SHRM Hosts In-District Meetings with Policymakers
During the U.S. House and Senate’s August recess, SHRM affiliates across the country are meeting with policymakers to tell them how HR professionals are addressing the latest workplace challenges, adjusting business practices and providing innovative solutions for the world of work.
Last week in Chapel Hill, N.C., SHRM Government Affairs staff and local SHRM members met with district staff from the offices of Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Rep. G. K. Butterfield, D-N.C., Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., and Rep. David Price, D-N.C.
In a roundtable discussion at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, North Carolina SHRM members shared their experiences with workplace immigration, workforce development, paid leave and other issues.
Staff from SHRM headquarters in Alexandria, Va., and members of Virginia SHRM met with U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., on Aug. 17 to discuss workplace policies impacting HR professionals and hear about Beyer’s legislative agenda.
SHRM Government Affairs is equipping you with the tools and resources you need to schedule a successful meeting, event or site visit with a member of Congress.
Please complete SHRM’s In-District Advocacy form and let SHRM Government Affairs know about your affiliate’s plans to meet with members of Congress during the August recess. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 703-535-6099.
SHRM21 Update: Panelists Explore ‘SHE-CESSION’
The SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2021, which is taking place in Las Vegas and virtually Sept. 9-12, will include a panel discussion called “SHE-CESSION: Seizing the Moment to Lead Global Change for Women in the Workplace.”
The session will be held Sept. 10 at 3:45 p.m. PT.
The SHRM Government Affairs team is convening a panel of international business and government leaders working toward positive change for women in the workplace during the post-pandemic economic recovery.
The panelists include SHRM Board members Elizabeth Adefioye, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Ingredion Inc., and Susana Suarez Gonzalez, Ph.D., executive vice president, chief human resources, and diversity and inclusion officer at International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.; Anthony Ariganello, chief executive officer at CPHR BC & Yukon and CPHR Canada; and Camille A. Olson, partner at Seyfarth Shaw, LLP.
SHRM21 will also feature a listening session with leadership from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on Sept. 9. at 1 p.m. PT. Presenters include EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows and Commissioner Keith Sonderling.
Register today to attend SHRM21 in person or virtually!
SHRM Remembers Sen. Mike Enzi
Wyoming SHRM members paid tribute to former Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., who died July 26 at the age of 77 after being seriously injured in a bicycle accident.
Enzi, who was a member of SHRM earlier in his career, was remembered for the warm reception he showed HR professionals during his time serving as chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Heather Doke, SHRM-CP, past president and legislative chair for the Wyoming State Council and a SHRM Advocacy Team member, was one of several SHRM members to share her memories of Enzi in an article published on SHRM.org.
“He was truly a remarkable man and a supporter of the human resources field and the workforce,” Doke said. “He understood and was always willing to take time out of his busy schedule to listen and offer practical solutions to the issues facing our profession. He was always ready with a story that would bring a smile to my face, even with the difficult issues we discussed. He will be greatly missed!”
Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Ends Employee Retention Tax Credit Early
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 69-30 Aug. 10, includes several provisions impacting the workplace, including an early end to the pandemic-related Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC).
The bill now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives when the chamber returns from the August recess.
The ERTC was created in March 2020 to encourage businesses to keep employees on the payroll. The Senate infrastructure bill would end the tax credit Oct. 1 rather than Dec. 31, reducing the maximum credit from $28,000 to $21,000.
This summary includes information on other workplace provisions included in the infrastructure bill.
Appeals Court Rules Military Reservist Entitled to Pay
A federal appeals court ruled Aug. 11 that a FedEx worker is entitled to be paid for leave he took for service with his military reserve unit.
The employee, who served in the Naval Reserve, did not receive compensation from FedEx while on reserve duty because the company does not pay employees for military leave.
The employee filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) of 1994, and that court ruled in favor of FedEx.
The appeals panel that reversed that decision stated, “Best understood, USERRA does not allow employers to treat service members differently by paying employees for some kinds of leave while exempting military service.”
Labor Seeks Nominees for ERISA Advisory Council
The Department of Labor is seeking nominations for vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, which was established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to advise the labor secretary.
The terms of five of the 15 council members expire at the end of the year. Council members represent the following groups or fields: employee organizations, employers, the public, actuarial counseling and investment counseling.
For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 703-535-6099.
Comment on Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
The Department of Education requests written comments on the administration of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives a portion of student loans for eligible government and not-for-profit employees.
The department seeks feedback to identify operational improvements to the loan program and make determinations about policy considerations.
For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 703-535-6099.
Policy, Not Politics Apparel and Accessories Available at SHRMStore
SHRM has an unwavering commitment to focus on policy, not politics. We believe in our ability to find consensus when we bring all sides to the table for critical discussions of issues impacting work, workers and workplaces.
Together, we are championing policies that will help organizations and people thrive to create better workplaces and a better world.
Showcase your commitment to Policy, Not Politics, with a brand-new line of apparel and merchandise available for order at the SHRMStore. Get FREE SHIPPING on apparel and accessories when you shop at the SHRMStore through May 31.
Advancing Workplace Issues in 2021
SHRM is proud to be working with several organizations to highlight workplace issues in 2021. They include Fratelli Group, NAICU, Palladian Hill Strategies, Seyfarth Shaw LLP and Viatris.
As the Voice of All Things Work, SHRM pursues nonpartisan public policy to promote flexible, inclusive and equitable workplaces that help business thrive as talent is tapped, trained and empowered to reach its full potential. Policy not politics.
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