SPHR Exam Prep: Senior Professional in Human Resources, Third Edition

SPHR Exam Prep: Senior Professional in Human Resources, Third Edition

Released December 2015
Publisher(s): Pearson IT Certification
ISBN: 9780134060316

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Book description

The SPHR Exam Prep, Third Edition is the most comprehensive and up to date book on the market. Unlike other books that teach to both the Senior Professional in Human Resources and Professional in Human Resources exams, this book is focused on just the SPHR exam, providing targeted training. Exam objectives are thoroughly detailed, providing readers precisely the information they need to know to score higher on their exams.

The book features the Exam Prep Proven Method of Study which includes Exam Alerts, tips, notes, sidebars, hundreds of SPHR practice questions, relevant exercises, review breaks, a glossary, objective reference sheet, and a full practice exam in the book.

Psychological and emotional support for approaching this critical exam is offered throughout the book to help mentally prepare SPHR candidates for taking the test. The book helps PHR candidates assess their exam readiness with practice exam questions along with helping candidates develop effective study habits tailored for PHR exam preparation. As an HR professor, the author has unique and time-tested methods that help candidates make effective use of their time and preferred learning styles. This book serves as the perfect complement to the larger and very deep SPHR training courses that exist today. This third edition of the SPHR Exam Prep provides direct support for SPHR candidates, and is updated to match recent exam changes for the most comprehensive and focused preparation tool on the market.

