MHR 651
Human Resource Policy: Conceptual Framework and Issues
Autumn Quarter, 2005
Instructor: Jean Hart, Ph.D. Office Phone: 293-7862
Office: 628 Fisher Hall Home Phone: 487-0278
Office Hours: M,W after class e-mail:
or by appointment
Class: M,W 8:30 - 10:18 AM
SB 300
I. Course Objectives
This course will acquaint the student with the application of economic theory to the labor force and the labor market. This course will examine the forces of supply and demand and the institutional forces of unions, government and corporations. Students should be able to apply economic theory to policy issues; become better informed regarding policies which impact labor force participation; and finally, develop a better understanding of wage differentials in non union labor markets.
II. Text
Required: Kaufman, Bruce and Julie Hotchkiss. The Economics of Labor Markets. 7th edition, Mason, OH: Thompson, South-Western, 2006.
III. Policies
The class lecturers will enhance material in the text, so reading assignments are to be done in advance of class discussion. It may be necessary to read some of the material several times as economics is cumulative and theoretical in nature. You may want to form study groups to discuss the material on a regular basis.
You are responsible for material assigned in the textbook and presented in class. Not all material will be covered in equal detail. My responsibility is to go beyond the text. If you do not understand the material, ask so that we can go over it in more detail in class.
Exams must be taken on the day scheduled. Papers will not be accepted late. If you are absent on exam day, you must notify me in advance.
All students with documented disabilities who need accommodations should see me privately to schedule an appointment. If your disability requires materials in alternative format, please contact the Office for Disability Services at 292-3307, Room 150 Pomerene Hall
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IV. Requirements and Evaluation
Mid term exams (2) 100 pts each 200 points
Papers (2) 100 pts each 200 points
Presentation 100 points
Final exam 100 points
TOTAL 600 points
Grading Scale % of total points
A 93-100
A - 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B - 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C - 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 64-66
D - 60-63
F < 60
EXAMS:
There will be two mid term exams and a final exam. The format for the exams will be essay questions. You must be present the scheduled day of the exams. You need to notify me in advance if you are unable to take the exams at the scheduled time.
PAPERS:
Select two choices out of the five paper topics listed below. The due dates are listed below and are listed in the course outline. Expectations for the paper are as follows:
1. Minimum of five pages in length and double-spaced.
2. References should use proper bibliographic citation form and be listed on a
separate page (not inclusive of the 5-page essay).
3. Papers are due on the assigned day. No papers will be accepted late.
PAPER TOPICS DUE DATE
# 1 Work versus leisure October 10
What is wrong with a 35-hour work week? Examine the average hours worked per week for US workers and compare to other countries. Is leisure an important part of your life? Is work? Discuss why work hours vary and what does it say about efficiency?
# 2 Who will be in the upcoming workforce? October 19
Discuss the changes in the workforce for the future. What are the challenges facing employers? Use data to show how changes will occur either regionally, or by industry.
#3 Job Search October 24
Much of job searching today is done online. Examine various sites and assess their usefulness in resume building, job search from employee position and finding qualified employees from the employer position. Visit at least three of the following online employment services and explore the listings.
http://www.nationjob.com/ www.monster.com www.getajob.com
http://careers.yahoo.com www.hotjobs.com www.job-hunt.org
http://www.careerbuilder.com www.JobStar.org www.ajb.org
· Compare the job search information from the different sites (e.g., are postings up to date? easy to navigate? is consistent and relevant info available from all sites?, etc).
· What are the strengths and weaknesses of looking for a position online? How do you expect the presence of these Internet employment services to impact the competitiveness of the labor market? How has this change in recruiting impacted HR offices?
· Look at occupational surveys to determine what the potential future job market is for the position you select.
# 4 Educational Funding November 9
Discuss the value of government support for public education. Use current statistics and data to compare salaries to years of education. Look up US cost of higher education (cost per pupil), income of graduates, and tuition costs. Discuss the importance of public vs. private support for education. What is the return to society from this investment?
# 5 Discrimination November 16
Discuss the impact of discrimination in the labor market. Look at a recent case involving discrimination or harassment in the workplace. The case should have settled within the past two years or review a current case. Briefly give the background, and discuss the implications for your workplace. What are the issues facing HR today in terms of the importance of diversity in the workplace and the increased need for mediation tools and training to face discrimination and harassment issues, based on the case you selected. How do you think the workplace is changing as a result of this type of case? Attach the abstract or a brief summary of the case .
