Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) Practice Exam

The HR manager in this scenario is exercising staff authority, which is characterized by the role of providing support, guidance, and expertise to other departments or leaders within the organization. Staff authority typically involves advising and assisting line managers who have the direct responsibility for production or services.

In this context, the HR manager's role involves disseminating information about HR policies and practices, indicating that they are not directly managing the departments but rather offering valuable advice and resources to help others comply with HR protocols. This aligns perfectly with the principles of staff authority, where HR acts as a supporting function to enable the effective functioning of the organization.

Line authority, on the other hand, refers to the right to direct the activities of subordinates, typically found in managerial positions where one has direct oversight of operations. Functional authority pertains to a specialized area where the authority extends beyond the traditional line structure in order to control specific activities or processes. Expert authority is based on expertise or specialized knowledge but doesn't necessarily imply organizational protocols or practices, as seen with the HR manager’s role here.