” How do you think firms can better utilize HR practices to avoid the pitfalls illustrated in the Manager’s Notebook? Explain....

Q: U.S. law does not prohibit selection decisions based on

U.S. law does not prohibit selection decisions based on marital status, as long as they are applied equally to men and women. Why might a company have such a policy? Is it ethical? Is it in the best l...

Q: What do you see as the main advantages and disadvantages of Internet

What do you see as the main advantages and disadvantages of Internet-based recruiting? Explain.

Q: Given your answers to the previous questions, estimate the combined impact

Given your answers to the previous questions, estimate the combined impact of direct and indirect savings generated by training on the bottom line. Extrapolate this number over a one- or two-year tim...

Q: Roughly two generations ago many HR articles decried problems with performance appraisal

Roughly two generations ago many HR articles decried problems with performance appraisal. A common complaint was that managers did not devote sufficient time to conducting the appraisals and that bias...

Q: Go back to the Manager’s Notebook “How Harley-Davidson Is

Go back to the Manager’s Notebook “How Harley-Davidson Is Taking Advantage of a Diverse Customer Base.” If you were a HR manager of a company such as Harley-Davidson, what human resource programs woul...

Q: Of all the issues affecting HR practices discussed in this chapter,

Of all the issues affecting HR practices discussed in this chapter, which three in your opinion are the most important ones? Justify your answer.

Q: In recent years there has been an increase in the number of

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of companies that have wrongly classified an “employee” as a “contract worker,” and consequently were taken to court by workers who believed th...

Q: Do you think it is fair for a company to discipline employees

Do you think it is fair for a company to discipline employees by charging higher fees for those who show evidence of “unhealthy life styles”? According to Dr. Kevin Volpp, director of the Center for H...

Q: Based on what laws or legal concepts could you take the position

Based on what laws or legal concepts could you take the position that it is legal to fire someone for poor performance even though there may be a discriminatory aspect to the termination (which is not...

Q: On what laws and legal concepts did the employer apparently base its

On what laws and legal concepts did the employer apparently base its termination of this 61-year-old attorney?

Q: In what ways might your group’s compensation plan contribute to the customer

In what ways might your group’s compensation plan contribute to the customer satisfaction problems?

Q: What recommendations would you make to improve the compensation system in a

What recommendations would you make to improve the compensation system in a way that would likely improve customer satisfaction?

Q: As you have read, training can increase revenue. The revenue

As you have read, training can increase revenue. The revenue could come from increased quality of the customer experience due to the impact of training. Consider, as an example, the table of customer...

Q: Make assumptions about the costs in each of these categories and any

Make assumptions about the costs in each of these categories and any other direct costs you can think of. Also assume that you can expect a 10 percent reduction in each of these categories. Generate t...

Q: Assume that training results in a 10 percent reduction in your turnover

Assume that training results in a 10 percent reduction in your turnover rate. Also, assume that the cost of a turnover is 1.5 times the departing employee’s salary. For a given average employee salary...

Q: Using the evaluation framework presented in Figure 8.5, which

Using the evaluation framework presented in Figure 8.5, which level would the challenge training attempt to improve?

Q: You’re the supervisor of a group of employees whose task is to

You’re the supervisor of a group of employees whose task is to assemble disk drives that go into computers. You find that quality is not what it should be and that many of your group’s devices have to...

Q: How could you measure the training needs for each of the three

How could you measure the training needs for each of the three areas of country, job, and worker characteristics?

Q: Do you think that the three categories of potential training needs (

Do you think that the three categories of potential training needs (country, job, and worker) should receive the same or different weights? That is, should a deficit in a job competency be viewed as m...

Q: If time or budget were limited, what areas of training would

If time or budget were limited, what areas of training would be the top priority?

Q: How do you think the effectiveness of training for expatriate positions should

How do you think the effectiveness of training for expatriate positions should be measured?

Q: Training for repatriation is also an important consideration. How do you

Training for repatriation is also an important consideration. How do you think the effectiveness of training for repatriates should be measured?

Q: Do you think that SWOT analysis is a useful tool for career

Do you think that SWOT analysis is a useful tool for career development? Why or why not?

