Greetings GMA SHRM Members!

With the warmer temps, the return of more daylight hours, and the first day of spring approaching, it’s a time of year that I truly embrace. It feels like fresh beginnings and new opportunities!

Among these opportunities is the exciting assembly of a new Board of Directors  slate for the upcoming year. They will undoubtedly spearhead numerous great initiatives for you all. The return of in-person networking and educational events is beyond thrilling, as there is so much radiant energy when we’re all together! If you’re looking to get more involved or explore different avenues, don’t hesitate to reach out to any Board member for assistance.

Mark your calendars for March 19^th, as we’ll host our first in-person Professional Development Summit (PDS) of the year. It’s bound to be inspiring with topics such as “Creating a Culture of Hustle Without Burnout'' and “From Being Inclusive to Practicing Inclusion,” Responses have already been tremendous, so be sure not to miss out - register today!
 
Following the PDS, we have our biggest and most highly anticipated event of the year, our Human Capital Conference on May 21^st. Register now to secure your seat! The conference planning committee has once again outdone themselves this year with an outstanding keynote speaker and an impressive lineup of breakout sessions. Visit our events page to stay updated on all the details, register, and explore more exciting opportunities to come.

I hope to see you at both events and wish you all a beautiful start to spring!


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

Legal Update – EEOC Prioritizes Discrimination Claims Related to Current World Events

Submitted from Mai Chao Chang, Storm Larson & Brian P. Goodman, GMA SHRM Programming Committee Member, and Attorneys at Boardman & Clark LLP, a Platinum Partner
 

Mai Chao

Storm Larson

Brian P. Goodman

In its newest strategic enforcement plan, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is prioritizing addressing discrimination related to “local, national or global events” including discriminatory biases arising due to recurring historical prejudices. Global events such as the Israel-Hamas conflict not only impact individuals on personal and professional levels, but they can also give rise to workplace discrimination. The EEOC has reportedly received an increase in employment discrimination complaints from members of Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars employment discrimination, segregation, harassment, and retaliation based on religion, national origin, and race, including those who are, or are perceived to be, Arab, Israeli, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Muslim, or Palestinian. Discriminatory conduct that occurs outside of work may seep into the workplace and contribute to a hostile work environment. For example, posting racial or religious slurs about a Muslim or Jewish coworker on social media can negatively affect the coworker if they become aware of the posts, or such contents are discussed at work. 

Additionally, the Madison Equal Opportunities Ordinance protects employees from discrimination and harassment based on political beliefs, which might include opinions on local, national, or global events.

Given the climate of world events today, employers should be mindful of how discrimination can occur and how it may appear in the workplace. Employers should also take time to revisit workplace policies to ensure they contain adequate protections and be prepared to respond to complaints of harassment or discrimination.

 

GMA SHRM 101 - Member Welcome Event!

 

Don't miss this chance to learn about specific GMA SHRM programs and how your involvement with GMA SHRM can support you & your success!   Snacks and beverages provided.

Date:  Thursday, April 11 
Time:   3:30 - 4:45
Place:  Hausmann Group 

More Information and Registration
 

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March PDS 

March 19, 2024
Alliant Energy Center

Session 1:  Creating a Culture of Hustle Without Burnout

Session 2:  From Being Inclusive to Practicing Inclusion

In session one, Dustin McClone will explore a framework designed to help ensure that the right priorities are clear to all and that each team member’s contributions are optimized to achieve personal and professional goals.  

In session two, Bhakti Karkare will provide HR professionals with  practical facilitation tools and principles they can apply in these crucial dialogues to build inclusive, safe spaces. 

Program Information and Registration

                            

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2024 Human Capital Conference

GMA SHRM is excited to announce its 19th Annual Human Capital Conference will be Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI!
 

More Information and Registration
 

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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 – Community Outreach

Submitted by JoAnna Vanderpoel, PHR, SHRM-CP, VP of Community Outreach

 Greetings GMA SHRM Members!

As the Vice President of the GMA SHRM Community Outreach Team, I take great pride in leading our diligent and committed committees focused on College Relations, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Workforce Readiness. Each of these committees is dedicated to advancing GMA SHRM's mission of providing high-quality professional development and networking opportunities for HR professionals in the Madison area. Our aim is to educate, foster idea-sharing, shape experiences, and cultivate lasting relationships within the community.

Mary Vesley, our talented Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, focuses her efforts on spotlighting valuable resources, tools, and reading materials to empower our members with the knowledge necessary to construct their own DEI initiatives and share their insights effectively within their organizations.

Stacey Skyes, who serves as the Director of College Relations and holds the position of Program Manager for Global Talent Management at Labcorp, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating our Annual Student Night Out and overseeing the Student Scholarship selection process. Additionally, she has recently introduced resume reviews as a new benefit aimed at assisting individuals pursuing careers in HR.

Under the leadership of Kyle Borgardt, Director of Workforce Readiness and Senior HCM Account Executive for Paylocity, the year 2024 kicked off with a highly successful panel discussion and mock interview event in collaboration with the Dane County Job Center. Kyle has a series of upcoming events planned in partnership with various community-based organizations and area employers. These initiatives focus on equipping the unemployed and underemployed with the necessary resources, skills, and opportunities to secure employment.

The success of these committees is dependent upon the dedicated volunteers who generously contribute their time and expertise along with the employers who share their talent with the chapter. If you're interested in learning more about any of these committees or wish to get involved, please reach out to me for further information. Your participation is invaluable to our collective mission.
 

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Diversity Observances in March and April

Submitted by Mary Vesely, GMA SHRM Director of Diversity 

Article of the Month:  The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.  Learn more here.
 

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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