WEEk 1 Discussion 1 . Human Resource Transformations
 
As a field, human resource management is undergoing significant transformations, from one previously concerned with performing administrative functions to one concerned with becoming a strategic partner to senior management.  Discuss some of the roles human resources can perform in collaboration with organizational managers. What do you feel are some of the most important tools managers need to be equipped with in order to effectively manage their personnel? 
 

Discussion 2. Equal Employment and Diversity 
 
Equal employment opportunity and diversity of the workforce represent major issues for personnel administrators in most organizations. Explain the benefit of a diverse workforce in an organization and propose an innovative strategy that would increase the diversity within an organization.

WEEK 2 Discussion 1. Turnover Rate
 
Keeping good employees is a challenge that all organizations share and that becomes even more difficult as labor markets change.  Discuss two myths as to why employees leave organizations and strategies managers can implement to lower an organization’s turnover rate.

Discussion 2. Recruitment 
 
Recruitment is the process of generating a pool of qualified applicants for organizational jobs.  Propose the most effective manner in which to attract applicants to an organization, and the most effective tool/test to utilize to select the best applicant for the job. Support your claims.

WEEK 3 Discussion 1. Training

Training is the process whereby people acquire capabilities to perform jobs.  Provide an example of an instance where you did not receive adequate training to perform a job function. How could this training gap have been more effectively planned for? Who should ideally provide that training? How can issues such as knowledge retention also be mitigated in the planning for training process? 

Discussion 2. Talent management

Talent management is a fairly new concept within human resources. If your own organization primarily focused its talent management on high-potential individuals, how could that impact the motivation and job satisfaction of other lower- potential employees?How can effective talent management become a source of competitive advantage for an organization?

Assignment . Performance Evaluations

The most effective performance evaluation systems are those that focus on identifying, measuring and improving upon  employee performance. In this two- to three- page paper, provide an analysis of the following:

1. The intent of performance evaluations within an organization.
2. The general process an organization should follow in developing/utilizing its performance evaluation tool.
3. Finally, the traits/characteristics of an effective performance management/performance appraisal process

The paper must be in APA format and should include a reference page citing at least two peer-reviewed sources other than the textbook

WEEK 4 Discussion 1. Compensation
 
Compensation is the method in which most organizations reward their employees’ efforts.  There are two basic compensation philosophies that lie on opposite ends of a continuum – the entitlement and the performance philosophy.  Compare and contrast these two important philosophies and determine which should be the determining philosophy for most organizations, and why.

Discussion 2. Benefits

Benefits are indirect rewards given to an employee or group of employees for organizational membership.  Their costs are rapidly increasing, causing many organizations to require employees to help pay for these benefits.  Detail the role of benefits in an organization’s overall compensation philosophy. Then, distinguish between those benefits that offer an employer a competitive advantage in the recruitment process (and thus should be a component of an employee’s compensation package) and those benefits that do not offer an employer a competitive advantage.

WEEK 5 Discussion 1. Prevention and Control 

The concept of using prevention and control to minimize or eliminate a wide range of risks in workplaces has been expanding.  Discuss the components of a well-developed risk management program. What are the key factors that result in direct savings throughout the organization in workers’ compensation costs, civil liability damages, and litigation expenses?

Discussion 2. Unions

A union is a formal association of workers that promotes the interests of its members through collective action. What do you perceive as some of the benefits and potential negative effects of union membership? 

ASSIGNMENT. Focus of the Final Project 

In a three- to five- page APA style paper, perform a job analysis for a position of your choice (examples are a previously-held job, present job, future job you would like). What compensation, training, and employee performance needs must be addressed in order to attract and keep this position filled with qualified talent? How will you determine if the current job description effectively represents the tasks, duties and responsibilities of the job?

Writing the Final Project

• Must be three to five double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a cover page that includes:
  • Name of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course number and name
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted

• Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
• Must use APA style as outlined in your approved style guide to document all sources.
• Must include, on the final page, a Reference List that is completed according to APA style