The Essential HR.. Armstrong Sharon

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      The Essential HR Handbook: A Quick and Handy Resource for Any Manager or HR Professional

      “Armstrong and Mitchell have provided a comprehensive and concise overview of human resources with practical advice, tips, forms and checklists. A must read for managers, small business owners, and individuals new to the HR profession.”

– Cornelia Gamlem, SPHR, president of GEMS Group ltd. www.gemsgroup-hr.comwww.gemsgroup-hr.comwww.gemsgroup-hr.comwww.gemsgroup-hr.com

      “Armstrong and Mitchell have given us an excellent primer to educate our newly hired or promoted people managers on the must-know elements of human resource management. From the perspective of both historical and emerging trends, they succinctly present a pragmatic and uncomplicated explanation of why and how these issues are essential to business success. Among the many nuggets they offer are numerous, practical and proven ways to safely say what needs to be said in employee conversations, interviews, and evaluations. Even this old dog learned some new tricks!”

– Gary Cluff, manager, Corporate Recruiting, The MITRE Corporation

      “As a HR practitioner of 26 years, I strongly recommend this book to all HR professionals who want to bring added value, and who wants to become a significant strategic partner in their organization. This book is a must have for any HR professional’s library.”

– Ben Lastimado, ED, author, Increasing Your HR Profession’s Value – Make Them Want You For a Strategic Partner

      “If you want to know the core elements that any Human Resources professional should have in mind as they map their strategy and advise their organization, Sharon Armstrong’s and Barbara Mitchell’s work is a great source. And a strong manager should be keeping the points in The Essential HR Handbook front and center in their leadership of people! This is a great straight-forward resource for any desktop!”

– Naomi Morales, deputy vice president, Human Resources and Administration, PhRMA

      “As promised in their introduction, the authors of The Essential HR Handbook have really made it all about the people. This is a handy reference for anyone trying to be an effective manager of people. If nothing else, be sure to read Chapter 12 and know the challenges for the future.”

– Dr. Janet Stern Solomon, SPHR, professor of management, The George Washington University

      “This book should become ‘The Source’ for professionals in Human Resources. It covers the essential considerations in the field in a well-written, authoritative and yet very readable style. If you are at all interested in the growing area of Human Resources, I strongly urge to read The Essential HR Handbook .”

– Henry P. Baer, former Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Practice, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

      “This concise handbook gets to the heart of human resource management by providing both practical guidance on essential HR activities and loads of useful samples, checklists and tools to help you do HR effectively and efficiently.”

– Wendy Bliss, J.D., SPHR, author, Employment Termination Source Book and Legal, Effective References: How to Give and Get Them

      “This book delivers on the promise made in the title. It offers great examples, useful templates, provocative questions and all the data that an HR person might want to have at their fingertips. It is easy to read and gets the reader to the main point quickly and easily. The appendix is superb. A must have for your shelf.”

– Beverly Kaye, founder/CEO, Career Systems International, author of Up Is Not the Only Way

      “Look no further than The Essential HR Handbook for the right advice to make the human resources function indispensable for the success of an organization. This book spells out practical approaches to the critical issues faced by leaders to effectively manage a fast-changing workforce. It is a must-read for all managers, not just HR professionals.”

– Brad Taft, president, Taft Resource Group, Career and Workforce Development Consultants, coauthor of Boom or Bust…Career Management Guide for Baby Boomers and Beyond

      “The title says it all. This handbook succinctly lays out the key principles and protections that every Human Resource professional needs to know and put in place. It’s also a reference source that won’t remain on your shelf for long.”

– Francis T. Coleman, Esq., Williams Mullen

      “The Essential HR Handbook is a superb compendium of human resources tools and techniques for HR and other professionals at all levels of organizations whether your company is large or small. This handbook provides extremely useful information on all facets of human resources and the sample documents (from applications through exit interviews) are especially helpful.”

– Gail Hyland-Savage, COO, Michaelson, Connor & Boul

      “I am confident that you will find The Essential HR Handbook, truly that —essential in establishing a significant HR infrastructure relevant to all organizations. Not only do the authors address the fundamentals necessary to support a growing organization, but they walk you through the importance and process of defining a strategic human resource plan. The Essential HR Handbook should be a part of every HR Tool Kit!”

– Kathy Albarado, SPHR, president of Helios HR, principal author of Guide to HR Administration

      “HR is no longer trying to find a seat at the table. It has become an inherent part of every process and priority that enable an organization to achieve its goals. Armstrong and Mitchell have transformed years of meaningful experience into one practical, comprehensive work. The Essential HR Handbook is a nonpareil; it clearly specifies the core elements of human resource management that help lead organizations to sustained success.”

– John G. Kitson, senior vice president, chief human resources officer, First Banks, Inc.

      “Reading this extraordinary book, I asked myself how I have managed thus far without it? Not only is this a comprehensive guide to everything an HR professional needs to know, but the samples contained at the end of almost every chapter and the appendix loaded with every tool necessary, made me think I had hit the mother lode.”

– Karen Bloom, principal of Bloom, Gross & Associates, Inc.

      “Regardless of the business size or industry; profit, non-profit, or government, this book reinforces what I have learned throughout my HR career – without strategic alignment between HR & the business manager, the dynamics of organizational effectiveness are absent.”

– D.J. Strauss, chief, branch of recruitment/training, DOL Office of Inspector General

      “The Essential HR Handbook is a practical, comprehensive toolbox for HR professionals, filled with forms and checklists to assist with the critical everyday work of selecting, orienting, training, developing, rewarding, and retaining today’s workforce. The sample forms alone make it a valuable desk reference.”

– Leigh Branham, founder/principal, Keeping the People, Inc.

      “The Essential HR Handbook is really Human Resources made easy for managers! This comprehensive overview is a one-stop guide for managers who want to create a productive and legally compliant workplace using time-tested HR techniques. Every manager needs a copy!”

– Mark Stevenson, president, SmartHR

      Dedication

      This book is dedicated to my father,Charles B. Scott, who taught me the true meaning of perseverance.

– Sharon Scott Armstrong

      This book is dedicated to my parents, Anne and Tom Mitchell – I wish they were here to celebrate this achievement with me.

– Barbara Mitchell

      Acknowledgments

      Most people understand that writing a book takes a village! There are many folks behind the scenes who helped us, so there are some thank yous due.

      Three major heroes were Anne Goodfriend, who skillfully and kindly edited our thoughts and words while remaining calm throughout; Susan Devereaux, who put the final