SHRM Ultimate 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An employee files an EEOC charge alleging racial discrimination. Two weeks later, the manager gives the employee a negative performance review. What is the primary legal concern?
- Defamation
- Retaliation (Correct answer)
- Constructive discharge
- Wrongful termination
Correct answer: Retaliation
Adverse actions taken shortly after protected activity constitute retaliation under Title VII, which is independently unlawful.
Question 2: Which SHRM competency cluster encompasses the ability to influence stakeholders and navigate organizational politics effectively?
- Business Acumen
- Leadership & Navigation
- Relationship Management (Correct answer)
- Consultation
Correct answer: Relationship Management
Relationship Management involves influencing, negotiating, and networking with stakeholders across the organization.
Question 3: A company conducts a reduction in force (RIF). Under the WARN Act, how many days advance notice must employers with 100+ employees generally provide?
- 30 days
- 45 days
- 60 days (Correct answer)
- 90 days
Correct answer: 60 days
The WARN Act requires 60 calendar days' advance notice for covered plant closings and mass layoffs.
Question 4: An HR manager is designing a pay structure and wants to ensure internal equity. Which tool best measures the relative worth of jobs within the organization?
- Salary survey
- Job evaluation (Correct answer)
- Compa-ratio analysis
- Pay benchmarking
Correct answer: Job evaluation
Job evaluation systematically determines the relative value of jobs to establish internal equity in pay structures.
Question 5: Which type of interview format has been shown to have the highest predictive validity for job performance?
- Unstructured behavioral interview
- Structured situational interview (Correct answer)
- Panel interview
- Stress interview
Correct answer: Structured situational interview
Structured situational interviews, with standardized questions and scoring, consistently demonstrate the highest predictive validity.
Question 6: An organization wants to shift from a traditional performance appraisal to a continuous feedback model. What is the primary expected benefit?
- Reduced HR administrative burden
- More timely course correction and development (Correct answer)
- Elimination of performance documentation
- Simplified compensation decisions
Correct answer: More timely course correction and development
Continuous feedback allows employees to adjust behaviors and improve performance in real time rather than waiting for annual reviews.
Question 7: Under FMLA, which of the following conditions qualifies an employee for leave?
- Elective cosmetic surgery with no complications
- A chronic serious health condition that requires periodic treatment (Correct answer)
- Short-term illness lasting fewer than three days
- Routine preventive medical checkups
Correct answer: A chronic serious health condition that requires periodic treatment
Chronic serious health conditions requiring periodic treatment, such as asthma or diabetes, qualify for FMLA leave.
SHRM Ultimate 2
An employee files an EEOC charge alleging racial discrimination.
Two weeks later, the manager gives the employee a negative performance review.
What is the primary legal concern?