MGT 3755 - Managing Workplace Belonging
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 30914,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Joanna Forbes
Professional Qualifications:
Contact Information
Professor: Joanna Forbes, MS, SHRM-SCP
Professional Qualifications:
Senior Certified Professional, Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Doctoral Student, Ed.D. in Higher Education (anticipated completion: Summer 2026), 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
Office: WCBA 3332
Phone: 330.941.3149
Email: jrforbes01@ysu.edu
Preferred Contact Method: e-mail
Student Support Hours: T/R 8:45 -9:30 AM, M/W 10:45 – 12:30 PM, as requested online or in person
Communication Expectations: e-mails will be returned within 24 hours M-F
Dr. Joanna Forbes
Email: jrforbes01@ysu.edu
Office: WCBA 3332
Office Phone: 3309413149
Preferred Contact Method: email
Communication Expectations:
Within 24 hours M-F
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Course Description
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.
Assignments/Assessments
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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.