Berkshire Home Works, LLC
PO BOX 549, WILLIAMSTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS 01267 (413) 458-9983

Human Resource Development and Outsourcing Services

Human Resource Outsourcing for small to mid-size companies by providing assistance to businesses that do not have an HR function as part of the structure of their business.

Job Description Development: Job descriptions are lists of the general tasks or functions and responsibilities of a position. Typically, they also include to whom the position reports, specifications such as the qualifications needed by the person in the job, salary range for the position, etc. Job descriptions are developed by documenting a job's major functions or duties and responsibilities.

Employee Handbook: The employee handbook details guidelines, expectations and procedures of a business or company to its employees. Your handbook should be given to a new employee on the first day that they begin their job with your company. This will provide the new employee with information that acquaints them with your company and its policies. Federal and state laws and the growing number of cases of employee related litigation against management strongly suggests that a written statement of company policy is a business necessity for firms of any size.

Policies: Sound employment policies provide the framework within which an organization governs its employee relations. A policies and procedures manual guides both managers and employees as to what is expected and can prevent misunderstandings about employer policy. In addition, supervisors and managers are more likely to consistently apply policies if they are clearly communicated in writing.

It is true that written policies, like any record, can be used against an organization in a lawsuit. Poorly drafted policies often become the main evidence presented when employees allege that the policies were in fact a contract that the employer violated. However, policies that are carefully written so as not to be contracts actually should protect against these claims and not be a problem. In addition, carefully written policies can be used to illustrate your commitment to a positive work environment and to nondiscriminatory employment practices.

Employee Benefits: The purpose of providing benefits is to increase the economic security of employees. Employees often consider the benefits that are available from their company as important as the compensation that they receive from their position within the company.

Berkshire Home Works will review what benefits you may have in place for your employees and make recommendations for benefits that you might be able to offer your employees. Employment benefits are various non-wage compensations provided to employees in addition to their normal wages or salaries. Employment benefits will often include but are not limited to: Group insurance (health, dental, life etc.), retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, sick leave, vacation (paid and non-paid), social security, profit sharing and funding of education. Other benefits that might be available to your employees could include: vision and dental plans; health and dependent care flexible spending accounts; group-term life and long term care insurance plans; legal assistance plans; adoption assistance; child care benefits.

Mediation: Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The purpose of mediation is to assist two (or more) disputants in reaching an agreement. The key component of mediation is that in order to reach an agreement it has to be determined by the parties themselves rather than being decided by a third party. A mediator is used to facilitate better communication between the parties in order to assist them in arriving at a decision that is mutually agreed upon.

Berkshire Home Works provides mediation services for conflict resolution including divorce mediation. They also provide mediation services for employers and employees.

Please contact Berkshire Home Works if we can be of assistance to your company,