About the Course:

This course gives an excellent insight into all the main functions of the HR Manager's role, showing how they support all the members of an organisation at every stage in the employment cycle. You'll learn the skills of effective recruitment and selection, training and development, and establishing robust systems, as well as all the techniques, knowledge and strategies you'll need to keep every member of a team engaged, productive and feeling valued. You'll also come away with a very thorough and reliable working knowledge of employment rights, the importance of proper procedures and effective methods for dealing with performance issues and workplace disputes.

This course is aimed at those working within or seeking to enter the HR profession as well as anybody with people management responsibilities. The course will enable participants to develop the key skills and knowledge to operate successfully in HR as well as give them a practical toolkit to use which is grounded in best practice and up to date thinking.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Demonstrate a practical working knowledge of all the main aspects of the HR Manager's role

• Put into effect clear procedures for all stages of the employment cycle: recruitment and selection, appraisals etc.

• Strategise in terms of Learning and Development, Workforce planning

• Follow correct employment law and adhere to stated policies

• Demonstrate understanding of soft skills of HR management: motivation, empathy, conflict resolution etc.

Course Breakdown

Module 1. Introduction to Human Resources Management

An introduction to the course content and format, including the learning outcomes you can expect and how you will be assessed. You will also learn essential HR concepts.

Topics covered:

• HRM definition

• Evolution of HR

• Strategic HRM

• Best practice

• Role of HRM in the employee lifecycle

• HR department structure & careers HR Management 2

Module 2. Workforce Planning & Recruitment

Discover how to approach workforce planning and recruitment. Learn about recent changes in recruitment trends resulting from COVID-19 and what legislation impacts your decision making.

Topics covered:

• Recruitment trends and COVID-19 implications

• Recruitment vs. selection

• Workforce planning

• Legislation and regulation

• Recruitment funnel

• Recruitment stages

Module 3. Selection Learn about HR’s role in driving great candidate experiences.

Look at interviewing techniques, principles, and pitfalls to avoid. Find out how to put together an offer and the pre-employment process.

Topics covered:

• Bias and stereotyping

• Interview experiences, principles, and techniques

• Remote interviewing

• Assessments and feedback

• Making offers

• Pre-employment checks

Module 4. Onboarding & Probation Management

Learn what happens once an offer of employment has been accepted. Discover the different laws governing employment and the steps that take your new joiner through onboarding and probation.

Topics covered:

• Types of employment contracts

• Different employment laws in Ireland

• New joiner experience and checklists

• Induction design principles and content

• Probation management

• Probation extension and termination

Module 5. Reward & Recognition

Find out what keeps employees engaged and motivated, with a detailed look at the different types of reward and recognition used by employers. Learn how to create a wellness programme.

Topics covered:

• Reward v recognition

• Types of reward and benefits

• Motivators vs. dissatisfiers theory

• Employee wellness programmes

• Recognition

• Creating recognition programmes

Module 6. Performance Management

An introduction to the specialist area of performance management. Find out how to manage performance with feedback models and tools as well as personal development plans.

Topics covered:

• Performance management benefits and cycles

• Performance objectives and expectations

• Personal development plans

• Ongoing coaching and communication HR Management 3

• Performance rewards and underperformance

• Driving a culture of feedback

Module 7. Disciplinary & Grievance Management

Learn about grievance and disciplinary procedures and the laws that impact on them. Find out what constitutes fair and unfair dismissal, as well as conducting investigations remotely during COVID-19.

Topics covered:

• Fair process

• Dismissal and unfair dismissal claims

• Informal resolution

• Investigation process

• Disciplinary sanctions

• Grievance procedures and conflict resolution

Module 8. Organisational Design & Change Management

Discover organisational design principles and HR’s role in them. Learn about the psychology of change and how to effectively drive and manage change in an organisation.

Topics covered:

• Organisational design principles

• Change management principles

• Tips for effective change management

• Good communication during change

• Redundancy

• Alternative roles

Module 9. Learning & Development

Unpack organisational learning and development (L&D), the process of creating, retaining, and transferring knowledge within an organisation. Learn how to adapt traditional strategies to remote ways of working.

Topics covered:

• Organisational learning and development (L&D)

• Evaluating L&D programmes

• Adult learning types and styles

• Designing L&D programmes

• Succession planning

• Talent review sessions

Module 10. Attendance & Leave Management

Learn to manage leave and attendance, both statutory (maternity leave, for example) and non-statutory. Understand how to manage sick leave and absences, as well as disability and return to work.

Topics covered:

• Statutory and non-statutory leave

• Maternity, paternity, and parental leave

• Force majeure

• Sick leave and absence management

• Return to work management

• Employment Equality Act - disability

Module 11. Dignity at Work & Future of HR

Understand the latest trends, innovations, and best practice in HR. Examine the effects of technology in human resources management and explore the future of HR - skills for success.

Topics covered:

• Dignity at work

• Diversity, inclusion & discrimination HR Management

• Bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment

• Artificial Intelligence and data analytics

• HR technology – practical applications and The future of HR

Module 12. Course Summary & Assignment Overview

Recap the course content, discussing the key learnings and best practice from each area covered. Q&A for your learning log and final assessment.

Course Assessment

The Action Learning Log will demonstrate the continuity of reflection throughout the course, by completing a separate AL Log worksheet for each of the main topics (average 250 words per worksheet). The full set of worksheets will be combined into an Action Learning Log, which will be submitted at the end of the course for grading.

The Written Assignment should be completed at the conclusion of the course, once all sessions have been completed. Learners are required to select at least one topic from the course that is of particular interest to them or that they would like to learn more about. The goal of the assignment is to demonstrate how learners are thinking about putting course concepts, models, tools and practices in their own context to demonstrate the course learning outcomes.

Trainer: Tracy O’Brien UCD

Tracy O’Brien focuses on unlocking the potential in people through positive HR Solutions.

Tracy is a Lecturer with UCD Professional Academy and South Eastern Technological University.

Tracy has 25 years of experience in HR sector, working in various industries and organisation sizes. She holds an MSc in Work & Organisational Psychology as well as the CIPD accreditation in Personnel Management.

Her experience in the full remit of both operational and strategic HR functions and running retail businesses makes her a true expert of her field.

Tracy is also a course designer and a trainer of the QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer Program.

A former HR Director, Tracy brings her passion for and experience in delivering business results through people to CEOs, Business Owners, HR Departments and Individuals working in the public and private sectors.

A Psychologist with over 20 years board level and generalist HR and business leadership experience, Tracy works with senior teams to develop business strategy and improve the effectiveness of the team. Her career in business and HR saw her lead a Company to international accreditation as best employers under her strategic and operational vison and execution.

Tracy holds a number of non-executive director positions (in education, financial services and charity sectors) and has experience in successfully managing simultaneous and varied multi-million-euro projects to achieve immediate and long-term positive impact on revenue, profit and overall corporate value.

Tracy is a Fellow of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) and is an active member of the MII (Mediation Institute of Ireland), the IOD (Institute of Directors) and EAWOP (European Association of Work & Organisation Psychology ). Tracy is also a member of the judging panel for the European Business Awards and is a member of the Advisory Council of Digital Business Ireland.