Overview
This course introduces human resource management as a strategic and operational function supporting employees, organizational performance, and responsible workplace practices. It examines the evolution and role of HRM, the employee life cycle, strategic alignment, workforce planning, organizational culture, and the relationship between HR policies and business objectives.
Topics include job analysis and descriptions; recruitment, selection, interviewing, and assessment; onboarding; training and development; career planning; performance management; compensation and benefits; engagement and retention; workplace communication; employee and labour relations; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; occupational health and safety; HR information systems; employment law and privacy; ethics; and emerging issues including remote work, automation, and workforce analytics. Practical activities develop students’ ability to draft HR documents, evaluate staffing methods, design interview questions, plan onboarding, conduct performance conversations, interpret basic workforce data, and recommend ethical and evidence-informed actions.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the major functions, principles, and historical developments of human resource management.
- Explain how HR policies and practices contribute to organizational effectiveness, culture, and strategic objectives.
- Apply fair, inclusive, and legally aware approaches to job analysis, recruitment, selection, interviewing, onboarding, and employee development.
- Distinguish major compensation, benefits, engagement, retention, and performance-management practices.
- Interpret basic workforce and HR information system data to identify relevant organizational patterns and issues.
- Communicate professionally and confidentially about sensitive employee, workplace, and labour-relations matters.
- Evaluate ethical, inclusive, and evidence-informed responses to common human resource management cases.
- Recommend appropriate HR actions addressing employee life-cycle needs and emerging workforce challenges.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Quiz (5 × 2%) | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Job analysis and recruitment documentation | 20.00% |
| Test | Mid-semester test | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Onboarding and performance-management plan | 20.00% |
| Tutorial | Tutorial participation and case activities | 10.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 20.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement 8 NCEA Level 2 English credits, externally assessed
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
