Managing-Human-Capital WGU Managing Human Capital C202, UXC2 Question and Answers

Employee benefits are commonly classified as mandatory, customary, or optional. According toHuman Resource Management, 16th Editionby Gary Dessler,customary benefitsare those that are not legally required but arecommonly provided by employersand therefore often expected by employees. Examples include retirement plans, paid vacations, and health insurance coverage. These benefits help organizations remain competitive in the labor market.

In contrast,optional benefits—often referred to as voluntary benefits—are offered entirely at the discretion of the employer and may be selected or declined by employees. Dessler explains that optional benefits typically allow employees to tailor their benefits package to their personal needs, such as additional life insurance, vision coverage, or supplemental disability insurance, often at the employee’s own cost.

The key difference lies in employee expectations and organizational norms. Customary benefits are widely anticipated as part of standard employment, while optional benefits provide flexibility and choice. Therefore, the correct distinction is thatoptional benefits are discretionary, while customary benefits are commonly provided and expected.

Source:

Gary Dessler,Human Resource Management, 16th Edition, Chapter on Employee Benefits and Total Rewards

Conflict management strategies describe how individuals or managers handle disagreements in the workplace. According toHuman Resource Management, 16th Editionby Gary Dessler,compromisingis a strategy in which each party gives up something to reach a mutually acceptable solution. The outcome does not fully satisfy either party but resolves the conflict quickly and fairly.

In this scenario, the manager instructs both employees to reach a solution that will make thempartially happy, which directly aligns with the definition of compromise. Dessler explains that compromise is particularly useful when time is limited and when maintaining working relationships is important. It allows progress without prolonged conflict, even though it may not produce the optimal solution.

Avoiding would involve ignoring the conflict, competing would result in one party winning at the expense of the other, and accommodating would require one employee to fully give in. None of these match the manager’s instruction. Therefore, the correct answer iscompromising.

Source:

Gary Dessler,Human Resource Management, 16th Edition, Chapter on Employee Relations and Conflict Management

Avoidable voluntary turnover occurs when employees voluntarily leave the organization for preventable reasons, such as dissatisfaction with pay, management, or working conditions. According toHuman Resource Management, 16th Editionby Gary Dessler, one of the most significant costs associated with avoidable voluntary turnover islost talent.

Dessler explains that when experienced and high-performing employees leave, organizations lose valuable knowledge, skills, and institutional memory. This loss can negatively affect productivity, customer relationships, team morale, and overall performance. Additionally, replacing talented employees requires recruitment, selection, onboarding, and training costs, further increasing the financial impact.

Severance pay is typically associated with involuntary turnover, while reorganization and discipline costs relate to internal restructuring or performance management processes. These are not primary costs of voluntary turnover.

Therefore, the key cost linked to avoidable voluntary turnover is theloss of skilled and experienced talent.

Source:

Gary Dessler,Human Resource Management, 16th Edition, Chapter on Employee Retention, Turnover, and Workforce Planning

Person-organization fit refers to the compatibility between an employee and the organization in terms of values, beliefs, and culture. An employee who demonstrates a strong person-organization fit shows deep commitment to the organization, aligning their personal values with the company’s mission and culture. This commitment often leads to higher job satisfaction, better performance, and lower turnover rates.

"Organizational Behavior" by Stephen P. Robbins and Timothy A. Judge

Articles on person-organization fit from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Mandatory benefits are benefits that employers are legally required to provide to employees. According toHuman Resource Management, 16th Editionby Gary Dessler, these benefits are established by federal and state laws to protect employees’ economic security and well-being.

Examples of mandatory benefits include Social Security, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and in some cases family and medical leave. Employers do not have discretion over whether to offer these benefits, as failure to comply can result in legal penalties.

Dessler distinguishes mandatory benefits from voluntary or customary benefits, which employers may offer to remain competitive or attract talent. Therefore, mandatory benefits are best defined as thoserequired by law.

Source:

Gary Dessler,Human Resource Management, 16th Edition, Chapter on Employee Benefits and Legal Compliance

Employee turnover can be classified as either avoidable or unavoidable. According toHuman Resource Management, 16th Editionby Gary Dessler,avoidable turnoveroccurs when employees leave for reasons that management can influence or control, such as dissatisfaction with pay, supervision, working conditions, or career opportunities.

Compensation issues are a common and preventable cause of voluntary turnover. Dessler notes that when employees perceive pay as unfair or uncompetitive, they are more likely to leave for better opportunities. Organizations can address this through market-based pay structures, merit increases, and transparent compensation policies.

In contrast, retirement and pursuing a new career are typically unavoidable, as they are driven by personal life stages or individual career choices beyond organizational control. Performance-related separations are usually involuntary and initiated by the employer rather than the employee.

Therefore, the cause of employee departure that an organization could have avoided iscompensation issues.

Source:

Gary Dessler,Human Resource Management, 16th Edition, Chapter on Employee Retention and Turnover

The main reason for the failure of mergers and acquisitions is often a culture mismatch between the merging organizations. When two companies with different corporate cultures come together, clashes can occur if their values, beliefs, and ways of doing business do not align. This can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a lack of cohesion, ultimately hindering the integration process and reducing the chances of a successful merger or acquisition.

"Mergers and Acquisitions: Managing Culture and Human Resources" by Mark E. Mendenhall and Gary R. Oddou

McKinsey & Company articles on mergers and acquisitions

A primary focus of global leadership training is cross-cultural collaboration. In a globalized business environment, leaders must be adept at working with diverse teams across different cultures. Training programs in this area aim to develop skills such as cultural awareness, communication, and adaptability. These skills enable leaders to effectively manage and collaborate with employees from various cultural backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and cohesive work environment that can enhance global business operations and performance.

