Workforce Readiness & Diversity

Greetings!
 
What a great year! It’s hard not to be proud of all we have accomplished this past year. We had a successful 11^th annual Human Capital Conference in May with Dave Ulrich as our keynote speaker, in addition to several fantastic and engaging speakers for breakout sessions and a record setting attendance with over 260 attendees!  We implemented a new all-inclusive membership, a new programming structure with 4 ½ day Professional Development Summits a year, revamped and reinvigorated our networking events and created new HR Resource Advice Networks. And, we achieved a silver Excel award from SHRM! It was a busy, but fantastic year as a board! These are just to name a few of the exciting changes from the past year. 
 
As things do change, I am honored to begin my new role as Chapter President of Greater Madison Area SHRM and very excited to start this term with a strong Board of Directors by my side.  Join me in congratulating our 2016-2017 GMASHRM Board of Directors.
 

President Elect: Tammy Wacek
Immediate Past President: Dawn Koopman SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Secretary/Treasurer: Natalie Busse
VP of Membership: Mike Johnson
VP of Programming: Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
VP of Marketing & Communications: Missy Roth, SHRM-CP, PHR
Director of Workforce Readiness & Diversity: Heather Kennedy, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Director of Education & Professional Development: Jeff Westra
Director of Government Affairs: Jeff Palkowski, SHRM-CP, PHR, MHRM
Director of Technology and Social Media​: Tia Gibson
Director of Volunteer Engagement: LeaAnn Rens

 
On July 1, I started my 4^th year on the GMA SHRM board.  Over the past 4 years our board has changed and our chapter has evolved, but I can say I’ve never been more proud to be part of our organization.  I’ve been involved in SHRM since attending college at UW-Platteville when upon moving back to the area, I joined our local chapter.  I’ve been a national member as long as I’ve been a local member and both memberships have allowed me to develop my own HR network, attend top-caliber programming events and have access to a vast network of HR professionals and knowledge through National SHRM.  The HR field continues to be a challenging field and as we all know, we’re constantly adapting and flexing the meet the needs of our organizations, our employees and ourselves.  GMA faces similar challenges with wanting our members to get the most from their membership, offering superb programming events both through ours PDS and Human Capital Conference and offering great opportunities to volunteer with the chapter.  The number one piece of feedback we hear from volunteers is that they wish they would have started sooner.  Volunteering doesn’t have to be an all-in commitment – there are roles available for people who have 1 hour a month to give or several hours a week.  It’s a flexible and adaptable commitment and I encourage each of you to attend a committee meeting that seems of interest to learn more.  We offer an assortment of options – there is something for everyone, depending on your area of interest. GMA SHRM is a great chapter, but we can’t do it alone!
 
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Dawn Koopman for her leadership as president over the past year! Dawn has been a great role-model and her passion and dedication to HR and our chapter is a driving force behind many of our exciting changes in past year.  We wouldn’t be a strong chapter without strong presidents and Dawn led us fearlessly.

Looking forward, we have several exciting initiatives we are working on for the upcoming term. I will be sure to share once we get them finalized.  Please know my door (or phone…) is always open if you have any questions, thoughts or concerns. You are welcome to contact me at melissa.chadwick@bakertilly.com or 608 240 2350.
 
To the future!


Melissa Chadwick
President
GMA SHRM

DOL Issues Final Salaried Basis Rules 

Submitted on behalf of Bob Gregg, Boardman & Clark 

The long expected final rules on salary level will go into effect December 1, 2016. The DOL lowered the proposed minimum salary level to $47,476 per year ($913 per week), double the current level, and revised its annual cost of living increase, to an every three year review of increases.



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Offer of Different Job With 20¢ Pay Raise Was Not a Failure to Accommodate 

Submitted on behalf of Bob Gregg, Boardman & Clark 

A Walmart shelf stocker with progressive MS had increasing medical restrictions limiting ladder use, and requiring extra breaks. These were accommodated in 2006, 2009, and January, 2011. Late in 2011 her doctor limited her to no ladder climbing and limited standing, lifting and walking requirements. She was assigned to one of the lightest stocking jobs, but soon reported that she could not do it because she would still need a ladder. The store transferred her to the available job of cashier, which had no ladder work and paid 20¢ more per hour. She sued, claiming she was forced into a job she did not want, with new tasks to learn. The Court rejected this argument. The change was not an “adverse action”, it was a reasonable accommodation within the ADA requirements. She was qualified for the cashier's job. It paid more. The other alternative would have been a termination for inability to be able to perform the essential ladder function of shelf stocking. Kelleher v. Walmart Stores (8th Cir. 2016).

