SHRM-CP Competencies Questions - Part 11

1. An HR professional receives an anonymous tip alleging unethical practices on the part of a top-performing sales professional. The organization takes ethical issues very seriously. Which action should the HR professional take with regard to the allegations?

A) Investigate and establish any available factual information related to the allegation.
B) Penalize the sales professional by garnishing her earned commissions, because some of those commissions were earned unethically.
C) Immediately engage the sales professional regarding the allegations and see how she responds.
D) Attempt to discover the source of the anonymous tip so he can ask for additional information.



2. Refer to the following scenario for the next 2 questions. A manufacturing company has secured and signed a significant contract with a large retailer. The contract lists steps that are to be included in the manufacturing process that the company agrees to adhere to. A supervisor and several employees from the manufacturing department have learned that by skipping some of the steps outlined, there is no material change to the product. They begin to skip steps in the process. They do not volunteer this information, but neither do they try to hide it. During an exit interview, an employee discloses this information to the HR manager. The HR manager also learns that only the supervisor and members of the department are actively aware of this change. The employee further states that an agreement was made between the supervisor and the staff to not disclose this information to the division manager, as he has an ownership interest in the retailer. How should HR respond to the information received during the exit interview?

A) A. Immediately speak with each employee one on one to validate what has been heard about the production process and any skipped steps directed by the supervisor.
B) B. Talk only with the department supervisor to begin the process of understanding what is happening and why, and then respond accordingly, based on what is learned.
C) C. Share with the division manager what was learned in the exit interview, and then prepare to speak with the department supervisor about the process.
D) D. File the information, as it is from only one former employee



3. What action should the HR manager take to resolve the potential conflict of interest on the part of the division manager?

A) A. Keep the information confidential in the interest of preserving a good working relationship.
B) B. Refrain from advising senior leaders of the potential conflict, as the contract has already been signed.
C) C. Research any related policies concerning conflicts of interest, sharing them only with the division manager.
D) D. Validate the information, and if accurate, advise senior leaders of the division manager's ownership interest.



4. Which action can HR take to assist in creating an ethical organization?

A) Referring all ethical issues to legal counsel
B) Initiating a tip line for reporting ethical violations
C) Training leaders in ethical practices
D) Handling all ethical issues that arise



5. Which best describes the ethical and/or compliance problem raised by a company employee having a separate consulting contract with one of the company's clients?

A) Conflict of interest
B) Copyright violation
C) Insider trading
D) Competitive advantage