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SHRM-CP Competencies Questions - Part 33
1. Which communication method is more likely to be effective in high-context cultures?
A) Written
B) E-mail
C) Face-to-face
D) Multimedia presentations
2. Which culture is more likely to prefer a verbal agreement or handshake to a detailed contract?
A) Particularist
B) Outer-directed
C) Ascriptive
D) Universalist
3. Refer to the following scenario for the next 3 questions. Soon after a new HR manager begins working at a manufacturing plant, an employee stops by the HR manager's office and places $500 on the HR manager's desk. The employee indicates that the HR manager is the winner of the plant's monthly lottery, and since the HR manager is new, the employees who participate decided to not make the HR manager pay to enter the lottery. The HR manager is uncomfortable accepting the money because it might violate the company's anti-gambling policy and asks if the money can be added to the lottery for the following month. Later, the HR manager reviews the corporate policy on gambling and finds that it is not clear. The HR manager consults with the corporate HR director, who tells the HR manager that local laws about gambling are ambiguous and a new policy should be adopted at the plant banning such activities. The HR manager informs the plant manager, who becomes very upset and indicates that the lottery is a long-standing tradition that boosts employee morale. The plant manager advises the HR manager to allow the lottery until the end of the year, given that the existing company policy and local laws are ambiguous. How should the HR manager respond to the plant manager's suggestion?
A) A. Ask the plant manager to raise the issue with the corporate HR director.
B) B. Tell the plant manager that the lottery must stop as indicated by the corporate HR director.
C) C. Schedule a meeting with the corporate HR director and the plant manager to discuss the issue.
D) D. Send the plant manager the policy and law so the plant manager can understand the need to stop the lottery.
4. Once the new policy goes into effect, many employees are upset with the HR manager and develop a negative attitude toward HR. What should the HR manager do to develop and maintain mutual trust and respect with employees?
A) A. Walk around the plant to talk to employees and get to know them better.
B) B. Meet with the corporate HR director to identify a legally acceptable activity to replace the lottery.
C) C. Organize a company-sponsored picnic for all employees and their families.
D) D. Organize one-on-one interviews with employees to discuss what the HR manager can do better.
5. What should the HR manager do to encourage compliance with the new policy?
A) A. Install surveillance cameras throughout the plant to monitor employees' behavior.
B) B. Have informal discussions with employees asking about whether anyone is holding lotteries.
C) C. Write an article in the company newsletter outlining the reasons why the policy is beneficial.
D) D. Hang posters throughout the company outlining the disciplinary procedures if anyone breaks the policy.
A) Written
B) E-mail
C) Face-to-face
D) Multimedia presentations
2. Which culture is more likely to prefer a verbal agreement or handshake to a detailed contract?
A) Particularist
B) Outer-directed
C) Ascriptive
D) Universalist
3. Refer to the following scenario for the next 3 questions. Soon after a new HR manager begins working at a manufacturing plant, an employee stops by the HR manager's office and places $500 on the HR manager's desk. The employee indicates that the HR manager is the winner of the plant's monthly lottery, and since the HR manager is new, the employees who participate decided to not make the HR manager pay to enter the lottery. The HR manager is uncomfortable accepting the money because it might violate the company's anti-gambling policy and asks if the money can be added to the lottery for the following month. Later, the HR manager reviews the corporate policy on gambling and finds that it is not clear. The HR manager consults with the corporate HR director, who tells the HR manager that local laws about gambling are ambiguous and a new policy should be adopted at the plant banning such activities. The HR manager informs the plant manager, who becomes very upset and indicates that the lottery is a long-standing tradition that boosts employee morale. The plant manager advises the HR manager to allow the lottery until the end of the year, given that the existing company policy and local laws are ambiguous. How should the HR manager respond to the plant manager's suggestion?
A) A. Ask the plant manager to raise the issue with the corporate HR director.
B) B. Tell the plant manager that the lottery must stop as indicated by the corporate HR director.
C) C. Schedule a meeting with the corporate HR director and the plant manager to discuss the issue.
D) D. Send the plant manager the policy and law so the plant manager can understand the need to stop the lottery.
4. Once the new policy goes into effect, many employees are upset with the HR manager and develop a negative attitude toward HR. What should the HR manager do to develop and maintain mutual trust and respect with employees?
A) A. Walk around the plant to talk to employees and get to know them better.
B) B. Meet with the corporate HR director to identify a legally acceptable activity to replace the lottery.
C) C. Organize a company-sponsored picnic for all employees and their families.
D) D. Organize one-on-one interviews with employees to discuss what the HR manager can do better.
