University of Alberta SMO 311 Managing the Workforce in Canada Winter Term 2016 Lec B1, Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30 4:50 pm Business B-9 COURSE OUTLINE Instructor: Campus Office: Office Hours: Heather Caltagirone 4-21 B Business Building I'm generally available both before and after class. For a specific time please e-mail for an appointment. Telephone: 780-492-9478 E-mail: caltagir@ualberta.ca Required Course Textbook Dessler, G., Chhinzer, N., & Cole, N.D. (2014). Human Resources Management in Canada. Canadian Twelfth Edition. Toronto: Pearson. Course Objectives This course is designed to provide a breadth of knowledge in the major functional areas of Human Resource Management (HRM), and a foundation for the 400-level HRM seminars offered at the University of Alberta. The primary objective of this course will be to introduce students to the principles of effective HRM. The course emphasizes that HRM occurs within a variety of contexts (e.g. organization, economic, legal) and it functions more effectively when activities are integrated and aligned with business or corporate strategy. Specifically, the course examines the role and interdependence among a number of core HR activities, including job analysis and planning, staffing, training and development, performance appraisal, compensation, and labour relations. An emphasis will be placed on analytical and problem solving skills. 1
Evaluation Weighting Participation and Attendance: 10% Mid-term Exams: 45% Group Project : 25% Final Assignment: 20% TOTAL 100% Evaluation Criteria Class participation and attendance: This will constitute 10% of the evaluation of this course. This 10% will be assigned by my own observation of participation in class including active discussion on assigned readings. 1. Presence: You are present for all team meetings and classes 2. Preparation: You are always well prepared for team meetings and classes 3. Contribution: You contributed in a significant way to team and class discussions 4. Attitude: You demonstrate in your words and actions respect for other s ideas in both your teamwork and in the classroom Mid-Term Exams: There will be three non-cumulative mid-term exams scheduled throughout the term. The content covered by each exam will include all the assigned readings and lectures. Mid-term exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer. Each of the three mid-term exams are worth 15%, for a combined total of 45% of your final mark. Group Project: Drawing from the HR Competency Model presented in Chapter 1 of the text book, choose one of the following four competency based roles of HR: Talent Manager/Organizational Designer Culture and Change Steward Strategic Architect Business Ally Students will be required to prepare a presentation on one of the above topics to the class in groups of approximately 5 students. Topics cannot be duplicated, so teams must identify on a first come, first serve basis, which of the four topics they will be presenting on. A topic must be approved by the instructor, no later than February 1st. Prepare a 30 minute presentation. 10 minutes of your presentation should be reserved for questions and answers. Your presentation (i.e. PowerPoint, prezi, video, etc) must be submitted, along with a reference list, highlighting the academic research you have done. A minimum of 6 academic references must be used to support your topic. 2
Your presentation will have two components. First, you will need to provide an in-depth description of what your chosen competency role is and how it impacts the effective functioning of an organization. Describe why it is important. Secondly, drawing from all the HRM topics covered in the course, your presentation should describe what functions of HRM might be involved in your competency role (e.g. recruitment, labour relations, etc) and how it might involve them. All materials, including your ratings and feedback of your fellow team members, your electronic presentation and your reference list, must be submitted electronically to me no later than midnight on date of your presentation. Final Assignment: This is an individual assignment. After reading the following two Fast Company s articles entitled Why We Hate HR (2005) and Why We (Shouldn t) Hate HR (2010), and drawing from the course content covered, submit a 8-10 page paper describing how you believe the field of HR needs to shift to stay relevant with the needs of the organization it serves. Utilize class lectures, the textbook and other academic resources (i.e. journal articles) to support your argument. Lastly, reflect on your own personal perspective of HRM and how you will approach the field when starting your first professional HR role. The Final Assignment is due by midnight on April 8, 2016. Your assignments must be emailed no later than midnight on the date they are due. Papers should be double spaced, 12-point font, using proper citation (APA format is preferred). Course SCHEDULE The following schedule is provided with the intent of helping you track topics and assignments. It is subject to modification as the course evolves. You will be advised of changes as far in advance as possible. Week 1: Strategic Role of HR Management- January 4 & 6 Monday: Syllabus, Course Overview and Introductory Lecture Wednesday: Read Chapter 1- Lecture and Discussion Week 2: The Changing Legal Emphasis & HR and Technology- January 11 & 13 Read: Chapters 2 &3 Monday: Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Lecture and Case Discussion 3
Week 3: Designing and Analyzing Jobs- January 18 & 20 Read: Chapter 4 Monday: Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Lecture and Case Discussion Week 4: Human Resource Planning- January 25 & 27 Read: Chapter 5 Monday: Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Mid-Term Exam #1 (covers chapters 1-5) Week 5: Recruitment & Selection - February 1 & 3 Read: Chapters 6 & 7 Monday: Chapter 6 Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Chapter 7 Lecture and Discussion Week 6: Orientation, Training and Career Development- February 8 & 10 Read: Chapters 8 & 9 Monday: Chapter 8 Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Chapter 9 Lecture and Discussion READING WEEK- No Classes February 15 & 17 Week 7: Performance Management - February 22 & 24 Read: Chapter 10 Monday: Chapter 10 Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Mid-Term #2 (Covers chapters 6-10) Week 8: Strategic Pay Plans & Pay-for-Performance and Financial Incentives - February 29 & March 2 Read: Chapters 11 & 12 Monday: Chapter 11 Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Chapter 12 Lecture and Discussion Week 9: Employee Benefits and Services & Occupational Health and Safety March 7 & 9 Read Chapter 13 & 14 Monday: Chapter 13 Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Chapter 14 Lecture and Discussion 4
Week 10: Managing Employee Separations & Labour Relations - March 14 & 16 Read Chapters 15 & 16 Monday: Chapter 15 Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Chapter 16 Lecture and Discussion Week 11: Global HR and Mid Term Exam #3 - March 21 & 23 Read Chapters: 17 Monday: Chapter 17 Lecture and Discussion Wednesday: Mid-term Exam #3 (covers chapters 11-17) Week 12: Team Presentations Monday: March 28- NO CLASS- Easter Monday Wednesday: March 30- Team Presentations (2 Groups) Week 13: Team Presentations- April 4 & 6 Monday: Team Presentations (2 Groups) Wednesday: Wrap up Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar. (GFC 29 SEP 2003) The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University. (GFC 29 SEP 2003) Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor. 5