Test your Human Resources knowledge below with a fun, Christmas-themed HR quiz created by Ami Jones at aible HR Services.
1. Santa’s elves work a standard Mon-Fri working week in the run-up to Christmas. What is the minimum number of paid leave days that Santa’s elves are entitled to per year?
A. 25 days
B. 28 days
C. 20 days
D. 30 days
2. One of the elves is feeling overworked, and has plans to take a large amount of unpaid leave to travel to Europe in 2023. What is the maximum amount of time that an employee can be on unpaid leave in the UK?
A. 4 weeks
B. 8 weeks
C. 6 weeks
D. There is no limit.
3. Santa is looking to recruit a new right-hand-man for Christmas next year, and is now in the second stage of interviews for the position. Which of the following characteristics of his potential new recruit is not protected under the 2010 Equality Act?
A. Age
B. Sexual orientation
C. Gender identity
D. Political beliefs
4. Simon manages a Santa’s Grotto pop-up in Cardiff city centre, and is finding it difficult to work with one of Santa’s little helpers. Can Simon terminate an employee for any reason, according to UK employment law?
A. Yes, as long as the employer does not discriminate based on a protected characteristic.
B. No, the employer must have a valid reason for terminating the employee.
C. Yes, the employer has the right to terminate an employee at any time and for any reason.
D. It depends on the terms of the employee’s contract.
5. If the baby Jesus were to have been born In the UK after the changes to employment laws in 2013, how many weeks of statutory maternity leave would Mary have been entitled to?
A. 12 weeks
B. 16 weeks
C. 26 weeks
D. 52 weeks
6. Santa may have to make a number of his elves redundant after Christmas this year to reduce costs in the quiet months. Unless stated otherwise in their employment contract, what is the minimum amount of notice that Santa is required to give an employee if they are being made redundant?
A. 1 week.
B. 4 weeks
C. 2 weeks
D. 8 weeks
7. Some of the reindeer want to revisit their favourite travel destinations over the summer, and want to begin working remotely for several months of the year. In the UK, what is the minimum amount of time that an employee must have worked for their employer before they are entitled to request flexible working arrangements?
A. 12 weeks
B. 26 weeks
C. 1 year
D. 2 years
8. Santa has noticed a drop in productivity from some of his hardest workers and an increase in absences in recent weeks. Can he require an employee to take a drug test as a condition of employment in the UK?
A. Yes, as long as the employee has provided consent to the test.
B. No, drug testing is illegal under UK employment law.
C. Yes, but the employer must have a reasonable suspicion that the employee is using drugs.
D. It depends on the employer’s company policy.
9. The elves are hard at work in the run up to Christmas Eve. But according to the Working Time Regulations 1998 in the UK, what is the maximum number of hours they are allowed to work each week?
A 48 hours
B. 40 hours
C. 36 hours
D. 30 hours
10. Bank holiday leave entitlement works a little differently in the North Pole. Could Santa require his elves to work on a bank holiday if his factory had to relocate to the UK?
A. Yes, if the employee is paid time and a half for their work.
B. No, bank holidays are mandatory days off for all employees.
C. Yes, but the employer must provide the employee with a day off in lieu.
D. It depends on the employer’s company policy and specific terms laid out in the contract.
