FREE Professional in Human Resources - California (PHRca) Employee Relations and Terminations Questions and Answers

Question 1

An employer in California with 85 employees lays off 55 workers within a 30-day period due to a sudden loss of a major client.
What are the employer's primary obligations under the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (Cal-WARN) Act?

Accepted Answer

Provide 60 days' advance written notice to affected employees and various government entities.

Answer

Provide 30 days' advance written notice to the affected employees and government entities.

Answer

Offer a severance package equivalent to one week of pay for each year of service.

Answer

No notice is required because the layoff was due to an unforeseeable business circumstance.

Question 2

A manager at a California company is terminated for poor performance. The termination meeting is conducted, and the manager is informed of the decision. According to the California Labor Code, when must the employer provide the manager with their final paycheck, including all earned wages and accrued, unused vacation time?

Accepted Answer

Immediately at the time of termination.

Answer

On the next regularly scheduled payday.

Answer

Within 72 hours of the termination.

Answer

Within 24 hours of the termination.

Question 3

An employee resigns from their job, claiming they were forced to quit because their supervisor subjected them to a continuous pattern of derogatory comments, exclusion from team activities, and unreasonable performance standards after the employee reported a safety concern. This scenario could potentially lead to what type of legal claim?

Accepted Answer

Constructive discharge

Answer

Breach of implied contract

Answer

Promissory estoppel

Answer

Negligent hiring

Question 4

A former employee submits a written request to inspect their personnel file. Under California Labor Code section 1198.5, which of the following documents is the employer permitted to withhold from the inspection?

Accepted Answer

Records relating to the investigation of a possible criminal offense.

Answer

Performance reviews conducted during their employment.

Answer

Attendance records and timesheets.

Answer

Copies of their original employment application.

Question 5

An employee is fired shortly after filing a workers' compensation claim for a legitimate on-the-job injury. Although the company is in an 'at-will' employment state, this termination may be illegal based on which exception?

Accepted Answer

Public policy exception

Answer

Implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing

Answer

Promissory estoppel

Answer

Implied contract exception

Question 6

An HR manager receives a complaint from an employee alleging harassment by a supervisor. To ensure a legally defensible investigation that complies with California's FEHA requirements, what is one of the most critical initial steps?

Accepted Answer

Assign a trained, neutral investigator and take prompt action to begin the investigation.

Answer

Immediately terminate the supervisor to show a zero-tolerance policy.

Answer

Require the complainant to provide a sworn affidavit before proceeding.

Answer

Wait to see if more complaints are filed to establish a pattern of behavior.

An employer in California with 85 employees lays off 55 workers within a 30-day period due to a sudden loss of a major client.What are the employer's primary obligations under the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (Cal-WARN) Act?

An employer in California with 85 employees lays off 55 workers within a 30-day period due to a sudden loss of a major client.
What are the employer's primary obligations under the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (Cal-WARN) Act?