Delacroix’s instructors work with employers to tailor their workshops and seminars on a variety of management and personnel issues and are frequent authors and speakers on these topics for both state and nationally-based trade associations and other employer organizations. The following is a partial list of the many programs Delacroix provides. If you would like to book an in-person workshop/seminar, web-based training session or if you need further information, please contact us.
Why Train Us?
This workshop assists in getting managers "invested" in the training concept, and helps them "buy in" to the need for supervisory training by addressing the question "why train us?" head on. This class attempts to do away with the "blame game" for these problems by explaining the difference between employee training deficiencies and motivation problems, as well as how to motivate today's work force. Participants are introduced to issues that will be addressed in detail, e.g., problem-solving techniques, benefits of different management styles, legal concerns associated with employment decisions, etc.
The Challenge of Modern Management
Through participatory lecture, case history review, audio-visual presentation and open forum discussion, this seminar will highlight some of the most critical areas of the relationship between the manager/supervisor and employee. It covers the role of the manager, teamwork and communication, securing the appropriate employee, managing the non-performer, etc. This workshop is often used as the basis for training technically based supervisors with undeveloped "people" skills.
Interviewing & Hiring: Selecting the Best Applicant and Avoiding Discrimination
There are numerous legal pitfalls associated with interviewing and hiring applicants, ranging from employment discrimination to Fair Labor Standards violations to defamation claims. In addition, many managers are untrained in what questions to ask in an interview and how to evaluate the answers job candidates give to those questions. This workshop provides managers with a proven strategy for a successful employee recruitment process. Participants will learn legally-compliant, standardized protocols for accepting applications, interviewing applicants and performing background checks.
Team Approach to Employee Retention
Retaining quality new employees has become an increasingly important concern for employers. The newest generation of individuals entering the work force are often misunderstood and mishandled by managers. This misunderstanding and mishandling can result in disgruntled employees and high turnover rates. One of the most fundamental requirements for effective managing is the ability to understand others' motives, values, and goals, not imposing one's own on others. This means understanding and accepting that people are different. This workshop is devoted to helping managers understand this new generation; what motivates them and what does not motivate them. It suggests a flexible team-management approach which allows for some individual freedom to manage time and work, and stresses feedback and recognition.
Performance Management
This workshop focuses on the important topic of effective employee performance appraisal programs. It presents managers with both a practical guide to the design and use of such programs, and identifies potential legal pitfalls associated with them. Participants will learn about: (1) "Management by Objectives"; (2) making performance evaluation a way of life in your organization; (3) implementing performance and development programs; (4) how to conduct an effective employee appraisal interview; and (5) how to manage a "non-performer".
Managing the Non-Performer
This presentation will instruct participants on: (1) how to recognize the difference between a training problem and a motivation problem; (2) how to motivate unmotivated employees; and (3) how to perform legally defensible progressive discipline, up to and including discharge. The program will address important aspects of conducting an effective investigation of employee conduct as well as legally sound and practical techniques for documenting the process.
Minimizing the Risk of Employment-Related Lawsuits
This workshop is designed to assist managers in their day-to-day administration of troublesome personnel issues with the objective of minimizing the increasing risks of employment law litigation. Participants will receive “An Employer's Guide to Minimizing Risk of Employment Law Litigation” which addresses this confusing area of the law in a practical, easily understood way. It presents the essentials of constructive and effective employee documentation and discipline, and also undertakes a practical review of how managers can take a proactive approach in assisting their organizations’ response to an increasingly litigious work force. It both “demystifies” key employment law concepts and provides an important working knowledge of the basic legal framework encompassing work force management.
Workplace Harassment: Essential Training for Fostering a Positive Work Place Environment and for Preventing Costly Claims
This workshop is designed to introduce employee groups or managers to the issues surrounding the dynamics of sexual (and other) harassment in today's workplace. It works toward a basic understanding of the interpersonal and legal issues underlying employer and employee responsibilities to prevent sexual harassment. Keys to avoiding harassment and minimizing employer liability related to harassment issues will be presented and fully explored. The workshop will specifically examine the employer's sexual harassment policy, and discuss the practical application of same.
