Mixed Deck — All Human Resources Topics Flashcards

In the context of OD, 'process consultation' is best described as:

Answer: A consultant helping the client perceive, understand, and act on process events

Process consultation, developed by Edgar Schein, involves a consultant helping clients observe and improve their own processes rather than providing direct solutions.

What is 'transfer of training'?

Answer: The extent to which skills learned in training are applied and maintained in the actual job

Transfer of training measures how effectively employees apply newly acquired skills and knowledge back on the job.

What is the role of 'developmental feedback' in performance management?

Answer: Providing specific, forward-looking guidance to help employees improve skills and advance their careers

Developmental feedback focuses on future growth, offering specific, actionable guidance to help employees build capabilities and achieve career goals.

Under the Weingarten Rights, what does a unionized employee have the right to during an investigatory interview?

Answer: Have a union representative present if they reasonably believe discipline may result

Weingarten Rights allow unionized employees to request union representation during investigatory interviews that could lead to discipline.

What does 'needs assessment' determine in the context of training?

Answer: Whether a performance gap exists and if training is the appropriate solution

A training needs assessment identifies skill or knowledge gaps between current and desired performance to determine if training is the right intervention.

Large Group Interventions (LGIs) such as 'Future Search' or 'Open Space Technology' are primarily used to:

Answer: Engage the entire organization or large stakeholder groups in shaping the future direction

LGIs bring together large, diverse groups to collectively envision and plan systemic organizational change, accelerating alignment and commitment.

What is 'pay equity' analysis?

Answer: Evaluating whether employees receive equal pay for equal work regardless of protected characteristics

Pay equity analysis identifies and corrects unjustified pay disparities between employees in similar roles based on gender, race, or other protected characteristics.

What is 'attribution bias' and how does it affect performance reviews?

Answer: The tendency to attribute success to internal factors and failure to external factors (or vice versa) when assessing employee performance

Attribution bias causes managers to explain employee performance based on internal traits vs. external circumstances in inconsistent, often unfair ways.

Under IRCA (Immigration Reform and Control Act), employers must complete Form I-9 to verify what?

Answer: Employee's identity and work authorization in the US

Form I-9 requires employers to verify every new hire's identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.

What is 'on-the-job training' (OJT)?

Answer: Learning job skills through hands-on practice in the actual work environment

OJT involves employees learning job tasks by performing them in the actual work setting, typically under the guidance of an experienced colleague.

What does the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibit?

Answer: Using genetic information in employment decisions and health insurance underwriting

GINA prohibits employers from using genetic information (family medical history, genetic tests) in hiring, firing, pay, or other employment decisions.

What is 'positive discipline' as a workplace management approach?

Answer: Focusing on problem-solving and employee self-regulation rather than punitive measures

Positive discipline replaces punishment-based systems with collaborative problem-solving, reminders, and decision-making leaves to improve behavior.

What distinguishes 'summative' from 'formative' performance evaluation?

Answer: Summative provides a final performance judgment at the end of a period; formative provides ongoing feedback for development

Summative evaluation produces an end-of-period judgment (rating, ranking), while formative evaluation provides continuous feedback to guide improvement.

Which payroll tax funds the federal unemployment insurance system?

Answer: FUTA

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) funds the federal portion of the unemployment insurance system and is paid solely by employers.

Which stage of Kotter's 8-Step Change Model involves communicating the change vision broadly throughout the organization?

Answer: Step 4 – Communicate the Vision

Kotter's Step 4 explicitly focuses on broadly and repeatedly communicating the change vision to all stakeholders.

What does the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) require employers to provide to qualified individuals with disabilities?

Answer: Reasonable accommodations unless they impose undue hardship

The ADA requires employers with 15+ employees to provide reasonable accommodations that enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

What is 'recency bias' in performance reviews?

Answer: Overweighting the most recent performance period rather than evaluating the full review cycle

Recency bias occurs when a manager gives disproportionate weight to the employee's most recent performance, positively or negatively, rather than the full review period.

What is 'halo effect' as a performance appraisal bias?

Answer: Allowing one outstanding trait to positively influence ratings on all other dimensions

The halo effect occurs when a rater allows one positive characteristic to overly influence ratings of all other performance dimensions.

Which training method involves employees temporarily performing duties in different departments to broaden their skills?

Answer: Job rotation

Job rotation systematically moves employees through different roles or departments to build cross-functional skills and organizational understanding.

Under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act), what are plan fiduciaries required to do?

Answer: Act in the best interest of plan participants and beneficiaries

ERISA requires plan fiduciaries to act solely in the interest of participants and beneficiaries when managing retirement and benefit plans.