About This Course...xi

How to Take This Course...xiii

Pre-Test...xv

1 The Human Resources Function: An Overview...1

The History of Personnel/Human Resources
Today's Successful HR Practitioner
    Important Competencies
HR Challenges
    Diversity
    Workplace Illiteracy
    Telecommuting and Virtual Management
    Integrating a Contingent Workforce
    Work/Life Programs
Establishing an HR Function
    HR Staff Ratios
    HR Budgets and Operating Costs
    What's in a Name?
The HR Function in Small and Mid-Sized vs. Large Organizations
    Degree of Specialization
    Number of Geographic Locations
    Unionization
    Variety of Jobs
    Hierarchy of Reporting Relationships
    Grievances and Disciplinary Problems
The HR Function in Relation to Non-HR Functions
    Legal Issues
    The Employment Process
    Testing
    Compensation
    Performance Management
    Benefits Administration
    Employee Relations
    Training and Development
    Human Resources Management Systems (HRMS)
Recap
Review Questions

Employment-Related Legislation
    Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938
    Civil Rights Act of 1866
    Civil Rights Act of 1964
    Equal Pay Act of 1963
    Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
    Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970
    Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) of 1978
    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
    Civil Rights Act of 1991
    Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993
    Requirements for Posting Information
The Impact of Employment-Related Legislation on HR Management
Employment- and Termination-at-Will
Negligent Hiring and Retention
Avoiding Discrimination Charges
Recap
Review Questions

Interview Preparation
    Step One: Become Familiar with the Job
    Step Two: Review the Employment Application or R�sum�
    Step Three: Plan Basic Questions
Recruitment
    Recruitment Sources
    Recruitment Strategy
    ABC Guidelines for Successful Recruitment
Interview Questioning Techniques
    Competency-Based Questions
    Open-Ended Questions
    Hypothetical Questions
    Probing Questions
    Closed-Ended Questions
Documentation
    Objective and Subjective Language
    Avoid Recording Unsubstantiated Opinions
    Refer to Job-Related Facts
    Documentation for Jobs Without Tangible Requirements
Orientation Programs
    Organizational Orientation Programs
    Departmental Orientation Programs
Recap
Review Questions

How Preemployment and Employment Tests Are Used
    Preemployment Testing
    Employment Testing
Testing Advantages and Disadvantages
    Testing Advantages
    Testing Disadvantages
Test Validation
    Types of Validity Studies
Test Administration
    Test Takers
    Test Administrators
    Test Standardization
    Test Security
    Language Consistency
    Testing Policies
Types of Tests
    Drug Testing
    Psychological Testing
    Personality Testing
Recap
Review Questions

Characteristics of an Effective Compensation Program
Job Descriptions
    Before Writing Job Descriptions
    Generic and Specific Job Descriptions
    Job Description Contents
    Guidelines for Writing Job Descriptions
Position Evaluations
    Position Evaluation Process
    Benchmarking
Specific Compensation Programs
    Base Pay
    Merit Increase System
    Single Rates
    Variable Pay
    Skill-Based Pay
    Competency-Based Pay
    Broadbanding
     Gainsharing
    Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Recap
Review Questions

Objectives and Uses
Components of an Effective System
Performance Management Methods
    Essay Evaluation
    Graphic Rating Scale
    Weighted Checklist
    Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS)
    Forced Choice
    Critical Incident
    Ranking
    Forced Distribution
    360-Degree Evaluation
    Self-Evaluation
    Choosing the Most Appropriate Performance Management System
Allocation of Performance Management Responsibilities
    Coaching and Counseling
Performance Management Forms
    Uses of Performance Management Forms
    Instructions and Training
    Numerical Ratings
    Misuses of Performance Management Forms
    Limitations of Forms
Performance Management Meetings
    Preparing for a Performance Management Meeting
    Conducting the Performance Management Meeting
    Performance Management Meeting Pitfalls
Recap
Review Questions

Benefits Trends
Primary Objectives of Benefits Programs
Required Benefits
    Social Security and Medicare
    Unemployment Insurance
    Workers' Compensation
    Family and Medical Leave
Additional Benefits Legislation
    Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974
    Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
    New EEOC Guidance on Discrimination in Employee Benefits
Different Types of Benefits Plans
    Traditional Benefits Plans
    Flexible Benefits Plans
Selecting an Insurance Carrier
    Questions to Ask Carriers
Funding Options
Recap
Review Questions

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
    Cost of an EAP
    EAP Providers
    Confidentiality
Grievances and Disciplinary Procedures
    Grievance Procedures
    Disciplinary Procedures
Alternative Dispute Resolution
HR Policies and Procedures Manuals and Employee Handbooks
    Policies and Procedures Manuals
    Employee Handbooks
Employee Retention
    What Employees Want
    The Impact of Managers on Turnover
    Retention Challenges in Today's Workplace
    Communication: The Key Component of a Retention Environment
    Employee Recognition and Award Programs
    Best Practices: The McDonald's Corporation
Recap
Review Questions

Training Trends
    Types of Training
    Training Costs
    Training Formats
    Linking Learning with Performance
    The Role of HR
    Knowledge Management
Needs Assessment
    Types of Needs Assessment
Directed Training vs. Nondirected Training
    Directed Training
    Nondirected Training
Distance Learning
    Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning
    Classroom Learning vs. Distance Learning
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Training
    Isolate Competencies
    Application of Learning
    Return on Investment (ROI)
Career Development
    Career Development Model
    Succession Planning
    Acceleration Pool
Mentoring
    Mentoring Programs
Recap
Review Questions

Guidelines for Using, Selecting, Replacing, and Upgrading an HRMS
    Uses of an HRMS
    Selecting an HRMS Project Team
    Upgrading an Existing HRMS
    Steps for Implementing an HRMS
Selecting a Vendor
    Request for Proposal (RFP)
    Product Demonstrations
    The HRMS Contract
Self-Service Applications
HRMS Costs
    Internal or External Development
    Anticipated Costs
    Scope Creep
    Business Impact
Privacy and Security Issues
HRMS Maintenance
Recap
Review Questions

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