McConnell, a Canadian healthcare management and human resources consultant, provides healthcare managers with a textbook on the responsibilities and function of the human resources department from the perspective of the department manager in a healthcare organization. It focuses on what the human resources function can do for the manager and how to get the best value out of the organization's human resources department, but does not go into detail about aspects for human resources practitioners. It covers how human resources fits into the healthcare organization; the legal framework; and employee relations, including performance appraisal, addressing problems, and legal action. Other topics discussed include employee training; and compensation, benefits, and other concerns. This edition takes into account new and changed laws that impact recruiting and interviewing, documentation, termination, legal action, and unions. It discusses and expands topics like the increased pressure on human resources to operate with less staff; the decentralization of specific activities; and the impact of organizational flattening, mergers, and acquisitions. It adds a section on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the intent and hazards of the proposed Employee Free Choice Act; updates information on recruiting and prohibitions in interview questioning and unions; discusses the manager's conduct during union organizing; and expands information on the importance and handling of informal documentation. Chapter questions have been clarified and expanded, and a checklist has been added to every chapter. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)