Pass the HRCI HRCI certification PHR Questions and answers with CertsForce

Employers must allow, but cannot require, the employee to use available paid leave (like sick time) during military leave. It must be voluntary on the part of the employee.

Official Extract:

"Employees on military leave may elect, but cannot be required, to use accrued vacation, annual, or similar paid leave during their service."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Employee and Labor Relations Section, USERRA Benefits)

Environmental scanning is the process of systematically monitoring external factors — such as industry trends, economic shifts, technology, and competitors — to proactively adapt business strategies.

Official Extract:

"Environmental scanning involves assessing external factors that may affect organizational performance, including market trends, competitor analysis, and industry developments."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Business Management Section, Strategic Environmental Analysis)

According to OSHA standards and emergency preparedness guidelines, organizations must have clear procedures to account for all employees after evacuation during emergencies to ensure everyone’s safety.

Official Extract:

"Emergency action plans must include procedures for accounting for all employees after evacuation to ensure no one is left behind or unaccounted for."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Business Management Section, Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness)

Pay inversion happens when a new employee is hired at a higher salary than a current employee performing the same or similar work with equal or greater experience — often due to rising market rates.

Official Extract:

"Pay inversion occurs when newly hired employees are paid more than existing employees in comparable roles, creating internal pay inequities."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Total Rewards Section, Pay Structures and Market Competitiveness)

Reading magazines, journals, and newsletters is considered an unstructured and informal learning method, allowing professionals to stay current without following a fixed curriculum.

Official Extract:

"Self-directed reading of professional literature provides informal learning opportunities to remain updated on HR and business developments."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Learning and Development Section, Informal Learning Methods)

The first proactive step in reducing cyber liability is to develop an acceptable use policy. This policy clearly outlines what constitutes acceptable and prohibited behavior regarding company networks, systems, and data, helping to prevent security breaches before they happen.

Official Extract:

"Implementing an acceptable use policy is essential to mitigate cyber risks by informing employees about appropriate use of company systems and safeguarding sensitive information."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Business Management Section, Cybersecurity Risk Management)

The key concern when collecting demographic data is maintaining employee anonymity. Avoiding questions that make employees feel identifiable increases participation rates and ensures honest feedback.

Official Extract:

"Surveys must protect respondent confidentiality to ensure authentic responses and avoid perceived or actual risk of identification."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Talent Planning and Acquisition Section, Employee Surveys and Data Collection)

The recency effect occurs when evaluators place too much emphasis on the most recent information they received — in this case, the last candidate interviewed — rather than evaluating all candidates equally.

Official Extract:

"The recency effect is a type of interview bias where the most recently reviewed candidates or events are disproportionately weighted in evaluation decisions."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Talent Planning and Acquisition Section, Interview and Selection Bias)

Offering different severance benefits based on protected categories (like gender) could create a disparate impact claim. The organization should analyze and compare the severance offerings to ensure they do not unintentionally discriminate.

Official Extract:

"Employers must evaluate severance programs for potential disparate impact on protected groups and correct inequities to avoid discrimination claims."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Employee and Labor Relations Section, Compliance and Fair Employment Practices)

Under FMLA guidelines, if an employee's absences differ substantially from the medical certification, the employer has the right to request an updated certification to confirm the need for continued leave.

Official Extract:

"An employer may request recertification if the frequency or duration of absences significantly differs from the original certification. Employers must follow FMLA procedures carefully to avoid claims of interference or retaliation."

(Source: HRCI PHR Content Outline 2024–2025, Employee and Labor Relations Section, FMLA Compliance)