MPA Human Resources Management in Public Sector 3

Question 1

What is 'broadbanding' in public sector compensation systems?

Accepted Answer

Consolidating many narrow pay grades into a few wide salary bands, giving managers more flexibility in pay decisions

Answer

Broadcasting job announcements widely to attract diverse candidates

Answer

Setting pay based on nationwide surveys of private sector wages

Answer

Linking pay increases to annual cost-of-living adjustments

Question 2

In federal employment law, what is the purpose of the 'reduction in force' (RIF) process?

Accepted Answer

A structured process for laying off employees based on objective criteria (tenure, veterans' preference, performance) when positions are eliminated

Answer

Disciplining employees who violate agency policies

Answer

Demoting employees who fail performance standards

Answer

Terminating probationary employees who do not meet expectations

Question 3

What does 'comparable worth' (pay equity) theory argue in public sector compensation?

Accepted Answer

That jobs of similar value to the organization should be paid similarly, addressing gender-based pay disparities between different job categories

Answer

That public employees should be paid the same as private sector workers

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That all employees within the same grade should receive equal pay

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That government wages should be set by collective bargaining alone

Question 4

Which performance management concept involves employees and supervisors jointly establishing specific, measurable performance targets at the start of the evaluation period?

Accepted Answer

Management by objectives (MBO)

Answer

360-degree feedback

Answer

Forced distribution (bell curve) rating

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Behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS)

Question 5

The 'glass ceiling' concept in public sector organizations refers to:

Accepted Answer

Invisible barriers that prevent women and minorities from advancing to senior leadership positions

Answer

Transparency requirements for government operations

Answer

Budget caps that limit agency spending growth

Answer

Glass facades on modern government office buildings

Question 6

What is the 'Senior Executive Service' (SES) in the U.S. federal government?

Accepted Answer

A cadre of career and noncareer managers in key executive positions just below political appointees, created to improve executive leadership

Answer

A separate pension plan for long-serving federal employees

Answer

A classification system for high-security intelligence positions

Answer

A program for recruiting top private sector executives into government