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ISSUE PRESENTATIONS:
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Much of the material in class deals with current policy issues. Each student will participate in a team presentation involving a specific issue. You may form your own team or just sign up for an issue (3-4 members on a team). Below is a list of issues and the dates of the presentations. Please select your topic by September 28, 2004
Each group will conduct a 15-20 minute oral presentation. Each member of the team must submit a list of all references and information sources used for their part and an evaluation form. Your presentation should include background information, current statistics or examples, and a solution. You may choose to have a panel discussion, or a pro/con debate .Be prepared to answer questions from the class.
Three presentations or similar topics will be presented on one day.
Grading criteria: content and command of the topic, presentation style, and ability to convincingly respond to questions.
Presentation – Group A DUE: October 19
A1. How do you explain the changes in employment?
The price of labor has had an impact on hiring and retaining workers? Discuss the cost of labor – benefits, pensions, training, and competitive wages.
Discuss the ease or difficulty in hiring and keeping good employees. Look at the supply and demand in the labor market. How do you match the availability of workers with the needs of the employer? Discuss from the employer and prospective employee viewpoints, how to best meets the needs of the firm and the needs of the individual.
A2. Minimum Wage & the Living Wage
There is an ongoing debate regarding increasing the minimum wage. Some cities have gone further to enact “living wage laws”. Review the pros and cons. What impact does the increase in minimum wages and living wage laws have on employment levels and society?
A3. Product Demand versus labor demand
Discuss the impact globalization and the business cycle have on the demand for labor. Are workers productive? Look at perceptions of work and technology changes that have impacted the demand for labor and time spent in work.
Presentation - Group B DUE: November 9
B1. Immigration and job mobility
Some individuals can easily move from one job to another. In terms of job skills, education and firms willingness to train, explain why some workers experience job lock versus job mobility.
B2. Equality in Educational Funding
Equality in education is continually being debated in many states. Discuss the socially optimal state level of educational investment. Should more funding come from the state? or should more schools be privately funded? Who should bear the burden to provide an established level of education and what should that level be?
B3. Affirmative Action in College Selection and Admission
Everyone wants the opportunity to attend college. Discuss the impact affirmative action has had on college selection and admission. Six years ago two lawsuits were filed against the University of Michigan. Do you think these lawsuits increased opportunities for college admission? Who benefits? Are there any down sides? Should race be a factor in admissions? How can you provide improve diversity in education?
Presentation – Group C DUE: November 21
C1. Glass Ceiling
Some argue that the “glass ceiling” has not shattered. Others argue that the number of women in executive or management positions has increased. Discuss the two viewpoints and support why each side thinks they are correct. Are wage differentials between genders a problem? Do they still exist even though educational differentials are decreasing?
C2. Age Bias Lawsuits
The Supreme Court recently gave new legal protection regarding age-bias lawsuits. Discuss some of the recent cases, settlements and firm’s responses. How do you deal with the aging workforce and still provide opportunities to new graduates?
C3. Wage Differentials
Discuss differences in wages for full time workers by selected characteristics. Why does the wage gap increase over time? Why do wage differentials continue? What can you as an HR professional do that may eliminate the pay differentials that exists within your firm when individuals with similar jobs duties have substantial differences in pay?
IV Course Outline
September 21 Course Overview
September 26 The Labor Market Chapter 1, 2
September 28 Labor Supply – Hours of Work Chapter 2
Labor Supply – Labor Force Participation Chapter 3
Presentation topic due
October 3 Labor Supply continued Chapter 3
October 5 Demand for Labor – Short Run Chapter 4
October 10 Demand for Labor-Long run Chapter 5
Paper One due
October 12 EXAM I
October 17 Determination of Wages Chapter 6
October 19 Paper Two due
Presentation Group A
October 24 Investment in Human Capital Chapter 7
Paper Three due
October 26 Investment in Human Capital Chapter 7
October 31 Occupational Wage Differentials Chapter 8
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November 2 EXAM II
November 7 Reading Day – NO CLASS
November 9 Presentation Group B
Paper Four due
November 14 Discrimination in the Labor Market Chapter 9
November 16 Discrimination continued Chapter 9
Paper Five due
November 21 Presentation Group C
November 23 Unemployment Chapter 13
November 28 Unemployment and Review
November 30 Last day of class – final exam
December 6 scheduled final exam 7:30 AM (Tuesday)
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