August 2012 |
HR InTouchThe Monthly Newsletter of the Greater Madison Area SHRM |
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In This EditionPresident's Message By Melissa Perry GMA SHRM President Government Affairs Update Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Introduced After-the-Fact Remedy and Liability Walmart Pays $5.3 Million to Settle Misclassification Claim Compensation and Benefits Compensation Survey Gift Card Winners! GMA SHRM Social Media GMA SHRM Upcoming Events GMA SHRM Annual Golf Outing August 7, 2012
GMA SHRM Toolbox
GMA SHRM Summer Networking Event
GMA SHRM HR Roundtable Click here to see the full 2012 GMA SHRM Event Calendar. GMA SHRM Announcements Call for Presentations for 2013 Chapter Programming
GMA SHRM Member News
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I hope that by the time this month’s newsletter is published, we will have had more than 10 minutes of rain! We sure could use it (my squash and cucumbers would be appreciative as well). It's times like these that make us appreciate something as simple as water. Benjamin Franklin once said “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” This can be true of many things relating to our professional and personal lives. In the midst of a hot, hot summer, I would encourage everyone to take a step back and appreciate the people and things we take for granted on most days, and reach out to those people who come to mind when you tell yourself, “I really should call so and so one of these days.” We never know the impact we can have until we try. We continue to have some exciting things coming up in the next few months. There is still time to register for the GMA SHRM Golf Outing on August 7th. This is a fun and non-competitive outing at one of Madison's most beautiful courses and benefits Operation Homefront. Mark your calendar for our summer networking event on August 23rd at The Coliseum! Our networking events are a great opportunity to network with other GMA members and enjoy ice cold refreshments! Also on the calendar for September 18th is our Summit, The Oz Principle: Strengthening Personal and Organizational Accountability at Work. For the first time ever, when a member registers for the event, you are invited to bring an executive from your company with you at no charge! We encourage all members to take advantage of this amazing offer to engage your executives and learn what GMA SHRM is all about.
If you have any suggestions or ideas on how to continue to move our chapter forward, please feel free to contact me at 608-826-1122 or melissap@payrollcompany.biz.
Melissa Perry
President GMA SHRM Board of Directors
Democrats in the U.S. Congress have introduced HR-5647 which would require reasonable accommodations of pregnant employees. The current Title VII pregnancy provisions prohibit discrimination, treating pregnant employees differently or stereotypically. The proposed law would require employers to additionally provide accommodations to enable employees to continue working if the pregnancy created restrictions or difficulties in job performance. This is one of several "pro-women" bills being introduced by Democrats during the pre-election period to ostensibly force Republicans to have to make a "pro" or "anti" women's rights vote.
A truck driver applied for FMLA but was denied due to being five hours short of the required annual hours to qualify. He was terminated while on medical leave due to not having FMLA. Prior to this, the driver had received a suspension, which he grieved. The suspension grievance proceeded, even though he was terminated. The arbitrator ruled that the suspension had been improper and restored the suspension days and pay. Then the arbitrator ruled that those days should count as hours worked. So now the driver was eligible for FMLA, retroactive to the time of his original request. Therefore, his termination was also without proper foundation. He was awarded all FMLA remedies of reinstatement, full back pay, etc. A grievance over a small suspension turned into a major liability. Sysco Food Services-Chicago & Teamsters Local 710 (2012).
The Department of Labor determined that over 4,500 vision center managers and asset protection coordinators were misclassified as salaried exempt when their duties were actually hourly non-exempt. The "managers" did not meet the management criteria, and the asset protection employees did not meet the administrative exemption criteria. The settlement included $4.83 million in back overtime wage payments to the employees and $463,815 in penalties paid to the DOL (out-of-court settlement). Compensation Survey Gift Card Winners! Thank you to all who recently participated in our compensation survey! Your participation is what makes the GMA SHRM Compensation Survey such a valuable tool and resource for HR professionals. We have drawn our winners for the three $50 gifts cards from those who participated by June 15th. The winners are:
• Wanda Zajicek, Dean Health Plan
The Compensation Survey is ‘evergreen’ meaning participants can update data on an ongoing basis throughout the year which gives users access to real time wage information. The survey also provides tools to assist you in applying and trending the data results to meet your industry, demographic, and organizational needs. For more information or to purchase, click on the 'Surveys' link on the GMA SHRM homepage or click here . Please note that you can participate in this survey year round. The survey is open to anyone, however, members receive significant savings on their purchase price.
Thank you again to all those participating!
GMA SHRM Social Media
Forward HR Want to know what’s going on in HR for the other areas of Wisconsin? WI SHRM has a new blog, Forward HR. Click here to take a look.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012, Sixth Annual Golf Outing & Charity Event Join your HR friends for our 6th annual golf outing at The Legend of Bergamont. The event is a 4-person scramble, so all golfers at all skill levels are encouraged to participate. You can sign up as a foursome or as an individual and we will help pair you up with a group. Proceeds will benefit Operation Homefront Wisconsin. Join us for a relaxing day of fun!
For more information and to register for this event click here.
