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Feb. 17, 2009
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HR NEWS Stimulus Package Includes Significant HR Provisions The massive economic stimulus package approved by Congress the second week of February 2009 will have immediate and possibly long-term impacts on businesses and their HR functions. The goal of the stimulus bill is to create or save more than 3 million jobs. Ledbetter Act Adds Lengthy To-Do List for HR Amid the swirl of activity for HR as layoffs continue to be announced comes the first law signed by the new president -- a law that just happens to increase HR's workload. Data on Unemployed People with Disabilities Available The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has begun publishing monthly estimates of the job status of people with disabilities. The initial data show what many already suspected: People with disabilities face a higher rate of unemployment than the average population. 'I Love My Job ...' An overwhelming majority of adults participating in a recent survey say they enjoy what they do for a living. And, most agreed that it's important to love what you do, even in the midst of an economic free-fall. THE ECONOMIC CRISIS Pension Funds Slash Expectations U.S. defined benefit pension funds are projecting sharply reduced investment returns from major asset classes through 2013. Looking Beyond the Current Crisis With the bad economic news, it's hard to believe that one day the economy will rebound and companies again will be competing for talent. But that day will come, and to prepare for it, companies can get creative about hanging on to their top talent through the storm. NEWS ABOUT SHRM SHRM Awards Stimulus Prizes Fifteen HR professionals won $1,000 each in SHRM's contest to identify best practices for avoiding layoffs, keeping talent, curbing health costs and boosting financial literacy. MORE HR NEWS RESOURCES COURT REPORT N.D. Ohio: Belief in Reason for Adverse Action Overcame Claim A federal district court in Ohio has ruled against a physician who sued a hospital, its medical staff, board of trustees and CEO after his application for staff privileges was denied. The defendants had been sued for racial/national origin discrimination by an Asian-American surgeon after that physician was denied privileges to practice general surgery at the hospital. HR SOLUTIONS FMLA Leave Available for Day Care Issues? Q: We have an employee with a newborn child who is requesting time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) due to sporadic child care issues. Is this covered under the FMLA? A: The FMLA allows eligible employees to use their FMLA leave for the care of a newborn child for up to one year. However, intermittent leave is only available for the care of a newborn if the employer agrees to allow the leave.
HR MAGAZINE Strategies for Saving in a Down Economy Before reducing head count or making painful cuts to health and retirement benefits, some companies perform a kind of triage, freezing pay and hiring, paring down paid leave, and consolidating offices. Those are cost-cutting strategies, to be sure, but not the only options. Comment on this Article Share budget advice with your peers in the online discussion below. Every participant who offers money-saving advice will receive $5 off any order placed on the SHRMStore web site. FROM THE CEO A Focus Toward the Future SHRM has begun its own plan for a stronger, more successful future. Much like the government's stimulus plan, the objective of SHRM's in-depth assessment of the organization's capabilities and competitive position is to create a multiyear strategic vision. HR DISCIPLINE: STAFFING MANAGEMENT Business Owner Pitches Stimulus Proposal for Small Business While Congress and President Barack Obama grapple with a massive economic stimulus package, one business owner is promoting an innovative idea to support and reinvigorate small businesses. HR DISCIPLINE: GLOBAL HR Labor Department Unveils New Online Certification System The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will soon implement a new integrated online system through which employers will submit applications for permanent labor certification, labor condition applications and other applications for immigration-related DOL programs. HR DISCIPLINE: BUSINESS LEADERSHIP Being a Leader Means Sometimes Having to Say 'I'm Sorry' Should a president or CEO ever make a public apology for wrongdoing or a serious mistake? If so, what are the key factors to consider before admitting a mistake? Experts say sincerity is paramount. HR DISCIPLINE: HR CONSULTING E-Mail Newsletters Put Zip in Consultant Marketing Creating an e-zine or e-mail newsletter that hits the sweet spot and leads to sales can bring relevant meaning and the right message to a targeted audience. FREE SHRM MEMBER WEBCASTS You Can't Afford To Wait: Filling Out the I-9 Feb. 19, 2 p.m. EST Speaker: John Wilson, Esq., GoffWilson Recent delays to the implementation of E-Verify and a newly revised I-9 form have left employers in a quandary: What steps should they be taking now to ensure that they are gathering the workplace eligibility data they need from employees and applicants? In this webcast, attorney John Wilson looks at the changes on the horizon and the best practices you should have in place now. This webcast is sponsored by Kroll. The Value of Work/Life Benefits in a Down Economy Feb. 26, 2 p.m. EST Speaker: Judi Casey, Sloan Work and Family Research Network Even in a slowing economy, employers need to provide benefits that attract and retain top candidates and enhance worker productivity and morale. Work/life benefits are low-cost programs that have advantages for both employee and employer. In this webcast, Judi Casey of the Sloan Work and Family Research Network looks at research examining the benefits of various work/life programs, offers tips on their successful implementation and enhancement, and discusses how to calculate the return on investment of these initiatives. This webcast is sponsored by Spectrum. Recruiting and Assisting Combat-Exposed Veterans and People with Disabilities March 17, 2 p.m. EST Speaker: Edward Crenshaw Jr., DESTIN Enterprises With the new president pledging to wind down U.S. involvement in Iraq, the number of returning veterans trying to reintegrate into the workforce will rise in the coming months. In this program, Edward Crenshaw Jr. discusses cultural challenges, stigmas and misconceptions facing transitioning veterans as well as workers with disabilities. The Employee Benefits State of the Union: Can Your Company Save Money and Preserve Perks? March 18, 2 p.m. EST Speaker: Gary Kushner, Kushner and Co. As companies continue to look for ways to control costs and avoid layoffs, many are reconsidering the benefits packages they make available to employees: Are there less expensive alternatives? What programs can be reduced or eliminated without sacrificing employee loyalty or morale? Are there new products that allow employers to provide equal or greater coverage at a lower cost? In this program, Gary Kushner will review steps employers can take to lower costs while still offering high-quality benefits to employers. He'll also look at the latest trends in benefits coverage. This webcast is sponsored by Workscape. Sources of Hire: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges for 2009 Now available Speaker: Gerry Crispin, CareerXroads Employers hire their workers from a variety of sources -- online ads, search engine marketing, referral networks, social networks, direct sourcing techniques and much more. But, with recruiting budgets tightening, employers have serious choices to make. In this presentation, Gerry Crispin, a former practitioner turned author, consultant and speaker, looks at the staffing supply chain and examines how to improve your data gathering to get more bang for your buck. This webcast is sponsored by Taleo. MANAGING SMART Be a Steppingstone The path to leadership in any organization is defined by the senior management team. It is based on a set of characteristics, skills and experiences proven to lead to success in the organization. While the ambition and drive to follow that path belongs to each individual, the guidance and support needed to successfully navigate the way comes from managers. Republish Managing Smart Articles Members of SHRM are authorized to distribute copies, excerpts or e-mails of Managing Smart articles for educational purposes internally within their organizations. Each article includes an MS-Word version that can be downloaded.
