Managing the Work Force in Canada - University of Alberta

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University of Alberta

Org A 311: Managing the Work Force in Canada

Fall Term, September-December 2007

Faculty

Ian R. Gellatly, Ph.D Associate Professor

Office: 3-21D Business Building Phone: 780 492-5823

Email: [email protected] Office Hours: By appointment

Class Information

Section Meeting Times Room

A2 Tuesday, 12:30pm to 1:50pm BUS 1-06

Thursday, 12:30pm to 1:50pm BUS 1-06 Course Objectives

This course is critical for managers in any of the functional areas of organizations who must harness and align the efforts of people to attain organizational goals. The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the principles of effective human resource management (HRM). The course emphasizes that HRM occurs within a variety of contexts (e.g., organizational, 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. Most of the emphasis is placed on analytical and problem solving skills, rather than on the activities routinely handled by personnel specialists (e.g., payroll administration).

Required Textbooks

Schwind, Das, & Wagar (2007). Canadian Human Resource Management: A Strategic Approach, 8^th Edition.

Evaluation Schedule, Weighting, and Final Grades

Weekly Quizzes (Weeks 1-12; except Weeks 6 and 10) 20%

Mid-Term Exam (October 16^th) 25%

Final Exam (Due December 12^th) 25%

Group Project 20%

Class Participation 10%

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Evaluation Criteria

Weekly Quizzes. A non-cumulative, (multiple-choice) mini-quiz will be scheduled each week, starting in Week 1 (see Topic Outline). The content covered by each of the 10 scheduled quizzes will be the week's assigned reading (usually one chapter from the text) and material presented during the lecture.

We will be scoring the quizzes, in class, using a portable optical scanner; thus providing students with a constant, week-by-week source of feedback. The instructor will collect the scorecards after each quiz session. When a quiz is not written at the scheduled time, a score of zero will be recorded. The final mark for this component of the course will be based on the average of the top eight quiz performances.

Each quiz will have unit weighting in the overall mark, regardless of the number of items on the quiz (e.g., the number of quiz items per week varies).

Exams. There are two exams scheduled in this course, a mid-term exam and a final exam. The content of both exams will be cumulative, involving a combination of short-answer questions, essay-style questions, and/or case analyses. The purpose of these exams is to assess students’ knowledge,

understanding, and problem-solving/analysis skills with respect to human resources management. The final exam is a take-home exam that will be administered during the last class and due approximately one week later.

Group Project (Library Research Presentations: LRP). Each student, working within the context of an assigned group (N = 4 or 5), will research a specific research question and present the findings to the class. We have 10 presentation slots scheduled throughout the term (see Topic Outline). Each group will be given a 15-minute presentation slot, followed by a 15 minute question and answer period. I will have more information about the expected process early in the term. Each group will select 1 or 2 members to present its work, however, everyone must be in attendance. Non-presenting members will take turns answering questions presented by the instructor and from the class. Topics will be assigned by the instructor early in the term. You must use the library as a research resource (University of Alberta Libraries), and every presentation must contain a slide with detailed reference information. Use internet sparingly and wisely. Each group will be responsible for conducting research on the topic, preparing and delivering the presentation. Please email your power-point presentation to the instructor an hour before class so it can be posted on the course web (earlier is better). Marks for this component of the course will be based on the following criteria:

Content Criteria (70%)

1. A concise and clear overview of the key question, topic, or issue.

2. What do we really know about this question or issue? Review any and all pertinent, relevant, and up-to-date research findings. Use University of Alberta library resources.

3. What does all this mean for the practice of effective and legally-defensible HRM? Leave us with some best practice ideas, as well as any caveats or concerns we need to be mindful of.

4. Responding to instructor and class questions

Style Criteria (30%)

5. Professionalism (e.g., organization of the presentation; presentation skills; power-point slides) 6. Engaging and interesting (fun)

Class Participation. Throughout the term we will attempt to apply knowledge through case analyses, class exercises, presentations, videos or class discussions. Students will be expected to prepare for these sessions, actively participate, and complete any in-class assignments. Attendance will be taken, at the instructor’s discretion, throughout the term. Marks for this component will be based on individual attendance and the quality of participation from each student.

