Foundations of Human Resources Management: Policies and PracticesIntroduction #256001

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Define the strategic role and key functions of Human Resources Management within a modern organization.

Explain the importance of legally sound HR policies and procedures in mitigating risk and ensuring compliance with employment laws.

Design and implement effective processes for talent acquisition, including job analysis, recruitment, and selection.

Develop the core components of a performance management system, including goal setting, feedback, and appraisal techniques.

Understand the fundamentals of total rewards, including compensation structures and benefits programs.

Identify key factors in employee relations, engagement, and retention strategies.

Recognize contemporary issues in HRM, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the impact of technology.

This course is ideal for:

New HR Practitioners: Individuals new to the HR field who need a broad and solid foundation in all functional areas.

HR Assistants / Coordinators: Those in administrative HR roles looking to deepen their knowledge and advance their careers.

Small Business Owners & Managers: Non-HR professionals who are responsible for the people-management functions within their business or team.

Line Managers & Supervisors: Anyone who manages people and wishes to better understand HR policies, procedures, and best practices to lead their teams more effectively.

Career Changers: Professionals exploring a transition into the field of Human Resources.

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: The Strategic Role of HR and The Legal Landscape

Morning Session:

• Introduction to Strategic HRM
• The Evolution of HR: From Personnel to Strategic Partner
• Key Functions of the HR Department
• Aligning HR Strategy with Business Strategy
• Understanding the Employee Lifecycle

Afternoon Session:

• The Legal Framework of Employment
• Key Employment Laws & Regulations (e.g., Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), ADA, FMLA, FLSA)
• Avoiding Discrimination and Ensuring Workplace Fairness
• The Essentials of an Employee Handbook

Workshop:

• Analyzing case studies on common legal pitfalls.

Day 2: Attracting and Acquiring Talent

Morning Session:

• Workforce Planning & Job Design
• Strategic Workforce Planning
• Conducting Job Analysis and Writing Job Descriptions
• HR Forecasting and Talent Analytics

Afternoon Session:

• Recruitment & Selection
• Sourcing Strategies: Internal vs. External Recruitment
• Effective Screening and Interviewing Techniques (e.g., Behavioral Interviews)
• Making the Selection Decision and Job Offers

Activity:

• Conducting a mock interview and providing feedback.

Day 3: Developing and Managing Performance

Morning Session:

• Learning & Development (L&D)
• Conducting Training Needs Assessments
• Designing and Delivering Effective Training Programs
• Employee Development and Career Pathing
• Evaluating Training Effectiveness (Kirkpatrick Model)

Afternoon Session:

• Performance Management
• The Performance Management Cycle
• Setting SMART Goals and Objectives
• Tools for Performance Appraisal
• Delivering Constructive Feedback and Coaching for Performance

Workshop:

• Drafting performance goals and conducting a performance review role-play.

Day 4: Total Rewards and Employee Relations

Morning Session:

• Compensation & Benefits
• Developing a Compensation Philosophy
• Job Evaluation and Salary Structure Design
• Overview of Key Employee Benefits (Health, Retirement, etc.)
• Introduction to Variable Pay and Incentives

Afternoon Session:

• Employee Relations & Engagement
• Fostering Positive Employee Relations
• Employee Engagement Strategies and Measurement
• Handling Grievances and Disciplinary Procedures

Activity:

• Developing an employee engagement action plan for a given scenario.

Day 5: Key HR Challenges and The Future of Work

Morning Session:

• Contemporary Issues in HR
• Building a Culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
• Ethics in Human Resources
• Health, Safety, and Wellbeing in the Workplace

Afternoon Session:

• HR Technology and Course Integration
• Introduction to Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
• The Impact of AI and Automation on HR
• The Future of Work: Remote Work, Gig Economy, and Changing Workforce Demographics

Capstone Activity:

• Participants work in groups to develop a foundational HR strategy for a case study company, integrating learnings from all five days.
• Course Recap, Q&A, and Action Planning