Table of contents

  1. About This eBook
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. Contents at a Glance
  6. Table of Contents
  7. About the Authors
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. About the Reviewer
  10. We Want to Hear from You!
  11. Reader Services
  12. Introduction
    1. About the SPHR Credential
    2. Composition of SPHR Exam
    3. About This Book
    4. Chapters
    5. Chapter Formats
  13. Information About the SPHR Exam
    1. Accreditation
    2. SPHR Exam Structure
    3. SPHR Exam Format
    4. Frequently Asked Questions
    5. Study and Exam Prep Tips
    6. Learning Styles
    7. General Study Tips
    8. Macro and Micro Study Strategies
    9. Active Study Strategies
    10. Common Sense Strategies
    11. Design Your Own Personal Study Plan
    12. Questions to Ask Yourself
    13. Assessment Testing
    14. General Test-Taking Tips
    15. SPHR-Specific Information, Study, and Test-Taking Tips
    16. SPHR Preparation Options
    17. SPHR-Specific Test Preparation Tips
    18. Strategies and Tips for SPHR Exam Day
    19. Contacting the Author
  14. Chapter 1. Business Management and Strategy (BM & S)
    1. The Evolving Role of HR
    2. A Brief Historical Scan of HR
    3. HR As It Was, and HR As It Is (or Can Be)
    4. SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)
    5. Environmental Scanning: An External Perspective
    6. External Trends: Things to Keep an Eye On
    7. Strategic Planning
    8. Strategic Objectives
    9. The HR Impact Model
    10. The Dimensions of HR: The Three Legs of a Stool
    11. The HR Professional as Internal Consultant
    12. HR Audits
    13. Other HR Measurement Techniques
    14. Balanced Scorecard
    15. HR’s Role in Change Management
    16. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, 1954
    17. B.F. Skinner, Operant Conditioning, 1957
    18. Frederick Herzberg, Motivation-Hygiene Theory, 1959
    19. Douglas McGregor, Theory X and Theory Y, 1960
    20. David McClelland, Acquired Needs Theory, 1961
    21. J. Stacy Adams, Equity Theory, 1963
    22. Victor Vroom, Expectancy Theory, 1964
    23. Nonmathematical Forecasting Techniques
    24. Mathematical Forecasting Techniques
    25. Legislative Framework, Considerations, and Opportunities
    26. How a Bill Becomes a Law
    27. Be Heard—Reach Out to Your Elected Officials
    28. Stay Informed
    29. What Is Ethics?
    30. HR’s Role in Ethics
    31. Why Ethics?
    32. Cultivating an Ethical Organization
    33. Leadership Concepts
    34. Trait Theories
    35. Behavioral Theories
    36. Situational Leadership Theories
    37. Contingency Theories
    38. Management and Leadership: Bridging the Gap
    39. Project Management
    40. Competitive Advantage
    41. Business Case Development
    42. Organizational Branding
    43. Functions Often Outsourced
    44. Request for Proposal (RFP)
    45. Organizational Structure and HR
    46. The “Roots” of Organizational Structure
    47. The Functional Organizational Structure
    48. The Divisional Organizational Structure
    49. The Matrix Organizational Structure
    50. Other Organizational Design Concepts
    51. The Organizational Life Cycle
    52. HR Technology Concerns/Opportunities
    53. Selecting an HRIS
    54. Chapter Summary
    55. Key Terms
    56. Apply Your Knowledge
    57. Review Questions
    58. Exercises
    59. Exam Questions
    60. Answers to Review Questions
    61. Answers to Exercises
    62. Answers to Exam Questions
    63. Additional Questions for Consideration/Discussion
    64. Suggested Readings and Resources
  15. Chapter 2. Workforce Planning and Employment
    1. Relevant Laws and Executive Orders
    2. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 1964
    3. EEO Reporting Requirements
    4. Executive Order 11246, 1965
    5. Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures, 1978
    6. Governing EEO Laws
    7. Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 1967
    8. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 1970
    9. Equal Employment Opportunity Act, 1972
    10. Rehabilitation Act, 1973
    11. Pregnancy Discrimination Act, 1978
    12. Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), 1986
    13. Drug-Free Workplace Act, 1988
    14. Employee Polygraph Protection Act, 1988
    15. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARNA), 1988
    16. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 1990
    17. Civil Rights Act of 1991
    18. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), 1993
    19. Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), 1994
    20. Congressional Accountability Act, 1995
    21. Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, 2008
    22. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), 2008
    23. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, 2009
    24. Relevant Case Law
    25. Griggs v. Duke Power, 1971
    26. McDonnell Douglas Corp v. Green, 1973
    27. Albemarle Paper v. Moody, 1975
    28. Washington v. Davis, 1976
    29. Regents of California v. Bakke, 1978
    30. United Steelworkers v. Weber, 1979
    31. Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 1986
    32. Johnson v. Santa Clara County Transportation Agency, 1987
    33. Martin v. Wilks, 1988
    34. Automobile Workers v. Johnson Controls, 1990
