Human Resources & Labor Relations Flashcards

Which recruitment approach involves filling a position by considering only employees currently working within the organization before advertising externally?

Answer: Promotional or internal recruitment

Promotional or internal recruitment limits the applicant pool to current employees, supporting career development and rewarding organizational loyalty.

A city manager is negotiating a successor collective bargaining agreement. The union proposes a 'maintenance of membership' clause. What does this mean?

Answer: Employees who are union members at contract signing must remain members through the contract term

Maintenance of membership requires that employees who are union members when the contract takes effect remain members for the duration of the agreement.

Which legal framework specifically protects the right of public employees to organize and bargain collectively at the federal level?

Answer: Executive Order 10988 (1962) and its successors

Federal employees' collective bargaining rights stem from Executive Order 10988 (Kennedy, 1962), later codified by the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.

During a disciplinary investigation, a municipal manager discovers the accused employee has a prior disciplinary record. Under progressive discipline, this information MOST appropriately:

Answer: May be considered when determining the severity of the current penalty

Progressive discipline considers prior disciplinary history as an aggravating factor when determining the appropriate penalty for a current infraction.

Which selection method has been shown to have the HIGHEST predictive validity for future job performance?

Answer: Work sample tests and structured behavioral interviews

Research consistently shows that work sample tests and structured behavioral interviews, especially used together, have the highest predictive validity for job performance.

An employee who reports a supervisor's illegal activity to a state agency and is subsequently demoted may have a claim under:

Answer: Whistleblower protection statutes

Most states and the federal government have whistleblower protection statutes that prohibit retaliation against employees who report illegal activity.

A 'zipper clause' aside, which doctrine requires a public employer to bargain over a mandatory subject before changing a condition of employment during a contract term?

Answer: Duty to bargain in good faith / mid-term bargaining obligation

The duty to bargain in good faith generally requires that an employer bargain with the union before unilaterally changing a mandatory subject of bargaining, even during a contract term if not addressed by the agreement.