SHRM’s 2023
Advocacy Priorities

As SHRM celebrates its 75th Anniversary, the organization is focused on recognizing the success of the past and acknowledging the need to drive meaningful change to stay ahead of workplace change. To make the most of this year, SHRM is calling on Congress to update three key pieces of legislation that greatly impact the future of work, workers and the workplace.

Modernize the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

SHRM proposes a balanced approach through a voluntary federal insurance market that allows employers to fund paid leave benefits by tapping into pooled resources. This will increase worker access to paid leave and minimize risk to employers.

Improve on the
Immigration and Nationality Act

SHRM supports removing barriers to recruiting, hiring, transferring and retaining top talent; the efficient use of employment-based visas; improving case processing; and boosting efficiency, transparency and fairness in workplace immigration.

Streamline the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Given recent attention to key topics addressed in the FLSA — particularly worker classification and overtime exemptions — SHRM advocates for clear, consistent and balanced laws and regulations that benefit employers, workers and the economy.

LET’S GET TO WORK

At SHRM we are focused on six key policy areas that have a meaningful impact on the workplace

Workforce
development

Support effective workforce
development strategies

WorkPLACE
EQUITY

Advance healthy work cultures
and workplace equity

Workplace
FLEXIBILITY & LEAVE

Enact modern paid leave and
workplace flexibility solutions

WorkPLACE
HEALTH CARE

Strengthen and improve the
employer-based health care system

Workplace
IMMIGRATION

Build a modern immigration system that fuels economic growth and protects U.S. workers

Workplace
GOVERNANCE

Clear, balanced rules and guidance on governance issues are critical to creating better workplaces

SHRM Research Highlights the Need for Workplace Immigration Reform

As SHRM marks its 75th anniversary, the organization is looking towards its centennial year by advancing policy recommendations that will make the world of work better.

SHRM launched policy efforts to modernize the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), through the release of SHRM research on workplace immigration and data-driven policy recommendations on how policymakers can modernize the U.S. immigration system.

Across all regions, employer sizes and industries, SHRM research confirms that U.S. employers see workplace immigration as a solution to workforce challenges, a driver of economic growth and a key to keeping the United States globally competitive.

HR Professionals say that workplace immigration:

  • Makes the United States Competitive: Nearly 3 in 4 (73%) responding employers agree that increased immigration encourages economic growth and makes America more globally competitive.
  • Could Address Shortage of Workers: 57% of organizations reported that they would benefit from an increase in available and legally authorized workers on visas, with medium and large employers agreeing at higher levels (63% and 68% respectively).
  • Needs To Be Secure: More than two-thirds (68%) say that the screening process to allow foreign-born workers to remain and work in the United States should be strenuous to address potential security concerns.

Advocacy Spotlight: Why Advocacy Matters