The Complete Human Resources Writing Guide [Hardcover]

Diane Arthur (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0814403255 | ISBN-13: 978-0814403259 | Publication Date: April 2, 1997 | Edition: 1st

Letters, forms, policies, evaluations, and handbooks -- these are just a few of the documents that HR professionals produce every day. And it's not just the quantity that counts, it's the clarity and accuracy of the communications that are key.

Here's the first writing manual designed especially for HR professionals. It combines clear, complete, how-to-do-it guidelines on writing with more than 100 actual samples of HR documents. Readers discover how to:

- master the 7 stages of writing, from outline to revision

- avoid employee and legal problems that can arise from poorly written communications

- overcome "blank page" syndrome

- save time and effort

- make every document achieve its purpose.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Letters, forms, policies, evaluations, and handbooks--these are just a few of the documents that HR professionals produce every day. And it's not just the quantity that counts, it's the clarity and accuracy of the communications that are key.

Here's the first writing manual designed especially for HR professionals. It combines clear, complete, how-to-do-it guidelines on writing with more than 100 actual samples of HR documents. Readers discover how to:

* master the 7 stages of writing, from outline to revision

* avoid employee and legal problems that can arise from poorly written communications

* overcome ""blank page syndrome""

* save time and effort

* make every document achieve its purpose.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Diane Arthur (Northport, NY) is president of Arthur Associates Management Consultants. Her previous books include Managing Human Resources in Small and Mid-Sized Companies and Recruiting, Interviewing, Selecting, and Orienting New Employees.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1st edition (April 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814403255
• ISBN-13: 978-0814403259
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,380,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diane Arthur is the founder of Arthur Associates Management Consultants, Ltd. Human Resource Development Specialists. For the past 25 years she has provided training and consulting services to numerous organizations in all facets of HR including: the essential components of HR; recruiting, interviewing, and selecting new employees; orientation; performance management; employment law; sexual harassment; training and development; job descriptions; verbal, written and nonverbal communication; employer/employee relations; coaching and counseling; employee handbooks; career planning; retention; and the changing role of HR.

Prior to founding Arthur Associates Diane worked as an HR generalist in both nonprofit and corporate work environments.

Diane's signature writing style is simultaneously informative and conversational. She is the author of several books including: five editions of "Recruiting, Interviewing, Selecting & Orienting New Employees" (also published in Colombia, the People's Republic of China and India); "The First-Time Manager's Guide to Performance Appraisals" (also published in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan); "The Complete Human Resources Writing Guide;" "The Employee Recruitment and Retention Handbook;" two editions of "Managing Human Resources in Small and Mid-Sized Companies;" and "Workplace Testing." She is also the author of several self-study programs including: Performance Appraisals: Strategies for Success; Fundamentals of HR Management 4th Edition; Successful Interviewing; and Success Through Assertiveness, as well as articles for magazines and periodicals such as National Business Employment Weekly; Management Solutions; Supervisory Management; and HR Focus.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great how-to guide for HR practitioners., March 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Human Resources Writing Guide (Hardcover)

This is a how-to manual for writing, designed especially for human resources professionals. It serves as a guide for effective writing techniques and presents numerous samples of human resource documents such as forms, checklists, policies, memos, notices, letters and programs. It includes guidelines and samples for writing a handbook and policy manual. A practical, well written (of course), and greatly needed work.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading for HR professionals, May 21, 2001

By 

Turgay BUGDACIGIL (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Human Resources Writing Guide (Hardcover)

'The Complete Human Resources Writing Guide' is well worth reading for HR professionals. It gives practical information and tools on how the HR function can be performed truly.

Diane Arthur divides her book into two sections:

* Section One- It deals with general writing skills such as writing style and tone, jargon, and structure, format, and design of letters, memos, brochures, and programs.

* Section Two- It examines specific HR documents. It contains over one hundred writing samples such as job descriptions, letters to applicants, letters to rejected and selected applicants, new employee announcements, performance appraisals, and newsletters.

I highly recommend this guide to all HR professionals.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the best choice, October 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Human Resources Writing Guide (Hardcover)

This book does not live up to its title "Complete". It does not give enough examples for different types of scenarios. It does not do an effective job explaining how to tailor a letter to different needs or addressing or defining legal concerns. That's what I wanted when I was looking for a book. Unfortunately, it was about the only thing on the market. I do like the way the book is set up; it just does not go into enough detail to be completely useful. This book is a start in the right direction but it is incomplete. If I had to do it over again, I would not have purchased this book.