Human Resources 101

If you’ve experienced disagreements in the workplace, this book is for you. Published by the Government of Alberta, this guide outlines conflict resolution methods that are helpful for employees and employers of all types of organizations, whether private sector company or a not-for-profit association.
Let’s Talk: A guide to resolving workplace conflicts (pdf 3807 KB)

If you supervise employees, you will have to deal with disagreements between employees. How you resolve these issues will be a key factor in how employees perceive your management skills.
Here are six important steps to remember the next time you have to resolve an employee disagreement.

Listen to all parties in order to get the facts. Listen to how they feel, [...]

Conflict resolution is a process where individuals resolve disputes or conflicts, formally or informally. Successful conflict resolution occurs by listening to and providing opportunities to meet the needs of all parties, and to adequately address interests so that each party is satisfied with the outcome.
Conflict is a normal part of doing business. People connected to [...]

Lessons from some of the world’s best companies
by John H. Fleming, Ph.D., and Jim Asplund Excerpted from Human SIGMA: Managing the Employee-Customer Encounter (Gallup Press, November 2007)

Rule 1: You can’t measure and manage the employee and customer experiences as separate entities. Because you must manage these human systems in tandem, you may need to reorganize.
Rule [...]

This morning, this article popped on to my must-read list from a couple of different sources. Dan Bobinski posts a good overview of fundamental principles that will build a better workplace.
When discussions come around to what it is that makes an excellent workplace, the answer could fill a library. But most of us don’t have [...]

Ed Kohler riffs off something Steve Rubel posted to Twitter and asks the question, “Are Sports Metaphors Appropriate for Business?” Ed lists some examples of when the sports metaphor falls flat and the importance of matching the metaphor to the audience.
My biggest problem with sports metaphors is the concept of team in the workplace. It’s not [...]

Fear Of Firing – Business Week Online on the blurring of the “at will” lines in U.S. employment.
If You’re a Canadian Employer You Should Seriously Consider Using Employment Contracts – Michael Fitzgibbon posts some thoughts on using employment contract with no concept of at-will employment in Canada.
Crabby’s 10 ways to ease your boredom at work – [...]

Okay, I know that the weekly roundup seems to be more bi– than weekly, but I’m planning to post these links each week.

Five Worst-Case Interview Scenarios – and how to recover from them.
Twelve Rules for Self-Management – Rosa Say reminds us, before we can presume to manage others, we must learn to manage ourselves. If you [...]

Four Ways Supervisors Frustrate Their Employees – From Michael Hyatt: The four most common employee complaints about their supervisors.
The Resume Experiment – Day 1 of 5 – JibberJobber gets experts to weigh in on improving a resume:

Introduction
First Impressions/Reactions
Formatting
Content is King
Wrap-Up

Introducing Lifehacker’s Job Board – Lifehacker adds a job board to the mix.
Create a Winning Management Team [...]

Creating a Learning Climate for Nonprofit Staff – how to create a workplace climate that supports informal learning.
Note From Boss To Employees – Execupundit.com gives some insight into what an employee needs to know about their boss.
The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun – Are you having fun? (Flash movie)
Ten Characters You’ll Meet at a Business Meeting – [...]