Inclusion in the workplace refers to creating an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and have equal access to opportunities and resources. An inclusive scenario is one where team members collaborate, and everyone's ideas and contributions are considered. This encourages a sense of belonging and leverages the diverse perspectives of the entire team, leading to enhanced innovation and team performance. The given example demonstrates this by showing a department where collaboration and open sharing of ideas are practiced.

Enhancing employee engagement is a central goal of strategic human resource management. According toHuman Resource Management, 16th Editionby Gary Dessler, one of the most effective HRM strategies for improving engagement isproviding open and transparent communicationbetween management and employees.

Dessler explains that open communication builds trust, clarifies expectations, and helps employees understand how their roles contribute to organizational success. When employees feel informed and heard, they are more likely to be committed, motivated, and willing to contribute discretionary effort. Communication also supports psychological contracts by aligning employee expectations with organizational realities.

While improving benefits or recruitment investments can support engagement indirectly, they do not address the ongoing relationship between employees and management. Lowering education requirements does not contribute to engagement and may negatively affect performance. Therefore, fostering open communication is a direct and effective HRM strategy for enhancing engagement.

Source:

Gary Dessler,Human Resource Management, 16th Edition, Chapter on Strategic HRM and Employee Engagement

Apsychological contractrefers to the informal and unwritten set of expectations that exists between an employee and the employer. According toHuman Resource Management, 16th Editionby Gary Dessler, psychological contracts include beliefs about job security, career development, fairness, recognition, and mutual obligations that are not formally stated in employment contracts.

Dessler emphasizes that psychological contracts develop over time through communication, organizational culture, and managerial behavior. When employees believe these unwritten expectations are fulfilled, trust and commitment increase. When they are violated, employees may experience dissatisfaction, reduced engagement, or withdrawal behaviors.

Psychological contracts are not formal legal agreements, nor are they created through counseling sessions. While shared values and positive environments may influence them, their defining characteristic is that they areunwritten expectationsgoverning the employment relationship. Therefore, the correct answer isthey consist of the unwritten expectations of the employment relationship.

Source:

Gary Dessler,Human Resource Management, 16th Edition, Chapter on Employee Engagement and Organizational Culture

Employee retention is strongly influenced by opportunities for growth, advancement, and long-term career development. According toHuman Resource Management, 16th Editionby Gary Dessler,succession managementis a key driver of employee retention because it signals to employees that the organization is invested in their future.

Succession management involves identifying, developing, and preparing employees for future leadership or critical roles. Dessler explains that when employees see clear career paths and development opportunities within the organization, they are more likely to remain committed and less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Performance metrics and competency databases are tools used to measure and manage performance and skills, but they do not directly motivate employees to stay. External sourcing focuses on hiring from outside the organization and does not contribute to retaining existing employees. Therefore, the strongest driver of employee retention among the options issuccession management.

Source:

Gary Dessler,Human Resource Management, 16th Edition, Chapter on Career Development, Succession Planning, and Retention

Job analysis is a systematic process that involves identifying and documenting the essential tasks, responsibilities, and behaviors required for a job. It also assesses the qualifications, skills, and knowledge needed to perform those tasks effectively. The outcome of a job analysis includes detailed job descriptions and specifications, which are used for various HR functions such as recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, and compensation.

"Job and Work Analysis: Methods, Research, and Applications for Human Resource Management" by Michael T. Brannick, Edward L. Levine, and Frederick P. Morgeson

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) guidelines on job analysis

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 prohibits employers from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information about an applicant or an employee, which includes family medical history. The act aims to prevent discrimination based on genetic information in both health insurance and employment. The recruiter's request for information about the applicant’s medical conditions and those of their family members directly violates GINA.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website

Procedures are specific, step-by-step instructions that guide employees on how to perform tasks and activities within an organization. They ensure consistency, efficiency, and safety by providing detailed guidance on the correct way to complete work processes. Procedures help standardize operations, minimize errors, and ensure compliance with organizational policies and external regulations. They are crucial for training new employees, maintaining quality control, and facilitating continuous improvement.

Job design is the process of organizing tasks, duties, and responsibilities into a productive unit of work. By creating positions that align with employees' needs and talents, job design can significantly benefit an organization. This approach not only helps in achieving organizational goals by ensuring that work is done efficiently and effectively but also motivates employees by recognizing their individual strengths and preferences. Motivated employees tend to be more engaged, productive, and satisfied with their jobs, which in turn leads to higher retention rates and better overall organizational performance. Effective job design considers various factors such as job enrichment, job enlargement, job rotation, and the use of teams to create a fulfilling work environment.

References

Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1976). "Motivation through the Design of Work: Test of a Theory." Organizational Behavior and Human Performance.

Armstrong, M. (2021). "Armstrong's Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice." Kogan Page.

Situational interview questions are designed to assess how candidates would handle hypothetical scenarios related to the job. The question "How would you handle a scenario in which you are asked to do something that goes against company policy?" requires the candidate to demonstrate their problem-solving abilities, ethical judgment, and adherence to organizational rules. This type of question helps employers gauge a candidate's potential behavior and decision-making skills in challenging situations.

Setting individual employee performance goals is essential for organizational success because it ensures that employees’ efforts are directed towards the broader objectives of the organization. This alignment fosters a cohesive and motivated workforce working towards common goals, which enhances overall productivity and effectiveness. When employees understand how their personal goals contribute to the organization's mission, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work.

References

Managing Human Capital Textbook

"Performance Management: Integrating Strategy Execution, Methodologies, Risk, and Analytics" by Gary Cokins

SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) guidelines on performance management