August
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HR InTouchThe Monthly Newsletter of the Greater Madison Area SHRM |
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In This EditionPresident's Message Government Affairs Update on Proposed Legislation Compensation and Benefits Obama Administration Delays Enforcement of Obamacare’s Employer Shared Responsibility Employee Relations Community Events GMA SHRM Social Media Our Member Directory is Now Mobile Friendly! GMA SHRM Upcoming Events
August 13, 2013 - GMA SHRM Toolbox
August 22, 2013
August 28, 2013
September 13, 2013 Click here to see the full 2013 GMA SHRM Event Calendar. GMA SHRM Announcements Requesting Speakers for Student SHRM Chapters GMA SHRM Member News
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Farmer’s Markets, Concerts on the Square, strolls around our beautiful lakes, Maxwell Street Days, warm summer nights at the Memorial Union Terrace, Art Fair on the Square…I could go on and on. It’s summer in Madison and I hope you are taking advantage of it. We live in a beautiful city that has so much to offer in the summer. GMA SHRM also has a lot to offer in the upcoming months. Not only do we have our legal update Toolbox on August 13th, there is also an excellent opportunity to network with other HR professionals at our summer networking event on August 22nd at The Coliseum Bar. These are always great events to reconnect, meet new contacts, and socialize.
Additionally, please mark your calendar for another fun summer event, our seventh annual golf outing on Friday, September 13th. Proceeds will benefit Operation Homefront Wisconsin and it will be held at Door Creek Golf Course this year. This is a non-competitive event, and there may even be a surprise for those golfers who are better at driving the cart than driving the ball. I may or may not have been in one of these foursomes last year.
Finally, please keep September 17th open for our exciting Strategic Summit, The Fierce Leader: How to Improve Results through Conversations. We are excited to have CEO & President of Fierce, Inc., Halley Bock with us. Also, for the second year in a row, when you register as a member you can invite an executive from your organization to join you at no charge. What an excellent opportunity to engage your executives and introduce them to GMA SHRM. They’ll see the great value GMA SHRM adds to your professional development.
I hope you continue to enjoy your summer and take full advantage of what our great city, and chapter has to offer.
Warmly,
GMA SHRM Board of Directors
Are you interested in making an impact on proposed legislation? Now you have that opportunity. One of our member’s organizations, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), has been working with legislators to propose changes to several state laws that conflict with federal employment laws. One of the key topics will be Wisconsin Family & Medical Leave (FMLA). The hope is to change our state law so any employers covered under Federal FMLA will only need to follow the Federal regulations.
Some other proposed changes we might see are related to white collar exemptions, definition of work time, time recordkeeping for exempt employees, “donning and doffing”, discipline of exempt employees, compete/non-compete agreements and others. We should see legislation introduced late this summer or early fall and WMC expects to receive calls from the press. They are currently seeking Human Resources Professionals that would be interested in speaking with the press about their firsthand accounts of why these reforms would be positive for employers. If you are interested in talking to the press about these issues, please contact Tammy Wacek at (608) 223-2314 or tammy.wacek@wpsic.com.
Obama Administration Delays Enforcement of Obamacare’s Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions
“The Administration is announcing that it will provide an additional year before the ACA mandatory employer and insurer reporting requirements begin. This is designed to meet two goals. First, it will allow us to consider ways to simplify the new reporting requirements consistent with the law. Second, it will provide time to adapt health coverage and reporting systems while employers are moving toward making health coverage affordable and accessible for their employees.”
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“We recognize that this transition relief will make it impractical to determine which employers owe shared responsibility payments (under section 4980H) for 2014. Accordingly, we are extending this transition relief to the employer shared responsibility payments. These payments will not apply for 2014. Any employer shared responsibility payments will not apply until 2015.”
Treasury Notes, Continuing to Implement the ACA in a Careful, Thoughtful Manner, U.S. Department of the Treasury, available at http://www.treasury.gov/connect/blog/Pages/Continuing-to-Implement-the-ACA-in-a-Careful-Thoughtful-Manner-.aspx.
This delay provides a welcome short-term relief for employers concerned about the impact of the ACA on their business. However, rather than delaying any further planning for the eventual implementation of the Employer Shared Responsibility provisions, employers should use the delay to ensure that they are fully prepared for the provisions come January 1, 2015. This recommendation should ring especially true for employers that are close to the fifty full-time employee threshold for becoming subject to the ACA, as well as larger employers that use a significant number of independent contractors and/or temporary staffing workers.
