Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Practice Exam

The term "prima facie" originates from Latin, meaning "at first sight" or "on its face." It refers to something that is presumed to be true unless it is disproven by further evidence. In legal and human resources contexts, when strong evidence is presented at first glance, it means that there is sufficient proof or justification to initially support a claim or assertion before any further examination or investigation takes place.

In the context of the options provided, this understanding aligns with the concept of having credible evidence that would warrant a more in-depth analysis. For example, in a workplace investigation, a prima facie case might be established if there appears to be sufficient evidence of harassment or discrimination based solely on initial findings. This does not necessarily mean the case is closed but rather that it has enough merit to continue with further inquiries.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of what "prima facie" conveys. The right to appeal a decision pertains to procedural rights in different contexts, grounds for immediate dismissal relates to specific justifiable reasons under employment law, and initial findings that require further investigation suggest an incomplete status rather than strong evidence being present right away. Therefore, the definition that best matches the meaning of prima facie is strong evidence presented at first