CSS Human Resources & Personnel Management 3

Question 1

What does Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) require of federal agencies as employers?

Accepted Answer

Agencies must ensure employment decisions are free from discrimination based on protected characteristics

Answer

Agencies must hire a fixed percentage of minority employees each year

Answer

Agencies must pay all employees equal salaries regardless of position

Answer

Agencies must promote employees strictly by seniority

Question 2

What is a 'Schedule A' hiring authority in federal employment?

Accepted Answer

An excepted service authority that allows agencies to hire persons with disabilities without competition

Answer

An expedited process for hiring senior executives

Answer

A rule requiring agencies to post all vacancies on USAJOBS for 14 days

Answer

A classification for positions requiring top-secret clearances

Question 3

What is the key difference between 'competitive service' and 'excepted service' positions in the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Competitive service requires open, competitive hiring through OPM rules, while excepted service positions are filled under separate, agency-specific authorities

Answer

Competitive service positions pay more than excepted service positions

Answer

Excepted service positions require higher security clearances

Answer

Competitive service employees cannot be promoted, while excepted service employees can

Question 4

Under what circumstances can a federal agency place an employee on administrative leave?

Accepted Answer

When an investigation or inquiry is pending and the employee's presence may pose a risk or interfere with the investigation

Answer

Only when the employee requests it for personal reasons

Answer

As a disciplinary measure for minor infractions

Answer

Only during a government shutdown

Question 5

What is the purpose of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA)?

Accepted Answer

To provide workers' compensation benefits to federal employees who are injured on the job or develop occupational diseases

Answer

To set the pay scale for all federal employees

Answer

To regulate collective bargaining rights for federal unions

Answer

To establish retirement benefits for long-term federal employees

Question 6

What does the term 'dual compensation' refer to in the context of federal employment?

Accepted Answer

The combination of a federal civilian salary and military retired pay, which may be subject to pay limitations

Answer

Receiving both a federal salary and state government salary simultaneously

Answer

Receiving pay from two different federal agencies for the same period

Answer

Overtime pay added on top of a regular federal salary

Question 7

What is the primary function of a position description (PD) in civil service HR management?

Accepted Answer

To document the duties, responsibilities, and qualification requirements of a specific position for classification and staffing purposes

Answer

To serve as the official performance evaluation for an employee

Answer

To outline the agency's organizational chart

Answer

To set the disciplinary procedures applicable to an employee