Human Resources and the Importance of the Department Being Legally Sound

In review of the Podcast titled, Legal One through the NJPSA, the podcast reviewed episode 5  titled, Ensuring Legally Sound HR Protocols.  

NJPSA Legal One Podcast Link

Human Resources open the door for strong staff and for staff that feel supported.  It is critical to show support along through the hiring process, onboarding process and thereafter in order to provide the appropriate layers of support.  It was stated that, 

“You spent thousands of dollars to hire somebody, you don’t want to lose them by the winter.” 

• Rebecca Gold, Legal One Consultant 

By taking the time to answer questions and to provide details on the specific districts processes and protocols will support the teacher or staff member.  Remember, if a teacher or staff member does not feel comfortable they will not perform to their greatest potential, which in turn hinders student learning opportunities.  

During the onboarding process key items to focus upon include:

• Salary and Pay Schedules and Guidelines

• Health Care

• Acclimating the staff member to who to go to in the building to ask questions

• Access to knowledge and materials 

A strong idea is to partner every new hire with veteran teachers to serve as a mentor throughout this onboarding process.  A teacher who is more comfortable in the district, regardless if  it is a teacher right out of school or a person switching districts, a level of comfort needs to be created in order to foster the strongest levels of support. 

Human Resources extends far beyond the staffing process.  Human Resources provides teachers and staff with what they need in order to be able to most effectively do their job each day.  Sometimes this may include staff needing accommodations or even a 504 plan in order to access their jobs.  By working with the staff member directly to collaborate and create a clear legally binding plan that supports the staff will not only provide the staff member the opportunity to be present in the classroom but also to be the educational leader for every student within that room.  

In Human Resources, like all departments in public education, constant reflection and reforms are needed.  In order to support your teachers and staff most effectively, the department must remain current on all changes or shifts and ensure the district moves ahead accordingly.  This includes a consistent reflection on the district's strengths and weaknesses in order to provide consistent focus on maintaining best practices.  

I would encourage all to subscribe to the NJPSA Legal One Podcast series as it provides insights and information that are important to every school district.  Through Legal One, school leaders are able to evaluate where their district is currently at and to assess areas of weakness so that growth plans can be created and implemented.  This podcast provides the opportunity for continuous review and improvement, something that true school leaders must do on a daily basis.