PHR Exam Information and Guideline
Professional in Human Resources (HRCI PHR)
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
- Business Management (20%)
- Talent Planning and Acquisition (16%)
- Learning and Development (10%)
- Total Rewards (15%)
- Employee and Labor Relations (39%)
Functional Area 01 | Business Management (20%)
Using information about the organization and business environment to reinforce expectations, influence decision making, and avoid risk.
Responsibilities:
01 Interpret and apply information related to general business environment and industry best practices
02 Reinforce the organizations core values, ethical and behavioral expectations through modeling, communication, and coaching
03 Understand the role of cross-functional stakeholders in the organization and establish relationships to influence decision making
04 Recommend and implement best practices to mitigate risk (for example: lawsuits, internal/ external threats)
05 Determine the significance of data for recommending organizational strategies (for example: attrition rates, diversity in hiring, time to hire, time to fill, ROI, success of training)
Knowledge of:
01 Vision, mission, values, and structure of the organization
02 Legislative and regulatory knowledge and procedures
03 Corporate governance procedures and compliance
04 Employee communications
05 Ethical and professional standards
06 Business elements of an organization (for example: other functions and departments, products, competition, customers, technology, demographics, culture, processes, safety and security)
07 Existing HRIS, reporting tools, and other systems for effective data reporting and analysis
08 Change management theory, methods, and application
09 Risk management
10 Qualitative and quantitative methods and tools for analytics
11 Dealing with situations that are uncertain, unclear, or chaotic
Functional Area 02 | Talent Planning and Acquisition (16%)
Identifying, attracting, and employing talent while following all federal laws related to the hiring process.
Responsibilities:
01 Understand federal laws and organizational policies to adhere to legal and ethical requirements in hiring (for example: Title VII, nepotism, disparate impact, FLSA, independent contractors)
02 Develop and implement sourcing methods and techniques (for example: employee referrals, diversity groups, social media)
03 Execute the talent acquisition lifecycle (for example: interviews, extending offers, background checks, negotiation).
Knowledge of:
12 Applicable federal laws and regulations related to talent planning and acquisition activities
13 Planning concepts and terms (for example: succession planning, forecasting)
14 Current market situation and talent pool availability
15 Staffing alternatives (for example: outsourcing, temporary employment)
16 Interviewing and selection techniques, concepts, and terms
17 Applicant tracking systems and/or methods
18 Impact of total rewards on recruitment and retention
19 Candidate/employee testing processes and procedures
20 Verbal and written offers/contract techniques
21 New hire employee orientation processes and procedures
22 Internal workforce assessments (for example: skills testing, workforce demographics, analysis)
23 Transition techniques for corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence process, offshoring, and divestitures
24 Metrics to assess past and future staffing effectiveness (for example: cost per hire, selection ratios, adverse impact)
Functional Area 03 | Learning and Development (10%)
Contributing to the organizations learning and development activities by implementing and evaluating programs, providing internal consultation, and providing data.
Responsibilities:
01 Provide consultation to managers and employees on professional growth and development opportunities
02 Implement and evaluate career development and training programs (for example: career pathing, management training, mentorship)
03 Contribute to succession planning discussions with management by providing relevant data Knowledge of:
25 Applicable federal laws and regulations related to learning and development activities
26 Learning and development theories and applications
27 Training program facilitation, techniques, and delivery
28 Adult learning processes
29 Instructional design principles and processes (for example: needs analysis, process flow mapping)
30 Techniques to assess training program effectiveness, including use of applicable metrics
31 Organizational development (OD) methods, motivation methods, and problem-solving techniques
32 Task/process analysis
33 Coaching and mentoring techniques
34 Employee retention concepts and applications
35 Techniques to encourage creativity and innovation
Functional Area 04 | Total Rewards (15%)
Implementing, promoting, and managing compensation and benefit programs in compliance with federal laws.
Responsibilities:
01 Manage compensation-related information and support payroll issue resolution
02 Implement and promote awareness of non-cash rewards (for example: paid volunteer time, tuition assistance, workplace amenities, and employee recognition programs)
03 Implement benefit programs (for example: health plan, retirement plan, employee assistance plan, other insurance)
04 Administer federally compliant compensation and benefit programs Knowledge of:
36 Applicable federal laws and regulations related to total rewards
37 Compensation policies, processes, and analysis
38 Budgeting, payroll, and accounting practices related to compensation and benefits
39 Job analysis and evaluation concepts and methods
40 Job pricing and pay structures
41 Non-cash compensation
42 Methods to align and benchmark compensation and benefits
43 Benefits programs policies, processes, and analysis
Functional Area 05 | Employee and Labor Relations (39%)
Manage, monitor, and/or promote legally compliant programs and policies that impact the employee experience throughout the employee lifecycle.
Responsibilities:
01 Analyze functional effectiveness at each stage of the employee lifecycle (for example: hiring, onboarding, development, retention, exit process, alumni program) and identify alternate approaches as needed
02 Collect, analyze, summarize, and communicate employee engagement data
03 Understand organizational culture, theories, and practices; identify opportunities and make recommendations
04 Understand and apply knowledge of programs, federal laws, and regulations to promote outreach, diversity and inclusion (for example: affirmative action, employee resource groups, community outreach, corporate responsibility)
05 Implement and support workplace programs relative to health, safety, security, and privacy following federal laws and regulations (for example: OSHA, workers compensation, emergency response, workplace violence, substance abuse, legal postings)
06 Promote organizational policies and procedures (for example: employee handbook, SOPs, time and attendance, expenses)
07 Manage complaints or concerns involving employment practices, behavior, or working conditions, and escalate by providing information to appropriate stakeholders
08 Promote techniques and tools for facilitating positive employee and labor relations with knowledge of applicable federal laws affecting union and nonunion workplaces (for example: dispute/conflict resolution, anti-discrimination policies, sexual harassment)
09 Support and consult with management in performance management process (for example: employee reviews, promotions, recognition programs)
10 Support performance activities (for example: coaching, performance improvement plans, involuntary separations) and employment activities (for example: job eliminations, reductions in force) by managing corresponding legal risks
Knowledge of:
44 General employee relations activities and analysis (for example, conducting investigations, researching grievances, working conditions, reports, etc.)
45 Applicable federal laws and procedures affecting employment, labor relations, safety, and security
46 Human relations, culture and values concepts, and applications to employees and organizations
47 Review and analysis process for assessing employee attitudes, opinions, and satisfaction
48 Diversity and inclusion
49 Recordkeeping requirements
50 Occupational injury and illness prevention techniques
51 Workplace safety and security risks
52 Emergency response, business continuity, and disaster recovery process
53 Internal investigation, monitoring, and surveillance techniques
54 Data security and privacy
55 The collective bargaining process, terms, and concepts (for example: contract negotiation, costing, administration)
56 Performance management process, procedures, and analysis
57 Termination approaches, concepts, and terms