SPHR Sample Questions & Answers

Explanation:
Answer option A is correct.
Chapter: Risk Management Objective: Risk Assessment

Explanation:
Answer option D is correct.
Whistleblower standards protect an employee's right to file a complaint to OSHA about a workplace safety or health hazard. It is considered a basic employee right granted under the OSH act in 1970. Emergency action (A) is a type of plan required by OSHA, and the general duty clause (C) states that employers have a general duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace for employees.
Chapter: Risk Management Objective: Review Questions

Explanation:
Answer option C is correct.
Chapter: Risk Management Objective: Risk Management

Explanation:
Answer option A is correct.
Chapter: Risk Management Objective: Risk Management

Explanation:
Answer option B is correct.
The NLRB will conduct a decertification election if the employees present a petition signed by 30 percent of the employees in the bargaining unit. Management may not participate in or encourage employees to circulate the petition or provide any support in the process. Doing so is considered an unfair labor practice. A union can be deauthorized (C) if employees want to remove a union security clause, such as dues check-off. If there is a valid CBA in place (D), the NLRB will not direct an election. The NLRA prohibits an election if one took place during the preceding 12 months (A).
Chapter: Employee and Labor Relations Objective: Review Questions

Explanation:
Answer option A is correct.
The formulate strategy stage creates several things for the organization: vision, mission, corporate values, and corporate goals. As strategic planning can happen many times in an organization's life cycle, it may also be a refinement of the goals, vision, and mission.
Answer option D is incorrect. The environmental scan stage identifies where the organization is now.
Answer option B is incorrect. The pre-planning stage defines the process, participants, time, and planning tools for the strategic planning.
Answer option C is incorrect. The implement strategy stage defines how the organization will achieve the vision, mission, and goals of the organization. -- Reference: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Sybex, ISBN: 978-0-470-43096-5. Chapter Four: Workforce Planning and Employment. Official PHR and SPHR Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Business Management and Strategy Objective: Strategy

Explanation:
Answer option B is correct.
When there is arbitration between management and the union regarding contract language, it is commonly referred to as interest arbitration.
Answer option A is incorrect. Decisions describe the resolution of grievances based on the interpretation of the contract.
Answer option C is incorrect. Ad hoc arbitration isn't technically a term associated with contract language. Ad hoc arbitrators, however, is. Ad hoc arbitrators describe the ability of either management or union to be forced to use an arbitrator which they're not happy with.
Answer option D is incorrect. Permanent arbitration isn't technically a term associated with contract language. Permanent arbitrators, however, are. Permanent arbitrators describer an arbitrator that stays with the party (management or union) for the duration of the contract. -- Reference: PHR Exam Prep, Pearson Education, ISBN: 978-0-7897-3677-2. Chapter Seven: Employee and Labor Relations. Official PHR and SPHR Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Employee and Labor Relations Objective: Union Organization

Explanation:
Answer option C is correct.
Payment of employees is not something covered by OSHA so this choice is incorrect. The six standards as defined by OSHA are hazard communication standard, emergency action plan standard, fire safety standard, exit routes standard, walking/working surfaces standard, and the medical and first aid standard.
Answer option B is incorrect. The exit routes standard is one of the six standards defined by OSHA.
Answer option D is incorrect. The fire safety standard is one of the six standards defined by OSHA.
Answer option A is incorrect. The emergency action plan standard is one of the six standards defined by OSHA. -- Reference: PHR Exam prep, Pearson Education, ISBN: 978-0-7897-3677-2. Chapters: Risk Management. Official PHR and SPHR Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Compensation and Benefits Objective: Compensation

Explanation:
Answer option B is correct.
Techno-structural interventions address issues of how work gets done in an organization. A high-involvement organization is one in which employees at all levels are involved in making decisions about how work is accomplished. Human-process interventions (D) are designed to build competencies at the individual level of the organization. HRM interventions (C) focus on HR processes and programs such as selection procedures or performance management that address individual employee needs. Strategic interventions (A) are used to execute changes to an organization's vision, mission, or values. See Chapter 5 for more information.
Chapter: Human Resource Development Objective: Organization Development

Explanation:
Answer option A is correct.
A dress-code policy is generally an accepted employer practice, provided it applies to all employees or employees in certain job categories. There are exceptions, however, based on ethnicity or religious practices. As with any other accommodation, an employer should actively seek a solution that does not result in undue hardship. See Chapter 7 for more information.
Chapter: Employee and Labor Relations Objective: Employee Relations