1. What steps should the HR manager take to address the direction by the plant manager to ignore HR's recommendations? D is incorrect. The appropriate discussions need to take place in order to validate the concern; avoiding the potential of conflict could only make the issue worse.
A) A. Advise the head office that she is being retaliated against by the plant manager because of the investigation. B) B. Call corporate immediately, advising them of the situation; then follow the recommendations that they provide. C) C. Further investigate the statements to determine the full context of the situation before taking action. D) D. Document the conversation and file it in case it is needed in the future.
2. What characteristic describes an effective professional network?
A) Focused on experts with formal organizational relationships to the network builder B) Containing a limited number of internal and external contacts in the HR profession C) Respected members of the HR profession who can serve an immediate purpose D) Composed of internal and external members at different levels and in different roles
3. Which best describes the concept of a stakeholder?
A) Anyone who shares in the value of an organization and its activities B) Person with a legally defined or contractual relationship with a firm C) Member of the senior or global management team D) Someone who owns a financial interest in a business venture
4. An HR manager is new at an organization and wants to start networking. Which is the best way to get this process going?
A) Make yourself likeable by smiling and praising each person in some way. B) Make a list of your needs and ask others to help you cross things off your list. C) Listen to the needs of anyone you come into contact with and offer to help if you can. D) Informally discuss one need you have with each person you come into contact with.
5. Refer to the following scenario for the next 3 questions. An organization has witnessed a steady decline in revenue for the past 9 months, and employee morale is low. Department managers are highly competitive with each other and tend to use an authoritarian management style with their teams. As a result, communication across departments is infrequent, employees are distrustful of their managers, and work teams are constantly experiencing delays. Product errors have been increasing as well. The CEO tasks an HR manager with investigating workplace problems and developing solutions. With the CEO's approval, the HR manager begins monthly training workshops with department managers to encourage more cooperation. The HR manager believes that department managers do not understand the responsibilities of other departments, which isolates them from each other. What should the HR manager do?
A) A. Schedule weekly cross-departmental manager meetings to discuss department functions and challenges. B) B. Conduct a communication workshop training session for department managers. C) C. Temporarily transfer department managers across departments to gain experience working with different groups. D) D. Host a workday retreat for department managers to learn about the different departments.
1. Right Answer: C Explanation: C is the best response. The HR manager needs to understand the extent of the problem before deciding on next steps. It is possible that there is a legitimate concern about HR's performance. A is incorrect. Until the HR manager knows whether there are legitimate concerns about performance, it would be premature and unfair to claim retaliation. This could damage HR's relationship with corporate and further erode the relationship with the plant manager. B is incorrect. The HR manager does not have enough information at this time to warrant a call to corporate. Further discussion needs to be conducted first.
2. Right Answer: D Explanation: An effective professional network can include members from one's own organization as well as outside the organization. They may be HR professionals, but they may come from other disciplines. They can be above or below the network builder's own organizational level. They can contribute value to the network builder, and they can receive value.
3. Right Answer: A Explanation: A stakeholder has an interest in the operation, value, and activities of an organization, although this interest may or may not be financial or contractual. A stakeholder is a participant in receiving value directly or indirectly.
4. Right Answer: C Explanation: Networking starts with listening and helping others with their needs. Understanding and helping colleagues with their needs will pay dividends when you present your own needs, because they will be more receptive to listen and help. For example, a department lead might provide access to a person in his or her department.
5. Right Answer: A Explanation: A is correct. As the HR manager has been tasked with resolution of the problem, bringing the department managers together to open the lines of communication is an ideal initial step to break down the silos that have been created. B is incorrect, as this training is already taking place. C is incorrect. This would not be a cost-effective approach to enhance communication among leaders. D is incorrect, as this does not address the sustainability of encouraging ongoing communication.
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