50 practice questions across 5 topics, each with a written explanation of why the correct answer is correct. Start below — the first questions are free and no account is required.
Federal Employment Law (Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA)
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which of the following is NOT a protected class?
- A. Race
- B. Religion
- C. Sexual orientation
- D. National origin
Answer: C. Title VII protects race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Sexual orientation was not explicitly covered by Title VII until the Supreme Court's 2020 ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that Title VII's prohibition on sex discrimination extends to sexual orientation and gender identity. For PHR purposes, know the original five protected classes and that Bostock expanded coverage.
Talent Planning & Acquisition
A structured interview is considered more legally defensible than an unstructured interview primarily because:
- A. It costs less to administer
- B. All candidates are asked the same job-related questions, enabling objective comparison
- C. It allows the interviewer to explore interesting tangents
- D. It eliminates the need for reference checks
Answer: B. Structured interviews use a predetermined, standardized set of job-related questions asked in the same order of every candidate. This reduces unconscious bias and improves predictive validity. Courts favor structured interviews because they demonstrate that selection was based on job-relevant criteria, not protected class characteristics.
Employee & Labor Relations
A supervisor receives a complaint from Employee A that Employee B made unwanted sexual comments. The FIRST step should be:
- A. Terminate Employee B immediately
- B. Advise Employee A that the behavior will stop and dismiss the complaint
- C. Conduct a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation
- D. Transfer Employee A to another department
Answer: C. Employers have a legal obligation to promptly and thoroughly investigate sexual harassment complaints. Failure to investigate can create or expand liability. The investigation should be impartial, documented, and confidential to the extent possible. Remedial action should follow if the complaint is substantiated.