Role and Skills of a Valuable HR Assistant

Sample Programme - Day 1

Programme

During each session the trainer will define, examine and discuss the specific role and responsibilities of a HR Assistant connected with that topic.

1 INTRODUCTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF HR

• The contribution of HR to the business
• HR roles and responsibilities
• The essential role of the HR Administrator
• Arriving at employment policies and procedures
• Responsibility for making HR policies effective
• Internal relationships

2 THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT LAW

• The range of current legislation
• Statutory v occupational rights
• Frequency of changes

3 THE RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS
CASE STUDY – EXERCISE 1
Participants will work in groups to develop a recruitment process for a senior post

Seven stages of an effective recruitment process

• The business case
• Identifying the job
• Defining the person
• Attracting candidates
• Assessing candidates
• Making the selection decision
• Follow up

HR Procedures

• Issuing a conditional job offer
• Checking the right to work in the UK
• Checking essential qualifications
• Checking criminal convictions
• References
• Medical examinations/questionnaires
• Unconditional job offers

4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
CASE STUDY – EXERCISE 2
Participants will work in groups to suggest terms and conditions of employment for the post

• Types of contract
• Agency staff
• The right of an employee to written terms and conditions
  • What must be included by law
  • Other possible terms and conditions
• Statutory rights
• Issuing the contract
• Varying the terms of contract
• Remedies for breach of contract
• Clarifying the terms where there is no written statement
• Best practice
• The role of the HR Assistant

5 ‘FAMILY FRIENDLY’ RIGHTS
CASE STUDY – EXERCISE 3
Participants will work in groups to ‘advise’ the new post on key rights issues they are facing in the team

• Maternity leave and pay
• Paternity leave and pay
• Leave and pay for adoptive parents
• Parental leave
• Flexible working rights
• The role of the HR Assistant

6 DISCRIMINATION LAW
CASE STUDY – EXERCISE 1
Participants will work in groups to ‘advise’ the new post on potential discrimination issues they are facing in the team

• Discrimination legislation
• Definitions of discrimination
• Sex and marital status
• Race
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Religion or belief
• Age
• Trade union membership
• Remedies for unlawful discrimination
• Institutions
• The role of the HR Assistant

7 DISCIPLINE AND DISMISSAL
CASE STUDY – EXERCISE 5
Participants will work in groups to advise the new post on a disciplinary issue they are facing

• The ACAS Code of Practice
• The organisation’s own disciplinary procedure
• The right to be accompanied
• The right of appeal
• Effective records
• Carrying out disciplinary interviews
• ‘Fair’ reasons for dismissal
  • Capability or qualifications
  • Conduct
  • Redundancy
  • Some other statutory enactment
  • Some other substantial reason
  • Retirement
• Constructive dismissal
• Wrongful dismissal
• Making a claim for unfair dismissal
• The role of the HR Assistant