COA COA Human Resources & Personnel Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family or medical reasons?
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (Correct answer)
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Correct answer: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The FMLA requires covered employers to provide eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for qualifying reasons.
Question 2: An employee's performance has declined due to a personal issue. The best initial HR approach is to:
- Issue a written warning immediately
- Schedule a private counseling or support conversation (Correct answer)
- Place the employee on a performance improvement plan (PIP)
- Recommend termination to avoid further decline
Correct answer: Schedule a private counseling or support conversation
A private, supportive conversation allows HR to understand root causes before escalating to formal disciplinary steps.
Question 3: What does the term 'at-will employment' mean in the US context?
- Employees can only be terminated for documented cause
- Either the employer or employee can end the relationship at any time for any lawful reason (Correct answer)
- Employees must give 30 days notice before resigning
- Employers must provide severance pay upon termination
Correct answer: Either the employer or employee can end the relationship at any time for any lawful reason
At-will employment means either party can end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, as long as it is not for an illegal reason.
Question 4: Which document formally outlines the duties, responsibilities, required skills, and reporting structure for a specific job?
- Organizational chart
- Employee handbook
- Job description (Correct answer)
- Compensation survey
Correct answer: Job description
A job description documents the essential functions, qualifications, and reporting relationships for a position.
Question 5: A new hire's I-9 form must be completed by the employee no later than:
- The day before the first day of work
- Their first day of employment
- Within 3 business days of the first day of employment (Correct answer)
- Within 30 days of hire
Correct answer: Within 3 business days of the first day of employment
Employees must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 by their first day, and employers must complete Section 2 within 3 business days.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'progressive discipline' in HR?
- Immediately terminating employees who violate policy
- A series of escalating corrective actions before termination (Correct answer)
- Rewarding employees who improve performance over time
- Allowing employees to self-select disciplinary outcomes
Correct answer: A series of escalating corrective actions before termination
Progressive discipline uses a sequence of increasing consequences (verbal warning → written warning → suspension → termination) to correct behavior.
Question 7: When calculating overtime pay under the FLSA, non-exempt employees must receive at least how much for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek?
- 1.25 times the regular rate
- 1.5 times the regular rate (Correct answer)
- 2 times the regular rate
- The same regular rate with a bonus
Correct answer: 1.5 times the regular rate
The FLSA mandates that non-exempt employees receive at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
COA COA Human Resources & Personnel Management 4
Which federal law requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family or medical reasons?