Human Resources Kit For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Align HR practices with your objectives and keep your company competitive A company's ability to grow and stay on top of customer demand has always depended heavily on the quality of its people. Now, more than ever, businesses recognize that finding (and keeping) a highly skilled and motivated workforce is pivotal to success. Maybe you're a business owner and your company is growing, or you're an employee at a small- to midsize-company and management has asked you to take on some—or all—of their HR functions. Either way, knowing how to set up and implement successful HR practices (not to mention navigating the legal minefields in today's increasingly regulated environment) can be tricky. Human Resources Kit For Dummies is your one-stop resource for learning the nuts and bolts of HR. It gives you forms and templates that you can put to immediate and productive use. New information on anti-discrimination legislation; measuring performance; hiring, firing, and retaining employees; and training and development plans The latest info on online and social media policies Updated forms and contracts, from job application forms and sample employee policies to performance appraisals and benefit plan worksheets If you're currently working in Human Resources or are responsible for employees in your business, the tools presented here help you maximize the effectiveness of your own HR program.

Introduction 1 Part I: Scoping Out the HR Role 7 Chapter 1: The World of Human Resources 9 Chapter 2: Setting the Stage: Key HR Trends 15 Chapter 3: HR Technology Systems and Social Tools 23 Part II: Putting the Right People in the Right Places 33 Chapter 4: A Bird’s-Eye View: Launching a Workforce Plan 35 Chapter 5: Smart Start: Kicking Off the Hiring Process 55 Chapter 6: You, the Talent Scout: Recruiting for Your Team 63 Chapter 7: Narrowing Down the Field: Evaluating Applicants 85 Chapter 8: One on One: Getting the Most out of Interviewing 105 Chapter 9: The Home Stretch: Making the Final Decision 123 Part III: Keeping Your Best People 143 Chapter 10: Starting New Hires Off on the Right Foot 145 Chapter 11: Ensuring a Competitive Compensation Structure 163 Chapter 12: Creating the Right Benefi ts Package 183 Chapter 13: Creating an Employee-Friendly Work Environment 209 Part IV: Developing Your Employees 221 Chapter 14: Back to School: Tying Training to Business Goals 223 Chapter 15: Win-Win: Adding Value through Career Development 239 Chapter 16: Assessing Employee Performance 261 Part V: Law and Order 275 Chapter 17: Navigating the Legal Minefi eld of Hiring and Managing 277 Chapter 18: Handling Diffi cult Situations 293 Part VI: The Part of Tens 319 Chapter 19: Ten Keys to HR Success in the Future 321 Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Become a Great HR Professional 327 Chapter 21: Ten HR-Related Websites Worth Exploring 333 Appendix: About the CD 337 Index 347