Ashford 2 Week 1 Instructor Guidance In An Effort To Facilit
Ashford 2 Week 1 Instructor Guidancein An Effort To Facilitate Yo
Begin by reviewing the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) website, focusing on tabs such as About SHRM, HR Disciplines, Legal Issues, Templates and Tools, Publications, Research, Education, Conferences, Communities, and Advocacy. Use this as a foundational resource throughout the course, supplemented by library sources. Understand key HR trends like globalization, technology, outsourcing, and human capital, and expand your perspective to view HR responsibilities as including all managers within an organization, not just HR professionals.
Chapter Two introduces two critical regulatory issues: equal opportunity and affirmative action. Fully understand their differences and impacts on organizations, managers, and employees. Review SHRM guidance on background checks, emphasizing truthful, documented, and job-related information, along with legal protections for employers when providing references.
Paper For Above instruction
In contemporary human resource management, it is crucial to recognize the evolving trends and regulatory frameworks that shape organizational policies and practices. This paper explores these aspects, emphasizing the importance of a broad perspective on HR's role, understanding legal issues related to equal opportunity and affirmative action, and applying guidelines for employment references, all grounded in current research and best practices.
Firstly, understanding current HR trends is essential for effective management. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), globalization, technological advancements, outsourcing, and the strategic management of human capital are predominant trends affecting organizations today (SHRM, 2022). These trends influence every facet of HR policies, from recruitment to training and development. It is imperative that HR professionals and managers keep abreast of these trends to foster organizational adaptability and competitiveness.
Moreover, broadening the scope of HR responsibilities beyond a dedicated department fosters a culture of shared accountability among all managers. This decentralized approach can lead to more immediate and effective resolution of HR-related issues, as managers at all levels are closer to their teams and operations. Research shows that involving all managerial levels in HR functions enhances organizational commitment and compliance (Ulrich, Brockbank, Johnson, Sandholtz, & Younger, 2012). Consequently, organizations should promote HR awareness among managers to optimize human resource management.
On the legal front, navigating equal opportunity and affirmative action regulations is vital. Equal opportunity laws prohibit discrimination based on protected characteristics, ensuring fairness in employment practices (EEOC, 2020). Affirmative action policies aim to redress past discrimination and promote diversity, requiring organizations to actively seek to include historically marginalized groups (Yusuf & Lindell, 2020). Understanding the distinction between these two is critical for HR practitioners, as it influences policy formulation and implementation.
Regarding employment references, SHRM advises providing truthful, documented, and job-related information. Employers should require employee consent via signed releases and avoid providing unverified or subjective opinions that could lead to legal liabilities. For example, stating that an employee was terminated due to theft requires supporting documentation of the incident to defend against potential defamation claims. Some states offer legal protections for employers providing honest references in good faith, further underscoring the importance of accuracy and transparency (SHRM, 2021).
This comprehensive understanding of HR trends, legal obligations, and reference practices equips organizations to navigate the complex landscape of human resources efficiently and ethically. By adopting a proactive and informed approach, HR professionals can foster fair, compliant, and strategic employment environments, ultimately supporting organizational goals and employee well-being.
References
- EEOC. (2020). Laws Enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/laws-enforced-equal-employment-opportunity-commission
- SHRM. (2021). Guideline on Providing Employee References. Society for Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/default.aspx
- SHRM. (2022). 2022 HR Trends and Impact. Society for Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/trends-and-forecasting/pages/default.aspx
- Ulrich, D., Brockbank, W., Johnson, D., Sandholtz, K., & Younger, J. (2012). HR Competencies: Mastery at the Intersection of People and Business. Society for Human Resource Management.
- Yusuf, S., & Lindell, M. (2020). Diversity and Affirmative Action in Organizational Contexts. Journal of Business Ethics, 162(2), 251-264.