Exam SPHR topic 1 question 28 discussion

Actual exam question from HRCI's SPHR

Question #: 28
Topic #: 1

As a Senior HR Professional, you must be familiar with certain legal terms, laws, and regulations that affect how you and others operate in the workplace. One term is protected class. Which of the following statements best describes a protected class?

A. A group of people who share a common characteristic and who are protected from discrimination and harassment on the basis of that shared characteristic.
B. A group of people who share a common characteristic and who are exempt from discrimination regulations on the basis of that shared characteristic.
C. A group of people who do not share a common characteristic and who are not protected from discrimination and harassment on the basis of that shared characteristic.
D. A group of people who share a race and who are protected from discrimination and harassment on the basis of that race.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: A 🗳️
Answer option A is correct.
A protected class is a group of people who share a common characteristic, such as race or sex, and who are protected from discrimination and harassment on the basis of that shared characteristic.
Answer option B is incorrect. A protected class is not exempt from discrimination, but protected from it.
Answer option C is incorrect. This isn't a valid description of a protected class.
Answer option D is incorrect. A protected class can be more than just race, so this statement, while partially correct, is not the best answer to the question.
Reference: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Sybex, ISBN: 978-0-470-43096-5. Chapter Four: Workforce Planning. Official PHR and
SPHR Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Workforce Planning and Employment
Objective: Federal Employment Legislation

by pekata at April 5, 2025, 6:28 p.m.

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