Overview of the HR Toolkit for the Voluntary and Non-profit Sectors
About the HR Council
The HR Council for the Non-profit Sector (HR Council) is a forum for dialogue and action on
workplace and labour force issues in the non-profit sector. As a convener, research instigator
and information-sharing body, the HR Council aims to:
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Build and share knowledge
Promote good HR practices
Foster training and learning opportunities
Provide leadership on HR issues
Engage non-profit organizations in the work.
The HR Council is a member of The Alliance of Sector Councils and is funded primarily through
the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. Sector councils are permanent
organizations that bring together representatives with different perspectives from key
stakeholder groups that share a commitment to identify and act on the issues and skills needs
that are most important to a given sector.
The HR Council is guided by a Board of Directors who represent a range of voluntary and nonprofit sector stakeholders including employers, employees, senior managers, educational
institutions and labour organizations from across Canada.
What is on the Website
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Listing of HR Council Projects
Overview of the Sector
Resource Center
o HR Toolkits for Boards, Managers and Employees
o HR Standards-- A companion to the HR Toolkit, the HR Management Standards
demonstrate what non-profits should strive for in the development and
implementation of effective HR policies and practices
o ACCESS -- a comprehensive index of non-profit learning, training and
development opportunities that are offered by post-secondary institutions,
community organizations and other providers across Canada
o Shared HR Services Guide—to assist organization that want to develop a shared
services model
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HR Toolkits
The website provides three HR Toolkits – one each for Board Members, Managers and
Employees. The HR Toolkits are organized in a similar way with content useful for each
audience. The manager’s toolkit is the most extensive—a copy of the index is contained as
Appendix 1. The toolkits provide free practical tools, resources and information on HR
management and workplace issues for voluntary and non-profit organizations.
Some examples of the toolkit contents follow:
1. Governance and HR Management
 Governance and HR management by type of Board (administrative, policy, mixed)
 Legal duties of directors
 Role and responsibilities for HR management
o HR Responsibility Chart (attached)
 Legislation related to employment and the responsibility of the board for
compliance
 Fulfilling your obligations as a board member
2. Selection and Hiring
 Plan the selection process
 Working with a selection panel
 Prepare for the interviews (sample interview questions included)
 Conduct the interviews
 Check the references of your final candidates (sample questions for references
included)
 Make your decision and review it
 Make the offer (sample letter of offer included)
How to Access the Website
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Open Internet Explorer on your computer.
Using search, type in www.hrcouncil.ca/hr-toolkit/home.cfm
Click on “I am a Manager” and the Table of Contents will appear.
Look through the table of contents and find the HR topic of interest. Click on the
topic and you will find an overview of the practice, useful tools and sample letters
and materials. Be sure to read through the entire section as tools are at the bottom.
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Appendix 1
Table of Contents for Managers’ HR Toolkit
HR Planning
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Strategic HR Planning
Operational HR Planning
Succession Planning
Risk Management in HR
The Board's Role in HR
Compensation & Benefits
HR Policies & Employment Legislation
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Developing HR Policies
Sample Policies on Common HR Topics
Employment Legislation & Standards
Human Rights Legislation
Health and Safety Legislation
HR in a Unionized Workplace
Leaves of Absence
Getting the Right People
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Laying the Groundwork
Job Descriptions
Recruitment
Selection
Hiring
Orientation
Non-standard Employment
Keeping the Right People
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Employee Engagement & Retention
Employee Recognition
Performance Management
Supervision
Discipline
Termination
Exit Interviews
Diversity at Work
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Legislation and Policies
Supporting Employees with Disabilities
Supporting Employees from Different Cultural Backgrounds
Supporting Employees from the GLBTQ Community
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Generational Differences in the Workplace
Gender Equity
Workplaces That Work
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Conflict at Work
Effective Meetings
Flexible Work Arrangements
Interpersonal Communication
Productive Work Teams
Staff-Volunteer Relations
Workplace Wellness
Learning, Training & Development
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Factors Affecting Working and Learning
Getting Your Organization Ready for Employee Training and Development
Understanding the Employee as an Adult Learner
Implementing an Employee Training and Development Program
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