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Opening Other Workers Personal Mail

Submitted on behalf of Bob Gregg, Boardman & Clark 

A hospital office employee was fired for invasion of privacy in opening other workers' mail, including mail from doctors containing medical information and test results. An arbitrator reversed the discharge. The employee's duties were to route mail and deal with returned mail. The hospital never developed a policy, so the employee developed her own rules, and used them for over 12 years. Having allowed (or overlooked, or not bothered to check) the practice for a dozen years the hospital could not now, suddenly, discharge the employee it had tacitly authorized to develop her own process for opening the mail. Teamsters v. South Peninsula Hospital (2016). [This case is a good warning that there are many department or unit policies and procedures of which top management is unaware, and which may be in conflict with your handbook – or the law.

Professional Development

HR Advice Network Roundtables

By Dawn Koopman, GMA SHRM President 

I’m pleased to see that our HR Advice Network Groups/Roundtables have been gaining popularity over the past few months. These informal meetings are what all HR professionals are looking for.  It’s an opportunity to meet fellow HR professionals, create a relationship with them and share best practices. 
 
Due to the popularity of these groups, we have had to make a few changes to allow for continued growth. We will now be holding events each month in three locations throughout Madison.
 
Hopefully you will be able to attend one that works best for your schedule and location. CLICK HERE for more information about these events.  
 

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Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship Award 
 

The Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship for Graduate Study in HR is a premier source of funding for first-time master's degree students in Human Resources. The award honors former SHRM President & CEO, Susan R. Meisinger, SHRM-SCP, SPHR.  

One winner is selected annually to receive a fellowship of up to $10,000. Each fellowship is renewable for one additional year for a total of two years of graduate study and up to $20,000 total for the fellowship. Doctoral students, including DBAs and Ph.D.s, are not eligible for this award.

Please visit the Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship webpage for information on how to apply for the fellowship. If you have any questions, contact Elissa Soares, Foundation Administrator, at 703-535-6020 or via e-mail at fellowship@shrm.org.

All required materials must be submitted together in one package. Applications will not be returned. Completed applications must be received by Monday, August 15, 2016. All applicants will be notified of results via mail by October 31, 2016.

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GMA SHRM Idea Exchange

Sometimes you just have that question…..you would really just like to ask an HR colleague quickly.  Perhaps it is limited to your field of work, or a specific situation.  Let GMA SHRM help! 
 
In response to a specific need, we are excited to launch the “Idea Exchange” as part of your membership in GMA SHRM!  The goal of the Idea Exchange is to provide a secure area for all GMA SHRM members to be able to start a dialogue and find someone to network with on a particular issue, and to share files in a more secure format - or at least share contact details so files could be shared.
 
This great new tool is available to all members of GMA SHRM.  You simply sign in on the GMA SHRM Home Page (click on Member Log In at the top) to access questions or to provide your response!”



Once you are logged in, click on ‘File Library’ at the top right, and Idea Exchange will appear on the drop down menu. 


 

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Workforce Readiness & Diversity

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SAVE THE DATES! August Job Boot Camp is coming!  

Annually, we partner with the Urban League of Greater Madison to offer support and services to job seekers in the Madison area in advance of the Fall Dane County Job Fair at the Alliant Energy Center.  This year, we are partnering with the United Way as well.  The United Way Job Readiness Fair will be held August 16 and GMA SHRM/ ULGM Job Boot Camp will be held August 19.  Volunteer opportunities abound! Review resumes, hold practice interviews, answer general HR questions, help with logistics, meet prospective candidates! You can volunteer for as little as an hour or for the whole event (usually 1/2 a day). Save the date and stay tuned for more information. 

