HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
School of Continuing Education
Employee Relations
HRPO 1091
Class Dates and Times:
August 4, 2015 – August 13, 2015
Tuesday & Thursday
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Class CRN: 76852
Instructor’s Name:
Yvonne Harris
School Site:
Alief Center Campus
13803 Bissonnet
Houston, Texas 77083
E-Mail: ynharris@aol.com
SCHOOL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE SYLLABUS
Employee Relations HRPO-1091
This course is an examination of Employee Relations policies, practices, and issues required to build
strong employee relations within an organization. Topics include communications, employee
conduct rules, performance appraisal methods, Title VII, Federal Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor
Standards Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this training is to provide managers, supervisors, business partners, and business
owners with the tools to support effective management of employee relations matters.
GOALS
In this course students will:
 Discuss the Human Resource concepts important Employee Relations;
 Learn the fundamentals of Employee Relations;
 Discuss the laws, polices, and procedures pertinent to Employee Relations; and
 Study current trends in Human Resources.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will demonstrate mastery of the course objectives and goals by:
1) Understanding Employee Relations fundamentals as applied in work settings;
2) Knowing key labor laws that affect the relationship of employer and employee;
3) Reviewing unions and understanding their role in managing labor relations;
4) Evaluating the administration of adverse action processes;
5) Comparing/contrasting performance management systems and tying rewards to
organizational performance; and
6) Developing employee relations policies and procedures in employee governance.
PREREQUISITE
None
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Human Resources 1st Edition by Angelo S. DeNisi and Ricky W. Griffin
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
Students are required to complete all assignments.
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ATTENDANCE
To fully benefit from the class, students are expected to attend all classes. It is the students’
responsibility to communicate with the instructor regarding an absence from class. Class
attendance is checked every class period by instructor.
BREAKS
You are allowed a 5 minute break for every hour of class (2 hours is equivalent to 10 minutes) the
time of the break will be determined by taking a vote from the class.
REQUIREMENTS FOR COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
To receive a Certificate of Completion and Continuing Education Units, students must meet the
following requirements:
 Attend at least 80% of scheduled class time.
LABS GUIDELINES
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Students are not allowed to modify the local computers and are prohibited from uploading
files or programs.
Students are asked to return the computer to its original condition at the end of each class
period.
Students should backup all work on a personal storage device, such as a flash drive, zip drive,
floppy disk etc. Any information saved onto HCC computers may be deleted at any time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT-FACULTY INTERACTION
Students are encouraged to ask questions and request clarification or guidance as needed during
class. A question and answer period is always provided.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION
Students are informed of instructional aids and resources, including books, other publications, and
web sites relevant to the course.
SPEAKER FORUM
At the discretion of the instructor, speakers may be invited to address the class on pertinent topics.
CELL PHONES AND PAGERS
Cell phones and pagers can be disruptive during class. Please turn these devices off or set to mute
while in the classroom or student lab.
WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY
Please refer to your schedule for withdrawal and refund policy.
DISABILITY SERVICES
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Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.)
who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the
respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. The Southwest College
Disability Services Office phone number is 713-718-7909.
COURSE CONTENT
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The World of Employee Relations
Organizational Effectiveness
Laws, Polices and Procedures
Conflict Management
Communication Skills
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Student’s performance will be evaluated based on classroom interaction, teacher observation and
class participation. Participation is a “Must”.
TENTATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL OUTLINE
Students are expected to read the textbook assignments before class, as well as any
supplemental reading which may be assigned, maintain attendance, and successfully complete
all projects.
August 4, 2015
 Discuss syllabus
 Define Employee Relations and engage in group discussion around its various
components
 Discuss Chapter 12 (Safety, Health, Well-being and Security) and review the evolution
of the focus on safety and its central elements
Homework:
 Read Chapters 8 (Managing a New and Diverse Workforce), and 13
(Motivation at Work) and come prepared to discuss best practices to
motivate and engage diverse employees
August 6, 2015
 Review learning points from previous class session
 Discuss Chapters 8 and 13 and share best practices for employee motivation and
engagement
Homework:
 Read Chapter 14 (Managing & Enhancing Performance: The Big
Picture)
August 11, 2015
 Review learning points from previous class session
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 Discuss Chapter 14 and explore the relationship between performance measurement
and performance reward
Homework:
 Prepare an abbreviated Employee Relations program inclusive of key
components and best practices shared in this course section
August 13, 2015
 Review learning points from previous class session
 Students present Employee Relations program to class
ATTENTION
At any time during the semester, your instructor reserves the right to modify the course
requirements, assignments, exams, grading procedures, and all other related policies and
procedures as circumstances may dictate. Remember also, it is the sole responsibility of each
student to read, completely understand, and adhere to this document and all other documents
or materials associated with the course in their entirety.
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