Small business owners who lack human resource management departments use human resources online communities to manage their employees. When you join online HR communities you connect with other owners and managers to share knowledge and best practices. Most human resources Internet forums include opportunities to post questions, share experiences, download reference materials, participate in virtual conferences and utilize assessment tools like employee surveys.

Join an online human resources group to learn how your counterparts have handled legal issues like investigating complaints of sexual harassment, conducting drug testing and searches and countering claims of invasion of privacy. Exchange ideas in online human resources discussion forums about staffing, training, employee development and motivation. Get advice from your online HR group members about discipline and when to use counseling, warnings, suspensions and discharge. To make the most of your membership in online human resource communities consider the following:

1. Determine your need for human resource management course work and whether it can be found in online human resources forums.

2. Compare human resources Internet forums for ease of use and member services to determine which best suits your business needs.

3. Identify the forms, readings and other resources you need from HR online communities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Invest in human resources training available through online human resources forums

Comprehensive online human resources training covers interpersonal skills necessary for recruiting, training, developing and retaining employees and team building. These programs also address state and federal employment laws including anti discrimination laws, wage and hour law and the Family Medical Leave Act.

I recommend: SkillPath and the American Management Association have full menus of webinars and electronic learning courses available for purchase.

Join human resources online discussion groups

HR discussion forums are an effective means to dialogue about human resources management topics. To participate you must first register. You may then post questions on the group's electronic bulletin board and respond to postings.

I recommend: Workforce Management and the Society for Human Resource Management have human resources online groups reserved for managers, not employees.

Locate reference material from online HR communities and other electronic venues

Electronic newsletters and periodicals are an excellent means to stay current on new developments in human resources management. Forms, surveys and diagnostic assessments are useful tools for effectively managing people and are widely available online.

I recommend: HR.com has human resources market intelligence data. The Human Resource Store has free documents on human resources management topics and useful links to sites that will help you comply with laws, conduct background checks and complete other relevant functions. The Free Management Library provides hundreds of free links to articles and book recommendations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some online human resources communities are available for immediate use at no cost while others charge a fee. Some require you to first join a parent organization and pay membership dues.