Human Resources Continues

Ann, Julie, and Mindy showed me around the employee relations side of Human Resources today.

Basically, they're responsible for improving morale among unhappy employees and keeping happy employees happy. Much of what they do is interpreting corporate and department policy for managers and employees, such as clarifying when holiday time can be taken, what qualifies as a leave of absence, and when timecards should be submitted. They are also involved in taking a mediator role when conflict arises between employees and their managers. Education and training managers can play a major part in reducing the number of these negative meetings, so they are involved in that as well. You'd think that dealing with negative issues all day would wear you down, but they also get to plan fun activities and events for employees as well, giving them a reprieve from the tougher aspects of the job.

After being in HR for the morning, I was able to sit in on a SimplyWell board meeting for lunch. SimplyWell is a wellness program/initiative that allows employees of firms that purchase a subscription to get a detailed physical and health status report, have access to online health resources, and be given a detailed list of health goals for individuals who need to manage a chronic condition.

This afternoon I went to a meeting with a number of UNMC physicians who discussed health reform issues with Joe from Senator Nelson's staff. It looks like I'll be doing a summer project with them, which will be challenging and rewarding at the same time.