Chapter 1: Personnel Management

Question 1

Name four types of skills that managers need to have

Answer 1

1- technical skills
2- conceptual skills
3- communication skills
4- people skills

Question 2

Which of the following best describes conceptual skills?
A- perform a procedure
B- communicate clearly
C- think analytically or creatively
D- motivate and encourage others

Answer 2

C- think analytically or creatively

Question 3

True or False:

Good communication skills decrease in importance as an individual climbs the management ladder

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT one of the steps involved in goal-setting?
A- determine the allocation of resources to attain the goal
B- identify the goal
C- decide on a strategy to achieve the goal
D- assess if the goal has been reached

Answer 4

D- assess if the goal has been reached

Question 5

A basic principle for staffing a facility is to:
A- review all activities and eliminate what you can in order to do only the most necessary tasks with the least number of employees
B- divide the workload based on what tasks and average person can reasonably accomplish within the regular working hours
C- rotate the work assignments monthly or bimonthly
D- distribute the tasks according to the employees preferences

Answer 5

B- divide the workload based on what tasks an average person can reasonably accomplish within the regular working hours

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a recommendation for the hiring process?
A- the job description should be complete and specific as possible
B- the present staff is a good source to identify qualified candidates
C- any statement on the physical requirements of the job should focus on the capability of the applicant to perform the job
D- the candidate may be asked personal questions about marital status and religious affiliation during the interview

Answer 6

D- the candidate may be asked personal questions about marital status and religious affiliation during the interview

Question 7

True or false:

Asking about the applicant’s views on the use of animals in research is NOT appropriate

Answer 7

False

Question 8

An example of an activity that reflects the transcendence level in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is:
A- conducting performance appraisals
B- mentoring a subordinate
C- giving bonus to exceptional employees
D- playing softball on the company team

Answer 8

B- mentoring a subordinate

Question 9

An example of a way to avoid high employee turnover is to:
A- make sure that each individual does the same task all the time
B- provide quarterly bonuses
C- offer flexible work hours
D- avoid commenting on minor performance problems

Answer 9

C- offer flexible work hours

Question 10

If it becomes necessary for the supervisor to get involved in a conflict between two employees what is the best first step to resolve the situation?
A- request that the individuals discuss their grievances in a staff meeting
B- have them describe in writing specific actions they find objectionable
C- require that they meet with a representative of the Human Resources department
D- listen to the grievances and impose a solution

Answer 10

B- have them describe in writing specific actions they find objectionable

Question 11

The performance standards used for performance appraisals should be: 
A- measurable
B- general
C- short
D- acceptable

Answer 11

A- measurable

Question 12

True or false:

It is best to set very high performance standards so that only the very best employees meet the standards.

Answer 12

False

Question 13

Name at least three steps that may be taken before firing an employee is considered

Answer 13

1- verbal reprimand
2- written reprimand
3- suspension
4- demotion

Question 14

Where should the organization’s policies be described?

Answer 14

They should be defined in the employee handbook

Question 15

Developing a reporting structure can be classified as what kind of activity?
A- staffing
B- motivating
C- disciplining
D- organizing

Answer 15

D- Organizing

Question 16

According to Maslov’s hierarchy of needs, giving an employee a promotion would help satisfy which type of need?

Answer 16

Esteem

Question 17

Which of the following is a basic principle that should be used when staffing a facility?
A- review all activities and eliminate what you can in order to do only the most necessary tasks with the least number of employees
B- Distribute the tasks according to the employees’ preferences
C- divide the workload so that an average person can reasonably accomplish that tasks within the regular working hours
D-rotate the work assignments monthly or bi-monthly

Answer 17

C- divide the workload so that an average person can reasonably accomplish the tasks within the regular working hours

Question 18

The performance standards used for performance appraisals should be:
A- acceptable
B- general
C- measurable
D- short

Answer 18

C- measureable

Question 19

Which approach would be the best way to avoid high employee turnover?
A- avoid commenting on minor performance problems
B- provide mentoring to meet goals
C- limit each employee to the same task all the time
D- offer flexible work hours

Answer 19

D- offer flexible work hours

Question 20

What does “Performance standards should be measurable” mean?

Answer 20

There should be an objective way to determine that a task was done adequately

Question 21

Who usually establishes the majority of the unit’s goals?

Answer 21

Upper-level management

Question 22

Which definition best describes conceptual skills?
A- the ability to motivate and encourage others
B- the ability to communicate clearly
C- the ability to think analytically or creatively
D- the ability to perform a procedure

Answer 22

C- the ability to think analytically or creatively

Question 23

If it becomes necessary for the supervisor to get involved in a conflict between two employees, a good approach is to:
A- request that the individuals discuss their grievances in a staff meeting
B- listen to the grievances and impose a solution
C- require that they meet with a representative of the Human Resources department
D- have then describe in writing specific actions they find objectionable

Answer 23

D- have them describe in writing specific actions they find objectionable

Question 24

What best describes “organizing”?
A- assessing resources
B- looking at the “whole picture”
C- establishing a structure
D- allocating resources

Answer 24

C- establishing a structure

Question 25

At which level of Maslov’s hierarchy of needs would you place providing adequate security in the facility?

Answer 25

Safety needs

Question 26

Which statement best describes the intent of the “mirror principle”?
A- Your employees will generally react toward the way you act toward them
B- You should try to get to know your employees in order to understand their needs
C- You should expect your employees to be willing to do what you are willing to do
D- Preconceived notions about an employee usually turn out to be wrong

Answer 26

A- Your employees will generally react toward you the way act toward them

Question 27

The ability to clearly relate the facility’s goals to the staff is an example of:
A- people skills
B- conceptual skills
C- communication skills
D- technical skills

Answer 27

C- communication skills

Question 28

Which of the following correctly lists the three-step progression followed by many companies in disciplining employees?
A- two sets of written warnings and then termination
B- verbal warning, then a written warning, and then termination
C- verbal warning by supervisor, verbal warning by director, and then termination
D- written warning, then a verbal follow-up warning, and then termination

Answer 28

B- verbal warning, then a written warning, and then termination

Question 29

A formal complaint submitted by the union is called a:

Answer 29

Grievance

Question 30

The ability to motivate and encourage the staff is an example of which type of managerial skill?
A- communication
B- people
C- conceptual
D- technical

Answer 30

B- people

Question 31

What is generally the best way to ensure that the facility is staffed every day while keeping the budget in check?

Answer 31

Using a rotating weekend and holiday duty system

Question 32

What best applies to ongoing evaluations?
A- they are conducted during staff meeting
B- they should be limited to positive feedback
C- they should be detailed and extensive
D- the comments should focus on the work performs rather than the person

Answer 32

D- the comments should focus on the work performed rather than the person

Question 33

What is the recommended order of steps in hiring staff?

Answer 33

Developing a job description, recruiting, interviewing, selecting

Question 34

Which issue should an interview NOT ask about when a job applicant is being interviewed?
A- applicant’s age
B- applicant’s handling of problems or situations they encountered
C- applicant’s educational background
D-applicant’s feeling about the use of animals in research

Answer 34

A- applicant’s age

Question 35

Developing a reporting structure can be classified as what kind of activity?

Answer 35

Organizing