Meeting the Challenge of the Union Organizer
This workshop addresses the complex subject of National Labor Relations Board union representation proceedings head on. It both "demystifies" the process for the frontline supervisor, and provides an important working knowledge of the basic legal framework encompassing such matters. The program empowers supervision by providing specific training in appropriate and effective communication techniques.
Managing in the Unionized Environment
This workshop is designed to assist frontline managers in their day-to-day supervision of bargaining unit personnel. Effective frontline supervision is the key to effective human resource management. Participants will receive a guidebook entitled, “A Supervisor’s Guide to Managing in the Unionized Environment” which helps to simplify the finer points of supervision in the unionized environment. It presents the basics of understanding the legal significance of the concept of “supervision” under the National Labor Relations Act and works through a practical guide to understanding how the concept is applied in the workplace. Working from the employer’s labor agreement provisions as a guide, the workshop will outline the boundaries of how far supervision may go in resolving daily workplace issues without overreaching, or running afoul of the “direct dealing” provisions of the Labor Act. It also reviews the important keys to administering workplace discipline fairly, objectively, consistently, and in accordance with the just cause provisions of the employer’s labor agreement.
Hiring and Firing
This workshop is designed to assist managers in understanding the legal arena in which employees are hired and fired. Participants are instructed on how to recruit the best applicants while avoiding discrimination and defamation lawsuits. Participants are also trained with respect to precautions which must be taken in the employee termination process either due to disciplinary matters or otherwise.
Employee Conflict Resolution
This workshop is designed to enable team leaders/supervisors to be more effective at managing interpersonal conflict among team members/employees. Based on a "team approach" to management, participants will explore the nature and symptoms of conflict, diagnose conflict situations and appropriate behaviors to resolve them. Participants will also gain awareness of the different styles of handling conflict and familiarize themselves with several meeting/management tools to prevent or minimize conflict.
The Prevention of Workplace Violence
This issue, more than any other, underscores that workplace management takes place at an intersection of concrete organizational goals and procedures, complex legal standards, and the intangible individual characteristics individuals bring to work with them. This workshop will alert participants to the prevalence of this problem, discuss its origins and provide practical techniques for recognizing and avoiding potentially violent situations. Participants will also learn what to do in the event that a violent situation occurs at the workplace.
Your Diverse Work Force
This multimedia program will help supervisors develop a greater awareness and knowledge of the issues created by an increasingly diverse work force. Specifically, participants will learn the “do’s and don’ts” of recruitment and hiring. Critical EEO concepts are explored, such as job-related, objective and consistent approaches to determining job criteria, qualifications, interview questions and techniques and evaluating applicants. The program also examines possible EEO and management pitfalls in counseling employees or making reduction in force decisions.
Leadership and Influence
Many supervisors are promoted into supervisory positions from production positions. All too often, these supervisors have difficulty transitioning from "friend" to supervisor. This seminar will help participants: (1) acquire a set of leadership skills that will increase their ability to lead and influence others more effectively, and (2) enhance their ability to prepare for important one-on-one discussions at work, based on an assessment of the tasks and relationships involved.
Running Effective Meetings
At the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to: (1) plan more productive meetings; (2) lead various types of meetings that achieve the desired result; (3) demonstrate appropriate group leadership skills to maintain effective working relationships among meeting participants; and (4) handle difficult meeting situations more confidently, thereby reducing conflict and improving outcomes.
Dealing with Employee Absenteeism (ADA, FMLA and Workers' Compensation)
This workshop addresses the potential conflicts caused by overlapping federal and state laws concerning employee leaves of absence, i.e. the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law. It presents managers with both a practical guide to complying with these statutes, and helps identify issues related to disability absences, and the avoidance of the legal pitfalls associated with this important aspect of human resource management. An overview of applicable employment laws would facilitate communication and understanding between line supervisors, human resources and upper management.
Team Problem-Solving of Company Problems
Retaining quality new employees has become an increasingly important concern for employers. The newest generation of individuals entering the work force are often misunderstood and mishandled by managers. This misunderstanding and mishandling can result in disgruntled employees and high turnover rates. One of the most fundamental requirements for effective managing is the ability to understand others' motives, values, and goals, not imposing one's own on others. This means understanding and accepting that people are different. This workshop is devoted to helping managers understand this new generation; what motivates them and what does not motivate them. It suggests a flexible team-management approach which allows for some individual freedom to manage time and work, and stresses feedback and recognition.