Return to Top Tuesday, August 21, 2012, GMA SHRM Toolbox
Topic: Don’t Get Burned: Hot Topics in the Legal Arena In this Toolbox program, we will review key practical lessons from the last year in employment law. It is one thing to keep up with the latest developments, but it is as important to understand what these developments mean for your everyday practices. We will address major “takeways” from the past year to help you sharpen your day-to-day HR administration and stay out of legal trouble. In addition, we will address the latest rulings under state and federal disability laws following the enactment of the ADAAA. We will also review the most recent and instructive cases on reasonable accommodation--an issue that HR professionals must stay on top of to ensure their organizations are taking proper steps to address.
You will learn:
--How managers can complicate what should be clear cut employee terminations --Best practices in electronic discovery --How to avoid actions that will create personal liability --The expansive scope of disability coverage under the ADAAA --Practical pointers for dealing with potential disability issues --What issues and evidence determine the outcome of accommodation cases --What your key personnel need to know to properly assist in disability-related issues For more information and to register for this event click here.
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Thursday, August 23, 2012, GMA SHRM Networking Event
The GMA SHRM Membership Committee invites you to our Summer Networking Event!
Escape your normal weekday hustle and bustle and join us for an informal opportunity to re-connect with other GMA SHRM members and make a few new connections with HR Professionals in the Madison Area. The event will be held from 4:30-6:30. Registration is free but we do request an RSVP. Please RSVP by Monday August 20th so we can better plan for the event. Appetizers provided. Cash bar. For more information and to register for this event click here. See you there! Return to Top
Topic: Creating/Building a Great Workplace
Location: M3
Join Ellie Nehls as she facilitates a discussion about what makes your workplace a “great place to work” and how you’ve done it or what you’re planning to do. We encourage you to come and share with your fellow HR Colleagues what has worked best for you.
Some of the discussion points will be . . .
1) How does your organization achieve the goal of creating a great place to work?
2) Discuss the concept of “FUN ON THE JOB”
3) Discuss the Chain of command at your organization.
4) Is it possible to have an organization where every person, from custodian to CEO, has the power to use his or her talents free of needless corporate bureaucracy?
If you have something particular to share or want to discuss please contact the facilitator Ellie Nehls enehls@msn.com.
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012, GMA SHRM Strategic Summit Register for The Oz Principle Today and Your President/CEO/COO Attends Free!
The Oz Principle is coming to Madison! To help promote workplace accountability and highlight the role that both leaders and human resources play in building individual and organizational accountability, GMA SHRM is offering a special deal for our members. Register to attend The Oz Principle Strategic Summit on September 18th and an executive officer from your company attends at no extra charge! Sign up today for The Oz Principle on September 18th and then follow the directions on the website to have an executive officer from your company attend at no extra charge. It’s GMA SHRM’s way of saying “thanks” to the organizational leaders who support your membership in the chapter. Want your entire executive team to attend this session? After you register and identify one executive officer to attend for free, other leaders at your company can attend at the GMA SHRM member rate. Follow the directions on the GMA SHRM website for details about how to take advantage of this special offer. See you (and your executive officer!) at The Oz Principle on September 18th! For more information and to register for this event click here. Return to Top
GMA SHRM Announcements Omega School is looking for volunteers to conduct mock interviews on 8/15 from 9-11. Omega is an alternative school helping non-traditional students get their GED. Most candidates are looking for employment so it’s a great way to recruit as well. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Michele Thoren at thorenm@cintas.com.
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The Workforce Readiness Committee will be hosting a Job Boot Camp on September 7th from 9-12. This session will be to help the unemployed gain job seeking skills before the Dane County Job Fair the following week. The Urban League will be housing the event. We will be looking for volunteers to help with resume writing, mock interviews, and possibly a speaker to help attendees have a more effective job search, how to best utilize a career fair, or talk about other effective job seeking tools. If you are interested in volunteering contact Michele Thoren at thorenm@cintas.com.
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We are looking for speakers to present at GMA SHRM events throughout 2013. The GMA SHRM Programming Committee has identified a variety of topics for next year’s programs and if you are interested in presenting on one of these topics—or know someone who would be a great presenter—please click here to learn more about how to submit a response to our Call for Presentations.
Applications to be a speaker for next year’s GMA SHRM programs are due August 17!
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GMA SHRM Member Spotlight
Where do you currently work?
What is the focus of your position?
While I am only a month in on this new position, it includes a variety of duties including recruiting, FMLA, onboarding, temporary staffing needs, background checks, drug testing, event planning and coordinating the performance review process.
How long have you been in the Human Resource field?
Which of your career accomplishments makes you proudest?
Passing the PHR exam after graduating college.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Why did you decide to join GMA SHRM?
Welcome New Members!GMA SHRM welcomes the following members who joined our chapter in June of 2012!
Movin' UpHave you started with a new company? Has your organization recently promoted you to a new position? Or do you want to recognize a new person or promotion within your department? If so, we want to hear about it. Send us an e-mail, and we’ll publish your good news in the next HR InTouch! In TransitionIf 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. GMA SHRM Member PollDo you have a burning HR question that you’d like to see featured on our GMA SHRM Member Poll? If so, please submit your questions to Tar Conger at tconger@pjpower.com HR InTouch GuidelinesArticle 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 .
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Name: Heather Kleist
