Length:
66 hours (2 weeks); includes approximately 30 hours of lecture and 36 hours of supervised role play and discussion.
Location:
State Police Academy, State Campus, Albany, NY.
Dates:
September 1995 - June 2004.
Learner Outcomes:
Human Resources component: Discuss the areas of responsibility and the areas of concern that fall under a Human Resource Department, including, but not limited to, affirmative action, EEO compliance, sexual harassment, recruitment, and staff development; utilizing appropriate resources, identify various options for handling an employee concern and apply the appropriate action; discuss the nature of the formal and informal processes of addressing employee complaints; describe the role and various duties assigned to a counselor in the Human Resource Counselor role; appreciate the Employee Assistance Program as a valued resource for the Human Resource Counselor and discuss the difference between the two functions; discuss an organization's protocol, and internal policies and procedures related to EEO and non-EEO issues. Conflict Resolution and Mediation component: Identify the most important function a mediator provides (listening); identify the ways of responding (reflecting, paraphrasing, questioning, and summarizing) and employ them appropriately; describe the phases of mediation (introduction, story telling, problem solving, and resolution agreement) and employ them appropriately; discuss how conflict resolution and mediation differs from counseling; manage conflict through the use of mediation. EEO and Related Laws component: Discuss selected State and Federal laws, including time limitations and the nine specific areas protected under Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act; discuss recent Supreme Court cases as they apply to an individual's work situation and the organization as a whole. Administrative/documentation component: Apply appropriate communication skills (verbal and written) to document the assessment of the dynamics of the situation relating to an employee's concern.
Instruction:
This is a dynamic and integrated learning experience involving lecture, role plays, case studies, report writing, and roundtable discussion. Experts on staff and in the field serve as lecturers and facilitators, guiding course participants through the course materials, the various role plays, and discussion periods. Senior staff of the Office of Human Resources coordinate and oversee all aspects of the program. Topics covered include: Areas of responsibility and concern of a Human Resources Department; options for handling employee concerns; formal and informal processes of handling an employee complaint; the mediator's function; phases of mediation; differences between conflict resolution and mediation and counseling; managing conflict through the use of mediation; role and duties of a Human Resource Counselor; documenting the formal and informal HRC process; pertinent EEO laws and Acts; resources of the Employee Assistance Program and determining when referrals are appropriate; confidentiality issues; consequences in failing to take corrective action; protocol and policies and procedures related to EEO and non-EEO issues.
Credit recommendation:
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours as an elective in Management, Organizational Studies, Organizational Communication, or Organizational Behavior (11/99).
