HR Manual is Ideal Guide for Multifamily Housing Professionals.

It's difficult to have a conversation with anyone in property management these days without talking about finding and keeping good employees, so the timing of this book couldn't be better. Unlike the old cliche about not judging a book by its cover, you can judge this one by its cover. "Comprehensive" says it all.

This well-written, easy-to-use book is clearly the most comprehensive collection of multihousing industry human resource policies, procedures and ideas available today. Starting with a complete glossary of commonly used human resources (HR) terms, and a chapter giving an overview of what's in each section, this book focuses on educating the reader in creating and implementing an effective HR program at each level of the organization.

While it's not necessary to read every page to get value from this book, the information presented is relevant and interesting. Of particular interest to all property management professionals will be the section on interviewing, with complete sample job descriptions and interview guides, including numerous sample questions, for every onsite position, as well as a guide to the questions you should never ask during an interview.

The book is packed with checklists, sample forms and language for use in your own forms, and a question and answer section for each chapter. For example, the "Employment Law" chapter includes detailed instructions on what each law requires, how to comply with each law and what records should be kept to document compliance. The authors use various icons in the margins of the book to highlight important points, direct the reader to specific information and cross-reference to other chapters.

Each chapter is tabbed for easy reference, and there are pages for making notes. The layout of the book makes it perfect for use as a self-paced learning tool, as well as textbook for HR classroom training.

Chapters include:

* Employment Law, listing the most important Federal laws and notice posting requirements;

* Employment Practices, including recruiting, testing, job descriptions, interviewing and evaluation techniques;

* Payroll Administration, covering employment and payroll records;

* Training & Supervision, with sections on types of training, shopping reports, and employee management;

* Termination, which covers exit interviews, complaint investigation and unemployment procedures,

* Resource Guide a complete listing of websites, state and local government agencies, and other useful information.

I found this book very easy to read and to use, and I think it belongs on every property manager's bookshelf, from property level to the executive suite, it would be surprising if you didn't find yourself referring to it daily. Listen to what The Apartment Doctor says, "Take two pages of this book daily, and you won't have to call me in the morning."

To order the HR Manual, call the NAA Bookstore at 703/518-6141, ext. 127, or email [e-mail].

The cost of the HR Manual is $79.00 for NAA members and $99.00 for non-members.

Human Resource Management: A Comprehensive Guide for Apartment Professionals was developed by The Resource Company in Dallas, Texas, a NAA member, with funds from the Education Foundations of the National Apartment Association and the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas.

Douglas D. Chasick, CPM Mr. Chasick is a current member and former chairman of the NAA Communications Advisory Board and will be presenting a seminar on marketing plans at the NAA Education Conference. His company, the Apartment Doctor, is based in Melbourne Beach, Fla.