Discussion Questions:

1: Is HRM becoming more strategic? Provide an explanation for your response. Support your response with an APA cited reference(s).

2: In the HR field, there is often discussion of HR not having a seat at the C-Suite (executive leadership) table. Do you think the role of HR professionals should be strategic -- is it important or can HR professionals fulfill their role by operating in a more transactional manner (e.g., administrating, hiring, and dealing with employees)? Provide an explanation for your response. Support your response with an APA cited reference(s).

3: Identify an organizational-level goal that would be incorporated into an annual business strategy (e.g., financial performance, service, productivity, competitive advantage, innovation.) Develop three organizational development strategies relating to HRM you would utilize as a manager to support this goal. Create the goals utilizing SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) criteria, specifically identifying how the goal will be measured using evidence-based HRM.

4: Do you think there is a difference between diversity management and affirmative action? Provide an explanation for your response. Support your response with APA cited reference(s).

5: Pre-employment testing can be an effective tool in the selection of qualified candidates. Testing can include, but is not limited to the following areas: personality, talent assessment, job task proficiency and productivity, physical ability, drug testing, lie-detector analysis, background checks, cognitive assessment, emotional intelligence, credit checks, computer literacy, basic skills, and English proficiency. Select three types of pre-employment testing and discuss the purpose, effectiveness in the selection process, legal parameters for use of the testing, costs associated with administration of the testing, and recommendation for the use of the testing.

6: We have all worked with someone who did not seem to fit the role for which he or she was hired, or did not seem to fit in with the organization, or did not have the right skills for the job. How does this sort of thing happen in organizations? Is the organization at fault? If so, why? Provide an explanation for your response. Support your response with an APA cited reference(s).

7: Organizations can avoid investing in training and development activities because it is difficult to quantify the ROI (return on investment). As a manager who has identified a need for training and development in your organization, develop a training and development proposal to be presented to the leadership team. Include a brief overview of different delivery methods for training and development, expected outcomes, and potential return on investment. Include a citation for your research.

8: Should employees receive pay increases for simply doing the job they are were hired to do or should they have to go above and beyond? Would your answer be different for bonuses? Provide an explanation for your response. Support your response with an APA cited reference(s).

9: Access the GCU Library. Locate a current and reliable source of information on the performance management cycle. Discuss the components of the performance management cycle and the frequency each component is conducted over the course of an annual performance management cycle.

10: Assume the role as the chair of the Recognition and Rewards Committee for an organization of 50 employees. Prepare a recommendation from your committee on how to allocate the $5,000 annual budget to maximize employee engagement and motivation. (Hint: Don't forget that non-monetary means of recognition and rewards can be just as effective as monetary means.)

11: Discuss one job or field (e.g., sanitation workers, education, etc.) that you feel is not adequately compensated for their work efforts. Provide an explanation for your response. Support your response with an APA cited reference(s).

12: If you were starting a new job, would you want to be paid at the top of your pay range or in the middle? What are the advantages and disadvantages to both? Provide an explanation for your response. Support your response with an APA cited reference(s).

13: Effective managers can successfully locate and apply relevant human resources laws and regulations. The United States Department of Labor website is an excellent source of reliable information.

Access the search box of the U.S. Dept. of Labor website.

Choose three laws from the list below to research:

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA)
• Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)
• Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
• National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act (see whistleblower protection provisions)

For each of your three chosen laws, provide a bulleted list of five or six relevant facts that you believe have significance for line managers.

14: Do you think there is a difference between diversity management and affirmative action? Please provide an explanation for your response.

15: Effective managers stay abreast of current HR topics.

Some relevant issues facing today's managers include: global HRM, labor relations, social media, whistleblower rules, e-HRM/self-service the knowledge economy, outsourcing pros and cons, managing four different generations in the workforce, increasing age of the workforce, employee privacy, the glass ceiling, implications of baby boomer retirements, immigration, social responsibility, elder care, executive pay, and alternative work arrangements.

Select three topics from the list above (or choose other current topics that are not included). Research each topic. For each of your three chosen topics, provide a bulleted list of four or five relevant points that you believe have significance for line managers.

16: Select an organization. Consider your experience as a customer, how would you describe the organizational strategy? Does it align well with their business strategy? If possible, use real-life examples to bolster your answer.

Effective managers stay abreast of current HR topics.