November 2004 Minutes

Kristal Pigeon from Integrity Windows and Doors gave us an excellent presentation on her “Life as a Human Resource Generalist.” Before she started working at Integrity she work for Drayton Enterprise. She graduated from NDSU with a Major in Psychology and a minor in Business. Here is what she went over in her presentation.

Psychology and HR

• Behavior modification, discipline, troubled employees
• Learning theories
  • In regard to employees
  • Some people need to be taught on a one on one basis, others don’t

What she thought HR was going to be

• Easy – Right out of the textbook
• Slow moving
• Specialized

What she found out

• Not easy
• Fast paced
• Not very specialized in ND – do everything
• Documentation is key
• You are Accountable
• You can’t please everyone – people are at your door everyday
• You can’t be friends with everyone
• Communication between employees and employers is very important

Integrity Windows and Doors

• In Fargo since 1995
• 600 employees in Fargo
• 3 HR reps:  Assistant HR Manager, HR Generalist, and Assistant HR Generalist

HR Tasks She Does

• Recruit and select, workers compensation, payroll, child support, party planner, benefits, job descriptions, safety, policy development, newsletter development, and more
• She gets stuck doing many tasks that are not related to HR in any way.

Recruitment and Selection

• 150 new associates have been hired and fired – High Turnover
• It is a very long process
• Hiring Process
  • Conduct first interview
  • Background check
  • Reference checks – 2
  • Set up 2^nd interview – test and tour
  • Make offers
  • Drug testing

Workers Compensation

• Investigate – Talk to the injured employees, supervisors, and witnesses to find out  the real story.
• Documentation
  • Several forms to fill out
  • Insurance
• Follow-up – Continue contacting the injured employee to insure he/she is getting better.

Employee Relation Issues

• Attendance problems
• Poor performance
• Poor conduct
  • Insubordination
  • Sexual and Religious Harassment

• Poor hygiene

Unemployment Claims

• Poor conduct vs. poor work performance
• Phone hearing with appointed arbitrator
• Bottom line – proper documentation can really save a company

Diversity in the Workplace

• Language Barrier problems
  • Lack safety
  • Hard to train
  • Internal mobility is very insignificant
• Different Beliefs

Confidentiality in the Workplace

• Medical Info – HIPPA, FLMA, drug testing
• Background information
• Reference checks
• Interview notes
• Pay information

Top 10 Things to do before you enter the HR field

• Brush up on customer service skills
• Be a member in SHRA or FMHRA - network and keep up to date on important new issues
• Learn to like unsweetened Iced Tea – haha
• Learn Excel and use it
• Don’t be afraid to ask professors questions
• Have good grammar and writing skills
• Internships
• Second language
• Pay attention and do your parts in group projects while in school
• Don’t be afraid of change, Embrace It.

I also want to take this opportuinty to remind everyone about the Career Fair on Thursday from 1 to 6pm at the Civic. Network.

Neil Schmitt

Secretary