Human Resource Management

Small Business Workshops

Part of the answer to the labor shortage problem facing many employers in Michigan lies with their ability to properly manage and motivate their workers. With this in mind, the Economic Development Area of Expertise Team of Michigan State University Extension, in conjunction with the Michigan State University Human Resources Education and Training Center (HRETC), has designed a day-long Human Resources Management Workshop for small and medium sized businesses. Workshops have been held in East Tawas, Hillsdale, and Gaylord.

These workshops mark the first time the two MSU units have joined together to sponsor training programming. The HRETC is in the continuing education unit of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations at MSU. Normally, HRETC holds its highly successful workshops throughout the country on single issues in human resources management. However, Tina Riley, the Assistant Director of HRETC, in collaboration with Bill Carpenter, Iosco County CED, and Colletta Moser and Ray Vlasin, MSUE campus extension specialists, have designed a workshop to cover a variety of issues of interest to small and medium sized businesses in Michigan. At the Workshops, Ms. Riley provides extensive and up-to-the minute information on:

*Recordkeeping, especially in terms of such labor laws as the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, Wage and Hour Laws and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
*Recruitment, interviewing and selection of new employees
*Motivating employees
*Discipline and discharge

In addition, participants receive a 150 page notebook with suggested procedures, forms and articles to help them apply the lessons learned in the workshop.

Workshop attendees have represented a wide variety of employers, human resource managers and other professionals from both the public and the private sectors. Industries represented include manufacturers, farm owners, restaurant and hotel operators, marina operators, community colleges, temporary employment services, legal firms and health agencies. Participants enjoy the interactive nature of the workshop as well as the invaluable materials.

For further information about HRETC workshops contact Bill Carpenter at (517) 362-3449 or Colletta Moser at (517) 353-3298.

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