Top 10 HR challenges from Peenie Walker, HR manager:
- We must always provide prompt and efficient service - develop and maintain confidentially, trust and goodwill.
- Ensure compliance with HR related laws i.e., FMLA, HIPPA, ADA and sexual harassment. Train and monitor supervisors and employees.
- We are a private-sector university competing with the public sector for employees. We must convey the advantages of working at a private university, i.e., great environment, educational benefits and generous holiday schedule.
- Develop and maintain centralized hiring procedures designed to hire the best qualified applicants.
- Educate supervisors on HR functions, i.e., questions to avoid during interviews, job offers, etc.
- Ensuring evaluations are timely distributed and returned.
- HR must ensure university policies and procedures are disseminated by keeping the personnel handbook up-to-date.
- Benefits packages must be tailored to fit the needs of the employees. We use a Fringe Benefits Committee to identify special needs such as long term care insurance and identity theft protection.
- Personal/professional development remains a challenge. I attend local SHRM meetings and various seminars to stay proficient. Also, I recently completed an MBA; professional certification is next.
- I enjoy the challenges -- serving others, influencing the lives of students, and working in a Christian environment allows me to leave at the end of the day with a sense of accomplishment.
