Human Resources
This Guide has been developed to help community organisations manage their most important resource: their people.
Wherever possible, the Guide has sought to differentiate between human resources (HR) - the people in an organisation - and human resource management (HRM), which is, as the name suggests, the management of an organisation's people.
Good human resource management can directly contribute to an organisation's success in achieving its objectives, regardless of its size or area of service. Personnel that are well-skilled and happy with their job and workplace perform better and are more motivated and productive. What's more, an organisation with a happy work environment will attract people with talent and keep them for longer.
Community organisations are unique: they typically work with lower budgets for wages, salaries, and professional development, and often rely a great deal on volunteer labour. They must also motivate their workforce around the values, vision and mission of the organisation. Therefore, when looking at HRM in a not-for-profit environment, it is necessary to consider what will work in each organisation's context and culture.
For a complete definition of HRM, Australian social enterprise Our Community has an excellent summary and discussion of its principles.
* The Guide is edited and maintained by Nick Stanley. If you have ideas or suggestions about what you would like to see in it, please contact information@community.net.nz
Acknowlegements
We are grateful to Volunteering Canterbury's Ruth Gardner, NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations' Tina Reid, and Barrie Humphreys from Massey University's Department of Human Resource Management for assistance with this Guide.
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If you are an employer it is important to understand the law relating to disciplining and dismissing staff. Good employment relations are vital for business success and for these relationships to be effective employers need to understand what they can do and how they should do it.
Date added: 10 November 2009
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The Social Services Industry Training Organisation (SSITO) is inviting social service sector agencies to apply for enrolment in its service to recognise in-house training programmes for staff and volunteers against unit standards.
Date added: 5 October 2009
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Representatives from four Waikato community houses have been meeting with Community Waikato, the Department of Labour's Partnership Resource Centre and the Service and Food Workers Union to develop a Multi-Employer Collective Agreement (MECA).
Date added: 2 September 2009
Full List
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A good work environment is one that brings out the best in people. These resources will help an organisation create a beneficial, safe, and lawful place to work.
Date updated: 16 March 2010
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Resources to help build and manage effective employer/employee relationships, based on developing, maintaining, and leading a sustainable and productive workforce. From hiring and induction to performance management and conflict resolution.
Date updated: 11 January 2010
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Resources to help an organisation identify its personnel needs, translate those needs into clear positions, policies and programmes that support its objectives, and then begin the recruitment process.
Date updated: 18 July 2007
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Useful New Zealand websites on human resource management topics.
Date added: 24 July 2007
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* Organisations should note that the HRM information on these international websites is not written with New Zealand users in mind. It is unlikely to take into account NZ context, social norms, and legal requirements, and may also include unnecessary legal requirements. We recommend the information be used with caution.
Date added: 24 July 2007