HRCI Employee Relations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does HRCI test under the 'risk management' competency in employee relations?
- Identifying and mitigating workplace safety, legal, and conduct risks (Correct answer)
- Managing investment portfolios for the company
- Overseeing cybersecurity protocols
- Auditing payroll tax compliance
Correct answer: Identifying and mitigating workplace safety, legal, and conduct risks
Risk management in HR involves recognizing and reducing exposure to workplace hazards, harassment claims, wrongful termination suits, and other legal liabilities.
Question 2: Which federal agency enforces the National Labor Relations Act?
- National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) (Correct answer)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Department of Labor (DOL)
- Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
Correct answer: National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
The NLRB is the independent federal agency that enforces the NLRA, investigating unfair labor practice charges and supervising union elections.
Question 3: What is a 'grievance procedure' in a unionized workplace?
- A formal process for resolving disputes about the collective bargaining agreement (Correct answer)
- A complaint hotline for non-union employees
- An annual performance review cycle
- A disciplinary hearing for policy violations
Correct answer: A formal process for resolving disputes about the collective bargaining agreement
A grievance procedure is a contractually defined, step-by-step process through which unionized employees or the union can challenge alleged violations of the CBA.
Question 4: What is 'positive employee relations' in the HRCI body of knowledge?
- Proactively building trust and open communication to reduce conflict and union interest (Correct answer)
- Only responding to employee complaints after they arise
- Implementing strict attendance monitoring systems
- Outsourcing HR functions to a third party
Correct answer: Proactively building trust and open communication to reduce conflict and union interest
Positive employee relations focuses on creating a respectful, transparent work environment that addresses employee needs before they escalate into formal disputes.
Question 5: Under the NLRA, which of the following is an unfair labor practice by an employer?
- Threatening employees with job loss for supporting a union (Correct answer)
- Posting job openings internally before advertising externally
- Conducting annual employee satisfaction surveys
- Offering a referral bonus program
Correct answer: Threatening employees with job loss for supporting a union
Threatening employees with termination or other adverse action for union activity violates Section 8(a)(1) of the NLRA, which prohibits interference with employee organizing rights.
Question 6: What is the purpose of an 'exit interview' in employee relations?
- To gather candid feedback about the employee experience from departing staff (Correct answer)
- To negotiate severance terms with departing employees
- To complete required government separation paperwork
- To reassign the departing employee's workload
Correct answer: To gather candid feedback about the employee experience from departing staff
Exit interviews collect qualitative data on why employees leave, revealing patterns in management, culture, or compensation that can be addressed to improve retention.
HRCI Employee Relations 2
What does HRCI test under the 'risk management' competency in employee relations?