RESEARCH The Upside of the Retirement Crunch While the difficult economy has brought many challenges for organizations of all sizes across industries, at least some staffing specialists believe it may be lessening the business impact of skills shortages caused by the retirement wave of the Baby Boom generation. For those companies able to take advantage of it, the retirement crunch may actually represent an opportunity to retain valued employees for far longer than expected. Managing the Onboarding Process Employee onboarding, also known as new-employee orientation or assimilation, is the process by which an organization acclimatizes its new employees. It's one of the keys for improving productivity, building loyalty and engagement, and helping employees become successful early in their careers with the new organization. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Obama Signs Pay Discrimination Bill The Obama administration has begun in much the same way the Clinton administration did 16 years ago -- with the signing of a new workplace law. For former President Bill Clinton, it was the Family and Medical Leave Act. For President Barack Obama, it was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. SHRM'S HR JOBS The Web's Most Effective HR Job Board Visit SHRM's HR Jobs: Where HR professionals find HR professionals EDUCATION Meisinger Fellowship for Graduate Study in HR Now Accepting Applications The Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship for Graduate Study in HR is a premier source of funding for those that want to leverage significant past contributions that affect the human resource management field and to continue to contribute to HR in a significant way by earning a graduate degree in HR. At least one Susan R. Meisinger Fellow will receive as much as $10,000 annually for up to two years of graduate study in HR. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2009. HR CERTIFICATION Achieve HR Certification; Financial Assistance Available In these challenging economic times, HR certification is doing more for HR professionals than ever before. Having the internationally recognized HR credentials behind your name can help get your resume to the top of the pile when looking for a new job or can prove to your current organization that you are dedicated to your career. Financial assistance may be available to help you gain HR certification. SHRM SEMINARS PHR/SPHR Certification Preparation Course Prepare for the PHR or SPHR certification exam with the most widely used tool available: the SHRM Learning System. Through classroom sessions, homework exercises consisting of sample test questions and periodic progress checks, you can be confident of your breadth of knowledge in preparation for the PHR or SPHR certification exam. California Certification Preparation Course Specifically designed for HR professionals working in and with the state of California, the PHR-CA/SPHR-CA certification preparation course will provide comprehensive information on California employment laws, rules and regulations relating to each key area; their impact on California employers; and the policies and practices necessary to ensure compliance with them. Rightsizing in Europe In increasingly competitive markets, American employers have to change the shape of their European commitments. A new course from SHRM can help U.S.-based HR professionals understand the issues around employing people in Europe. Using case studies and experience gained from assisting leading U.S. businesses, program presenters will cover employer responsibilities, time frames, problems and solutions, and the key areas of risk. EXPRESS REQUESTS Layoff Selection Criteria A poorly executed layoff can be an employer's nightmare and a sweet dream for a plaintiff's attorney. Smart HR professionals understand the need for careful planning, and one of the first steps in planning is to determine the criteria for selecting employees for layoff. To receive a collection of resources on this topic, please visit our Hot Topics Express Request service and select the key term LAYOFF SELECTION CRITERIA. Employer-Sponsored Recreational Activities Organized sports and recreational activities can improve employee morale and build a sense of unity among employees. However, sponsoring such activities does carry potential liability. Employers that implement or sponsor such activities should work closely with their legal counsel and workers' compensation carriers to determine if their state has a statutory provision addressing this issue, assess their potential exposure to liability, and take necessary measures to minimize risk. To receive a collection of resources on this topic, please visit our Seasonal Express Request service and select the key term SPRING: EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RECREATION. FINAL THOUGHT When Love Leads to Marriage, What's an Employer to Do? Friendships and romantic relationships are a natural byproduct of people spending a lot of time together -- even if that time is spent at work. But employers should not be overly concerned when such relationships turn into committed partnerships or marriages, an expert suggests.
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The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
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