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.

News   (Go to full list of 11 items)

  • New guide to disciplinary action in the workplace

    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
  • Opportunity for formal recognition of in-house training programmes

    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
  • Waikato community houses take lead on good employment practice

    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

Publications / Resources

  • Workplace Management

    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
  • People Management

    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
  • Getting Started

    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

Templates

  • Samples and Templates

    Volunteer involvement and administration, Job Analysis Questionaire, Producing a Person Specification, Disciplinary Policy and Procedure, How to avoid a personal grievance.
    Date updated: 24 July 2007

Case Studies

Websites

  • New Zealand Websites

    Useful New Zealand websites on human resource management topics.
    Date added: 24 July 2007
  • Overseas websites

    * 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

Email Lists

  • HRNet

    An International list server dedicated to the exchange of ideas between Human Resource professionals. HRNet was formerly operated by Cornell University; this new list is part of Yahoo’s finance ...
    Date updated: 24 July 2007
  • Not-For-Profit Management

    Not strictly an email list, but rather a blog on the not-for-profit scene in Australia and New Zealand. Read postings of the thoughts, opinions and experiences of John Coxon, a management consultant, ...
    Date updated: 15 December 2008