The Human Resources Commitment

Partnering with a dynamic and committed senior management team, the Human Resources team has worked to collaborate on a number of important projects and systems throughout the Kent County Chapter RI Arc/ Trudeau Memorial Center. Our mission will always be to blend our knowledge and philosophies of human resources management with those of the stakeholders we service. This has had a visible and positive impact on many of the services and commitments of the organization.

Recruitment, Interviewing and Hiring:

The Human Resources team works collaboratively with supervisors and employees to maximize recruitment processes. Positions are recruited internally through a structured job posting program that allows for internal employees, if qualified, to receive first preference over outside candidates. Additionally, Human Resources team members work with department supervisors and managers in the development of effective external recruitment campaigns. Human Resources places all classified ads, interviews and screens all qualified external and, as necessary, internal candidates. Finally, Human Resources coordinates the completion of the job placement process (job offers; required federal and state paperwork; criminal background checks).

Employee Relations:

Labor and employee relations issues can be very complex and time consuming. Should managers or employees have an employee relations issue that needs to be resolved, Human Resources team members can be contacted for assistance and problem resolution. An HR team representative arranges to meet with the manager or the employee as soon as possible. The Human Resources team also coordinates the labor relations and grievance process. Human Resources’ role is to help maintain an environment where fair employment practices are understood and practiced at all employee levels. Human Resources professionals must be advocates for all employee levels whom seek to resolve all issues in good faith.

Training Presentations and Training Coordination:

Human Resources team members offer and provide training opportunities for supervisors on a variety of organizational issues ranging from Progressive Disciplinary Processes to Interviewing Skills to Workplace Harassment. In addition Benefits training modules are being developed to assist supervisors in managing important workplace systems such as FMLA and Workers’ Compensation. Overall, these sessions provide managers with sound techniques and skills that will help to create a more positive business environment. Human Resources team members coordinate the tracking of all training at the organization to assure that a centralized system is in place where the organization can monitor and track organizational training requirements.

Policy and Organizational Development:

Policy revision and review, and organizational development are important aspects of our Human Resources process. The Human Resources team works with cross-sectional members of the Chapter to help develop policies and set organizational standards that are the foundation for identifying the Chapter as an employer of choice.

Benefits Processing

Human Resources is responsible for processing TDI, Unemployment and Workers' Compensation claims. Human Resources team members provide important information and subscription information on the many benefits programs that the Chapter offers -- health, dental and life insurance plans, Leaves of Absences (FMLA and Non-FMLA, Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), Unemployment, and Workers' Compensation -- to educate employees and supervisors on these important benefits plans and programs. Human Resources team members also coordinate the unemployment process by serving as the primary contact in explaining the organization’s reasons for unemployment and acting as the organization’s coordinating representative at unemployment hearings.