Fundamentals of Human Resources Management

Whether you are newly appointed to an HR role, transitioning into human resources from another field, or managing HR responsibilities as part of a broader position, this comprehensive seminar delivers the practical knowledge and skills you need to contribute meaningfully and act with confidence. You will gain a thorough understanding of the essential HR functions and leave with a concrete action plan ready to implement in your organization.

This course provides a modern, integrated view of HR's strategic role and covers a broad range of critical practice areas through instruction, real-world discussion, and hands-on skill building, including:

• Legal responsibilities and compliance requirements
• Talent Acquisition and recruitment best practices
• Talent Assessment through performance management and diversity
• Talent Development through coaching and leadership development
• Talent Measurement and compensation design, among other topics

Who Should Attend:

HR practitioners with fewer than three years of experience; non-HR professionals with HR responsibilities; and experienced HR professionals seeking a focused review of HR's evolving role in today's workplace.

How You Will Benefit:

• Understand HR's role as a vital strategic contributor to organizational success
• Discover effective strategies for attracting and retaining top-tier talent
• Examine best practices in performance management and the design of compensation, training, and benefits systems that deliver results
• Identify and navigate high-stakes issues with a clear eye toward both legal requirements and business priorities
• Analyze HR challenges and develop action plans tailored to your organization's context
• Learn how HR and non-HR functions can work together to create an effective and complementary working environment

What You Will Cover:

The Role of HR and Organizational Assessment

• HR's evolving role in today's competitive and changing workplace
• HR as a strategic business partner at the leadership table
• Current HR trends and the challenges they present

Relationships and Gaining Trust

• The critical importance of building relationships across the organization
• How HR relates to and supports non-HR functions
• The business impact of stronger relationships between HR and non-HR departments

Legal Responsibilities

• Comparing and contrasting HR and managerial legal responsibilities
• Key federal employment-related laws and terminology
• Questions and categories to avoid during the hiring process
• Defining and increasing awareness of workplace sexual harassment and other forms of prohibited conduct
• Emerging legal trends and their implications for HR practice

Talent Acquisition

• The importance of well-crafted job descriptions and when to update them
• Matching applicants to job requirements and responsibilities effectively
• Recruiting best practices for finding high-quality candidates
• Selection criteria, structured interviewing techniques, and background research
• Effective onboarding and assimilation processes

Talent Alignment

• Aligning talent with the organization's strategic direction
• Development plans, goal-setting, and clear performance expectations
• Creating pathways for internal mobility and career growth
• Change management and organizational communication
• Succession planning for key roles

Talent Management

• Internal mobility and career development within the organization
• Domestic mobility considerations and programs
• Global mobility strategy and challenges

Talent Assessment: Performance Management and Diversity

• The objectives and design of effective performance management systems
• Core performance management components and implementation guidelines
• Respective roles of HR, managers, and employees in the performance process
• Performance conversations: preparation, action planning, and common pitfalls
• Addressing performance issues, counseling, and progressive discipline
• Assessing talent through a diversity and inclusion lens
• Key principles and practices in building a diverse workplace

Talent Development

• Clarifying training roles and responsibilities across the organization
• Types of training and their appropriate applications
• Coaching, mentoring, and their role in employee development
• Career development pathways and how HR supports them
• Leadership development programs and succession readiness

Talent Measurement and Compensation

• The year-end performance review cycle and its integration with compensation
• Characteristics of an effective and equitable compensation system
• Salary surveys and competitive market benchmarking
• Traditional and innovative compensation program designs

Talent Retention and Transition

• Proven strategies for retaining high-performing employees
• Managing talent transitions, including offboarding and knowledge transfer

Functional HR Areas

• Healthcare and other employee benefits programs
• Voluntary benefits and Total Rewards philosophy
• Federally mandated leave and holiday requirements
• Employee handbooks and their purpose and design
• Policy and procedure manuals
• Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and their role in HR operations

Final Activity

Putting it all together: understanding and articulating your role in the organization and developing your personal HR action plan.