Replying to LO24787 --
On June 11, Malcolm Burson wrote in response to my job description
questions:
snip
" make certain that each position description contains within it
the clear expectation that learning and professional development is a
recognized and supported (by the company) part of the job."
A very timely suggestion Malcolm. This is the first year that the owners
of this family operated business have committed to a training and
development budget. They have always been reasonable in giving time off
for training, but they were not willing to set some training objectives
and assist with tuition payments.
snip
"Then, combine this with HR policies and practices that emphasize
collaboration between employee and supervisor in regularly identifying the
connection among (a) the employee's interest in further developing
knowledge, skills and abilities s/he already uses well (in addition to the
traditional "deficit areas"); (b) the supervisor's assessment of the needs
of the business with regard to this particular position; and (c) the
company's broader strategic goals."
Parts "a" and "c" above are on track with my thoughts about what I had
been planning to do. I'm struggling with "b" because the supervisors have
not ever been asked to think about the "needs of the business"...other
than "cost containment" as a company wide goal (lasting 30 years or so!).
A decent strategic plan was completed about 18 months ago, but the owners
only spent a few minutes talking about it at one meeting. There is not
alot of "business thinking" being done at the supervisor level, because
the strategic plan was not communicated very well, and as a result, it has
kind of "fizzled out".
But heh - when you are in the trenches, you have to start somewhere!
Also, I would appreciate your opinion about which task to tackle first:
the job descriptions, or the overarching HR policies (I have contracted to
do both before the end of October).
A friend also recommended a textbook which he thought would be helpful to
me, it is called "Employment Policies That Work." But I have been unable
to locate this book on the chapters.ca website. Has anybody else heard of
it? Or have any more info about it like the author's name?
Regards,
Claire Hilscher
Shackleton Resources Inc.
Vancouver, BC, Canada
--"C. Hilscher" <hilsher@ibm.net>
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