Q: Opportunities and threats have to do with external factors. What sources

Opportunities and threats have to do with external factors. What sources could be useful for obtaining this information?

Q: The concept of career anchors indicates that there is more to career

The concept of career anchors indicates that there is more to career development than having and matching skills to competency requirements. Some managers view development as a moral imperative. That...

Q: Competencies are important to career success, but so, too,

Competencies are important to career success, but so, too, are career anchors. These two factors are analogous to ability and motivation being predictors of performance (see Chapter 5). Construct a pa...

Q: Do you think that people should be required to serve as mentors

Do you think that people should be required to serve as mentors? What characteristics should these mentors possess?

Q: Pick out some task with which you are familiar—mowing the

Pick out some task with which you are familiar—mowing the lawn, tuning a car—and develop a job-instruction training sheet for it.

Q: How do you think mentors and mentees should be matched? Should

How do you think mentors and mentees should be matched? Should they be assigned or allowed to choose each other?

Q: Some states, such as Oregon, require that if a company

Some states, such as Oregon, require that if a company violates the “compensation history ban law,” employees (mostly women) have to be reimbursed for any pay gaps that might be the result of asking c...

Q: Do you think that one way to comply with the “compensation

Do you think that one way to comply with the “compensation history ban law” would be to provide all candidates with a salary range for the job in question and see if they are still willing to continue...

Q: Do you think that companies provide these types of family-oriented

Do you think that companies provide these types of family-oriented rewards for altruistic reasons? Do you see this as a trend? Explain.

Q: Do you think employees who take advantage of these forms of family

Do you think employees who take advantage of these forms of family assistance support truly value these services more than they would an equivalent amount in take-home pay?

Q: If you had a choice of working for a firm that offers

If you had a choice of working for a firm that offers you a higher wage but little in the way of family support services versus a firm that offers you a lower wage but better family support services,...

Q: Based on the data collected by the faculty council, name three

Based on the data collected by the faculty council, name three compensation problems that exist at Mountain States University.

Q: Based on what you’ve read about Antle, do you agree with

Based on what you’ve read about Antle, do you agree with the problems identified by the committee? If not, what alternative set of problems or issues do you see?

Q: What are the pros and cons of Antle’s compensation policies? Are

What are the pros and cons of Antle’s compensation policies? Are they attuned to its new business strategies of fostering growth, increasing market share, and enhancing flexibility to respond to its c...

Q: What recommendations would you offer Alan Merton for redesigning Antle’s compensation system

What recommendations would you offer Alan Merton for redesigning Antle’s compensation system?

Q: Explain the career-related factors to keep in mind when making

Explain the career-related factors to keep in mind when making the employee’s first assignments.

Q: Do you think offering incentives to key contributors motivates them as well

Do you think offering incentives to key contributors motivates them as well as other employees to do a better job? Why or why not? If not, what alternative ways do you propose? Explain

Q: Are there any potential problems with devoting most compensation dollars to rewarding

Are there any potential problems with devoting most compensation dollars to rewarding top performers, even if this means neglecting investments to improve the welfare of all employees (such as day car...

Q: According to Jim Kochanski, a compensation consultant at Sibson Consulting Co

According to Jim Kochanski, a compensation consultant at Sibson Consulting Co., there are four reasons to allocate scarce compensation dollars to reward key contributors: “it is considered ‘fair’ by m...

Q: Do you think a short pay-for-performance cycle would

Do you think a short pay-for-performance cycle would work for some jobs better than others? If so, for which kinds of jobs is it more appropriate? Provide examples and explain.

Q: Do you agree with the proposal being made by the consulting firm

Do you agree with the proposal being made by the consulting firm? Why or why not? Explain.

Q: As a small firm owner, do you think it is a

As a small firm owner, do you think it is a good idea to distribute profit gains the board among all employees or would you rather distribute the profit gains based on individual contributions? Explai...

Q: What is the common thread across the widely different examples of “

What is the common thread across the widely different examples of “merit pay” and “pay for performance” given in this case?

Q: What are some of the pros and cons of linking pay to

What are some of the pros and cons of linking pay to objective criteria that are important to the organization such as quality control measures, profitability, and low turnover?

