HRCI PHR Exam Practice Test Instant Access

Question 1

Which of the following requires employers to pay social security tax for employees and to withhold the tax amount from employee paychecks?

AFair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

BOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

CFederal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

DEmployee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

Answer : C

Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) requires employers to pay social security tax for employees and to withhold the tax amount from employee paychecks.

Answer option B is incorrect. OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress of the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970. Its mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and occupational fatality by issuing and enforcing standards for workplace safety and health. The agency is headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor. OSHA issues guidelines and regulations for the safe use of a computer.

Answer option A is incorrect. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 established the minimum wage requirement, laws for protecting American children against labor exploitation, and Criteria for exempt and nonexempt employees.

Answer option D is incorrect. Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is an American federal statute that establishes minimum standards for pension plans in private industry and provides for extensive rules on the federal income tax effects of transactions associated with employee benefit plans.

Question 2

All organizations need prevoyance, or planning, as a part of a manager's duty. As an HR Professional what is the primary purpose of planning?

ADirects the project team and staff to accomplish the project scope

BEstablishes groundwork for the managers to achieve the goals of the organization

CCommunicates the direction of the organization

DEstablishes groundwork for the managers to achieve their goals

Answer : B

Planning is the foundation for a manager to establish the goals of the organization. Answer option C is incorrect. The organization's mission statement communicates the direction, intent, and purpose of the organization. Answer option D is incorrect. Planning is to provide groundwork for the managers to achieve their goals, but for the organization to achieve its goals. Answer option A is incorrect. Planning, in project management, does provide direction to the project team to reach their goals, but in this context it's planning for the organization, not a project.

Question 3

If a union wants to organize, it typically moves through five steps to the organizing process. Which one of the following is not one of the five stages of unionization of work force?

AThe financing

BThe campaign

CObtaining recognition

DThe election

Answer : A

There is no such stage called 'the financing', so this choice is correct. The five phases of union organizing are: Making a connection, Confirming interest, Obtaining Recognition, The Campaign, and The Election.

Answer option D is incorrect. The election is the final stage of the union organization. It's the actual election to determine if employees will participate in the union.

Answer option B is incorrect. The campaign is the period leading up to the election to determine if employees will participate in the union.

Answer option C is incorrect. Obtaining recognition, the third stage of the unionization process, is to gain recognition from the employer. This stage causes the employer to give the NLRB a list of names and addresses of employees who are eligible to vote in the union certification election.

Question 4

What term describes a manager who makes himself visible, being present for employees, and getting out of his office to interact with employees?

AOpen door policy

BProgressive discipline

CActive management

DManagement by walking around

Answer : D

Management by walking around describes a manager that doesn't hide in his office and manages by being present among employees.

Answer option A is incorrect. An open door policy allows employees to approach management with problems, suggestions, or other issues.

Answer option C is incorrect. Active management just describes a manager that's involved with employee decision and activities.

Answer option B is incorrect. Progressive discipline is a series of steps of discipline where each step is slightly sterner than the previous.

Question 5

If an employee wants to participate in a union, they'll often have union dues to pay. The employer is obligated to deduct the payment from the employee's paycheck and give it to the union only if which condition is met?

AThe person requesting for the union dues deduction must make the request in writing.

BThe union representative must contact the employer and verify the request on behalf of the employee.

CThe person requesting for the union dues deduction must be employed for more than 90 days.

DThe person requesting for the union dues deduction must be employed for more than 120 days.

Answer : A

The person requesting that the union dues be deducted from their check and transferred to the union, must make the request in writing.

Answer options C and D are incorrect. There is no time limit when the employee may join the union and make request for payment of union dues.

Answer option B is incorrect. The union representative does not verify the request on behalf of an employee.

Question 6

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 identifies an individual with a disability, as a person who has one or more of the following characteristics except for which one?

AHas a record of such impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities

BIs regarded as having such impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities

CIs believed by employers that an individual having a physical or mental impairment substantially limits one or more major employment activities

DHas a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities

Answer : C

The basis of an individual with a disability is not left to the interpretation of the employer so this choice is incorrect.

Answer options D, A, and B are incorrect. These are valid statements based on the definitions provided in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Question 7

Which of the following is a term used to describe efforts made by a downsizing company to help former employees through the transition to new jobs and help them re-orientate to the job market?

ADuty of diligence

BExit interview

CUtility function

DOutplacement

Answer : D

Outplacement is a term used to describe efforts made by a downsizing company to help former employees through the transition to new jobs and help them re-orientate to the job market.

Answer option C is incorrect. The utility function is a term that describes the exact amount of risk an organization is willing to tolerate.

Generally, the higher the priority of the thing that the risk is affecting, the lower the risk tolerance.

Answer option A is incorrect. The common law term duty of diligence describes an employee's responsibility to act with reasonable care and skill for the employer. This is part of the employee-employer payment contract.

Answer option B is incorrect. An exit interview is conducted by HR department before an employee leaves the company.

HRCI PHR - Professional in Human Resources Exam Practice Test