I was browsing our May 2019 issue and was reminded of life in the HR community a year ago. Our calendar was booked with SHRM conferences all across the Southeast. Today we are adjusting to virtual conferencing and working remotely. Be sure to check out SHRM’s virtual education offerings including SHRM Specialty and SHRM On Demand on Page 3. Remember all the conversations about becoming more agile in HR? Given our current reality with the coronavirus pandemic, we have dedicated this issue to HR strategies for handling the coronavirus pandemic. Agile HR has never been more important!
We are excited to have Liz Supinski, SHRM-SCP, Director of Research Products and Data Science at SHRM, on our cover. Within the Research department at SHRM, Liz is the lead technical research expert and data scientist. If you’ve seen a SHRM commercial, interview, or report, chances are Liz’s team was behind it. The leading research team for “all things work”, SHRM Research provides evidence-based insights, recommendations, and innovations on the most important issues impacting employers, employees, and workplaces. You will enjoy reading her very impressive profile. We are also including the entire Research Team – the people behind the numbers. As SHRM members, we are thankful for the work they do for us behind the scenes.
Special thanks to our sponsors and contributors who came together to bring you our comprehensive guide to help you lead during this time of crisis in our country. Dr. Kim Lafevor and Matt Stiles lead us through the complex interplay of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act including the Emergency FMLA Expansion Act and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act. Frank Day contributed an in-depth discussion of the CARES Act, which includes the Paycheck Protection Program and expanded unemployment benefits. Jonathan Levine and John Harper explain the rights of essential businesses as many unionized organizations face wildcat strikes impacting our food supply.
Are you prepared for the return to normal? Janie Warner has some insights on developing your HR strategy for the return to normal, or should I say the “new” normal? Susan McCullah has nine predictions on how COVID-19 will permanently affect our workplace. HR professionals will have to exercise agility as never before as we transition from a booming economy and an extreme talent shortage to the new reality of one of the highest unemployment rates experienced in our lifetimes. For months after the pandemic subsides, our workforce will be subject to immense strain. Tony DiRomualdo and Harry Osle discuss five workforce resilience indicators HR should track in order to support the workforce and emerge from this crisis as healthy and productive as possible.
I hope you will mark your calendar and plan to join us for our complimentary monthly webinar sponsored by Data Facts on May 20. We will be discussing lessons for leading in crisis. Watch for your email invitation. If you are not receiving an invitation, click on “Contact Us” on our website.
Best wishes for your continued safety and health.