Q: What can an organization do to ensure that merit pay and other

What can an organization do to ensure that merit pay and other incentives are administered fairly? What kind of data would you gather to ensure that the pay-for-performance system is not biased in fav...

Q: Some people believe that most employees will act ethically even though they

Some people believe that most employees will act ethically even though they have a chance to take advantage of an incentive system through inappropriate behaviors. Do you agree?

Q: In groups of four or five students, meet with several administrators

In groups of four or five students, meet with several administrators and faculty members in your college or university and, based on this, write a two-page paper on the topic “The faulty promotion pro...

Q: Costco has higher compensation expenses than Walmart as described in the case

Costco has higher compensation expenses than Walmart as described in the case. What do you consider to be the rationale that Costco uses that justifies its policy of being a leader in pay and benefits...

Q: Do you agree or disagree with Bellow’s argument that relatives of company

Do you agree or disagree with Bellow’s argument that relatives of company owners have a greater motivation to perform well and make sacrifices for the business to protect the family reputation than do...

Q: Nurses have often reported high frequencies of incidents of incivility when they

Nurses have often reported high frequencies of incidents of incivility when they are working with doctors under stressful conditions in emergency rooms and during surgeries on patients. What effect wo...

Q: A technology company in California, a state that has legalized the

A technology company in California, a state that has legalized the use of medical marijuana, currently gives all newly hired employees a preemployment urine drug test. A failure to pass the drug test...

Q: An HR manager works at a company in a state that recently

An HR manager works at a company in a state that recently legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The company restricts the use of drug testing to employees on a probable cause basis, and...

Q: Compare and contrast the differences and the similarities between workplace incivility and

Compare and contrast the differences and the similarities between workplace incivility and workplace bullying (the definition of bullying and some examples of it are described in this chapter of the t...

Q: What sources of power does the Freelancers Union use to provide services

What sources of power does the Freelancers Union use to provide services to its members?

Q: What can traditional unions, such as those affiliated with the AFL

What can traditional unions, such as those affiliated with the AFL-CIO learn from the organizing success of the Freelancers Union?

Q: Are public-sector unions in the United States too powerful?

Are public-sector unions in the United States too powerful? What is the source of the power of public-sector unions? Do you agree with Governor Walker of Wisconsin, who believes that (1) public-sector...

Q: Many public-sector employees decided to quit being union members in

Many public-sector employees decided to quit being union members in Wisconsin, as explained in the case. What alternative ways does a group of public-sector employees, such as nurses or teachers, have...

Q: Working individually or in groups, find out the unemployment rate and

Working individually or in groups, find out the unemployment rate and laws of your state. Write a summary detailing your state’s unemployment laws. Assuming Company X has a 30 percent rate of personne...

Q: Why do you think the striking public school teachers in all five

Why do you think the striking public school teachers in all five states successfully obtained higher wages and better funding for their schools?

Q: Is workplace bullying different from discrimination? Explain.

Is workplace bullying different from discrimination? Explain.

Q: Is workforce bullying different from sexual harassment? Explain.

Is workforce bullying different from sexual harassment? Explain.

Q: How could you estimate the cost of workplace bullying?

How could you estimate the cost of workplace bullying?

Q: Mental health problems often have a negative stigma. What, if

Mental health problems often have a negative stigma. What, if anything, do you think companies can do to reduce this stigma?

Q: Recognizing the importance of mental health in the workplace seems like the

Recognizing the importance of mental health in the workplace seems like the only moral thing to do. Yet, employers face difficulties in effectively dealing with this area. For example, mental health i...

Q: Mental health problems can be caused by many factors outside of the

Mental health problems can be caused by many factors outside of the workplace. For example, genetics and family life may predispose or cause mental health difficulties. Nonetheless, these difficulties...

Q: What outcomes might be associated with an incident of workplace violence?

What outcomes might be associated with an incident of workplace violence? For example, a worker who experiences abuse and harassment might file a lawsuit against the employer. What other costs might b...

Q: How could you develop a workplace culture that reduces the chances of

How could you develop a workplace culture that reduces the chances of violence in the workplace?

Q: Conflict can be a precursor to violence in the workplace. However

Conflict can be a precursor to violence in the workplace. However, supervisors can be reluctant to deal with this warning sign and opt to see whether things work themselves out. Why do you think there...