PHR certification, the operational HR exam

A manager rates all 12 direct reports "3 - meets expectations" on a 5-point scale, even though their sales results vary widely. Which rating error is this?

1. First-impression error
   A first-impression error lets an early view of one person color later ratings; it does not explain a whole team rated the same.
2. Central tendency
   Central tendency is rating everyone in the middle of the scale regardless of real differences, as with twelve identical 3s despite varied results.
3. Halo effect
   The halo effect lets one strong trait inflate a person's other ratings; it does not produce identical midpoint scores for all twelve reports.
4. Leniency error
   A leniency error pushes ratings toward the high end of the scale, while these ratings cluster at the midpoint.

A company wants to reward employees for meeting annual goals without permanently raising its fixed payroll costs. Which approach BEST fits?

1. An across-the-board cost-of-living raise
   A cost-of-living raise goes to everyone regardless of goals and also becomes a permanent part of base pay.
2. Broadbanding the salary structure
   Broadbanding restructures salary ranges into fewer, wider bands; it is not a way to reward goal achievement.
3. A lump-sum performance bonus
   A lump-sum bonus is paid once for meeting the goals and does not enter base pay, so fixed payroll costs stay where they are.
4. A merit increase to base pay
   A merit increase is added to base pay and compounds every year, which permanently raises fixed payroll.

A company is building a workplace violence prevention program. Which element is MOST essential?

1. Psychological testing of new hires
   Psychological testing of hires is intrusive, raises ADA concerns and does nothing about threats from current staff, customers or partners.
2. Relying on police to respond to threats
   Police respond to emergencies, but prevention needs internal reporting, threat assessment and follow-up long before police are called.
3. Annual violence training for supervisors only
   Training supervisors only leaves out the employees who usually see warning signs first, so the training scope is too narrow.
4. Safe ways to report threats without reprisal
   People must be able to report threats and warning signs without fear of retaliation, or the program never learns about the risk in time.

A company had 190 employees on January 1 and 210 on December 31, with 30 separations during the year. What was the annual turnover rate?

1. 15.0%
   Average headcount is (190 + 210) ÷ 2 = 200, and 30 ÷ 200 = 15.0%.
2. 14.3%
   14.3% divides the separations by the ending headcount of 210 instead of the average.
3. 15.8%
   15.8% divides the 30 separations by the starting headcount of 190 instead of the average.
4. 10.0%
   10.0% uses the net headcount change (20 ÷ 200), which ignores who actually left.