316 Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofi t Organizations
mistakes while on the job. For example, health and safety agencies use
experiential exercises to train employees in disaster and emergency planning.Audiovisual Methods Videos are often used for training in a variety of
contexts: to educate employees on legal topics such as sexual harassment,
hiring disabled applicants, and using progressive discipline; to teach inter-
personal and communication skills; and to simulate situations, for example,
a grievance arbitration hearing, permitting trainees to view the process,
hear witnesses testify, see the behavior of management and union rep-
resentatives, and learn how arbitrators conduct proceedings. Videos can
be used to demonstrate particular tasks, such as the procedures to follow
when apprehending a suspect or extinguishing a chemical fi re. They are
often used in orientation sessions to present background information on
the agency ’ s history, purpose, and goals. This use eliminates the need for
trainers or supervisors to repeat themselves for all new employees and
ensures that the same information is always presented.
Trainees may also be videotaped. They may be asked to make a
presentation or provide performance feedback to colleagues. They may
then view the videotape to identify their strengths and weaknesses related
to the topic. An advantage of video is that it provides the opportunity to
slow down, speed up, or stop the video to review specifi c activities and ask
and answer questions. A disadvantage is that videos can be expensive to
purchase or make.
Videos may also be used to disseminate information to a large number
of people. Public Health Seattle and King County have launched Business
Not as Usual: Preparing for Pandemic Flu , a twenty - minute training video to help
advance local preparedness efforts. The video has been developed to help
businesses, government agencies, and community - based organizations pre-
pare for the ongoing threat of what could be a catastrophic worldwide event.
“ It ’ s essential that businesses, government, and social service agencies can
continue to provide critical services to the public during a severe pandemic
fl u, which will last for months, ” said King County executive Ron Sims. “ We
developed this video to inspire and support local businesses and organiza-
tions in their preparations ” (“Washington Counties Create, ” 2008).
Created to assist workplace leaders and staff in their pandemic fl u
planning efforts, the video describes the threat of pandemic fl u and what
life might look like during an outbreak. It also shows the benefi ts of being
ready and provides practical tips for creating a plan. “ Buildings are left
standing, and the roads remain open, but the health impacts of a severe
pandemic fl u will be felt throughout our community, ” said David Fleming,