GMA SHRM Volunteer Spotlight

Name: Gail Johnson
 
Where do you currently work? 
Restaino & Associates, Relocation Division
 
What is the focus of your position?
To assist HR/Recruiters hiring talent from outside the area by being a vital resource throughout the entire process.  As the HR/Recruiters interview to hire the best talent, we partner to welcome them to the Madison & surrounding area by mailing them a community welcome box, provide an area tour, introductions to school faculty, assist trailing spouse/significant other with their career search, rental options, home finding and more.
 
Which of your career accomplishments makes you proudest?
Restaino relocation team prides itself on the ability to ensure that your relocation and acclimation experience exceeds your highest expectations.  Relocation and acclimation is the foundation of our business, and we work to deliver every detail for our clients.  The reward, hearing from our clients that their move felt effortless and enjoyable with our help.  And, our HR/Recruiters tell us that our assistance helps them retain the talent that they worked so hard to hire.
 
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
From my parents: do the right thing even if no one is looking.  In my career: build relationships in all directions.
 
Why did you decide to join GMA SHRM?
Build a local network of HR/Recruiters, to learn more about the job of our HR/recruiter partners and what they encounter in their daily role in their company and to get an appreciation of what they do and how we can enhance their recruiting.
 

GMA SHRM Volunteer Spotlight

Name: Tammy Wacek
 
How long have you been volunteering with GMA SHRM?
About 7 years 
 
What committee are you volunteering with?
Have you volunteered on other committees? If yes, which one? I am on the Government Affairs Committee and I’ve also been on the Human Capital Conference Committee.
 
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
I have created a great network by volunteering and getting to know people. I also enjoy giving my time to better the profession and support others that love HR like I do! I’ve learned a lot by coordinating events too which is helpful in my day job and something I didn’t expect when I started volunteering.
 
What would you say to others who are considering volunteering with GMA SHRM?
This is not only a great way to expand your network but it’s also something valuable to put on your resume to set yourself apart from other candidates. You may not realize the additional skills you can gain from your volunteering experience.
 
What have you gotten back from volunteering with GMA SHRM?
Great friends and colleagues, valuable experiences, opportunities for free events and the gratification of giving back. 


If you’d like to be published in an issue of HR InTouch, please complete this profile and submit (along with a photo) to Brittany Hanson @ brittanyahanson@gmail.com

 

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Welcome New Members!

GMA SHRM welcomes the following members who joined our chapter in May 2016!
 

Movin' Up

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In Transition

If you are a member who is in between jobs, or who is currently employed but seeking new positions or career paths, write us a brief description of your skill set, areas of expertise, what you’re looking for, etc. Send us an e-mail. We’ll publish your information in the next HR InTouch.

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HR InTouch Guidelines

Article Writing:

Do you have an interest in writing for the HR InTouch? We have an interest in learning more about your area of expertise!

Why should you volunteer? Top three reasons: 1) to share your knowledge and experiences to educate others; 2) to become more connected in the HR and Dane County communities; and 3) to contribute towards the advancement of GMA SHRM and the HR profession.

The first step is for you to choose a submission option: you can pre-submit an article to GMA SHRM at any time for us to use in any of the upcoming newsletters, you can sign up to write for a particular month, or we can put you on a list of people to contact in future months whenever we need articles.

Article length:

Because the HR InTouch is now in an online format, the size is flexible. The article should be engaging and hold readers’ attention. Include the core information in your article, and we will advise if it is too lengthy.

Solicitation:

GMA SHRM is conscious not to allow solicitation through the articles, in an effort to protect the interests of our partners and members. The nature of the article should be educational (i.e., what are the business advantages of having a product like yours) or informational. Otherwise, if you truly are interested in advertising through the HR InTouch, you can work with our Marketing Committee. As a rule of thumb for article writing, if the submission relates to a for-profit event, or specifically markets your company (vs. your industry), it is an advertisement, and should be purchased. If it is a not-for-profit event that your company is hosting, or an announcement (i.e., a SHRM member recently joined your company), it is an acceptable addition to the HR InTouch content. If you have any questions related to the appropriateness of your submission, please contact us.

If you have questions, or to submit an article, contact GMA SHRM at chapteradmin@gmashrm.org .