5. What should the HR manager do to encourage compliance with the new policy?
A) A. Install surveillance cameras throughout the plant to monitor employees' behavior.
B) B. Have informal discussions with employees asking about whether anyone is holding lotteries.
C) C. Write an article in the company newsletter outlining the reasons why the policy is beneficial.
D) D. Hang posters throughout the company outlining the disciplinary procedures if anyone breaks the policy.
1. Right Answer: C
Explanation: One aspect of high-context cultures is that their members rely more heavily on what surrounds a statement (nonverbal cues, history, the speaker's identity) rather than the literal meaning of the communication.
2. Right Answer: A
Explanation: In a particularist culture, a strong handshake agreement may be sufficient, and requiring a written agreement may be perceived as an insult. This may be contrasted with a universalist culture, which focuses on rules and the existence of one right way.
3. Right Answer: C
Explanation: C is correct. Given that the HR manager is new to the plant, this would be a good way to address the gambling issue and further develop the relationship with the plant manager by working together to come up with an alternative. A and B are incorrect. At this point in time, given that the HR manager has not attempted to influence the plant manager's thoughts on this matter, it would be premature to involve the corporate HR director. D is incorrect, as just sending the policy and law to the plant manager does not resolve the issue.
4. Right Answer: A
Explanation: A is correct. Building trust is critical to the success of the HR function. Given the recent changes spearheaded by the HR manager, it is even more important to focus on the relationship with the employee population, as it has most likely been impacted by the policy change. The most effective way to determine the level of impact and work toward changing perceptions is to have face-to-face interactions with the employee population. B is incorrect, as providing an alternative to the lottery attempts to win a popularity contest versus developing the relationship. C is incorrect, as HR is then seen as a party planner, and this action is not a step to developing the relationship with employees. D is incorrect. Given this recent policy change spearheaded by the HR manager, this would not be the best point in time to obtain objective feedback and would most likely result in more emotionally charged feedback, further eroding a positive relationship.
5. Right Answer: C
Explanation: C is correct. The article could be part of a structured communication approach that includes a series of communications (e.g., face-to-face, newsletter) to help to reinforce the message of the updated policy and the importance of having an anti-gambling policy in the workplace. A is incorrect, because it will probably have a negative impact on employee morale and engagement. It may also raise local compliance issues. B is incorrect, because it does not provide a reasonable explanation for the policy. D is incorrect, because relying on negative reinforcement (punishment) is generally less effective with employees than presenting a reasoned explanation.
Explanation: One aspect of high-context cultures is that their members rely more heavily on what surrounds a statement (nonverbal cues, history, the speaker's identity) rather than the literal meaning of the communication.
2. Right Answer: A
Explanation: In a particularist culture, a strong handshake agreement may be sufficient, and requiring a written agreement may be perceived as an insult. This may be contrasted with a universalist culture, which focuses on rules and the existence of one right way.
3. Right Answer: C
Explanation: C is correct. Given that the HR manager is new to the plant, this would be a good way to address the gambling issue and further develop the relationship with the plant manager by working together to come up with an alternative. A and B are incorrect. At this point in time, given that the HR manager has not attempted to influence the plant manager's thoughts on this matter, it would be premature to involve the corporate HR director. D is incorrect, as just sending the policy and law to the plant manager does not resolve the issue.
4. Right Answer: A
Explanation: A is correct. Building trust is critical to the success of the HR function. Given the recent changes spearheaded by the HR manager, it is even more important to focus on the relationship with the employee population, as it has most likely been impacted by the policy change. The most effective way to determine the level of impact and work toward changing perceptions is to have face-to-face interactions with the employee population. B is incorrect, as providing an alternative to the lottery attempts to win a popularity contest versus developing the relationship. C is incorrect, as HR is then seen as a party planner, and this action is not a step to developing the relationship with employees. D is incorrect. Given this recent policy change spearheaded by the HR manager, this would not be the best point in time to obtain objective feedback and would most likely result in more emotionally charged feedback, further eroding a positive relationship.
5. Right Answer: C
Explanation: C is correct. The article could be part of a structured communication approach that includes a series of communications (e.g., face-to-face, newsletter) to help to reinforce the message of the updated policy and the importance of having an anti-gambling policy in the workplace. A is incorrect, because it will probably have a negative impact on employee morale and engagement. It may also raise local compliance issues. B is incorrect, because it does not provide a reasonable explanation for the policy. D is incorrect, because relying on negative reinforcement (punishment) is generally less effective with employees than presenting a reasoned explanation.
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