Human Resource Development

Very few people have formal training in human resources before assuming an HR position. Often, these professionals earn their slots through their people skills and company experience. In this era of rapidly changing regulation, it is vital that HR professionals stay current with legalities and best practices that apply to their businesses. Our mission is to be the leading human resource partner for employers in Western North Carolina and beyond. For more information call WCI at 828.667.3311.

Human Resource Member Benefits

• HR Training: all publicly offered HR training classes are member benefits (no charge)
• HR Video Library: all training videos are available to watch online at no charge
• HR Hotline:  unlimited telephone or email counsel from our HR advisors
• Attorney Services:  3 free legal consults from leading attorneys in business and employment law, by referral
• HR Answers Now:  online access to our loaded toolbox of HR compliance documents, sample policies & forms, and daily articles on best practices
• HR Publications:  NC / SC Employment Law Guide (Desk Manual) and a full range of employer compliance and workplace posters are provided to members
• HR Audits:  complimentary reviews of I-9 and other basic HR functions
• HR Recertification Credits: WCI is a preferred provider for HRCI and SHRM, with multiple ways to earn recertification credits
• See all the benefits of WCI Membership
• Additional (optional) HR services are listed below

Quarterly HR Seminars

We offer four (4) regional, in-person seminars each year, prepared with HR professionals in mind. They will bring you current relevant topics in human resource management, at no charge to members. New topics are being developed for 2025 that will be offered during February, March, September, and November. Registration will be available here while open.

Annual Conferences

WCI conducts two major conferences each year.

• Our HR Forum is a labor law conference that will expand your knowledge of employer compliance issues and help protect your organization from potential penalties, litigation, and risk. Topics are presented by employment attorneys. Our 2025 HR Forum is being planned for April 10. More information and registration will be available here when finalized.
• Our Solutions for the Workplace conference shines the spotlight on employer challenges - and presents strategic solutions from employment attorneys and insightful speakers. Our 2024 conference was conducted in November at NCSSM in Morganton.

Management Recruiting

WCI can also conduct full recruiting services, at significantly less cost than traditional search firms. Here's how WCI Search can help you:

• Find and pre-qualify serious management candidates with proven ability.
• Services provided by WCI's professional recruiter with substantial HR experience.
• Past placements include Engineers, Supervisors, and Plant, Safety, HR, and IT Managers.
• This service is available to employers only and discounted for WCI members.
• Our results are guaranteed (we will replace free within 6 months if terminated)

For more information, contact Wendy Ratcliff at [email protected] or 828.329.7602

HR Certification Study Group

A popular and proven way to prepare for the national HRCI certification exams for PHR or SPHR. This program is a member benefit, for only the cost of study materials, though it does not include the cost of the HRCI application or exam. This study group adds guidance and collaboration to your personal study time. Participants can significantly improve their odds of passing the exam. See recent testimonials here. The following areas will be studied:

1. Leadership & Strategy
2. Talent Planning & Acquisition
3. Learning & Development
4. Total Rewards
5. Employee Relations & Engagement

Earning credentials from HRCI speaks volumes about you, your organization, and the employees who put their trust in you. It distinguishes you as an expert in the HR field, with the competence necessary to mitigate risks and drive business results. You may also be interested in this HRCI vs SHRM comparison chart.

INFO & ORDER FORM. For more information contact Karol DeWitt at 704-219-3914 or [email protected]

WCI Summer Series

A bite-sized series of employment law updates for HR professionals during June, July, and August, featuring attorney Bernard Tisdale from the law firm of Van Hoy, Reutlinger, Adams & Pierce, PLLC. Participate live via Zoom this summer as a no-charge member benefit, as we get up to date on these hot topics. Watch for new topics coming in the summer of 2025.

Other HR Training

Many of the most common topics in human resource management and administration have been recorded in video format for members to watch at their convenience (login required) at no charge. The videos are concise and cover employment law, HR processes, and other topics. For the full list, go to our HR Video Library web page.

Human Resource Services

• Harassment Prevention for Employees:  a training program in understanding what behaviors constitute harassment and how to use the employer's complaint procedure. This onsite training can be customized for your organization. A free video is also available for member use at any time.
• Harassment Prevention for Supervisors & Managers:  an onsite training program to prepare employers for the likelihood of internal complaints, how to recognize inappropriate conduct in the workplace, and how to respond properly to prevent retaliation claims. This program is a no-charge member benefit (subsitute programs are also available).
• Individual Communications Coaching: this program helps your key employees improve their communication skills, through four (4) biweekly coaching and mentoring sessions that include a behavioral assessment, communications self-analysis, customized communications training, and assertiveness skill development.
• Union Avoidance Training:  this onsite training for supervisors and managers will raise awareness of why employees seek representation, organization tactics, new NLRB rules for organization, and their role in prevention. This program is a no-charge member benefit.
• Employee Engagement:  this onsite seminar explores a low-cost initiative to move your workforce from apathetic to engaged, based on research by Dr. Paul Marciano's 7 drivers of employee engagement.
• HR Projects:  our HR experts are available to assist you with projects on a fee-for-service basis, including larger scale HR audits, handbook development, job analyses, affirmative action plans, mentoring, and more.

Contacts for HR Services