WGU D351 Functions of Human Resource
Management terms ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Absenteeism - CORRECT ANSWERS The failure of an employee to report to the
workplace as scheduled
Accountability - CORRECT ANSWERS The personal duty to someone else (a higher-
level manager or the organization itself) for the effective use of resources to complete an
assignment
Active listening - CORRECT ANSWERS The intention and ability to listen to others, use
the content and context of the communication, and respond appropriately
Adverse employment action - CORRECT ANSWERS Any action, such as firings,
demotions, schedule reductions, or changes, that would harm the individual employee
Affirmative action - CORRECT ANSWERS A series of policies, programs, and initiatives
that have been instituted by various entities within both government and the private sector that
are designed to prefer hiring of individuals from protected groups in certain circumstances in an
attempt to mitigate past discrimination
Arbitrator - CORRECT ANSWERS A neutral third party who resolves a conflict by
making a binding decision
Assessment center - CORRECT ANSWERS A place where job applicants undergo a series
of tests, interviews, and simulated experiences to determine their potential for a particular job
,Authority - CORRECT ANSWERS The right to give orders, enforce obedience, make
decisions, and commit resources toward completing organizational goals
Autocratic style of management - CORRECT ANSWERS Highly directive and low in
supportiveness. Appropriate when interacting with low-capability employees.
Consultative style of management - CORRECT ANSWERS Highly directive and highly
supportive behavior, is appropriate when interacting with moderately capable employees. Give
specific instructions, and oversee performance at all major stages of a task.
Participative style of management - CORRECT ANSWERS Low directive behavior and
high supportive behavior, and it is appropriate when interacting with employees with high
capability. Spend a small amount of time giving general directions and a great deal of time
giving encouragement.
Empowering Style of Management - CORRECT ANSWERS Provide very little direction
or support to employees, appropriate for outstanding employees. You should let them know what
needs to be done and answer their questions, but it is not necessary to oversee their performance.
Behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) form - CORRECT ANSWERS A performance
appraisal that provides a description of each assessment along a continuum
Behaviors - CORRECT ANSWERS The actions taken by an individual
Bias - CORRECT ANSWERS A personality-based tendency, either toward or against
something
,Biological job design - CORRECT ANSWERS Designing jobs by focusing on minimizing
the physical strain on the worker by structuring the physical work environment around the way
the body works
Bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) - CORRECT ANSWERS A qualification
that is absolutely required in order for an individual to be able to successfully do a particular job
Bonus - CORRECT ANSWERS A lump sum payment, typically given to an individual at
the end of a time period
Broadbanding - CORRECT ANSWERS Combining multiple pay levels into one
Burnout - CORRECT ANSWERS Constant lack of interest and motivation to perform
one's job
Business necessity - CORRECT ANSWERS When a particular practice is necessary for
the safe and efficient operation of the business and when there is a specific business purpose for
applying a particular standard that may, in fact, be discriminatory
Business skills - CORRECT ANSWERS The analytical and quantitative skills—including
in-depth knowledge of how the business works and its budgeting and strategic-planning
processes—that are necessary for a manager to understand and contribute to the profitability of
the organization
Career - CORRECT ANSWERS The individually perceived sequence of attitudes and
behaviors associated with work-related experiences and activities over the span of a person's life
Career plateau - CORRECT ANSWERS When an individual feels unchallenged in their
current job and has little or no chance of advancement
, Centralization - CORRECT ANSWERS Degree to which decision making is concentrated
within the organization
Coaching - CORRECT ANSWERS The process of giving motivational feedback to
maintain and improve performance
COBRA - CORRECT ANSWERS A law that requires employers to offer to maintain
health insurance on individuals who leave their employment (for a period of time)
Cognitive ability test - CORRECT ANSWERS An assessment of general intelligence or of
some type of aptitude for a particular job
Cohesiveness - CORRECT ANSWERS An intent and desire for group members to stick
together in their actions
Collective bargaining - CORRECT ANSWERS The negotiation process resulting in a
contract between union employees and management that covers employment conditions
Commission - CORRECT ANSWERS A payment typically provided to a salesperson for
selling an item to a customer
Communication - CORRECT ANSWERS The process of transmitting information and
meaning
Compensation - CORRECT ANSWERS The total of an employee's pay and benefits
