15 Books Every HR Pro Needs to Read...
HR departments are often the lifeblood of a company; theyrecruit, hire, pay and ultimately retain employees. With such great responsibility, it's essential for HR managers to be up to speed with the best practices and policies. Here are 15 books to help you stay on top of your game with HR.
1. "First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently"
By Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
This book uses a 25-year study of management practices and information from more than 80,000 interviews to give readers the inside scoop on business management. Learn what unconventional approaches the best managers take and how you can improve as a supervisor.
2. "The HR Answer Book: An Indispensable Guide for Managers and Human Resources Professionals"
By Shawn A. Smith and Rebecca A. Mazin
Learn the answers to the 200 questions that every manager needs to confront, from how to recruit new employees to what the best employee-benefit options.
3. "Business: The Ultimate Resource"
By Perseus Publishing
This must-have reference includes more than 150 essays from top business leaders covering important HR topics. Discover the mindset of groundbreaking HR experts and learn how their practices can benefit you.
4. "The Human Equation: Building Profits by Putting People First"
By Jeffrey Pfeffer
Business strategy takes the backseat in this important guide to increasing profits. Learn how to build strong relationships with your employees that will increase productivity through the many examples the author provides.
5. "Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed to Do and What to Do About It"
By Ferdinand F. Fournies
Finally, a clear and comprehensive guide to understanding employee motivation. Learn why your employees work the way they do and what you can do to build company loyalty and drive.
6. "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity"
By David Allen
If you've ever felt like your company never has enough time, this is the perfect book for you. Learn easy ways to increase your productivity that are helpful in all aspects of business. Highlights include a flowchart for processing your inbox and a general-planning model.
7. "The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work"
By Peter Block
This book provides expert advice from a master organization-development consultant. Find out how to accomplish your career goals and how to empower others to be successful.
8. "Good to Great (Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't)"
By James C. Collins
Based on a comprehensive study, the author explains why some companies are destined for success while others aren't. Collins also gives detailed advice on how to get your company on the winning track.
9. "The Brave New World of eHR: Human Resources in the Digital Age"
By Hal Gueutal, Dianna L. Stone and Eduardo Salas
With digital technologies continuing to transform the working world, this book is a must-have for any business. A group of scholars, practitioners and subject-matter experts examine the major technological trends in eHR and explain how you can use this technology to improve your business.
10. "1001 Ways to Reward Employees"
By Bob Nelson
This book provides managers with 1,001 no-cost to low-cost ways to reward employees, company loyalty and overall productivity. From supplying cab fare to those who stay late to giving workers magnetic calendars, these simple ideas can greatly improve employee morale.
Though the resources below will help companies of all sizes, smaller, growing businesses will find these five books especially useful:
11. "Entrepreneur Magazine: Human Resources for Small Businesses"
By William R. Sullivan
This comprehensive resource provides everything small businesses need to build their HR department. With more than 25 years of experience, Sullivan provides easy-to-follow guidelines for recruiting employees, establishing company policies, choosing employee benefits and more.
12. "Managing Human Resources in Small and Mid-Sized Companies"
By Diane Arthur
This book specifically addresses the unique challenges that businesses with 100 to 1,500 employees face, but its solutions are applicable for even smaller companies. Use this clear and helpful guide to set up or expand an effective HR department.
13. "Smart Staffing"
By Wayne Outlaw
Discover how to hire and retain top employees for small business with Outlaw's book. Full of case studies, expert strategies, checklists and more, this guide will help any small business improve its staff.
14. "101 Great Ideas for Managing People: From America’s Most Innovative Small Companies"
by Martha E. Mangelsdorf
This book is an essential tool for helping small-business managers face countless challenges. Find out how the most innovative and successful managers address common problems and how you can adapt their strategies to increase productivity and profit.
15. "The Payroll Toolkit"
By Timothy F. Carse and Jeffrey Slater
This reference guide gives detailed instruction on all the basics of payroll, from when an employee is first hired to calculating gross pay to dealing with taxes. If your business runs into any questions related to payroll, this book will have the answers
