Dear GMA SHRM Members,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying summer!

This time of year is full of great new adventures for GMA SHRM too as our new board year began July 1^st. So, it is with much excitement that I am proud to introduce the newly elected board of directors, who will be serving alongside one another to support you over the upcoming year. Please meet your 2024/2025 GMA SHRM Board of Directors!

As we embark on this new board year, join us in welcoming our passionate and knowledgeable board members. With their guidance and your active engagement, we’ll seize opportunities, overcome challenges, and create a vibrant, inclusive community that empowers HR professionals to thrive.
Our new members, outgoing board members, and continuing members all jointly participated in a Board Strategic Retreat in June. During this event, they shared experiences, perspectives, and innovative ideas that are already invigorating our chapter’s initiatives. A highlight from the day included a volunteer leadership DEI training given by our very own Mary Vesely, which led to some fantastic conversations and ideas that committees will be incorporating in their ongoing planning. 

As a leadership team, we’re committed to delivering valuable programs, fostering connections, advocating for the HR profession, and making a positive impact in our community. The power of many is real, and your support is much appreciated!
A key to our success is the community you’ve built—a community that brings unrivaled energy. Here are some exciting educational and networking opportunities for you:

• Join for one of our ongoing monthly Roundtables for in-depth discussions on current HR trends.
• Be sure to also mark your calendars and register early for the August 20^th Professional Development Summit where industry experts will share insights on mental health and conflict resolution.

Visit our website to register for upcoming events and explore ways to get involved.  We’d love to have you join in the fun!

Thank you for your continued support and belief in the Greater Madison Area SHRM Chapter and the  mission, vision and values that we’re all striving for. . I am beyond excited about the journey ahead and invite you to reach out if I can be of assistance in any way.

Warm regards,


Laura Bermudo, President
Greater Madison Area SHRM Chapter
lbermudo@myhaus.com / 608.383.4568

Legal Update – AI Traps Aren’t Limited to Hiring

Submitted from Aiyanna Simms, Mai Chao Chang, & Storm Larson, Attorneys at Boardman & Clark LLP, a Platinum Partner
 

Aiyanah Simms

Mai Chao Chang

Storm Larson

Employers who use AI to track work time and wages should be cautious that such systems are used consistent with the requirements of applicable law, including wage and hour laws and FMLA. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently released a bulletin emphasizing that employment laws still apply when employers use new tools and systems, including AI. 
 
In the bulletin, the WHD discusses the increasingly expansive use of AI by employers, specifically their use in tracking work time, auto-deducting break times, and calculating wages and FMLA leave. While these tools can help an employer track employee activity and productivity in real time, they can also erroneously advise employers, leading to compliance issues. For example, employers can miscalculate an employee's wages if the AI auto-deducts breaks based on an employee’s use of their work computer, (or lack thereof).  However, the AI system likely cannot ensure that an employee is completely relieved from duty at the time of the break. Such an employee could be checking in with a colleague or working offline.

AI systems could also make errors if used to track FMLA use, such as by having a system that asks an employee to disclose more medical information than FMLA allows, or by providing employees with inaccurate information on their ability to use FMLA. 
 
AI can be a powerful tool for efficiency, accountability, and creativity. However, like any new tool, employers should think through the compliance implications and ensure that the tool is consistent with federal, state, and local laws. Addressing such concerns at the front end is often much easier than having to reverse course midway through implementation if an issue is discovered.
 

Professional Development Summit
 

Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Alliant Energy Center
Madison, WI

Session 1: Throw a Trust Party! How to Scale Trust to Maximize Belonging & Results
     Presented by Leah Roe

Partner Sponsor:

Session 2: Addressing the Employee Well-being Crisis Post-Pandemic and Beyond 
     Presented by Shana Lafore 

Partner Sponsor:

PDS programs are free for members!  Click the link below for program descriptions and registration.

More Information

 

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GMA SHRM’S New Certification Committee!

Submitted by Andrea Wyant, HR Manager, Spectrum Brands, GMA SHRM Director of Certification

The GMA SHRM board is pleased to announce a new Certification Director, Andrea Wyant and two certification committee members, Lisa Rusch and Michelle Venturini. The team is excited to bring additional education opportunities around the SHRM certification to our GMA SHRM community, including a breakout session at the May HCC! As the group explores the best ways to support our members with gaining their certification and/or retaining their certification, we encourage you to reach out. Not sure what SHRM certification is, what it means to you as an HR professional, the benefits, etc.? We want to hear your ideas and your questions, and be a resource for you! Reach out to Andrea at andrea.m.wyant@gmail.com if you’d like to discuss how GMA SHRM can best support you with certification.
 

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Committee Spotlight - DEI Committee

Submitted by Mary Vesely, GMA SHRM Director of DEI 

Our DEI Committee has had exceptional support and growth over the last few years! We have so many to thank, including our board and committee members. DEI continues to be a very important topic within our chapter. We recently had our summer strategic board retreat in June and dedicated time for DEI training/workshop presented by Mary Vesely, Director of DEI since June 2020. We discussed how we can help instill DEI into all our committees through various initiatives. We recognize there is still a lot of work to be done and invite our members to join us in continued dialogue and efforts to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

Interested in joining our DEI Committee? Email Mary Vesely at mmvesely3@gmail.com.











GMA SHRM Board Member and Director of DEI Mary Vesely leads our discussion on how DEI can play a part in all our committees and programs.










The GMA SHRM Board of Directors and Committee Leaders met at Serendipity Labs on Friday, June 7th.  The full day Strategic Planning Retreat kicks off the new board year beginning July 1st.
 

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Diversity Observances in July and August

Submitted by Mary Vesely, GMA SHRM Director of Diversity 

Article of the Month:  In honor of Disability Independence Day, check this ADA Anniversary Toolkit: https://adaanniversary.org/ideas-celebrate-ada/.

July and August Observances

 

Use these observances for team engagement! Have fun, celebrate diversity, and take this opportunity to share stories and learn more about your teammates.  

**NEW – Check out our 2024 Diversity Calendar on our DEI Resources page.

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