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SPHR Questions - Part 42

Jenny Clarke

Wed, 05 Nov 2025

1. Lee is a worker in a facility that offers a ten percent shift premium. Lee's hourly rate for the day shift is $12, but he's volunteered to work the next month on the swing shift. What will Lee's hourly rate be for the next month?

A) $13.20
B) $528
C) $2,112
D) The shift premium is only for the shifts that overlap.



2. Which report do local and state governments require employers to file in odd-numbered years?

A) EEO-1 Report
B) EEO-3 Report
C) EEO-4 Report
D) EEO-5 Report



3. As an HR Professional, you should be familiar with OSHA rules, standards, and regulations. Should an organization violate an OSHA standard, there are often penalties that the employer must pay. What is the maximum fine an employer may face for a deliberate and intentional violation of an OSHA standard?

A) $70,000
B) $50,000
C) $10,000
D) $100,000



4. During an interview test John scored highly as being an individual who possesses empathy for others. John has been awarded the job and is now performing in the organization. Evidence since John's hiring has shown that John is indeed someone who is empathetic to others. This is an example of what type of validity?

A) Predictive validity
B) Construct-related validity
C) Criterion-related validity
D) Content validity



5. You are leading a brief presentation for your company about the ERISA program your company participates in. What is ERISA used for?

A) It allows private organizations to create investments for workers in profit-sharing plans
B) It protects the interests of those who participate in employee benefit plans
C) It protects private organizations that have profit sharing plans for employee compensation
D) It protects the workers of employee compensation plans



1. Right Answer: A
Explanation: Answer option A is correct.Lee's base pay is 12 dollars. The shift premium adds ten percent to the base pay for an hour rate of $13.20.Answer option B is incorrect. $528 is the weekly pay, but the question asked for the hourly rate of pay.Answer option C is incorrect. $2,112 is the pay for 160 hours, but the question asked for just the hourly rate of pay.Answer option D is incorrect. This isn't a true statement and doesn't answer the question.Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US Body of Knowledge.Chapter: Compensation and BenefitsObjective: Total Rewards Defined

2. Right Answer: C
Explanation: Answer option C is correct.The EEO-4 Report, also known as the State and Local Government Report, is collected by local and state governments in all odd-numbered years.Answer option A is incorrect. The EEO-1 Report, also known as the Employer Information Report, must be filed by September 30 of each year for employers with100 or more employees. It's also a requirement for federal contractors with 50 or more employees and federal contracts worth $50,000 or more.Answer option B is incorrect. The EEO-3 Report is filed every other year in the even calendar years.Answer option D is incorrect. The EEO-5 Report is conducted biennially in the even number years for public and secondary schools.Reference: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Sybex, ISBN: 978-0-470-43096-5. Chapter Four: Workforce Planning. Official PHR andSPHR Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US Body of Knowledge.Chapter: Workforce Planning and EmploymentObjective: Federal Employment Legislation

3. Right Answer: A
Explanation: Answer option A is correct.OSHA can fine an employer up to $70,000 for a willful violation. In addition, incarceration is possible for the violation.Answer options C, B, and D are incorrect. These are not the maximum amount for the violation.Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.Chapter: Risk Management -Objective: Risk Assessment

4. Right Answer: A
Explanation: Answer option A is correct.Predictive-validity is a confirmation of characteristics, the candidate is tested for during the interview process, hold true in the actual performance of the candidate once they've been hired. John was tested to be someone who is empathetic to others and his job performance has validated this belief.Answer option D is incorrect. Content validity is an evidence that the candidate can perform key aspects of the job in the interview process, such as conversing inEnglish and then in Spanish if these were the requirements of the job.Answer option C is incorrect. Criterion-related validity is an example where performance scores achieved by current employees are based on the criterion used for the selection. For example, current employees can perform better because they can design artwork in particular software programs so applicants must be able to use the particular software program to qualify for the position.Answer option B is incorrect. Construct-related validity measures certain psychological tests to determine if the applicant possesses the desired characteristics to operate successfully in the position.Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.Chapter: Workforce Planning and EmploymentObjective: Staffing Programs

5. Right Answer: B
Explanation: Answer option B is correct.ERISA is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act established in 1974. It protects the interests of those who participate in employee benefit plans. The plan established minimum participation and vesting standards for retirement plans.Answer options D, A, and C are incorrect. These are not good definitions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.Chapter: Compensation and BenefitsObjective: Benefits

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