The University of Alberta Grading System

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The University of Alberta uses a letter grading system with a four-point scale of numerical equivalents for calculating grade point averages. Grades reflect judgements of student achievement made by instructors. These judgments are based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative

performance in a class. Some instructors assign grades at intervals during the course and others assign marks (e.g., percentages) throughout the term and then assign a letter grade at the end. Instructors must adapt their approaches to reflect the letter grading system. Grade distribution should reflect those shown in this document. (EXEC 03 FEB 2003)

Grading in Undergraduate Courses

Descriptor Letter Grade Grade Point Value Excellent A+

A A-

4.0 4.0 3.7 Good B+

B B-

3.3 3.0 2.7 Satisfactory C+

C C-

2.3 2.0 1.7 Poor

Minimal Pass

D+

D

1.3 1.0 Failure F 0.0

Illustrative Sample Distribution of Grades

These distributions are provided for guidance in your grading. It is not necessary for the grades in a particular class to follow any of the distributions exactly; rather, approximating the distribution for an appropriate level will ensure consistency in grading across fields of study and time. (EXEC 03 FEB 2003)

Distribution of Grades in Undergraduate Courses (shown in percentages)

Letter Grade 1

^st

year Courses 2

^nd

year Courses 3

^rd

year Courses 4

^th

year Courses

A+ 4 5 6 7

A 6 7 8 9

A- 7 8 10 11

B+ 9 10 11 12

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Distribution of Grades in Undergraduate Courses (shown in percentages)

Letter Grade 1

^st

year Courses 2

^nd

year Courses 3

^rd

year Courses 4

^th

year Courses

B 14 15 16 18

B- 14 14 15 17

C+ 12 13 13 12

C 8 8 7 5

C- 7 7 5 3 D+ 5 4 3 3

D 4 3 3 2

F 10 6 3 1

Mean 2.41 2.59 2.77 2.93 Median B- B- B B

Academic Integrity and Honesty

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)

SMO 311 Section A2: Topic Outline

Week 0 September 6 Getting Started

Thursday: Course Outline; Video: How Great Companies Achieve Extraordinary Results with Ordinary People

Week 1 September 11 and 13 Strategic Importance of Human Resource Management Read: Chapter 1

Tuesday: Lecture; Quiz #1

Thursday: Video: Implementing Strategy: Managing Through Organizational Culture

Week 2 September 18 and 20 Job Analysis and Design Read: Chapter 2

Thursday: Group and LRP Topic Assignments; Case Analysis or Class Exercise

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Week 3 September 25 and 27 Human Resource Planning Read: Chapter 3

Tuesday: Lecture; Quiz #3;

Thursday: Case Analysis or Class Exercise

Week 4 October 2 and 4 Meeting Legal Requirements; Diversity Management

Read: Chapters 4 and 12

Thursday: Case Analysis or Class Exercise

Week 5 October 9 and 11 Recruitment and Selection Read: Chapters 5-6

Thursday: Video: Finding the Right Fit (Interviewing Techniques)

Week 6 October 16 and 18 Mid-Term Exam and Project Work Tuesday: Mid-Term Exam

Thursday: Self-Directed Study (Project Work)

Week 7 October 23 and 25 Orientation, Training and Development, and Career Planning

Read: Chapter 7

Thursday: Group Presentations (LRP 1-2)

Week 8 Oct 30 and Nov 1 Performance Appraisal Read: Chapter 8

Week 9 November 6 and 8 Compensation and Employee Benefits Read: Chapters 9-10

Thursday: Group Presentations (LRP-5-6)

Week 10 November 13 and 15 Managing Employee Relations Read: Chapter 11

Tuesday: Fall Break (No Classes)

Week 11 November 20 and 22 Ensuring Health and Safety at the Workplace Read: Chapter 13

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Week 12 November 27 and 29 The Union-Management Framework Read: Chapter 14

Thursday: Video: Final Offer (see slides for context); 80 min

Week 13 December 4 Human Resource Auditing and Wrap Up Read: Chapter 15

Tuesday: Lecture; Make-up Quizzes; Take-Home Final

Note: Students can find the policy about course outlines in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.

(GFC 29 SEP 2003)