Explore the breadth and complexity of the field of Human Resources and the role Human Resources professionals play in forming, fostering, and cultivating a positive company culture.

Taking a 1000-foot view, this course examines the shifting world of work, intensified by the pandemic and discusses some of the challenges and changes Human Resource professionals experience today. This course will look at the function of human resources through several unique lenses and critically consider the role HR plays in relation to managers, employees, and organizations in general.

Often referred to as People and Culture department, this session will also help to define what company culture is, what impacts it, and the role HR professionals (and other key team members) play in its cultivation and preservation. Participants will learn about the impact of toxic workplaces, their warning signs and the 4 steps involved in facilitating successful culture change.

This thought-provoking course introduces and frames several topics that are looked at more deeply throughout the Strategic Human Resource Professional Program.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Explore the shifting world of work and impact of the global pandemic on the workplace and the field of Human Resources.
• Discuss key workplace elements, trends and pressure impacting company culture including flexible, remote and hybrid work and the employee experience.
• Define culture and what impacts it.
• Identify tools and strategies for assessing and changing company culture.
• Learn how to align and safeguard culture through HR policies and programs.
• Learn how to identify toxic cultures.

This course is part of the Strategic Human Resources Management Program.

Continuing Education Contact Hours: 7

Instructor(s)

Laura Cashin

Laura Cashin (she/her) is the owner and Lead Consultant with Blueprint Human Resources.  An alumna of the University of Waterloo, Laura has over 17 years of progressive leadership experience in the field of Human Resources. Starting her career with tech giant BlackBerry, Laura experienced both their rapid growth and decline while working in their European, Asian, and North American headquarters. Laura has worked with advertising leaders Group m5 and most recently as an HR Director with the innovative leaders at Provincial Aerospace.

A strategic and creative human resource leader Laura specializes in translating business vision and values into strong HR practices . Her HR operations experience has taken her around the globe supporting companies of all sizes, in various industries, unionized and non-unionized, as well as companies undergoing massive change. Laura has supported employees in a broad range of industries including high -tech, industrial operations, advertising, aviation, education and aerospace.

Laura is also a busy mom of two, a wife, daughter, sister and friend. She is on the Board of Directors of St. John's Homestead Inc., a non-profit organization that aims to address homelessness through the housing and rehousing of vulnerable and at-risk adults across the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.