| This article relates to the Human Resource | | | | broad base of knowledge about my benefit |
| Functions competency, commonly evaluated in | | | | programs and the sequence of procedures that |
| employee satisfaction surveys. It reflects | | | | I should follow. There were a few areas that |
| one employee's satisfaction with the manner | | | | seemed questionable, but she promised to get |
| in which her HR department carried out their | | | | answers and get back to me. She fulfilled |
| work. This competency examines how your | | | | that promise quickly and efficiently.Over the |
| employees feel with regards to the quality | | | | next few weeks, which proved to be a trying |
| and implementation of the human resource role | | | | period, Julie was always there for me. She |
| within your organization. A human resource | | | | helped me process paperwork, contacted the |
| department that is properly informed of | | | | proper home office departments on my behalf, |
| employee issues, demonstrates a high | | | | and did everything she could to minimize the |
| integrity level, and communicates effectively | | | | stress involved in my recovery. "You just |
| with staff and management should expect a | | | | concentrate on getting better, I'll take care |
| high satisfaction level in this competency | | | | of everything at this end", she would say to |
| area.This short story, Human Resources at | | | | me whenever things got too confusing. She |
| Work, is part of AlphaMeasure's compilation, | | | | really understood my distraction and took |
| Tales From the Corporate Frontlines. It | | | | over for me when I wasn't thinking clearly. |
| illustrates how a competent, compassionate | | | | I'm sure there were times when another person |
| staff can perform their HR functions and | | | | would have lost her cool and become |
| really make a difference in the lives of | | | | frustrated, but Julie never did.I recently |
| employees, creating goodwill that spreads | | | | returned to work after a long rehabilitation |
| throughout the workplace.Anonymous | | | | period. I'm feeling much better now, and see |
| Submission: Human Resources at WorkI've | | | | and speak to Julie less often. When I think |
| worked at a few different companies, and | | | | of the people who were most responsible for |
| never had much interaction with human | | | | helping me to recover, I always think of her. |
| resources departments, other than hiring and | | | | She took responsibility to assist me, and did |
| benefits enrollment paperwork.I'd like to | | | | a fantastic job. She knew how to handle my |
| tell you about one staff member who really | | | | issues, and was masterful at effective |
| made a difference in my life. Stricken with a | | | | communication. Julie is an asset to our human |
| sudden and very debilitating sickness, I was | | | | resources department, and reached the |
| completely confused about my benefits and | | | | standard that I believe all professionals in |
| responsibilities with regard to time off for | | | | this field should strive for.© 2005 |
| treatment, and the coverage provided by my | | | | AlphaMeasure, Inc. - All Rights ReservedThis |
| company-paid health insurance plan. I'd | | | | article may be reprinted, provided it is |
| rarely even been sick before, and never | | | | published in its entirety, includes the |
| hospitalized.I called work from my hospital | | | | author bio information, and all links remain |
| bed to tell my manager what had happened. I | | | | active.Measure. Report. Improve your |
| asked a few questions about my options and he | | | | organization with AlphaMeasure employee |
| told me he hadn't a clue---and offered to | | | | surveys.Josh Greenberg is President of |
| transfer my call to the HR department. I | | | | AlphaMeasure, Inc.AlphaMeasure provides |
| really didn't know what to expect. I had | | | | organizations of all sizes a powerful web |
| heard some lunchroom complaints abut nasty | | | | based method for measuring employee |
| attitude over the years, but had no reason to | | | | satisfaction, determining employee |
| expect a problem in this situation. Still, I | | | | engagement, and increasing employee |
| was nervous.I needn't have been. Julie was | | | | retention.Launch your employee surveys with |
| kind, helpful, and very efficient. She had a | | | | AlphaMeasure. |