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SPHR Questions - Part 45

Jenny Clarke

Wed, 05 Nov 2025

1. John is the Senior HR Professional for his organization. He is working with Nancy to establish an Internal Audit and Reporting System as part of their AffirmativeAction Plan. Nancy wants to know why they need this Internal Audit and Reporting System. Which of the following is the best answer for Nancy?

A) The system is used to periodically measure the effectiveness of the affirmative action program.
B) The system is used to periodically measure the utilization of women and minorities in the organization.
C) The system is used to periodically measure the effectiveness of the human resource leadership.
D) The system is used to periodically measure the effectiveness of labor analysis.



2. As of July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage is set at which of the following?

A) $7.25 per hour
B) $5.15 per hour
C) $6.55 per hour
D) $5.75 per hour



3. What management theory suggests that compensation is a hygiene factor that doesn't motivate workers to excel at performance, but its absence can de-motivate workers?

A) Herzberg's Theory of Motivation
B) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
C) McGregor's Theory of X and Y
D) Ouchi's Theory Z



4. Which of the following plans has similarities to both a defined benefit plan and a money purchase plan?

A) Profit sharing plan
B) Succession plan
C) Target benefit plan
D) Scanlon Plan



5. Data integrity, employment practices liability insurance, OSHA, and workplace violence policies are all examples of which of the following HR functions?

A) Workforce planning and employment
B) Employee relations
C) EEO
D) Risk management



1. Right Answer: A
Explanation: Answer option A is correct.An Audit and Reporting System is used to measure the overall effectiveness of the Affirmative Action Plan and program within the organization.Answer option D is incorrect. Labor analysis is an input to the development of the system, not a result of using the system.Answer option B is incorrect. Job group analysis, utilization analysis, and placement goals are used to measure the utilization of women and minorities in the organization, not the Internal Audit and Reporting System.Answer option C is incorrect. Human resource leadership is not measured by the Internal Audit and Reporting System.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

2. Right Answer: A
Explanation: Answer option A is correct.As of July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage was raised to $7.25 per hour from (C) $6.55 per hour, which became effective on July 24, 2008. The minimum wage in some states and other localities may be different. See Chapter for more information.Chapter: Compensation and BenefitsObjective: Compensation

3. Right Answer: A
Explanation: Answer option A is correct.Herzberg's Theory of Motivation identifies hygiene agents and motivating agents that affect a person's performance. Payment is a hygiene factor and doesn't cause the person to excel at their work, but the absence of pay will cause performance to suffer.Answer option C is incorrect. McGregor's Theory of X and Y suggests that X people must be micromanaged and Y people can be self-led.Answer option D is incorrect. Ouchi's Theory Z is the Japanese Management Style of a familial work environment.Answer option B is incorrect. Maslow's Hierarchy of Need describes why we work to satisfy our five needs.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

4. Right Answer: C
Explanation: Answer option C is correct.The target benefit plan has similarities to both a defined benefit plan and a money purchase plan. It is a cross between a money purchase pension plan and a defined benefit plan.Answer option B is incorrect. A succession plan identifies critical positions in an organization and how they will be filled if current incumbents leave.Answer option D is incorrect. The Scanlon Plan is a cost saving productivity-incentive plan. It was created in the 1930s by Joseph Scanlon. In this plan, employees are rewarded for productivity and cost savings to promote performance of the organization.Answer option A is incorrect. A profit sharing plan is an employee motivation plan. This plan is established and maintained by an employer. In this plan, employees receive a share of the firm's profits determined by an agreed upon formula.Chapter: Compensation and BenefitsObjective: Total Rewards Defined

5. Right Answer: D
Explanation: Answer option D is correct.Risk management has influence that goes beyond the traditional safety role of HR, often influencing other HR functions such as EEO compliance (C), workforce planning (A) and employee relations (B). It revolves around removing or mitigating business risks, whether they are internal or external, or data- or employee- driven. See Chapters 4, 7, and 8 for more information.Chapter: Risk Management -Objective: Risk Management

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