USA: +1(669)289-8683 
Sign in
HR COURSE
Ashford 2: – Week
1
– Instructor Guidance
In an effort to facilitate your learning efforts throughout the term, I ask that you begin the week by conducting a precursory review of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) web site found at
http://www.shrm.org/Pages/default.aspx
. This web site will provide substantive information regarding current trends and activities related specifically to human resources issues. This web site will become a valuable reference throughout the term — but I do ask that also use other reliable sources of information from the library to support your assignments.
Specifically, I ask that you review the tabs that run across the top of the SHRM web page:
About SHRM
HR Disciplines
Legal Issues
Templates and Tools
Publications
Research
Education
Conferences
Communities
Advocacy
The information found on the SHRM web pages will provide a sound foundation upon which our discussions
throughout the term can build.
As noted in Chapter One, the dominating trends in HR include globalization, technology, outsourcing and human capital (among others). One important point I wish to address at the onset: HR is often proscribed to be the function of a specified department, commonly title Human Resource Department. I discourage the acceptance of the narrowed perspective and ask that you broaden the scope of function and responsibility to include all managers within an organization. Where better can a potentially consequential outcome be addressed than directly at the source of the problem. I, therefore, proffer that HR is a function of all managers, at all levels of the organization.
Chapter Two addresses two important regulatory aspects of HR: (1) equal opportunity and (2) affirmative action. It is important you understand the distinct differences in these two terms — so in your reading and research, please ensure you are fully informed of the impact and influences that equal opportunity and affirmative action has on the organization, the manager and the employee.
An example for your review:
Background Checks: Avoiding Liability for References
SHRM has provided a guidance on assisting employers in protecting themselves from discrimination/defamation suits from employee references. The general rule of thumb is that truth is always the best defense against defamation suits, but SHRM offers the following suggestions:
1) Provide only information that can be documented, such as title and dates of employment.
2) Require signed releases from the former employee, including the information the company is allowed to disclose.
3
) Provide only truthful information that is job-related and verifiable. If you state in a reference that John Doe was terminated for theft, you should be able to clearly document completely the circumstances of the theft. (An alternative would be to simply state that Doe was dismissed or separated from the company on date X.)
4) Require all managers and supervisors to refer requests for references to HR.
5) Note that simply refusing to give any references at all, your company may be vulnerable to a negligent referral lawsuit from the employee’s future employer if you withhold important negative information about the employee.
Some states have enacted laws which protect employers who give truthful, good faith references to other employers, but do not protect employers who give out false or misleading information.
Week One Overview
Assignment
Due Date
Format
Grading Percent
Post your Introduction
Day 1
Discussion Forum
Jack Nelson’s Problem
Day 3
(1st post)
Discussion Forum
A Question of Discrimination
Day 3
(1st post)
Discussion Forum
3
Human Resource Challenges
Day
7
Written Assignment
Note: The online classroom is designed to time students out after 90 minutes of inactivity. Because of this, we strongly suggest that you compose your work in a word processing program and copy and paste it into the discussion post when you are ready to submit it.
Readings
1. Read Chapters 1 and 2 in A Framework for Human Resource Management.
Post Your Introduction
To post your introduction, go to this week’s Post Your Introduction link in the left navigation.
Please post a brief bio on the first day of class. Respond to at least three of your classmates’ bios. Use this forum to get acquainted and for ongoing non-content related discussions.
Discussions
To participate in the following Discussion Forums, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation:
1. Jack Nelson’s Problem
Answer the questions to the case, “Jack Nelson’s Problem,” at the end of Chapter 1. Include at least one outside source supporting your answers. Explain your answers in 200 words. Respond to at least two of your fellow students’ postings.
2. A Question of Discrimination
Answer the questions to the case, “LearnInMotion.com: A Question of Discrimination,” at the end of Chapter 2. Include at least one outside source supporting your answers. Explain your answers in 200 words. Respond to at least two of your fellow students’ postings.
Assignments
To complete this assignment, go to this week’s Assignment link in the left navigation:
Find at least two articles through ProQuest which discuss at least two of the biggest challenges facing human resource departments today. Summarize your findings in a 3-5 page paper. Be sure to properly cite your resources using APA style.
