Each week you will participate in the class discussion. You are required to post at least 3 times on 3 separate days. One post will be your response to the discussion topic and your second two posts will be responses to your classmates or instructor. Three posts are a minimum number of posts so you are encouraged to participate more often and improve your grades.

Week Two: Let's Discuss!

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Career development programs are a fairly recent addition to the functions performed by human resources departments. These programs are designed to enable employees to match their needs for growth and development with those of the organization. Carefully organized job progressions are established so employees may plan a lifetime career with the organization. In developing these programs special efforts have been made to provide opportunities for managers, women, and minorities. Through workshops and counseling, employee strengths and needs are identified and career paths are selected. Employers can also facilitate the career development of members of minority groups and of dual-career couples.

APPRAISING AND IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

A major function of human resources management is the appraisal and improvement of employee performance. In establishing a performance appraisal program, managers should give careful attention to its objectives and to the criteria against which employees are to be evaluated. Court decisions have emphasized the importance of having carefully defined and measurable criteria. Newer methods and techniques for appraisal are replacing some of the older methods that are more subject to errors. The methods used should be consistent with the objectives of appraisal in the particular organization. Through interviews, managers can give information from the appraisal to subordinates and make plans for improving performance.

Question: In your opinion what personal characteristics are employers looking for in individuals whom they consider for long-term employment and probable advancement in the organization? To what extent can one develop these characteristics?

Please read the relevant chapters from your text before attempting to respond to the above.

You must make a minimum of three postings on three separate days. Your posts should be intuitive and thoughtful. Your first post will be your answer to my question and the others will be replies to your classmates and me. These responses to other posts should also be well-written and intelligent. Please support your points with in-text citations and include a reference list. 

The week closes on Sunday at   11:59 PM. There is no discretion on these discussions.This means you cannot get an extension on the discussions….

EACH POST SHOULD BE AT LEAST one PARAGRAPH IN LENGTH ( at least 150 words) Quantity is IMPORTANT BUT QUALITY is just as important. NOTE: Wikipedia cannot be used as a source for this class. Also, do not cut and paste from your sources, but read and then put in your own words, this means paraphrase and cite your sources the APA way.

Threaded Discussion Grading Rubric

Total Points Possible

Thoroughly answered all of the questions asked and referencing the initial post.

40

Responded to at least two classmates in addition to your initial post

20

Referencing of additional posts

10

Spelling and Grammar is at the college level

15

Post on three separate days

15

Total:100 points

To post to the discussion, click the title,       Week 2 HR Talk Discussion above, then       Create Thread.