HR Policies & Resources Guide

1. Chapter 8 HUMAN RESOURCE POLICIES AND RESOURCES

2. “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Woody Allen

3. OBJECTIVES Identify the primary functions performed by the human resource department State the primary components of an employee orientation program Describe the purpose and use of an employee handbook Explain the concept of employment-at-will and right-to-revise clauses Identify the various types of employment status Name the primary types and appropriate use of employee benefits Explain the importance and appropriate use of an open-door policy

4. HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT Human Resource Department (HR): A function within an organization that is responsible for: Hiring Training Compensation Benefits Performance evaluations Complaints Promotions and changes in work status

5. EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION Employee Orientation: a formal meeting where the following information is provided to new employees: Company purpose Company structure Major policies and procedures Employee benefits Other important matters Receive company property

6. EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION Learn About Your Company Mission statement Organization chart Key officials (names and faces)

7. EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION Mentor-someone who can help you develop your leadership skills, provide support, and help you grow in your career Formal-assigned by company Informal-your choice Corporate culture-values, expectations, and behaviors of people at work

8. EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK Employee Handbook:An employee document that outlines an employee’s agreement with the employer, including: Work conditions Policies Benefits Code of conduct Keep this handbook and use it as a reference

9. EMPLOYMENT-AT-WILL and RIGHT TO REVISE Employment-at-will: a legal term that states that a non-contracted employee is not contractually obligated to work for the company for a specified period You can quit any time you want Employer can terminate your employment at any time Right to revise:an employer has the right to change the policies in the employee handbook

10. EMPLOYMENT STATUS Part-time employees: employees who work less than 40 hours per week Full-time employees: employees who work 40 or more hours per week Temporary employees: employees who are hired only for a specified period of time Introductory employees:new employees who are in an evaluation period prior to becoming full-time, permanent employees Formerly known as “probationary” employees

11. EMPLOYMENT STATUS Identify: Your employment status If your company has an orientation/introductory period The length of your orientation/introductory period Factors that will be used to evaluate your performance If and when you become eligible for benefits

12. EMPLOYMENT STATUS Job description:a document that outlines job duties and responsibilities Performance evaluation: a formal evaluation process that identifies work performance Common evaluation criteria include: Productivity Efficiency Behavior

13. TALK IT OUT What performance criteria would you use to evaluate a customer service employee?

14. HOW TO BEHAVE AT PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS Provide time for your supervisor to give you feedback on performance This is a good time for you to share your desire for additional training and responsibilities

15. HOW TO BEHAVE AT PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS • During evaluation: • Sit quietly and listen • Take notes, do not interrupt • When appropriate, share concerns • Support comments with facts and documentation (e.g., customer letters, commendations, etc.) • If you agree with evaluation, sign • If you do not agree with evaluation, sign with attachment of factual written response and supporting documentation

16. BENEFITS Benefits include more than healthcare Direct Benefits (monetary) Indirect Benefits (non-monetary) Healthcare and paid vacations (At publication) employers do not have to offer health benefits

17. BENEFITS Medical benefits: coverage for physician and hospital visits Vision benefits: coverage for eye care Dental benefits: coverage for teeth Pharmacy and other health Mandatory time off, paid time off Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Retirement plan: a savings plan for when you retire

18. TALK IT OUT Identify health concerns and how they affect the workplace

19. BENEFITS • When selecting benefits, consider: • Convenience • Co-payment • Coverage for dependents • Choice

20. BENEFITS • Payroll, paydays, accrued vacation, and sick days • Identify when you get paid • Two parts to a paycheck; the actual check and a paystub • May be automatically transferred to your bank account • Paystub identifies any money taken from your original earnings • Identify vacations and holidays pay

21. OPEN DOOR POLICY Open Door Policy: when management is available to listen to employee ideas or concerns The purpose of an open door policy is to communicate to employees that management and the human resource department are always available to listen should the employee have a concern or complaint

22. UNIONS Unions: a third party that represents you and your colleagues’ interests to your employer Purpose is to protect the rights of employees Union Contract: a document that addresses specific work-related issues that the employer and union have agreed upon Shop Steward: a company employee who assists union members with work-related issues