MGT 3755 01: Managing Workplace Belonging

MGT 3755 - Managing Workplace Belonging

Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 30915,

Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Joanna Forbes

Professional Qualifications:
Senior Certified Professional, Society of Human Resource Management
Ed.D. in Higher Education ,YSU
Master’s, Leadership, Training and Development, Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor’s, Business Administration, Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA
25+ years of professional human resources experience

Lecturer

Email: jrforbes01@ysu.edu

Office: 3332

Office Phone: 3309413149

Additional Contact Methods:
jrforbes01@ysu.edu

Preferred Contact Method: email

Communication Expectations:
within 24 hours M-F

Course Description

3755. Managing Workplace Belonging. This course examines the critical role of belonging in shaping effective workplace environments. Students will explore the changing demographics of the workforce, organizational practices that support belonging and strategies for creating equitable and engaging work cultures. The course also delves into leadership approaches to fostering belonging and the interplay between workplace practices and broader institutional systems. Prereq.: 2.5 GPA. Prereq. or Coreq.: MGT 3725. 3 s.h.

Course Readings

Group Title Author ISBN
Required Course Readings, Videos, and Materials

COURSE READING LIST

Bannan, K. J. (2020, February 27). 4 best practices for second-chance hiring: How to successfully hire candidates with criminal records. Society for Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/4-best-practices-second-chance-hiring

Bruno, B. (2025). Interviewing techniques for hiring managers [Video]. LinkedIn Learning. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/interviewing-techniques-for-hiring-managers

CBS. (n.d.). That’s harassment: The boss [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljDO70TveLw

Disability Simulator. (n.d.). Disability simulator. https://www.disabilitysimulator.com/

Forbes, J. (2026). ADA compliance and workplace accessibility [Presentation slides].

Forbes, J. (2026). ADA compliance and workplace accessibility [Video lecture].

Forbes, J. (2026). Business continuity and disaster planning [Presentation slides].

Forbes, J. (2026). Business continuity and disaster planning [Video lecture].

Forbes, J. (2026). Foundations of workplace compliance [Presentation slides].

Forbes, J. (2026). Hiring, background checks, and performance management documentation [Presentation slides].

Forbes, J. (2026). Hiring, background checks, and performance management documentation [Video lecture].

Forbes, J. (2026). Introduction to workplace compliance and managerial responsibility [Video lecture].

Forbes, J. (2026). Workplace culture, classism, and organizational risk [Presentation slides].

Forbes, J. (2026). Workplace culture, classism, and organizational risk [Video lecture].

Forbes, J. (2026). Workplace harassment, violence, and psychological safety [Presentation slides].

Forbes, J. (2026). Workplace harassment, violence, and psychological safety [Video lecture].

Forbes, J. (2026). Workplace safety and OSHA compliance [Presentation slides].

Forbes, J. (2026). Workplace safety and OSHA compliance [Video lecture].

HISTORY. (2016, November 20). Sound smart: The Haymarket Square riot [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT_ZWCB_1cM

HISTORY. (2017, August 14). The Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FguWSsW21CQ

Shepherd, L. (2022, June 15). Court cases show mistakes to avoid in ADA compliance. Society for Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/employment-law-compliance/court-cases-show-mistakes-to-avoid-ada-compliance

Society for Human Resource Management Foundation. (n.d.). The proud Peacock Pool Company: A workplace divided by class [Case study workbook].

TED-Ed. (n.d.). How does social class affect the workplace? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f__gszuW1VI

University of Pittsburgh School of Law. (2025, September 10). Breaking down human resource compliance for non-HR professionals. https://online.law.pitt.edu/blog/breaking-down-human-resource-compliance

University of Virginia Darden School of Business. (2019, December 23). What “social class transitioners” bring to the workplace. https://ideas.darden.virginia.edu/social-class-transitioners

WorkSafeBC. (n.d.). Spot the hazards. https://spotthehazardsworksafebc.com/index.php

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.  

Additional Course Materials

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Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

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Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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Grading and Grading Scale

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University Policies

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
6/29 Kahoot Federal Laws & Regulations; Pitt Law article on HR compliance; Instructor lecture; History videos (Haymarket Riot, Triangle Shirtwaist Fire); Module 1 presentation Foundations of Workplace Compliance Discussion: Compliance: Legal Obligation or Leadership Responsibility? Assignment: Compliance Risk Worksheet Project Milestone 1: Organization Selection
7/6 SHRM article: Second-Chance Hiring; LinkedIn Learning Interviewing Techniques for Hiring Managers; Instructor lecture; Module 2 presentation Hiring, Background Checks & Performance Documentation SHRM article: Second-Chance Hiring; LinkedIn Learning Interviewing Techniques for Hiring Managers; Instructor lecture; Module 2 presentation
7/13 Darden article on Social Class Transitioners; TED-Ed video on Social Class in the Workplace; Peacock Pools case; Instructor lecture; Module 3 presentation Workplace Culture, Classism, and Organizational Risk Discussion: Hidden Differences in the Workplace Assignment: Peacock Pools Case Analysis Project Milestone 3: Organizational Research Quiz 3
7/20 WorkSafeBC Spot the Hazards activity; Instructor lecture; Module 4 presentation Workplace Safety & OSHA Discussion: OSHA Case Discussion Assignment: Workplace Hazard Identification & Risk Analysis Project Milestone 4: Safety Risk Identification Quiz 4
7/27 CBS #ThatsHarassment: The Boss video; Instructor lecture/slides; Module 5 presentation Workplace Harassment and Violence Discussion: #ThatsHarassment Assignment: Workplace Violence Training Quiz 5
8/3 Instructor lecture/slides; Module 6 presentation Business Continuity & Disaster Planning Assignment: BCP University Audit – Consultant Report Course Project: Final Submission
8/10 Disability Simulator; OSHA Workplace Mental Health poster; SHRM ADA compliance article; Module 7 presentation ADA, Mental Health, and Workplace Accessibility Discussion: Mental Health and Workplace Responsibility Assignment(s): ADA/Accessibility application activity (module project) Quiz 7

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.