Management terms ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Absenteeism - CORRECT ANSWERS The failure of an employee to report to the
workplace as scheduled
Accountability - CORRECT ANSWERS The personal duty to someone else (a higher-
level manager or the organization itself) for the effective use of resources to complete an
assignment
Active listening - CORRECT ANSWERS The intention and ability to listen to others, use
the content and context of the communication, and respond appropriately
Adverse employment action - CORRECT ANSWERS Any action, such as firings,
demotions, schedule reductions, or changes, that would harm the individual employee
Affirmative action - CORRECT ANSWERS A series of policies, programs, and initiatives
that have been instituted by various entities within both government and the private sector that
are designed to prefer hiring of individuals from protected groups in certain circumstances in an
attempt to mitigate past discrimination
Arbitrator - CORRECT ANSWERS A neutral third party who resolves a conflict by
making a binding decision
Assessment center - CORRECT ANSWERS A place where job applicants undergo a series
of tests, interviews, and simulated experiences to determine their potential for a particular job
,Authority - CORRECT ANSWERS The right to give orders, enforce obedience, make
decisions, and commit resources toward completing organizational goals
Autocratic style of management - CORRECT ANSWERS Highly directive and low in
supportiveness. Appropriate when interacting with low-capability employees.
Consultative style of management - CORRECT ANSWERS Highly directive and highly
supportive behavior, is appropriate when interacting with moderately capable employees. Give
specific instructions, and oversee performance at all major stages of a task.
Participative style of management - CORRECT ANSWERS Low directive behavior and
high supportive behavior, and it is appropriate when interacting with employees with high
capability. Spend a small amount of time giving general directions and a great deal of time
giving encouragement.
Empowering Style of Management - CORRECT ANSWERS Provide very little direction
or support to employees, appropriate for outstanding employees. You should let them know what
needs to be done and answer their questions, but it is not necessary to oversee their performance.
Behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) form - CORRECT ANSWERS A performance
appraisal that provides a description of each assessment along a continuum
Behaviors - CORRECT ANSWERS The actions taken by an individual
Bias - CORRECT ANSWERS A personality-based tendency, either toward or against
something
,Biological job design - CORRECT ANSWERS Designing jobs by focusing on minimizing
the physical strain on the worker by structuring the physical work environment around the way
the body works
Bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) - CORRECT ANSWERS A qualification
that is absolutely required in order for an individual to be able to successfully do a particular job
Bonus - CORRECT ANSWERS A lump sum payment, typically given to an individual at
the end of a time period
Broadbanding - CORRECT ANSWERS Combining multiple pay levels into one
Burnout - CORRECT ANSWERS Constant lack of interest and motivation to perform
one's job
Business necessity - CORRECT ANSWERS When a particular practice is necessary for
the safe and efficient operation of the business and when there is a specific business purpose for
applying a particular standard that may, in fact, be discriminatory
Business skills - CORRECT ANSWERS The analytical and quantitative skills—including
in-depth knowledge of how the business works and its budgeting and strategic-planning
processes—that are necessary for a manager to understand and contribute to the profitability of
the organization
Career - CORRECT ANSWERS The individually perceived sequence of attitudes and
behaviors associated with work-related experiences and activities over the span of a person's life
Career plateau - CORRECT ANSWERS When an individual feels unchallenged in their
current job and has little or no chance of advancement
, Centralization - CORRECT ANSWERS Degree to which decision making is concentrated
within the organization
Coaching - CORRECT ANSWERS The process of giving motivational feedback to
maintain and improve performance
COBRA - CORRECT ANSWERS A law that requires employers to offer to maintain
health insurance on individuals who leave their employment (for a period of time)
Cognitive ability test - CORRECT ANSWERS An assessment of general intelligence or of
some type of aptitude for a particular job
Cohesiveness - CORRECT ANSWERS An intent and desire for group members to stick
together in their actions
Collective bargaining - CORRECT ANSWERS The negotiation process resulting in a
contract between union employees and management that covers employment conditions
Commission - CORRECT ANSWERS A payment typically provided to a salesperson for
selling an item to a customer
Communication - CORRECT ANSWERS The process of transmitting information and
meaning
Compensation - CORRECT ANSWERS The total of an employee's pay and benefits