Employee Relations Scenarios
Deceptive employee allowed to keep severance money and still sue--company should have re-read the agreement before paying. A terminating employee was offered a severance and release agreement. She carefully edited the release section, using the same 5 type font and margins, to change the language from a release "including" various employment laws to the word "excluding" all the laws. She returned the release without any indication of her sneaky change. After pocketing the $15,000 severance pay, she then sued the company for age discrimination. The court refused to dismiss the case, in spite of the employee's deceptive trick. It ruled that she had not waived her rights, and the employer could have seen that before making the payments.
Illegal workers can still collect damages; company president and directors personally liable to pay. Several production workers were not paid for overtime work. They sued. The company defended by claiming they were undocumented, not legal to work in the U.S. and entitled to nothing. In Hoffman Plastic v. NLRB (2002), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that undocumented workers could not sue or claim damages under the National Labor Relations Act. Since they were here illegally, they had no rights. An employer could commit any sort of infraction or any abuse of the employees, free of liability. An illegal worker was open to abuse by being illegal, and abusive employers get a "free pass." However, in this case the Federal Court ruled that the FLSA is a different law and has a different coverage of employee-employer than the NLRA. All workers are covered, undocumented or not. So the Court found in favor of the employees and ordered back pay and additional damages. Also, since the FLSA provides for personal liability (damages paid from your own bank account, assets or sale of your personal home), the company president and two directors of the company were held individually liable for the damages. Lamonica v. Safe Hurricane Shutters, Inc. (11th Cir., 2013).
The Literacy Network offers a variety of courses, tutoring and other services to Dane County community adults to further reading, writing and speaking skills. Specifically the Literacy Network offers customized language instruction to improve employees' English communication skills both on and off the job. Literacy Network excels at developing programs tailor-designed to meet your company's specific workplace needs. If you are interested in learning more please visit us at: http://litnetwork.org/programs/index.php?category_id=4493
If you are looking for a fun wellness activity this fall, mark your calendars for the Literacy Network Run/Walk! For more information, visit: www.tinyurl.com/literacynetworkrunwalk. Families and corporate teams welcomed and encouraged!
Job Boot Camp Returns
On September 6th from 9am to 12pm, GMA SHRM will be sponsoring a Job “Boot Camp” which will include various activities including one-on-one meetings with HR Professionals, resume reviews with HR Professionals, networking & discussion areas for attendees, and mock interviews. For more information, please see the event flyer here.
The GMA SHRM Workforce Readiness Committee is seeking volunteers to assist with this year’s September 6th Job Boot Camp. The event will be from 9:00 am – noon. The purpose of the boot camp is to work with and educate job seekers through resume and interviewing workshops. This year we have decided to add Table Talks to the agenda in which GMA SHRM members will address small groups of 8-12 learners on a variety of HR related topics beneficial to workers entering the workforce. Last year we had 60 participants and 20 GMA SHRM volunteers, this year we expect an even larger turnout. We would welcome your participation. To volunteer, please contact Jeff Westra at jwestra@herzing.edu, or at (608) 663-0808.
GMA SHRM Social Media
Wish you could stay connected with GMA SHRM members? Now you can search for a member, call, e-mail or find directions to their listed location and be confident that it’s up to date. Check it out today, you can now stay better connected to GMA SHRM members and it’s just a click away at http://www.gmashrm.org/mobile
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.
August 13, 2013 - GMA SHRM Toolbox
Topic: Hot Topics in the HR Legal World
Location: City Center West This program will provide attendees with valuable information on a variety of timely HR legal topics. You will leave the program better informed on critical topics affecting your workplace and better “armed” to prevent certain workplace legal issues before they take on a life of their own! Our panel of three well known, experienced employment lawyers will bring their expertise, insights and practical hints to you. You’ll be glad you spent the morning with them.
Keeping the NLRB out of Your Business: Lauri Morris, L.D. Morris Law S.C.
Controlling Health Care Costs with Wellness Plans: Nilesh P, Mahadev Law Group, LLC
Employer-sponsored wellness plans continue to be a key component in controlling health care costs. Employers who elect to enact such plans must understand legal restrictions and other key issues. Employers must design and implement legally compliant plans to maximize their cost savings. Nilesh Patel will give an overview of wellness plans and update you with the latest regulations so you are up to speed.
The Courts’ Impact on HR: Jennifer Mirus, Boardman & Clark LLP For more information and to register for this event click here. August 22, 2013 - GMA SHRM Member Networking Event Location: Coliseum Bar The GMA SHRM Membership Committee invites you to our Summer Networking Event! Are you looking to make some new GMA SHRM connections? Or maybe just looking to reconnect with some members you haven’t seen in a while. Come to our semi-annual networking event to escape your crazy, busy work life and join your friends at GMA SHRM! The event will be held from 4:30-6:30. Registration is free but we do request an RSVP. Appetizers provided. Cash bar. For more information and to register for this event click here. See you there!