    35. Harris v. Forklift Systems, 1993
    36. Taxman v. Board of Education of Piscataway, 1993
    37. St. Mary’s Honor Center v. Hicks, 1993
    38. McKennon v. Nashville Banner Publishing Co., 1995
    39. Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, 1998, and Ellerth v. Burlington Northern Industries, 1998
    40. Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, 1999
    41. Kolstad v. American Dental Association, 1999
    42. Circuit City Stores, Inc. v. Adams, 2001
    43. Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, 2003
    44. General Dynamics Land Systems v. Cline, 2004
    45. Ricci v. DeStefano, 2009
    46. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., 2015
    47. Legal Concepts/Definitions Relevant to Workplace Planning and Employment
    48. Equal Employment Opportunity: The Basics
    49. Key EEO-Related Terms
    50. Federal, State, and Local Jurisdictions
    51. Filing Charges: Time Limits and Related Information
    52. EEOC—Handling Charges
    53. EEOC Determinations
    54. EEO—Going to Court
    55. Job Analysis
    56. Job Analysis
    57. Job Descriptions
    58. Recruiting Candidates
    59. Employer Branding
    60. Relevant Labor Market
    61. Selection Criteria
    62. Internal and External Recruiting
    63. Request for Proposal
    64. Preemployment Testing
    65. Measuring Recruiting Costs and Effectiveness
    66. The Selection Process
    67. The Employment Application
    68. Interviews and the Interview Process
    69. Realistic Job Previews
    70. Background Checks
    71. Employment: Extending the Offer
    72. Tips for Extending an Employment Offer
    73. Employment Contracts
    74. Negotiating the Offer of Employment
    75. Onboarding
    76. The Importance of New Hire Paperwork
    77. Termination: The End of the Employment Life Cycle…or Is It?
    78. Involuntary Terminations
    79. Voluntary Terminations
    80. Constructive Discharge
    81. Exit Interviews
    82. Severance Packages
    83. Affirmative Action Plans
    84. Executive Order 11246
    85. Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, 1974
    86. Compensation and Benefits
    87. Sherman Antitrust Act, 1890
    88. Equal Pay Act, 1963
    89. Compensation Strategies
    90. Documentation Strategies for HR Professionals
    91. Applicant Flow Data
    92. Chapter Summary
    93. Key Terms
    94. Apply Your Knowledge
    95. Review Questions
    96. Exercises
    97. Exam Questions
    98. Answers to Review Questions
    99. Answers to Exercises
    100. Answers to Exam Questions
    101. Additional Questions for Consideration/Discussion
    102. Suggested Readings and Resources
  16. Chapter 3. Human Resource Development
    1. Understanding HRD-Related Laws
    2. U.S. Patent Act, 1790
    3. Copyright Act of 1976
    4. Public Domain
    5. Fair Use
    6. Common Law
    7. Negligent Training
    8. ADDIE: An Overview
    9. ADDIE: “A” Is for Analysis/Assessment
    10. ADDIE: “D” Is for Design
    11. Training
    12. The Adult Learner
    13. Learning Styles: How We Learn
    14. Learning Curves
    15. Retaining What Is Learned
    16. Environmental Factors/Elements to Consider—“Brick and Mortar” Classroom Learning
    17. ADDIE: “D” Is for Development
    18. ADDIE: “I” Is for Implementation
    19. ADDIE: “E” Is for Evaluation
    20. Elements of OD
    21. Purposes of OD
    22. Role of HR Professionals in OD
    23. OD and Organizational Culture
    24. Career Development
    25. Leadership Development
    26. High-Potential Employees
    27. Dual Career Ladders
    28. Succession Planning
    29. Talent Management
    30. Teambuilding
    31. Specific OD Interventions
    32. Performance Management
    33. Performance Management: Its Organizational Roots
    34. The Performance Management Process/System
    35. Coaching and Mentoring
    36. Chapter Summary
    37. Key Terms
    38. Apply Your Knowledge
    39. Review Questions
    40. Exercises
    41. Exam Questions
    42. Answers to Review Questions
    43. Answers to Exercises
    44. Answers to Exam Questions
    45. Additional Questions for Consideration/Discussion
    46. Suggested Readings and Resources
  17. Chapter 4. Compensation and Benefits
    1. Worker’s Compensation
    2. Davis-Bacon Act, 1931
    3. Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, 1936
    4. Fair Labor Standards Act, 1938
    5. Portal-to-Portal Act, 1947
    6. Equal Pay Act, 1963
    7. Social Security Act, 1935
    8. Unemployment Insurance
    9. Medicare, 1965
    10. Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 1974
    11. Revenue Act, 1978
    12. Retirement Equity Act (REA), 1984
    13. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), 1985
    14. Older Worker’s Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), 1990
    15. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), 1996
    16. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), 1993
    17. Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), 1994
    18. Mental Health Parity Act, 1996
    19. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), 2002
    20. Pension Protection Act, 2006
    21. Family and Medical Leave Act and National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008, 2008
    22. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, 2009
