Support your hard working Human Resources (HR) staff with HR training seminars designed for their needs. Every day these staff are expected to implement complex legislation, help employees deal with work life issues, and still keep the routine recruitment, training, and documentation up to date. There is extra stress as much of the work they do is affected by regulations over which they have no control.

Identifying Training Needs
As there is nothing static in both HR legislation and best practices, it is essential that your HR staff be well versed in the various Acts and updates.
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

It is not just the knowledge of the legislation that is important. HR staff should be able to develop affirmative action plans, payroll processes, recording keeping, and other policies and procedures necessary to implement all the regulations. Demonstrating compliance is another indicator of an effective HR department.

Whether your company has one person looking after HR or employs a large HR department, these people need the knowledge and skills to determine employee eligibility for and entitlement to legislated benefits and working conditions. This does not mean that each HR staff in a large organization has to demonstrate indepth knowledge and skills in all areas, but the overall department must have the capacity. In small companies, some of the specialized responsibilities might be outsourced.

Besides providing mandatory knowledge and skills, it is good practice to train HR staff in effective communication, productive use of social media, how to conduct investigations, and ability to use tools such as Microsoft Excel to improve productivity. Most people attracted to HR work are interested in people; they do not want to be bogged down in paperwork. A smart management team makes sure there is easy access to training and tools that ease the more tedious aspects of the job.

Identify Best Training Options
There are several factors to consider when determining the most suitable HR training seminars for both new and experienced staff.
• Certification. If legislation or a best practices dictates certification, you must either hire staff with it or provide the training immediately. Although not mandatory, it might be important that staff receive credits recognized by organizations such as the HR Certification Institute or the American Payroll Association.
• Legislation. At least one HR person needs to know what legislation applies, what constitutes compliance, and how to keep up to date with changes.
• Foundational or refresher. Even the most experienced HR personnel need occasional refreshers if only to catch up with emerging issues and best practices in the industry.
• Generalist or specialist. A seminar in the basics of workplace safety is appropriate for all HR staff, but a seminar on the federal and state rules for withholding taxes is useful only for the payroll specialist in your HR department.
• Combinations of topics in curriculum. Check out various options for both the content and the level of training courses.
• Qualifications of trainers and facilitators. Make sure it is compatible with what your company needs.
Choose HR training seminars carefully so the message to your staff will be one of encouragement, support, and recognition of the value of their work.