Exam Content Outlines

Below are the sections of the exam content outlines for this functional area. These specifications detail the responsibilities and knowledge covered on the certification exams. The item numbering is not sequential here because it reflects the numbering system employed in the exam content outline.

Functional Area 05: Employee and Labor Relations (39%)

Responsibilities:

01    Analyze functional effectiveness at each stage of the employee life cycle (e.g., 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, equity, and inclusion (e.g., 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 (e.g., OSHA, worker’s compensation, emergency response, workplace violence, substance abuse, legal postings).

06    Promote organizational policies and procedures (e.g., 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. (e.g., dispute/conflict resolution, anti-discrimination policies, sexual harassment).

09    Support and consult with management in performance management process (e.g., employee reviews, promotions, recognition programs).

10    Support performance activities (e.g., coaching, performance improvement plans, involuntary separations) and employment activities (e.g., job eliminations, reductions in force) by managing corresponding legal risks.

Knowledge of:

44    General employee relations activities and analysis (e.g., conducting investigations, researching grievances, working conditions, reports, etc.)

45    Applicable federal laws and procedures affecting employment, labor relations, safety and security.

46    Human relation and culture value concepts and applications to employees and organizations.

47    Review and analysis for assessing employee attitudes, opinions, and satisfaction

48    Diversity, equity, and inclusion

49    Record keeping 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 (e.g., contract negotiation, costing, administration)

56    Performance management process, procedures, and analysis

57    Termination approaches, concepts, and terms

SPHR Functional Area 5: Employee Relations and Engagement (20%)

Responsibilities

01    Design and evaluate strategies for employee satisfaction (e.g., recognition, career path) and performance management (e.g., performance evaluation, corrective action, coaching).

02    Analyze and evaluate strategies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

03    Evaluate employee safety and security strategies (e.g., OSHA, HIPAA, emergency response plan, building access, data security/privacy).

04    Develop and evaluate labor strategy (e.g., collective bargaining, grievance program, concerted activity, staying union free, strategically aligning with labor).

Knowledge of

51    Strategies to facilitate positive employee relations

52    Methods for assessing employee attitudes, opinions, and satisfaction

53    Performance management strategies

54    Human relations concepts and applications

55    Ethical and professional standards

56    Diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts and applications

57    Occupational injury and illness prevention techniques

58    Workplace safety and security risks and strategies

59    Emergency response, business continuity and disaster recovery strategies

60    Internal investigation, monitoring, and surveillance techniques

61    Data security and privacy

62    The collective bargaining process, strategies, and concepts (e.g., contract negotiation, costing, administration)