    23. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 2010
    24. A (Foundational) Footnote: Employee or Independent Contractor?
    25. Compensation: Building and Using Pay Structures
    26. Elements of Pay Structures
    27. Using Pay Structures for Decision-Making
    28. Other Key Compensation Concepts
    29. Retirement Plans
    30. Health and Welfare Benefits
    31. Pay for Time Not Worked
    32. Work-Life Programs
    33. Employee Assistance Programs
    34. Executive Compensation Methods
    35. Compensation: Job Evaluation
    36. Nonquantitative Job Evaluation Techniques
    37. Quantitative Job Evaluation Techniques
    38. Market Pricing
    39. Market Data Considerations
    40. Base Pay
    41. Merit Pay
    42. Variable Pay
    43. Making the Connection to Compensation Strategy
    44. Fiduciary Responsibility Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
    45. Chapter Summary
    46. Key Terms
    47. Apply Your Knowledge
    48. Review Questions
    49. Exercises
    50. Exam Questions
    51. Answers to Review Questions
    52. Answers to Exercises
    53. Answers to Exam Questions
    54. Additional Questions for Consideration/Discussion
    55. Suggested Readings and Resources
  18. Chapter 5. Employee and Labor Relations
    1. Laws Governing Employee Relations and Labor Relations
    2. Sherman Antitrust Act, 1890
    3. Clayton Act, 1914
    4. Railway Labor Act, 1926
    5. Norris-LaGuardia Act, 1932
    6. National Industrial Recovery Act, 1933
    7. National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act), 1935
    8. Labor Management Relations Act (Taft-Hartley Act), 1947
    9. Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (Landrum-Griffin Act), 1959
    10. Federal Labor Relations Statute, 1978
    11. Relevant Case Law
    12. Employee Input
    13. Employee Surveys
    14. Focus Groups
    15. Employee Participation Groups
    16. Open-Door Policy
    17. Suggestion Programs
    18. Management by Walking Around
    19. Town Hall/Department/Staff Meetings
    20. Employee Relations
    21. Internal Considerations
    22. Organizational Culture
    23. Employee Involvement and Employee Communication
    24. Employee Communication Strategies
    25. Measuring Employee Relations Initiatives
    26. Quantitative Analysis
    27. Qualitative Analysis
    28. Turnover Levels
    29. Absenteeism (Particularly Unplanned)
    30. Work-Related Accidents/Injuries/“Preventable” Illnesses
    31. Productivity
    32. Quality
    33. Customer Satisfaction
    34. Employee Survey Results
    35. Return on Investment (ROI)
    36. Employee Handbooks
    37. Progressive Discipline as Employee Relations
    38. Collective Bargaining: The Process
    39. Unions
    40. How Unions Are Structured
    41. Union Organizing (The Organizing Process)
    42. Good Faith Bargaining
    43. Subjects of Bargaining
    44. Approaches to Collective Bargaining
    45. Collective Bargaining Agreements
    46. Typical Provisions of Collective Bargaining Agreements (Excluding Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures)
    47. Contract Administration
    48. Discipline and Discharge and Grievance Handling
    49. Grievance Handling and Procedure
    50. Protected Concerted Activities
    51. Labor Strikes
    52. Union Decertification and Deauthorization
    53. Common Law
    54. Common Law—Tort Doctrines
    55. Common Law—Contract Doctrines
    56. Chapter Summary
    57. Key Terms
    58. Apply Your Knowledge
    59. Review Questions
    60. Exercises
    61. Exam Questions
    62. Answers to Review Questions
    63. Answers to Exercises
    64. Answers to Exam Questions
    65. Additional Questions for Consideration/Discussion
    66. Suggested Readings and Resources
  19. Chapter 6. Risk Management
    1. Key Legislation
    2. Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1970
    3. Mine Safety and Health Act, 1977
    4. Drug-Free Workplace Act, 1988
    5. USA PATRIOT Act, 2001
    6. Homeland Security Act, 2002
    7. Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 2002
    8. Occupational Health
    9. Health Hazards
    10. Health and Wellness Programs
    11. Chemical Use and Dependency
    12. Work-Related Stress
    13. Worker’s Compensation
    14. Risk Management: A Process Model
    15. Risk Management: Techniques
    16. Employment Practices Liability Insurance
    17. Employee Rights Related to Substance Abuse
    18. Emergency/Business Continuity Planning
    19. Continuity of HR-Related Operations
    20. Safety
    21. OSHA and Workplace Safety
    22. Safety Committees
    23. Cell (Smart) Phone/Driving Safety
    24. Security
    25. Chapter Summary
    26. Key Terms
    27. Apply Your Knowledge
    28. Review Questions
    29. Exercises
    30. Exam Questions
    31. Answers to Review Questions
    32. Answers to Exercises
    33. Answers to Exam Questions
    34. Additional Questions for Consideration/Discussion
    35. Suggested Readings and Resources
  20. Practice Exam
  21. Answers to Practice Exam
    1. Answers at a Glance to Practice Exam
    2. Answers with Explanations
  22. Glossary
  23. Index

Product information

  • Title: SPHR Exam Prep: Senior Professional in Human Resources, Third Edition
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: December 2015
  • Publisher(s): Pearson IT Certification
  • ISBN: 9780134060316