Our discussion of this great topic will be enriched by two HR professionals who have personally dealt with Downsizing. Cory Erickson, Co-owner, President & COO of Career Momentum; formerly of Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Mary Jo Spiekerman, VP of HR at Hausman Johnson Insurance. We all can empathize with the emotional and organizational effects of these "right sizing" events, but what are effective strategies for keeping "survivors" engaged and communicating in ways that support the new organization? Come share your insights and discuss your questions. Our facilitator, Laura V. Page will provide her summary of the book The New Corporate Cultures, Revitalizing The Workplace After Downsizing, Mergers, and Reengineering. For more information and to register for this event click here.
September 13, 2013 – GMA SHRM Annual Golf Outing The Most Non-Competitive Golf Outing Ever!!
Join us as we host our seventh Annual Golf Outing at Door Creek Golf Course on Friday, September 13th. Proceeds will benefit Operation Homefront Wisconsin.
You can sign up to play with a specific foursome or as an individual and we will pair you up with a group!
The event is a 4-person scramble, so all golfers at all skill levels are encouraged to participate. We are playing for fun! The cost of the event is $69 for both Members and Non-Members and includes 18 holes of golf with a cart and GPS, continental breakfast, practice facilities, and a cookout reception after golf. Registration and practice will be open from 8:30 to 9:45am and play will begin at 10:00am with a shotgun start.
For more information and to register for this event click here.
September 17, 2013 —GMA SHRM Strategic Summit
What does it mean to be a fierce leader? What sets a fierce leader apart from leadership as we know it today? Can anyone become a fierce leader – and is that a good thing? To find the answers to these questions and more, set aside the morning of September 17th to attend our Strategic Summit on Fierce Leadership featuring Halley Bock, CEO and President of Fierce, Inc. Halley will blow up the conventional wisdom of what enables leaders to become truly effective in today’s world. She will guide us into a new understanding about how fierce leaders find unconventional ways to transform their teams and organizations. In this Summit, Halley will introduce three transformational ideas and seven core principles of fierce leadership that will shift your understanding of conversations and the power that they play in building relationships and changing organizations. If your organization is looking for a jolt of provocative ideas to change the way people lead, engage in conversation, and move through challenges, then this Summit is where you want to be. As an extra benefit, bring one of your senior executives with you to this session for FREE! Just pay for your own registration and your senior executive can attend at no extra charge! What a great way to get your top executives to think in fierce ways!
See you on September 17th at our Strategic Summit on Fierce Leadership.
While summer is just getting started and school just let out for the spring semester, our local SHRM student chapters are already planning for their fall semesters. UW Madison, UW Whitewater and UW Platteville have requested GMA SHRM members to speak at their meetings this fall. Topics that have been suggested by the student chapters are: recruiting trends, how to use social media to job hunt, benefits and health care reform, “a day in the life of an HR professional”, generational trends in business, communication, employment law, or any topic that you may be willing to present. Chapter meetings are held during the week and usually start between 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and speakers have about 45 minutes to present. Chapters usually can be flexible regarding start time, with notice. Please contact Melissa Chadwick at melissa.chadwick@bakertilly.com if you would be interested in speaking and indicate which topic(s) you would be interested in speaking about and which schools you would be interested in traveling to for a meeting. Thank you for your help in supporting our student chapters! GMA SHRM Member Spotlight Name: Kim Doolittle
Where do you currently work?
I am in a contract position with Springs Window Fashions.
What is the focus of your position?
My role is the HR Service Representative. I get to do a little bit of everything, but help mostly with our training, environmental health and safety, culture and employee satisfaction initiatives.
How long have you been in the Human Resource field?
Less than one year.
Which of your career accomplishments makes you proudest?
Developing and implementing an internal communications program to help connect employees and management in the main office to those on client sites. This initiative significantly improved employee morale and helped employees feel connected to the main office and part of the team.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t be afraid to try new things.
Why did you decide to join GMA SHRM?
Wanted to get involved and volunteer with the Madison area HR community.
If you’d like to be published in an issue of HR InTouch, please complete this profile and submit (along with a photo) to Tia Gibson @ tia.gibson@covance.com.
GMA SHRM Volunteer Spotlight
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Name: Scott Wieland|
Elizabeth Baldowin, SPHR
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Human Resources Manager
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Independent Living, Inc.
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Erin Engler, PHR
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HR Specialist
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INOC
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Stuart Fields
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The Growth Coach
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Moira Klos
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Rachel Martin
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Department of Children and Families
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Samantha J. Pegelow
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HR Manager
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UW-Madison, Division of Information Technology
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Jessica Tesch
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Human Resource Coordinator
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Hilton Madison
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Movin' Up
Have 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 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.
GMA SHRM Member Poll
Do 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 Tara Conger at tconger@pjpower.com
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 .
